UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): June 13, 2019

 

 

CHEWY, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-38936   90-1020167

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1855 Griffin Road, Suite B-428

Dania Beach, Florida 33004

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (786) 320-7111

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Class A Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value   CHWY   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

In connection with the initial public offering by Chewy, Inc. (the “Company”) of its Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), described in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-231095), as amended (the “Registration Statement”), the following agreements were entered into:

 

  1.

Investor Rights Agreement dated June 13, 2019, by and among Chewy, Inc. and certain holders identified therein (the “Investor Rights Agreement”);

 

  2.

Master Transaction Agreement dated June 13, 2019, by and among Chewy, Inc. and PetSmart, Inc. (“Master Transaction Agreement”); and

 

  3.

Tax Matters Agreement dated June 13, 2019 by and among Chewy, Inc., Argos Intermediate Holdco I Inc. and the PetSmart, Inc. (the “Tax Matters Agreement”).

The Investor Rights Agreement, the Master Transaction Agreement and the Tax Matters Agreement are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference. The terms of these agreements are substantially the same as the terms described in the Registration Statement.

In addition, as described in Item 2.03 below, on June 18, 2019, the Company entered into a new five-year senior secured asset-backed credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. as syndication agent, and certain other lenders from time to time party thereto. The disclosure provided in Item 2.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

On June 18, 2019, the Company entered into a new five-year senior secured asset-backed credit facility (“ABL Credit Facility”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. as syndication agent, and certain other lenders from time to time party thereto. The ABL Credit Facility provides for non-amortizing revolving loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $300 million, subject to a borrowing base comprised of, among other things, inventory and sales receivables (subject to certain reserves). The ABL Credit Facility provides us the right to request incremental commitments and add incremental asset-based revolving loan facilities in an aggregate principal amount of up to $100 million, subject to customary conditions.

Borrowings under the ABL Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to an applicable margin, plus, at our option, either a base rate or a LIBOR rate. The applicable margin is generally determined based on our average excess liquidity during the immediately preceding fiscal quarter as a percentage of the maximum borrowing amount under the facility, and is between 0.25% and 0.75% for base rate loans and between 1.25% and 1.75% for LIBOR loans. The Company will also be required to pay a commitment fee of between 0.25% and 0.375% in respect of the undrawn portion of the commitments, which is generally based on average daily usage of the facility.

All obligations under the ABL Credit Facility are guaranteed on a senior secured first-lien basis by our wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions, and secured, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions, by a perfected first-priority security interest in substantially all of our assets.

The ABL Credit Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to:

 

   

incur or guarantee additional debt and issue certain equity securities;

 

   

make certain investments and acquisitions;

 

   

make certain restricted payments and payments of certain indebtedness;

 

   

incur certain liens or permit them to exist;

 

   

enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates;

 

   

merge or consolidate with another company; and

 

   

transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of assets.

Each of these restrictions is subject to various exceptions. In addition, the ABL Credit Facility requires us to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0:1.0 if specified excess availability under the facility is less than the greater of 10% of the maximum borrowing amount and $30 million for a certain period of time.

 

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The ABL Credit Facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default for facilities of this type, including an event of default upon a change in control.

The foregoing description of the terms of the ABL Credit Facility does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the ABL Credit Facility, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.4 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

The information set forth under Item 5.03 below is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

On June 13. 2019, the Company filed an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) became effective on such date. The Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws are filed herewith as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference. The terms of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws are substantially the same as the terms set forth in the forms previously filed as Exhibits 3.2 and 3.4, respectively, to the Registration Statement.

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On June 13, 2019, the Company announced the pricing of the initial public offering of 46,500,000 shares of its Class A common stock at a price to the public of $22.00 per share. The offering consists of 5,600,000 shares of Class A common stock being sold by the Company and 40,900,000 shares of Class A common stock being sold by a wholly-owned subsidiary of PetSmart, Inc. (the “Selling Stockholder”). In addition, the Selling Stockholder granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 6,975,000 additional shares of Class A common stock at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. A copy of the Company’s press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein in its entirety.

On June 18, 2019, the Company completed its initial public offering of Class A Common Stock. The Company and the Selling Stockholder sold 53,475,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, including 6,975,000 shares of Class A Common Stock after the underwriters fully exercised their option to purchase additional Class A common stock from the Selling Stockholder.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

    No.    

  

Description

  3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Chewy Inc., dated June 13, 2019
  3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Chewy, Inc., dated as of June 13, 2019
10.1    Investor Rights Agreement dated June 13, 2019, by and among Chewy, Inc. and certain holders identified therein
10.2    Master Transaction Agreement dated June 13, 2019, by and among Chewy, Inc. and PetSmart, Inc.
10.3    Tax Matters Agreement dated June 13, 2019 by and among Chewy, Inc., Argos Intermediate Holdco I Inc. and PetSmart, Inc.
10.4    ABL Credit Agreement dated as of June 18, 2019, among Chewy Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the Lenders (as defined therein) party thereto
99.1    Press Release of Chewy, Inc. dated June 13, 2019

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

    No.    

  

Description

  3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Chewy Inc., dated June 13, 2019
  3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Chewy, Inc., dated as of June 13, 2019
10.1    Investor Rights Agreement dated June 13, 2019, by and among Chewy, Inc. and certain holders identified therein
10.2    Master Transaction Agreement dated June 13, 2019, by and among Chewy, Inc. and PetSmart, Inc.
10.3    Tax Matters Agreement dated June 13, 2019 by and among Chewy, Inc., Argos Intermediate Holdco I Inc. and PetSmart, Inc.
10.4    ABL Credit Agreement dated as of June 18, 2019, among Chewy Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the Lenders (as defined therein) party thereto
99.1    Press Release of Chewy, Inc. dated June 13, 2019

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

CHEWY, INC.
By:   /s/ Susan Helfrick
Name:   Susan Helfrick
Title:   General Counsel

Date:    June 18, 2019

 

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Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

CHEWY, INC.

Chewy, Inc. (the “ Company ”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“ DGCL ”), does hereby certify as follows:

(1) The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Company was filed with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Secretary”) on March 16, 2016. The original certificate of incorporation was amended and restated by the filing of an amended and restated certificate of incorporation with the Secretary on April 18, 2016. The amended and restated certificate of incorporation was amended by the filing of a certificate of amendment to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation with the Secretary on May 11, 2016. The amended and restated certificate of incorporation was further amended and restated by filing a second amended and restated certificate of incorporation with the Secretary on April 4, 2017. The second amended and restated certificate of incorporation was amended and restated by the filing of a certificate of merger with the Secretary on May 31, 2017 (as amended and restated, the “ 2017 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation ”).

(2) This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as amended or modified from time to time, this “ Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation ”) was duly adopted in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the DGCL.

(3) This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates and integrates and further amends the 2017 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company in its entirety.

(4) The text of the current 2017 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation hereby is amended and restated in entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the Company is Chewy, Inc.

ARTICLE II

REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

The address of the Company’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 3411 Silverside Road, Tatnall Building, Suite 104, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19810. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporate Creations Network Inc.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.


ARTICLE IV

CAPITAL STOCK

I.  Authorized Capital .

The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which the Company shall have authority to issue is 1,900,000,000, which shall be divided into three classes as follows: 1,500,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Class  A Common Stock ”); 395,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Class  B Common Stock ” and, together with Class A Common Stock, the “ Common Stock ”); and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Preferred Stock ”).

Upon the filing and effectiveness (the “ Effective Time ”) pursuant to the DGCL of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, each share of common stock, par value $0.01, of the Company (“ Old Common Stock ”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, automatically and without any action on the part of the respective holders thereof, be reclassified into 3,930,000 shares of Class B Common Stock. Each certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Old Common Stock shall thereafter represent that number of shares of Class B Common Stock into which the shares of Old Common Stock represented by such certificate shall have been converted.

The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then-outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto), and no vote of the holders of either the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor, unless a vote of any such holder is required pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock).

II.  Common Stock .

A.  Voting Rights .

1. Except as otherwise provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise required by applicable law, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall at all times vote together as one class on all matters (including the election of directors) submitted to a vote or for the consent of the stockholders of the Company.

2. Each holder of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Class A Common Stock held as of the applicable record date on any matter that is submitted to a vote or for the consent of the stockholders of the Company.

3. Except as otherwise provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise required by applicable law, each holder of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to ten votes for each share of Class B Common Stock held as of the applicable date on any matter that is submitted to a vote or for the consent of the stockholders of the Company.

B.  Dividends . Subject to the preferences applicable to any series of Preferred Stock, if any, outstanding at any time, the holders of Class A Common Stock and the holders of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to share equally, on a per share basis, in such dividends and other distributions of cash, property or shares of stock of the Company as may be declared by the Board of Directors of the Company

 

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(the “ Board ”) from time to time with respect to the Common Stock out of assets or funds of the Company legally available therefor;  provided ,  however , that in the event that such dividend is paid in the form of shares of Common Stock or rights to acquire Common Stock, the holders of Class A Common Stock shall receive Class A Common Stock or rights to acquire Class A Common Stock, as the case may be, and the holders of Class B Common Stock shall receive Class B Common Stock or rights to acquire Class B Common Stock, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may pay or make a disparate dividend or distribution per share of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock (whether in the amount of such dividend or distribution payable per share, the form in which such dividend or distribution is payable, the timing of the payment, or otherwise) if such disparate dividend or distribution is approved in advance by the affirmative vote (or written consent) of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a class.

C. Liquidation . Subject to the preferences applicable to any series of Preferred Stock, if any, outstanding at any time, in the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding up of the Company, all assets of the Company of whatever kind available for distribution to the holders of Common Stock shall be divided among and paid ratably to the holders of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock treated as a single class unless disparate or different treatment of the shares of each such class with respect to distributions upon any such liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding up is approved in advance by the affirmative vote (or written consent) of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a class.

D.  Subdivision, Combination or Reclassification . If the Company in any manner subdivides, combines or reclassifies the outstanding shares of one class of Common Stock, the outstanding shares of the other class of Common Stock will be subdivided, combined or reclassified in the same manner;  provided ,  however , that shares of one such class of Common Stock may be subdivided, combined or reclassified in a different or disproportionate manner if such subdivision, combination or reclassification is approved in advance by the affirmative vote (or written consent) of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a class.

E.  Equal Status . Except as expressly provided in this Article IV, Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall have the same rights and privileges and rank equally (including as to dividends and distributions, and upon any liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding up of the Company), share ratably and be identical in all respects as to all matters.

F.  Conversion of Class B Common Stock .

1.  Voluntary Conversion . Each share of Class B Common Stock shall be convertible into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock at the option of the holder thereof with the prior written consent of the Company. Before any holder of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled voluntarily to convert any shares of such Class B Common Stock, such holder shall surrender the certificate or certificates therefor (if any), duly endorsed, at the principal corporate office of the Company or of any transfer agent for the Class B Common Stock, and shall give written notice to the Company at its principal corporate office of the election to convert the same and shall state therein the name or names (a) in which the certificate or certificates representing the shares of Class A Common Stock into which the shares of Class B Common Stock are so converted are to be issued if such shares are certificated or (b) in which such shares are to be registered in book entry if such shares are uncertificated. The Company shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, issue and deliver at such office to such holder of Class B Common Stock, or to the nominee or nominees of such holder, a certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to which such

 

3


holder shall be entitled as aforesaid (if such shares are certificated) or register such shares in book-entry form (if such shares are uncertificated). Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such surrender of the shares of Class B Common Stock to be converted following or contemporaneously with the written notice of such holder’s election to convert and the prior written consent of the Company required by this Section II.F.1 of Article IV, and the person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Class A Common Stock as of such date. Each share of Class B Common Stock that is converted pursuant to this Section II.F.1 of Article IV shall be retired by the Company and shall not be available for reissuance.

2.  Automatic Conversion .

(a) Each share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically, without further action by the holder thereof, be converted into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock (i) upon the occurrence of a Transfer (as defined below), other than a Permitted Transfer (as defined below), of such share of Class B Common Stock; or (ii) if the holder thereof is not or ceases to be an Affiliate of any of the Sponsors (as defined below).

(b) All shares of Class B Common Stock shall automatically, without further action by any holder thereof, be converted into an identical number of shares of fully paid and nonassessable Class A Common Stock (i) on the first trading day on or after the date on which the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock constitutes less than 7.5% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding, as determined by the Board, or (ii) upon the occurrence of an event, specified by the affirmative vote (or written consent) of the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding shares Class B Common Stock, voting as a separate class (the occurrence of an event described in clause (a) or (b) of this Section II.F.2 of Article IV, a “ Conversion Event ”).

Each outstanding stock certificate that, immediately prior to a Conversion Event, represented one or more shares of Class B Common Stock subject to such Conversion Event shall, upon such Conversion Event, be deemed to represent an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock, without the need for surrender or exchange thereof. The Company, or any transfer agent of the Company, shall, upon the request of any holder whose shares of Class B Common Stock have been converted into shares of Class A Common Stock as a result of a Conversion Event and upon surrender by such holder to the Company of the outstanding certificate(s) formerly representing such holder’s shares of Class B Common Stock (if any), issue and deliver to such holder certificate(s) representing the shares of Class A Common Stock into which such holder’s shares of Class B Common Stock were converted as a result of such Conversion Event (if such shares are certificated) or, if such shares are uncertificated, register such shares in book-entry form. Each share of Class B Common Stock that is converted pursuant to this Section II.F.2 of Article IV shall thereupon be retired by the Company and shall not be available for reissuance.

3. The Company may, from time to time, establish such policies and procedures, not in violation of applicable law or the other provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, relating to the conversion of the Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock, as it may deem necessary or advisable in connection therewith. If the Company has a reasonable basis to believe that a Transfer giving rise to a conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock has occurred but has not theretofore been reflected on the books of the Company, the Company may request in writing that the holder of such shares furnish affidavits or other reasonable evidence to the Company as the Company deems necessary to determine whether a conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock to Class A Common Stock has occurred and if such holder does not, within

 

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30 days after receipt of such written request, furnish reasonable evidence to the Company to enable the Company to determine that no such conversion has occurred, any such shares of Class B Common Stock, to the extent not previously converted, shall be automatically converted into shares of Class A Common Stock and the same shall thereupon be registered on the books and records of the Company. In addition, if the Company has a reasonable basis to believe that a holder of shares of Class B Common Stock is not or has ceased to be an Affiliate of any of the Sponsors giving rise to a conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock, the Company may request in writing that the holder of such shares furnish affidavits or other reasonable evidence to the Company as the Company deems necessary to determine whether the holder of such shares is still an Affiliate of the Sponsors and if such holder does not, within 30 days after receipt of such written request, furnish reasonable evidence to the Company to enable the Company to determine that such holder is still an Affiliate of the Sponsors, any such shares of Class B Common Stock, to the extent not previously converted, shall be automatically converted into shares of Class A Common Stock and the same shall thereupon be registered on the books and records of the Company. In connection with any action of stockholders taken at a meeting or by written consent, the stock ledger of the Company shall be presumptive evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders or in connection with any such written consent and the class or classes or series of shares held by each such stockholder and the number of shares of each class or classes or series held by such stockholder.

4.  Reservation of Stock . The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock.

5.  Protective Provisions . The Company shall not, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, amend, alter, repeal or waive this Section II of Article IV (or adopt any provision inconsistent therewith), unless such action is first approved by the affirmative vote (or written consent) of the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, voting as a separate class, in addition to any other vote required by applicable law, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws (as defined in Article V hereof), and the holders of Class A Common Stock shall have no right to vote thereon.

G.  Definitions . For purposes of this Article IV:

1. “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person.

2. “ control ” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), with respect to the relationship between or among two or more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the affairs or management of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

3. “ Permitted Transfer ” means any of the following:

(i) any Transfer of shares of Class B Common Stock to a broker or other nominee; provided that the transferor, immediately following such Transfer, retains (1) Voting Control, (2) control over the disposition of such shares, and (3) the economic consequences of ownership of such shares;

 

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(ii) any Transfer of shares of Class B Common Stock to a Sponsor or any Affiliate of a Sponsor; and

(iii) any Transfer approved by a majority of the shares of Class B Common Stock.

4. “ Person ” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, limited or general partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity, whether domestic or foreign.

5. “ Sponsors ” means BC Partners LLP, La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, GIC Private Limited, Longview Asset Management LLC or StepStone Group LP and each of their respective Affiliates.

6. “ Transfer ” (including the term “Transferred”) of a share of Class B Common Stock means, directly or indirectly, any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, hypothecation or other transfer or disposition of such share or any legal or beneficial interest in such share, whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law (including by merger, consolidation or otherwise), including, without limitation, the transfer of, or entering into a binding agreement with respect to, Voting Control over such share, by proxy or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not be considered a “Transfer” within the meaning of this Article IV:

(i) the granting by a stockholder of a proxy to (y) officers or directors of the Company at the request of the Board, or (z) a representative of such stockholder, in connection with actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or in connection with any action by written consent of the stockholders;

(ii) the pledge of shares of Class B Common Stock by a stockholder that creates a mere security interest in such shares pursuant to a bona fide loan or indebtedness transaction for so long as such stockholder continues to exercise Voting Control over such pledged shares;  provided ,  however , that a foreclosure on such shares or other similar action by the pledgee shall constitute a “Transfer” unless such foreclosure or similar action qualifies as a “Permitted Transfer” at such time; or

(iii) any change in the trustees or the Person(s) acting as a fiduciary with respect to a Sponsor having or exercising Voting Control over shares of Class B Common Stock of a Sponsor.

7. “ Voting Control ” means, with respect to a share of Class B Common Stock, the power (whether exclusive or shared) to vote or direct the voting of such share by proxy, voting agreement or otherwise.

III. Preferred Stock.

A. Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time by the Company for such consideration as may be fixed by the Board. The Board is hereby expressly authorized, by resolution or resolutions, to provide, out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock, for one or more series of Preferred Stock and, with respect to each such series, to fix, without further stockholder approval, the designation of such series, the powers (including voting powers), preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of such series of Preferred Stock and the number of shares of such series, and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The powers, preferences and relative, participating,

 

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optional and other special rights of, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of each series of Preferred Stock, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding.

B. Except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL.

C. Except as otherwise required by law, holders of any series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to only such voting rights, if any, as shall expressly be granted thereto by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock).

ARTICLE V

AMENDMENT OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS

A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, after the date on which the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock represent less than 50% of the combined voting power of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, the following provisions in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation may be amended, altered, repealed or rescinded, in whole or in part, or any provision inconsistent therewith or herewith may be adopted, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class: Article V, Article VI, Article VII, Article VIII, Article IX and Article X. For the purposes of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, beneficial ownership of shares shall be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”) (except, for the avoidance of doubt, holders of Class B Common Stock will not be deemed to be beneficial owners of Class A Common Stock).

B. The Board is expressly authorized to make, repeal, alter, amend and rescind, in whole or in part, the amended and restated bylaws of the Company (as in effect from time to time, the “ Bylaws ”) without the assent or vote of the stockholders in any manner not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote of the stockholders, after the date on which the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock represent less than 50% of the combined voting power of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Company required herein (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock), the Bylaws or applicable law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required in order for the stockholders of the Company to alter, amend, repeal or rescind, in whole or in part, any provision of the Bylaws or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith.

 

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ARTICLE VI

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A. Except as otherwise provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL, the business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof (including any certificate of designation with respect to any series of Preferred Stock) and this Article VI relating to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors, the total number of directors shall be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board or the stockholders of the Company. The directors (other than those directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or together with one or more other such series, as the case may be) shall be divided into three classes designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of such directors. Class I directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the date the Common Stock is first publicly traded (the “ IPO Date ”), Class II directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the IPO Date and Class III directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the IPO Date. At each succeeding annual meeting, successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders. If the number of such directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any such additional director of any class elected to fill a newly created directorship resulting from an increase in such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no case shall a decrease in the number of directors remove or shorten the term of any incumbent director. Any such director shall hold office until the annual meeting at which his or her term expires and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or his or her death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. The Board is authorized to assign members of the Board to their respective class.

B. Subject to the rights granted to the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, any newly-created directorship on the Board that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring in the Board (whether by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause) shall be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, by a sole remaining director or by the stockholders;  provided ,  however , that after the date on which the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock represent less than 50% of the combined voting power of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, any newly-created directorship on the Board that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring on the Board shall be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by the stockholders). Any director elected to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

C. Any or all of the directors (other than the directors elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock of the Company, voting separately as a series or together with one or more other such series, as the case may be) may be removed at any time either with or without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority in voting power of all outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon, voting as a single class;  provided ,  however , that after the date on which the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock represent less than 50% of the combined voting power of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, any such director or all such directors may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative

 

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vote of the holders of at least 66 2 / 3 % in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.

D. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws shall so provide.

E. During any period when the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or together with one or more series, have the right to elect additional directors, then upon commencement and for the duration of the period during which such right continues: (i) the then otherwise total authorized number of directors of the Company shall automatically be increased by such specified number of directors, and the holders of such Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect the additional directors so provided for or fixed pursuant to said provisions, and (ii) each such additional director shall serve until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s right to hold such office terminates pursuant to said provisions, whichever occurs earlier, subject to his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. Except as otherwise provided by the Board in the resolution or resolutions establishing such series, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right to elect additional directors are divested of such right pursuant to the provisions of such stock, the terms of office of all such additional directors elected by the holders of such stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of such additional directors, shall forthwith terminate and the total authorized number of directors of the Company shall be reduced accordingly.

ARTICLE VII

LIMITATION OF DIRECTOR LIABILITY

A. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it now exists or may hereafter be amended, a director of the Company shall not be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty owed to the Company or its stockholders.

B. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article VII, nor the adoption of any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, nor, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, any modification of law shall eliminate, reduce or otherwise adversely affect any right or protection of a current or former director of the Company existing at the time of such amendment, repeal, adoption or modification.

ARTICLE VIII

CONSENT OF STOCKHOLDERS IN LIEU OF MEETING;

ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

A. For as long as the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock represent 50% or more of the combined voting power of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Company by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Company having custody of the books in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Company’s registered office shall be made by hand, overnight courier or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Once no shares of Class B Common Stock remain outstanding,

 

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any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Company must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such holders;  provided ,  however , that any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, to the extent expressly so provided by the applicable certificate of designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock.

B. Except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Company for any purpose or purposes may only be called in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

C. An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, if any, on such date, and at such time as shall be fixed in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE IX

COMPETITION AND CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES

A. In recognition and anticipation that (i) certain directors, principals, members, officers, associated funds, employees and/or other representatives of one or more of the Sponsors and their respective Affiliates (as defined below) may serve as directors, officers or agents of the Company, (ii) one or more of the Sponsors and their respective Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, may engage, and (iii) members of the Board who are not employees of the Company (“ Non-Employee Directors ”) and their respective Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, may engage, the provisions of this Article IX are set forth to regulate and define the conduct of certain affairs of the Company with respect to certain classes or categories of business opportunities as they may involve any of the Sponsors, the Non-Employee Directors or their respective Affiliates and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Company and its directors, officers and stockholders in connection therewith.

B. None of (i) the Sponsors or any of their respective Affiliates or (ii) any Non-Employee Director (including any Non-Employee Director who serves as an officer of the Company in both his or her director and officer capacities) or his or her Affiliates (the Persons (as defined below) identified in (i) and (ii) above being referred to, collectively, as “ Identified Persons ” and, individually, as an “ Identified Person ”) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have any duty to refrain from directly or indirectly (1) engaging in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which the Company or any of its Affiliates now engages or proposes to engage or (2) otherwise competing with the Company or any of its Affiliates, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no Identified Person shall be liable to the Company or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Company for breach of any fiduciary duty solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person engages in any such activities. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company hereby renounces any interest or expectancy in, or right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for an Identified Person and the Company or any of its Affiliates, except as provided in Section D of this Article IX. Subject to Section D of this Article IX, in the event that any Identified Person acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or other matter or business opportunity which may be a corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself and the Company or any of its Affiliates, such Identified Person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have no fiduciary duty or

 

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other duty (contractual or otherwise) to communicate, present or offer such transaction or other business opportunity to the Company or any of its Affiliates and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be liable to the Company or its stockholders or to any Affiliate of the Company for breach of any fiduciary duty or other duty (contractual or otherwise) as a stockholder, director or officer of the Company solely by reason of the fact that such Identified Person pursues or acquires such corporate opportunity for itself, herself or himself, offers or directs such corporate opportunity to another Person, or does not present such corporate opportunity to the Company or any of its Affiliates.

C. The Company and its Affiliates do not have any rights in and to the business ventures of any Identified Person, or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the Company agrees that each of the Identified Persons may do business with any potential or actual customer or supplier of the Company or may employ or otherwise engage any officer or employee of the Company.

D. The Company does not renounce its interest in any corporate opportunity offered to any Non-Employee Director (including any Non-Employee Director who serves as an officer of the Company) if such opportunity is expressly offered to such person in writing solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company, and the provisions of Section B of this Article IX shall not apply to any such corporate opportunity.

E. In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article IX, a corporate opportunity shall not be deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for the Company if it is a business opportunity that (i) the Company is neither financially or legally able, nor contractually permitted to undertake, (ii) from its nature, is not in the line of the Company’s business or is of no practical advantage to the Company or (iii) is one in which the Company has no interest or reasonable expectancy.

F. For purposes of this Article IX, (i) “ Affiliate ” shall mean (a) in respect of any Sponsor, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by such Sponsor, controls such Sponsor or is under common control with such Sponsor and shall include any principal, member, director, partner, stockholder, officer, employee or other representative of any of the foregoing (other than the Company and any entity that is controlled by the Company), (b) in respect of a Non-Employee Director, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by such Non-Employee Director (other than the Company and any entity that is controlled by the Company) and (c) in respect of the Company, any Person that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by the Company; and (ii) “ Person ” shall mean any individual, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, association or any other entity.

G. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any shares of capital stock of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article IX. Neither the alteration, amendment, addition to or repeal of this Article IX, nor the adoption of any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) inconsistent with this Article IX, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article IX in respect of any business opportunity first identified or any other matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article IX, would accrue or arise, prior to such alteration, amendment, addition, repeal or adoption.

ARTICLE X

DGCL SECTION 203

A. The Company hereby expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.

 

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ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

A. If any provision or provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Company to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service or for the benefit of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by law.

B. Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee or stockholder of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, creditors or other constituents, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws (as either may be amended and/or restated from time to time) or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer of the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine;  provided , that, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, such action may be brought in another state court sitting in the State of Delaware. The choice of forum provision set forth in this Section B of Article XI does not apply to any actions arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of capital stock of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section B of Article XI.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , Chewy, Inc. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed by its duly authorized officer on this 13th day of June, 2019.

 

Chewy, Inc.

By:

 

/s/ Mario J. Marte

  Name:  

Mario J. Marte

  Title:  

Chief Financial Officer

[ Signature Page to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation ]

Exhibit 3.2

CHEWY, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

* * * * *

ARTICLE I

Offices

SECTION 1.01 Registered Office. The address of the registered office of Chewy, Inc. (the “ Company ”) in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801. The name of the Company’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company. The Company may also have offices in such other places in the United States or elsewhere (and may change the Company’s registered agent) as the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) may, from time to time, determine or as the business of the Company may require.

ARTICLE II

Meetings of Stockholders

SECTION 2.01 Annual Meetings. Annual meetings of stockholders of the Company may be held at such place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and date as the Board shall determine and state in the notice of meeting. The Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that any meeting of stockholders of the Company shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as described in Section 2.11 hereof and in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”). At the annual meeting, the stockholders of the Company shall elect directors and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the annual meeting. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of stockholders of the Company.

SECTION 2.02 Special Meetings. Except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock (as defined in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation), special meetings of the stockholders of the Company for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time only by or at the direction of the Board or the Chairman of the Board; provided , however , that at any time before the date on which the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock represent less than 50% of the combined voting power of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Company for any purpose or purposes shall also be called by or at the direction of the Board or the Chairman of the Board at the request of the holders of 50% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. Special meetings of the stockholders of the Company may be held at such place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and date as determined by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “ CEO ”) and, before the date on which the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock represent less than 50% of the


combined voting power of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, by or at the direction of the Board, the Chairman of the Board or the CEO at the request of holders of 50% or more of the voting power of outstanding Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any special meeting of stockholders of the Company; provided , however , that with respect to any special meeting of stockholders of the Company previously scheduled at the request of holders of 50% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, the Board shall not postpone, reschedule or cancel such special meeting without the prior written consent of such holders.

SECTION 2.03 Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations; Form and Requirements of Notice.

(A) Annual Meetings of Stockholders .

(1) Nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders of the Company may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders of the Company only (a) pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) delivered pursuant to Section 2.04 hereof; (b) by or at the direction of the Board or any authorized committee thereof; or (c) by any stockholder of the Company who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who, subject to Section 2.03(C)(4) hereof, complies with the notice procedures set forth in Sections 2.03(A)(2) and (A)(3) hereof and who is a stockholder of record at the time such notice is delivered to the Secretary of the Company (the “ Secretary ”), on the record date for the determination of stockholders of the Company entitled to vote at the annual meeting, and at the time of the annual meeting.

(2) Without qualification, for nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder of the Company pursuant to Section 2.03(A)(1)(c) hereof, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary, and, in the case of business other than nominations of persons for election to the Board, such other business must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company in writing not later than the Close of Business on the 90th day nor earlier than the Close of Business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (which anniversary date shall, for purposes of the Company’s first annual meeting of stockholders of the Company after the shares of its Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Class  A Common Stock ”), are first publicly traded (the “ First Annual Meeting ”), be deemed to have occurred on June 20, 2019); provided , however , that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after the anniversary date of the previous year’s meeting, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year (other than in connection with the First Annual Meeting), notice by a stockholder of the Company to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the Close of Business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the Close of Business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which Public Announcement (as defined below) of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall the adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting (or the Public Announcement of the adjournment or postponement thereof) commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

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Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.03(A)(2) to the contrary, if the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is increased effective after the time period for which nominations would otherwise be due under this Section 2.03(A)(2) and there is no Public Announcement naming all of the nominees for the additional directorships or specifying the size of the increased Board at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders of the Company, then a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.03(A)(2) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it is received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company in writing not later than the Close of Business on the 10th day following the day on which such Public Announcement is first made.

(3) To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary (the stockholder providing such notice, the “ Noticing Stockholder ”) under this Section 2.03(A) must:

(a) as to each person whom the Noticing Stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, set forth or provide (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of such person (present and for the past five years), (iii) the class or series and number of shares of the Company which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and/or of record by such person ( provided , however , that for purposes of this Section 2.03(A)(3)(a), such person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of the Company as to which such person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership of at any time in the future), (iv) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest or that is otherwise required pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (v) a complete and accurate description of any current or prior agreements, arrangements and understandings, and any other material relationships between or among the Noticing Stockholder, any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (collectively with the Noticing Stockholder, the “Holders”), any of their respective affiliates and associates within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K (or any successor provision) if any Holder, any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant, (vi) a complete and accurate description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings (whether written or oral) during the past three years, between or among any Holder, any of its affiliates or associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each nominee, and his or

 

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her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, (vii) a notarized letter signed by such person stating his or her acceptance of the nomination by the Holder, stating his or her intention to serve as a director for a full term on the Board, if elected, and consenting to being named as a nominee for director in a proxy statement relating to such election, (viii) a completed and signed questionnaire and written representation and agreement, each as may be required by Section 2.03(A)(4) hereof and (ix) all information relating to the nominee that would be required by this Section 2.03(A) to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice with respect to a director nomination if such nominee were a stockholder providing notice of a director nomination to be made at the meeting;

(b) as to any business that the Noticing Stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, set forth or provide (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, (ii) the text, if any, of the proposal (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Amended and Restated Bylaws (“Bylaws”) of the Company, the language of the proposed amendment), (iii) the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of any Holder and (iv) a complete and accurate description of any current or prior agreements, arrangements and understandings, and any other material relationships between or among the Holders, any of their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, in connection with the proposal of such business by such Noticing Stockholder, including all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K (or any successor provision) if any Holder, any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant; and

(c) as to the Holders, set forth (i) the name and address of the Noticing Stockholder as they appear on the Company’s books, (ii) the name and address of all other Holders, if any, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of the Company that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and/or of record by each Holder ( provided , however , that for purposes of this Section 2.03(A)(3)(c), any such person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of the Company as to which such person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership of at any time in the future), any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, any Holder and any person controlled by or under common control with any Holder, (iv) the Ownership Information (as defined below) for each Holder, (v) a representation by the Noticing Stockholder that the Noticing Stockholder is a stockholder of record of the Company entitled to vote at

 

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the meeting, will continue to be a stockholder of record of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting through the date of such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, (vi) a representation as to whether any Holder intends or is part of a group which intends to (A) deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the outstanding shares of the Company required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or (B) otherwise solicit proxies from stockholders of the Company in support of such proposal or nomination, (vii) a certification regarding whether each Holder has complied with all applicable federal, state and other legal requirements in connection with its acquisition of shares or other securities of the Company and such Holder’s acts or omissions as a stockholder of the Company and (viii) the Noticing Stockholder’s representation as to the accuracy of the information set forth in the notice.

In addition to the foregoing, any Holder or proposed nominee also shall promptly provide the Company with any other information reasonably requested by the Company, including such other information as may be reasonably required to determine (i) the eligibility of a proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Company and (ii) whether such nominee qualifies as an “independent director” or “audit committee financial expert” under applicable law, securities exchange rule or regulation, or any publicly disclosed corporate governance guideline or committee charter of the Company.

A Noticing Stockholder shall further update and supplement its notice of any nomination or other business proposed to be brought before a meeting, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.03 shall be true and correct (i) as of the record date for the meeting and (ii) as of the date that is10 business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment, recess, rescheduling or postponement thereof and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not later than five business days after the record date for the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date) and not later than seven business days prior to the date for the meeting, if practicable (or, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the meeting), or any adjournment, recess, rescheduling or postponement thereof (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of 10 business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment, recess, rescheduling or postponement thereof).

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03, unless otherwise required by law, if the Noticing Stockholder (or a qualified representative of the Noticing Stockholder) does not appear at the meeting of stockholders of the Company and present his or her proposed business or nomination(s), such proposed business will not be transacted and any such

 

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nomination will be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Company. For purposes of this Section 2.03, to be considered a qualified representative of a stockholder of the Company, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder (or a reliable reproduction or electronic transmission of the writing) stating that such person is authorized to act for such stockholder as a proxy at the meeting of stockholders of the Company, and such person must produce proof that he or she is a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, as well as valid government-issued photo identification, at the meeting of stockholders of the Company.

For purposes of this section, “ Ownership Information ” means: (i) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Company or with a value derived in whole in or part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Company, whether or not the instrument or right is subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of shares of the Company or otherwise (a “ Derivative Instrument ”) that is directly or indirectly owned beneficially by any Holder and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of any security of the Company; (ii) any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any contract to purchase or sell, acquisition or grant of any option, right or warrant to purchase or sell, swap or other instrument) between any Holder, any of its Affiliates or associates and/or any others acting in concert with any of the foregoing the intent or effect of which may be to transfer to or from any such person, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security of the Company or to increase or decrease the voting power of any such person or any of such person’s Affiliates or associates with respect to any security of the Company; (iii) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which any Holder has a right to vote or has granted a right to vote any shares of the Company; (iv) any short interest held by any Holder presently or within the last six months in any shares of the Company (for purposes of this Section 2.03, a Holder is deemed to hold a short interest in a security if such Holder, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security); (v) any right to dividends on shares of the Company owned beneficially by any Holder that is separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Company; (vi) any proportionate interest in shares of the Company; (vii) any Derivative Instrument held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership or limited liability company or similar entity in which any Holder is (a) a general partner or, directly or

 

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indirectly, beneficially owns any interest in a general partner, or (b) is the manager or managing member or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns any interest in the manager or managing member of a limited liability company or similar entity; (vii) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that any Holder is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Company or any Derivative Instrument and; (viii) any arrangement, right or other interest described in the preceding clauses of this paragraph held by any member of the immediate family of any Holder that shares the same household with such Holder.

(4) To be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the Company pursuant to this Section 2.03, a proposed nominee must deliver (in the case of nominee nominated by a stockholder of the Company pursuant to this Section 2.03, in accordance with the time periods and other requirements prescribed for delivery of notice under these Bylaws and applicable law) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company (i) a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made (in the form to be provided by the Secretary upon written request of any stockholder of record within 10 days of such request) and (ii) a written representation and agreement (in the form to be provided by the Secretary upon written request of any stockholder of record within 10 days of such request) that such person (A) is not and will not become a party to (1) any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Company, will act or vote in such capacity on any issue or question (a “ Voting Commitment ”) that has not been disclosed to the Company or (2) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Company, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (B) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with any person or entity other than the Company with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director of the Company that has not been disclosed to the Company, (C) if elected as director of the Company, intends to serve for a full term on the Board and (D) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Company, and will comply with all applicable laws and all applicable rules of the U.S. exchanges upon which the securities of the Company are listed and all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and other guidelines of the Company duly adopted by the Board.

(B) Special Meetings of Stockholders of the Company . Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders of the Company as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders of the Company at which

 

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directors are to be elected pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting (1) by or at the direction of the Board or (2) provided that the Board has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Company who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who (subject to Section 2.03(C)(4)) complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.03 and who is a stockholder of record at the time such notice is delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company, on the record date for the determination of stockholders of the Company entitled to vote at the special meeting and at the time of the special meeting. In the event that the Company calls a special meeting of stockholders of the Company for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Company’s notice of meeting if the stockholder’s notice as required by Section 2.03(A)(2) hereof shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not earlier than the Close of Business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the Close of Business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which Public Announcement is first made of the date of such special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the adjournment or postponement of a special meeting (or the Public Announcement of the adjournment or postponement thereof) commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(C) General . (1) Except as provided in Section 2.03(C)(4) hereof, only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.03 shall be eligible to serve as a director and only such business shall be conducted at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.03. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Company’s certificate of incorporation as then in effect (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “ Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation ”) or these Bylaws, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders of the Company shall, in addition to making any other determination that may be appropriate for the conduct of the meeting, have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall be disregarded. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders of the Company will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the chairman of the meeting. After the polls close, no ballots, proxies or votes or any revocations or changes thereto shall be accepted. The Board may adopt by resolution such rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders of the Company as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (c) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of the Company entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted

 

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proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (e) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03, unless otherwise required by law, if the Noticing Stockholder (or a qualified representative of the Noticing Stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company to present a nomination or business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Company. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairman of the meeting, no meeting of stockholders of the Company shall be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

(2) Whenever used in these Bylaws, (a) “ Public Announcement ” shall mean disclosure (i) in a press release issued by the Company, provided such press release is issued by the Company following its customary procedures, that is reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service, or is generally available on internet news sites or (ii) in a document publicly filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (b) the “ Close of Business ” means 5:00 p.m. local time at the Company’s principal executive offices, and if an applicable deadline falls on the “Close of Business” on a day that is not a Business Day, then the applicable deadline shall be deemed to be the Close of Business on the immediately preceding Business Day; and (c) “ Business Day ” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03, the Noticing Stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.03; provided , however , that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit any requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to these Bylaws (including Sections 2.03 (A)(1)(c) and (B) hereof), and compliance with this Section 2.03 shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder of the Company to make nominations or submit other business at any meeting of stockholders of the Company (other than business properly brought under and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act (or any successor provision)). Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the common stock of the Company as to dividends or upon liquidation to elect directors under specified circumstances (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock (as defined in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation)).

(4) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.03, for as long as the outstanding shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Class  B Common Stock ”), of the Company represent 50% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall not be subject to the notice procedures set forth in Sections 2.03(A)(2), (A)(3) or (B) hereof with respect to any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company.

 

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SECTION 2.04 Notice of Meetings. Whenever stockholders of the Company are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a timely notice in writing or by electronic transmission, in the manner provided in Section 232 of the DGCL, of the meeting, which shall state the place, if any, date and time of the meeting, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders of the Company and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders of the Company entitled to notice of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be mailed to or transmitted electronically by the Secretary to each stockholder of record entitled to vote thereat as of the record date for determining the stockholders of the Company entitled to notice of the meeting. Unless otherwise provided by law, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the notice of any meeting shall be given not less than 10  nor more than 60  days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders of the Company entitled to notice of the meeting.

SECTION 2.05 Quorum. Unless otherwise required by law, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the rules of any stock exchange upon which the Company’s securities are listed, the holders of record of a majority of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of stockholders of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to the vote on that matter. Once a quorum is present at any meeting, it shall not be broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any stockholder of the Company.

SECTION 2.06 Voting. Except as otherwise provided by or pursuant to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders of the Company shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Class  A Common Stock held by such stockholder and 10 votes for each share of Class B Common Stock held by such stockholder that has voting power upon the matter in question. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders of the Company or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy in any manner provided by applicable law, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A stockholder of the Company may revoke any proxy that is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the Secretary a written revocation of the proxy or a new proxy bearing a later date. Unless required by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law, or determined by the chairman of the meeting to be advisable, the vote on any question need not be by ballot. On a vote by ballot, each ballot shall be signed by the stockholder voting, or by such stockholder’s proxy, if there be such proxy. When a quorum is present or represented at any

 

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meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of the Company present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which, by express provision of applicable law, of the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Company, of any regulation applicable to the Company or its securities, of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or of these Bylaws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Bylaws and subject to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, all elections of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast in respect of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.

SECTION 2.07 Chairman of Meetings. The Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, or, in his or her absence or disability, the CEO, or in the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the CEO, a person designated by the majority of the directors shall be the chairman of the meeting and, as such, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders of the Company.

SECTION 2.08 Secretary of Meetings. The Secretary shall act as secretary at all meetings of the stockholders of the Company. In the absence or disability of the Secretary, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint a person to act as secretary at such meetings.

SECTION 2.09 Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of stockholders of the Company may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote only in the manner provided in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and in accordance with applicable law.

SECTION 2.10 Adjournment. The chairman of any meeting of stockholders of the Company shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, whether or not a quorum is present. At any meeting of stockholders of the Company, if less than a quorum be present, the chairman of the meeting or stockholders of the Company holding a majority in voting power of the shares of stock of the Company, present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereat, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time without notice other than announcement at the meeting until a quorum shall be present. Any business may be transacted at the adjourned meeting that might have been transacted at the meeting originally noticed. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for determination of stockholders of the Company entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix as the record date for determining stockholders of the Company entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders of the Company entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date so fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

SECTION 2.11 Remote Communication. If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such rules, regulations and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders of the Company and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders of the Company may, by means of remote communication:

 

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(A) participate in a meeting of stockholders of the Company; and

(B) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders of the Company whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication; provided , however , that:

(1) the Company shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder of the Company or proxyholder;

(2) the Company shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders of the Company and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders of the Company, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings; and

(3) if any stockholder of the Company or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Company.

SECTION 2.12 Inspectors of Election. The Company may, and shall if required by law, in advance of any meeting of stockholders of the Company, appoint one or more inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Company, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Company may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. In the event that no inspector so appointed or designated is able to act at a meeting of stockholders of the Company, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath to execute faithfully the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspector or inspectors so appointed or designated shall (a)  ascertain the number of shares of the Company outstanding and the voting power of each such share, (b)  determine the shares of the Company represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, (c) count all votes and ballots, (d) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors and (e)  certify their determination of the number of shares of the Company represented at the meeting and such inspectors’ count of all votes and ballots. Such certification and report shall specify such other information as may be required by law. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of stockholders of the Company, the inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election.

ARTICLE III

Board of Directors

SECTION 3.01 Powers. Except as otherwise provided in the Amended and

 

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Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL, the business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. The Board may exercise all such authority and powers of the Company and do all such lawful acts and things as are not, by the DGCL or the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders of the Company.

SECTION 3.02 Number and Term; Chairman. Subject to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the number of directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolution of the Board. The term of each director elected to the Board shall be as set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Directors need not be stockholders of the Company. The Board shall elect a Chairman of the Board, who shall have the powers and perform such duties as provided in these Bylaws and as the Board may from time to time prescribe. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board at which he or she is present. If the Chairman of the Board is not present at a meeting of the Board, the CEO (if the CEO is a director and is not also the Chairman of the Board) shall preside at such meeting, and, if the CEO is not present at such meeting or is not a director, a majority of the directors present at such meeting shall elect one of their members to preside.

SECTION 3.03 Resignations. Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the CEO or the Secretary. The resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise expressly provided in the resignation.

SECTION 3.04 Removal. Directors of the Company may be removed in the manner provided in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.

SECTION 3.05 Vacancies and Newly-Created Directorships. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, vacancies occurring in any directorship (whether by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause) and newly-created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall be filled in accordance with the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Any director elected to fill a vacancy or newly-created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

SECTION 3.06 Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board may be held at such places and times as shall be determined from time to time by the Board, either within or without the State of Delaware. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the CEO of the Company or the Chairman of the Board or as provided by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and shall be called by the CEO or the Secretary if directed by the Board and shall be at such places and times as they or he or she shall fix. Before the date on which the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock represent less than 50% of the combined voting power of Class  A Common Stock and Class  B Common Stock, special meetings of the Board may also be called by holders of 50% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding Class  A Common Stock and Class  B Common Stock, and shall be at such places and times as such holders shall fix. Notice need not be given of regular meetings of the Board. At least 24  hours before each special meeting

 

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of the Board, written notice, notice by electronic transmission or oral notice (either in person or by telephone) of the time, date and place of the meeting shall be given to each director. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting of the Board.

SECTION 3.07 Quorum, Voting and Adjournment. A majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the Board. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the directors present thereat may adjourn such meeting to another time and place. Notice of such adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place of such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting so adjourned.

SECTION 3.08 Committees; Committee Rules. The Board may, by resolution passed by a majority of the directors, designate one or more committees, each such committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Company. The meetings of any such committee shall be held in compliance with these Bylaws. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee to replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Company, and may authorize the seal of the Company to be affixed to all papers that may require it. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no committee shall have the power or authority of the Board in reference to the following matters: (a)  approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders of the Company, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders of the Company for approval or (b)  adopting, amending or repealing any Bylaw of the Company. All committees of the Board shall keep minutes of their meetings and shall report their proceedings to the Board when requested or required by the Board. Each committee of the Board may fix its own rules of procedure and shall hold its meetings as provided by such rules, except as may otherwise be provided by a resolution of the Board designating such committee. Unless otherwise provided in such a resolution, (i)  the presence of at least a majority of the members of the committee shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the committee unless the committee shall consist of one or two members, in which event one member shall constitute a quorum and (ii)  all matters shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present at a meeting of the committee at which a quorum is present. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting of the committee to another time and place. Notice of such adjourned meeting need not be given if the time and place of such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting so adjoured. Unless otherwise provided in such a resolution, in the event that a member and that member’s alternate, if alternates are designated by the Board, of such committee is or are absent or disqualified, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

SECTION 3.09 Action Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the

 

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Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or any committee thereof, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed in the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form or shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

SECTION 3.10 Remote Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, members of the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment in which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a meeting by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

SECTION 3.11 Compensation. The Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation, including fees and reimbursement of expenses, of directors for services to the Company in any capacity.

SECTION 3.12 Reliance on Books and Records. A member of the Board, or a member of any committee designated by the Board shall, in the performance of such person’s duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon records of the Company and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Company by any of the Company’s officers or employees, or committees of the Board, or by any other person as to matters the member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company or the Board.

ARTICLE IV

Officers

SECTION 4.01 Number. The officers of the Company shall include a CEO, a President and a Secretary, each of whom shall be elected by the Board and who shall hold office for such terms as shall be determined by the Board and until their successors are elected and qualify or until their earlier resignation or removal. In addition, the Board may elect one or more Vice Presidents, including one or more Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, a Treasurer and one or more Assistant Treasurers and one or more Assistant Secretaries, who shall hold their office for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

SECTION 4.02 Other Officers and Agents. The Board may appoint such other officers and agents as it deems advisable, who shall hold their office for such terms and shall exercise and perform such powers and duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board. The Board may appoint one or more officers called a Vice Chairman, each of whom does not need to be a member of the Board.

SECTION 4.03 Chief Executive Officer. The CEO, who may also be the

 

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President, subject to the determination of the Board, shall have general executive charge, management, and control of the properties and operations of the Company in the ordinary course of its business, with all such powers with respect to such properties and operations as may be reasonably incident to such responsibilities. If the Board has not elected a Chairman of the Board or in the absence or inability to act as the Chairman of the Board, the CEO shall exercise all of the powers and discharge all of the duties of the Chairman of the Board, but only if the CEO is a director of the Company.

SECTION 4.04 President. The President of the Company shall, subject to the powers of the Board, the Chairman of the Board and the CEO, have general charge of the business, affairs and property of the Company, and control over its officers, agents and employees. The President shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect. The President is authorized to execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the Company, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board to some other officer or agent of the Company. The President shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Chairman of the Board, the CEO, the Board or as may be provided in these Bylaws. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the CEO shall be the President of the Company.

SECTION 4.05 Vice Presidents. Each Vice President, if any are appointed, of whom one or more may be designated an Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President, shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to him or her by the CEO or the Board.

SECTION 4.06 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have custody of the corporate funds, securities, evidences of indebtedness and other valuables of the Company and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Company. The Treasurer shall deposit all moneys and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Company in such depositories as may be designated by the Board or its designees selected for such purposes. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Company, taking proper vouchers therefor. The Treasurer shall render to the CEO and the Board, upon their request, a report of the financial condition of the Company. If required by the Board, the Treasurer shall give the Company a bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in such amount and with such surety as the Board shall prescribe.

In addition, the Treasurer shall have such further powers and perform such other duties incident to the office of Treasurer as from time to time are assigned to him or her by the CEO or the Board.

SECTION 4.07 Secretary. The Secretary shall: (a) cause minutes of all meetings of the stockholders of the Company and directors to be recorded and kept properly; (b) cause all notices required by these Bylaws or otherwise to be given properly; (c) see that the minute books, stock books and other nonfinancial books, records and papers of the Company are kept properly; and (d) cause all reports, statements, returns, certificates and other documents to be prepared and filed when and as required. The Secretary shall have such further powers and perform such other duties as prescribed from time to time by the CEO or the Board.

 

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SECTION 4.08 Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries. Each Assistant Treasurer and each Assistant Secretary, if any are appointed, shall be vested with all the powers and shall perform all the duties of the Treasurer and Secretary, respectively, in the absence or disability of such officer, unless or until the CEO or the Board shall otherwise determine. In addition, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the CEO or the Board.

SECTION 4.09 Corporate Funds and Checks. The funds of the Company shall be kept in such depositories as shall from time to time be prescribed by the Board or its designees selected for such purposes. All checks or other orders for the payment of money shall be signed by the CEO, a Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary or such other person or agent as may from time to time be authorized and with such countersignature, if any, as may be required by the Board.

SECTION 4.10 Contracts and Other Documents. The CEO and the Secretary, or such other officer or officers as may from time to time be authorized by the Board or any other committee given specific authority in the premises by the Board during the intervals between the meetings of the Board, shall have power to sign and execute on behalf of the Company deeds, conveyances and contracts and any and all other documents requiring execution by the Company.

SECTION 4.11 Ownership of Stock of Another Corporation. Unless otherwise directed by the Board, the CEO, a Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary, or such other officer or agent as shall be authorized by the Board, shall have the power and authority, on behalf of the Company, to attend and to vote at any meeting of securityholders of any entity in which the Company holds securities or equity interests and may exercise, on behalf of the Company, any and all of the rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities or equity interests at any such meeting, including the authority to execute and deliver proxies and consents on behalf of the Company.

SECTION 4.12 Delegation of Duties. In the absence, disability or refusal of any officer to exercise and perform his or her duties, the Board may delegate to another officer such powers or duties.

SECTION 4.13 Resignation and Removal. Any officer of the Company may be removed from office for or without cause at any time by the Board. Any officer may resign at any time in the same manner prescribed under Section 3.03 hereof.

SECTION 4.14 Vacancies. The Board shall have the power to fill vacancies occurring in any office.

SECTION 4.15 Compensation. Compensation of all executive officers shall be approved by the Board, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by virtue of his or her also being a director of the Company; provided , however , that compensation of all executive officers may be determined by a committee established for that purpose if so authorized by the unanimous vote of the Board.

 

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ARTICLE V

Stock

SECTION 5.01 Shares With Certificates. The shares of stock of the Company shall be represented by certificates; provided , however , that the Board may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of the Company’s stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Company. Every holder of stock in the Company represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Company by, (a) the Chairman of the Board or the Vice Chairman of the Board or, the President or a Vice President and (b)  the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, certifying the number and class of shares of the Company owned by such holder. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. The Board shall have the power to appoint one or more transfer agents and/or registrars for the transfer or registration of certificates of stock of any class, and may require stock certificates to be countersigned or registered by one or more of such transfer agents and/or registrars.

SECTION 5.02 Shares Without Certificates. If the Board chooses to issue shares of stock without certificates, the Company, if required by the DGCL, shall, within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of shares without certificates, send the stockholder of the Company a written statement of the information required by the DGCL. The Company may adopt a system of issuance, recordation and transfer of its shares of stock by electronic or other means not involving the issuance of certificates; provided , however , that the use of such system by the Company is permitted by applicable law.

SECTION 5.03 Transfer of Shares. Shares of stock of the Company shall be transferable upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by their duly authorized attorneys or legal representatives, in the manner prescribed by law, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and in these Bylaws, upon surrender to the Company by delivery thereof (to the extent evidenced by a physical stock certificate) to the person in charge of the stock and transfer books and ledgers. Certificates representing such shares, if any, shall be cancelled and new certificates, if the shares are to be certificated, shall thereupon be issued. Shares of the Company that are not represented by a certificate shall be transferred in accordance with applicable law. A record shall be made of each transfer. Whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security, and not absolutely, it shall be so expressed in the entry of the transfer if, when the certificates are presented, both the transferor and transferee request the Company to do so. The Board shall have power and authority to make such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or proper concerning the issuance, transfer and registration of certificates for shares of stock of the Company.

SECTION 5.04 Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Mutilated Certificates. A new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares may be issued in the place of any certificate previously issued by the Company alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Company may, in its discretion, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his or her legal

 

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representative, to give the Company a bond, in such sum as the Company may direct, in order to indemnify the Company against any claims that may be made against it in connection therewith. A new certificate or uncertificated shares of stock may be issued in the place of any certificate previously issued by the Company that has become mutilated upon the surrender by such owner of such mutilated certificate and, if required by the Company, the posting of a bond by such owner in an amount sufficient to indemnify the Company against any claim that may be made against it in connection therewith.

SECTION 5.05 List of Stockholders Entitled To Vote. The Company shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders of the Company, a complete list of the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote at the meeting ( provided , however , that if the record date for determining the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote as of the 10th day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder of the Company and the number of shares registered in the name of each such stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder of the Company, for any purpose germane to the meeting at least 10 days prior to the meeting (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network ( provided , however , that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of meeting) or (b) during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the Company. In the event that the Company determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Company may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Company of the Company. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then a list of stockholders of the Company entitled to vote at the meeting shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be examined by any stockholder of the Company who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder of the Company during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders of the Company entitled to examine the list of stockholders of the Company required by this Section 5.05 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders of the Company.

SECTION 5.06 Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record.

(A) In order that the Company may determine the stockholders of the Company entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders of the Company or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders of the Company entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders of the Company shall be at the Close of Business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the Close of Business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.

 

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A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders of the Company shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided , however , that the Board may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders of the Company entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders of the Company entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders of the Company entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.

(B) In order that the Company may determine the stockholders of the Company entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall not be more than 60 days prior to such action. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders of the Company for any such purpose shall be at the Close of Business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

(C) Unless otherwise restricted by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in order that the Company may determine the stockholders of the Company entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board and which record date shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board. Subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, any stockholder of record seeking to have the stockholders of the Company authorize or take corporate action by written consent shall, by written notice to the Secretary, request that the Board fix a record date, which notice shall include the text of any proposed resolution. If no record date for determining stockholders of the Company entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting is fixed by the Board, (a) when no prior action of the Board is required by law, the record date for such purpose shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Company in accordance with applicable law and (b) if prior action by the Board is required by law, the record date for such purpose shall be at the Close of Business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

SECTION 5.07 Registered Stockholders. Prior to the surrender to the Company of the certificate or certificates for a share or shares of stock or notification to the Company of the transfer of uncertificated shares with a request to record the transfer of such share or shares, the Company may treat the registered owner of such share or shares as the person entitled to receive dividends, to vote, to receive notifications and otherwise to exercise all the rights and powers of an owner of such share or shares. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof.

 

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ARTICLE VI

Notice and Waiver of Notice

SECTION 6.01 Notice. If mailed, notice to stockholders of the Company shall be deemed given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder of the Company at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Company. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders of the Company, any notice to stockholders of the Company may be given by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section  232 of the DGCL. Notice shall be deemed to have been given to all stockholders of record who share an address if notice is given in accordance with the “householding” rules set forth in Rule 14a-3(e) under the Exchange Act and Section  233 of the DGCL.

SECTION 6.02 Waiver of Notice. A written waiver of any notice, signed by a stockholder of the Company or director, or waiver by electronic transmission by such person, whether given before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to the notice required to be given to such person. Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in such a waiver. Attendance at any meeting (in person or by remote communication) shall constitute waiver of notice except attendance for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

ARTICLE VII

Indemnification

SECTION 7.01 Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (each a “ proceeding ”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or an officer of the Company or, while a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “ indemnitee ”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, if permitted, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Company to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith; provided , however , that, except as provided in Section 7.03 hereof with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses or with respect to any compulsory counterclaim brought by such

 

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indemnitee, the Company shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

SECTION 7.02 Right to Advancement of Expenses. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 7.01 hereof, an indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Company the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in appearing at, participating in or defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition or in connection with a proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article VII (which shall be governed by Section 7.03 hereof) (hereinafter an “ advancement of expenses ”); provided , however , that, if the DGCL requires or in the case of an advance made in a proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made solely upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking (an “ undertaking ”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (a “ final adjudication ”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified or entitled to advancement of expenses under Sections  7.01 and 7.02 hereof or otherwise.

SECTION 7.03 Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section 7.01 or 7.02 hereof is not paid in full by the Company within (a) 60 days after a written claim for indemnification has been received by the Company or (b) 20 days after a claim for an advancement of expenses has been received by the Company, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Company to recover the unpaid amount of the claim or to obtain advancement of expenses, as applicable. To the fullest extent permitted by law, if successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Company to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking or otherwise, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense (including attorneys’ fees) of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (a) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL and (b) any suit brought by the Company to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking or otherwise, the Company shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Company (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Company to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the

 

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terms of an undertaking or otherwise, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article  VII or otherwise shall be on the Company.

SECTION 7.04 Indemnification Not Exclusive.

(A) The provision of indemnification to or the advancement of expenses and costs to any indemnitee under this Article VII, or the entitlement of any indemnitee to indemnification or advancement of expenses and costs under this Article VII, shall not limit or restrict in any way the power of the Company to indemnify or advance expenses and costs to such indemnitee in any other way permitted by law or be deemed exclusive of, or invalidate, any right to which any indemnitee seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses and costs may be entitled under any law, agreement, vote of stockholders of the Company or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such indemnitee’s capacity as an officer, director, employee or agent of the Company and as to action in any other capacity.

(B) Given that certain jointly indemnifiable claims (as defined below) may arise due to the service of the indemnitee as a director and/or officer of the Company at the request of the indemnitee-related entities (as defined below), the Company shall be fully and primarily responsible for the payment to the indemnitee in respect of indemnification or advancement of all expenses judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement to the extent legally permitted and as required by the terms of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws (or any other agreement between the Company and such persons) in connection with any such jointly indemnifiable claims, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Article VII, irrespective of any right of recovery the indemnitee may have from the indemnitee-related entities. Any obligation on the part of any indemnitee-related entities to indemnify or advance expenses to any indemnitee shall be secondary to the Company’s obligation and shall be reduced by any amount that the indemnitee may collect as indemnification or advancement from the Company. The Company irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases the indemnitee-related entities from any and all claims against the indemnitee-related entities for contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect thereof. Under no circumstance shall the Company be entitled to any right of subrogation or contribution by the indemnitee-related entities and no right of advancement or recovery the indemnitee may have from the indemnitee-related entities shall reduce or otherwise alter the rights of the indemnitee or the obligations of the Company hereunder. In the event that any of the indemnitee-related entities shall make any payment to the indemnitee in respect of indemnification or advancement of expenses with respect to any jointly indemnifiable claim, the indemnitee-related entity making such payment shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the indemnitee against the Company and the indemnitee shall execute all papers reasonably required and shall do all things that may be reasonably necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as may be necessary to enable the indemnitee-related entities effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights. Each of the indemnitee-related entities shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to this Section 7.04(B), entitled to enforce this Section 7.04(B).

For purposes of this Section 7.04(B), the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

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(1) The term “ indemnitee-related entities ” means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (other than the Company or any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise for which the indemnitee has agreed, on behalf of the Company or at the Company’s request, to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent and which service is covered by the indemnity described herein) from whom an indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses with respect to which, in whole or in part, the Company may also have an indemnification or advancement obligation.

(2) The term “ jointly indemnifiable claims ” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, any action, suit or proceeding for which the indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses from both the indemnitee-related entities and the Company pursuant to Delaware law, any agreement or certificate of incorporation, bylaws, partnership agreement, operating agreement, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership or comparable organizational documents of the Company or the indemnitee-related entities, as applicable.

SECTION 7.05 Corporate Obligations; Reliance. The rights granted pursuant to the provisions of this Article VII shall vest at the time a person becomes a director or officer of the Company and shall be deemed to create a binding contractual obligation on the part of the Company to the persons who from time to time are elected as officers or directors of the Company and such persons in acting in their capacities as officers or directors of the Company or any subsidiary shall be entitled to rely on such provisions of this Article VII without giving notice thereof to the Company. Such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article VII that adversely affects any right of an indemnitee or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit, eliminate, or impair any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment or repeal.

SECTION 7.06 Insurance. The Company may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

SECTION 7.07 Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Company. The Company may, to the extent authorized by the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Company to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VII with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Company.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

Miscellaneous

SECTION 8.01 Electronic Transmission. For purposes of these Bylaws, “ electronic transmission ” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

SECTION 8.02 Corporate Seal. The Board may provide a suitable seal, containing the name of the Company, which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary. If and when so directed by the Board or a committee thereof, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer.

SECTION 8.03 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Company shall end each year on the Sunday that is closest to January 31st of that year, or such other day as the Board may designate.

SECTION 8.04 Section Headings. Section headings in these Bylaws are for convenience of reference only and shall not be given any substantive effect in limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.

SECTION 8.05 Inconsistent Provisions. In the event that any provision of these Bylaws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the DGCL or any other applicable law, such provision of these Bylaws shall not be given any effect to the extent of such inconsistency but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.

SECTION 8.06 Severability. If any provision of these Bylaws shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of these Bylaws and the application of such provision to other persons or entities or circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

ARTICLE IX

Amendments

SECTION 9.01 Amendments. The Board is authorized to make, repeal, alter, amend and rescind, in whole or in part, these Bylaws without the assent or vote of the stockholders of the Company in any manner not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Delaware or the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Before the date on which the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock represent less than 50% of the combined voting power of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in

 

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voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required in order for the stockholders of the Company to alter, amend, repeal or rescind, in whole or in part, any provision of the Bylaws or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Bylaws or any provision of law that might otherwise permit a lesser vote of the stockholders of the Company, after the date on which the outstanding shares of Class  B Common Stock represent less than 50% of the combined voting power of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of shares of the Company required by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock), these Bylaws or applicable law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% in voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required in order for the stockholders of the Company to alter, amend, repeal or rescind, in whole or in part, any provision of these Bylaws (including this Section  9.01) or to adopt any provision inconsistent herewith.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

dated as of

June 13, 2019

by and among

CHEWY, INC.

and

THE OTHER PERSONS SET FORTH ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

        Page  
  

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

  

Section 1.1

   Definitions      1  
  

ARTICLE II

 

TRANSFER

  

Section 2.1

   Transfers and Joinders      4  

Section 2.2

   Binding Effect on Transferees      4  

Section 2.3

   Additional Purchases      4  

Section 2.4

   Charter Provisions      4  
  

ARTICLE III

 

BOARD REPRESENTATION

  

Section 3.1

   Nominees      5  

Section 3.2

   Committees      5  
  

ARTICLE IV

 

TERMINATION

  

Section 4.1

   Term      6  

Section 4.2

   Survival      6  
  

ARTICLE V

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

  

Section 5.1

   Demand Registration      6  

Section 5.2

   Piggyback Registration      8  

Section 5.3

   Shelf Registration      10  

Section 5.4

   Withdrawal Rights      12  

Section 5.5

   Holdback Agreements      12  

Section 5.6

   Registration Procedures      13  

Section 5.7

   Registration Expenses      18  

Section 5.8

   Request for Information      19  

Section 5.9

   No Grant of Future Registration Rights      19  

Section 5.10

   Confidentiality      19  

 

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ARTICLE VI

 

INDEMNIFICATION

  

Section 6.1

   General Indemnification      20  

Section 6.2

   Registration Statement Indemnification      21  

Section 6.3

   Notice      21  

Section 6.4

   Defense of Actions      22  

Section 6.5

   Contribution      22  
  

ARTICLE VII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

  

Section 7.1

   Notices      23  

Section 7.2

   Interpretation      24  

Section 7.3

   Severability      24  

Section 7.4

   Counterparts      24  

Section 7.5

   Adjustments Upon Change of Capitalization      24  

Section 7.6

   Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries      24  

Section 7.7

   Further Assurances      24  

Section 7.8

   Governing Law; Equitable Remedies      24  

Section 7.9

   Consent to Jurisdiction      25  

Section 7.10

   Amendments; Waivers      25  

Section 7.11

   Successors and Assigns      26  

Section 7.12

   Rule 144      26  

 

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INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”), dated as of June 13, 2019, by and among Chewy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and the Persons (as defined herein) set forth on the signature pages hereto (together with all other Persons who become Company stockholders party hereto in accordance with this Agreement, the “ Stockholders ”).

WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO (as defined herein), the Stockholders and the Company desire to address herein certain relationships among themselves.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and undertakings contained herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

An “ AFFILIATE ” of any Person means any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person.

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP ” has the same meaning given to it in Section 13(d) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, except that a person will be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that person has the right to acquire, whether the right is exercisable immediately, only after the passage of time or only after the satisfaction of conditions. The terms “ BENEFICIALLY OWN ” and “ BENEFICIAL OWNER ” shall have correlative meanings.

BOARD ” means the board of directors of the Company.

BOARD NOMINATION TERMINATION DATE ” means the first date after the date hereof on which the Stockholders cease to hold Voting Securities representing at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Securities of the Company.

BUSINESS DAY ” means any day except a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which the SEC or the banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to be closed.

BY-LAWS ” means the by-laws of the Company, as may be amended and/or restated from time to time.

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION ” means the certificate of incorporation of the Company, as may be amended and/or restated from time to time.


CLASS A SHARES ” means shares of the Class A common stock of the Company and any equity securities issued or issuable in exchange for or with respect to such Class A Shares by way of a dividend, split or combination of shares or in connection with a reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization.

CLASS B SHARES ” means shares of the Class B common stock of the Company and any equity securities issued or issuable in exchange for or with respect to such Class B Shares by way of a dividend, split or combination of shares or in connection with a reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization.

CONTROL ” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of company securities, by contract or otherwise.

A “ CONTROLLED AFFILIATE ” of any Person means any Affiliate that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, is Controlled by such Person.

DEMAND STOCKHOLDER ” means any Stockholder which Beneficially Owns, together with its Affiliates, a number of Registrable Securities representing at least five percent (5%) of the aggregate number of Class A Shares issued and outstanding immediately after the consummation of the IPO (calculated, without duplication, on the basis that all issued and outstanding Class B Shares had been converted into Class A Shares).

EXCHANGE ACT ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

FILINGS ” means annual, quarterly and current reports and other documents filed or furnished by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company under the Exchange Act; annual reports to stockholders, annual and quarterly statutory statements of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; and any registration statements, prospectuses and other documents filed or furnished by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Controlled Affiliates under the Securities Act.

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc.

FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS ” means a free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY ” means any court, administrative agency, regulatory body, commission or other governmental authority, board, bureau or instrumentality, domestic or foreign and any subdivision thereof.

IPO ” means the initial public offering of Class A Shares pursuant to an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act.

 

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IPO UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT ” means the underwriting agreement, dated as of June 13, 2019, by and among the Company, the selling stockholder named therein and the underwriters named therein.

ISSUER FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS ” means an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act.

MAJORITY STOCKHOLDERS ” means Stockholders holding a majority of the Class B Shares held by the Stockholders.

PERMITTED TRANSFEREE ” means, with respect to a Stockholder (a) any other Stockholder, (b) such Stockholder’s Affiliates, (c) any member, stockholder, or general or limited partner of such Stockholder and (d) any other Person approved by the Company in its sole and absolute discretion.

PERSON ” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, Governmental Entity or other entity.

PIGGYBACK STOCKHOLDER ” means any Stockholder that Beneficially Owns Registrable Securities.

REGISTRABLE AMOUNT ” means a number of Registrable Securities representing at least one percent (1%) of the aggregate number of Class A Shares issued and outstanding immediately after the consummation of the IPO (calculated, without duplication, on the basis that all issued and outstanding Class B Shares had been converted into Class A Shares).

REGISTRABLE SECURITIES ” means any Class A Shares. As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (x) a registration statement registering such securities under the Securities Act has been declared effective and such securities have been sold or otherwise Transferred by the holder thereof pursuant to such effective registration statement, or (y) such securities are sold in accordance with Rule 144 (or any successor provision) promulgated under the Securities Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Registrable Securities held by any Person that may be sold under Rule 144(b)(1)(i) without limitation under any of the other requirements of Rule 144 (as confirmed by an opinion of the Company’s counsel) shall not be deemed to be Registrable Securities.

REPRESENTATIVE ” means with respect to a particular Person, any director, officer, manager, employee, agent, consultant, advisor, accountant, financial advisor, legal counsel or other representative of that Person.

SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any similar agency then having jurisdiction to enforce the Securities Act.

SECURITIES ACT ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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SUBSIDIARY ” or “ SUBSIDIARIES ” means, with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, any other Person as to which such Person owns, directly or indirectly, or otherwise controls, more than 50% of the voting shares or other similar interests or the sole general partner interest or managing member or similar interest of such Person.

TRANSFER ” means, with respect to any securities, to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of such securities.

UNDERWRITTEN OFFERING ” means a sale of securities of the Company to an underwriter or underwriters for reoffering to the public.

VOTING SECURITIES ” means Class A Shares, Class B Shares and any other securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company.

ARTICLE II

TRANSFER

Section 2.1 Transfers and Joinders . If a Stockholder effects any Transfer of Class A Shares or Class B Shares to a Permitted Transferee, such Permitted Transferee shall, if not a Stockholder, within five (5) Business Days of such Transfer execute a joinder to this Agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Company, in which such Permitted Transferee agrees to be a “Stockholder” for all purposes of this Agreement and which provides that such Permitted Transferee shall be bound by and shall fully comply with the terms of this Agreement.

Section 2.2 Binding Effect on Transferees . Subject to execution of a joinder to this Agreement with five (5) Business Days of the applicable Transfer, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Company, pursuant to Section  2.1 , such Permitted Transferee shall become a Stockholder hereunder.

Section 2.3 Additional Purchases . Any Registrable Securities Beneficially Owned by a Stockholder on or after the date of this Agreement shall have the benefit of and be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

Section 2.4 Charter Provisions . The parties hereto shall use their respective reasonable efforts (including voting or causing to be voted all of the Voting Securities held of record by such party or Beneficially Owned by such party by virtue of having voting power over such Voting Securities) so as to prevent any amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws as in effect as of the date of this Agreement that would (a) add restrictions to the transferability of the Voting Securities by any Stockholder at the time of such an amendment, which restrictions are beyond those then provided for in the Certificate of Incorporation, this Agreement or applicable securities laws or (b) nullify any of the rights of any Stockholder at the time of such amendment, which rights are explicitly provided for in this Agreement, unless, in each such case, such amendment shall have been approved by such Stockholder.

 

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ARTICLE III

BOARD REPRESENTATION

Section 3.1 Nominees .

(a) Until the Board Nomination Termination Date, the Company and each Stockholder that holds Class B Shares shall take all reasonable actions within their respective control (including voting or causing to be voted all of the Voting Securities held of record by such Stockholder or Beneficially Owned by such Stockholder by virtue of having voting power over such Voting Securities, and, with respect to the Company, as provided in Sections 3.1(c) and (d) ) so as to cause to be elected to the Board, and to cause to continue in office, not more than thirteen (13) directors (or such other number of directors as the Majority Stockholders may agree to in writing), and at any given time a number of directors equal to a majority of the Board shall be individuals designated by the Majority Stockholders.

(b) Until the Board Nomination Termination Date, if the Majority Stockholders notify the Company and the other Stockholders of their desire to remove, with or without cause, any director, the Stockholders shall vote or cause to be voted all of the shares of Voting Securities held of record by such Stockholders or Beneficially Owned by such Stockholders by virtue of having voting power over such Voting Securities and take all other reasonable actions within its control to cause the removal of such director.

(c) The Company agrees to include in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board those persons designated by the Majority Stockholders in accordance with Section  4.1(a) and to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the election of each such designee to the Board, including nominating such designees to be elected as directors, in each case subject to applicable law.

(d) In the event that a vacancy is created at any time by the death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal of any director who is designated by the Majority Stockholders in accordance with Section  4.1(a) , the Company agrees to take at any time and from time to time all actions necessary to cause the vacancy created thereby to be filled as promptly as practicable by a new designee of the Majority Stockholders. In the event that the size of the Board is expanded to more than thirteen (13) directors, the Company agrees to take at any time and from time to time all actions necessary to cause the Board to continue to have the number of the designees of the Majority Stockholders that corresponds to the requirements of Section  4.1(a) .

(e) For the purposes of this Article III , the term “Stockholder” shall include solely those Stockholders that hold Class B Shares.

Section 3.2 Committees . For so long as this Agreement is in effect and to the extent requested by the Majority Stockholders, the Company shall take all reasonable actions within its control at any given time so as to cause to be appointed to any committee of the Board a number of directors designated by the Majority Stockholders that is up to the number of directors that is proportionate (rounding up to the next whole director) to the representation that the Majority

 

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Stockholders are entitled to designate to the Board under this Agreement, to the extent such directors are permitted to serve on such committees under the applicable rules of the SEC and the the New York Stock Exchange or by any other applicable stock exchange. It is understood by the parties hereto that the Majority Stockholders shall not be required to have its directors represented on any committee and any failure to exercise such right in this section in a prior period shall not constitute any waiver of such right in a subsequent period.

ARTICLE IV

TERMINATION

Section 4.1 Term . The terms of this Agreement shall terminate, and be of no further force and effect:

(a) upon the mutual consent of all of the parties hereto; and

(b) with respect to a Stockholder, at such time that such Stockholder together with its Affiliates cease to Beneficially Own a Registrable Amount.

Section 4.2 Survival . If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section  4.1 , this Agreement shall become void and of no further force and effect, except for: (i) the provisions set forth in this Section  4.2 , Section  5.2 (which shall terminate, and be of no further force and effect, with respect to each Stockholder, at such time as such Stockholder and its Affiliates ceases to Beneficially Own a Registrable Amount), Section  5.7 , Article VI , Section  7.8 and Section  7.9 ; (ii) the rights with respect to the breach of any provision hereof by the Company; and (iii) any registration rights vested or obligations accrued as of the date of termination of this Agreement to the extent, in the case of registration rights so vested, if such Stockholder ceases to meet the definition of a Stockholder under this Agreement subsequent to the vesting of such registration rights as a result of action taken by the Company.

ARTICLE V

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

Section 5.1 Demand Registration .

(a) At any time after the date that is one hundred and eighty (180) days after the date of the IPO Underwriting Agreement (or such earlier date as is permitted by the terms, or any waiver, of an applicable lock-up agreement entered into with the underwriters in connection with the IPO), any Stockholders that on the date a Demand (as hereinafter defined) is made constitute Demand Stockholders (a “ Requesting Stockholder ”) shall be entitled to make a written request of the Company (a “ Demand ”) for registration under the Securities Act of a number of Registrable Securities that equals or is greater than the Registrable Amount (a “ Demand Registration ”) and thereupon the Company will, subject to the terms of this Agreement, use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration as promptly as practicable under the Securities Act of:

 

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(i) the Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested to register by the Requesting Stockholders for disposition in accordance with the intended method of disposition stated in such Demand which may be an Underwritten Offering;

(ii) all other Registrable Securities which the Company has been requested to register pursuant to Section  5.1(b) ; and

(iii) all Class A Shares which the Company may elect to register in connection with any offering of Registrable Securities, but subject to Section  5.1(f) ;

all to the extent necessary to permit the disposition (in accordance with the intended methods thereof) of the Registrable Securities and the additional Class A Shares, if any, to be so registered.

(b) A Demand shall specify: (i) the aggregate number of Registrable Securities requested to be registered in such Demand Registration, (ii) the intended method of disposition in connection with such Demand Registration, to the extent then known and (iii) the identity of the Requesting Stockholder (or Requesting Stockholders). Within two (2) Business Days after receipt of a Demand, the Company shall give written notice of such Demand to all other Stockholders. Subject to Section  5.1(f) , the Company shall include in the Demand Registration covered by such Demand all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received a written request for inclusion therein within five (5) Business Days after the Company’s notice required by this paragraph has been given. Such written request shall comply with the requirements of a Demand as set forth in this Section  5.1(b) .

(c) Each Demand Stockholder shall be entitled to an unlimited number of Demand Registrations until such time as such Stockholder Beneficially Owns together with its Affiliates less than a Registrable Amount.

(d) Demand Registrations shall be on such registration form of the SEC for which the Company is eligible as shall be selected by the Requesting Stockholders, including, to the extent permissible, an automatically effective registration statement or an existing effective registration statement filed by the Company with the SEC, and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company.

(e) The Company shall not be obligated to effect any Demand Registration (A) within ninety (90) days of a “firm commitment” Underwritten Offering in which all Stockholders were given “piggyback” rights pursuant to Section  5.2 (subject to Section  5.1(f) ) and provided that at least 50% of the number of Registrable Securities requested by such Stockholders to be included in such Demand Registration were included or (B) within ninety (90) days of any other Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section  5.3(e) . In addition, the Company shall be entitled to postpone (upon written notice to all Stockholders) for a reasonable period of time not to exceed ninety (90) days in succession the filing or the effectiveness of a registration statement for any Demand Registration (but no more than twice, or for more than one hundred and twenty (120) days in the aggregate, in any period of twelve (12) consecutive months) if the Board determines in good faith and in its reasonable judgment that the filing or effectiveness of the registration statement relating to such Demand Registration would cause the disclosure of material, non-

 

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public information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential. In the event of a postponement by the Company of the filing or effectiveness of a registration statement for a Demand Registration, the holders of a majority of Registrable Securities held by the Requesting Stockholders shall have the right to withdraw such Demand in accordance with Section  5.4 .

(f) The Company shall not include any securities other than Registrable Securities in a Demand Registration, except with the written consent of Stockholders participating in such Demand Registration that hold a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such Demand Registration. If, in connection with a Demand Registration, any managing underwriter (or, if such Demand Registration is not an Underwritten Offering, a nationally recognized investment bank engaged in connection with such Demand Registration) advises the Company, in writing, that, in its opinion, the inclusion of all of the securities, including securities of the Company that are not Registrable Securities, sought to be registered in connection with such Demand Registration would adversely affect the marketability of the Registrable Securities sought to be sold pursuant thereto, then the Company shall include in such registration statement only such securities as the Company is advised by such underwriter or investment bank can be sold without such adverse effect as follows and in the following order of priority: (i) first, up to the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Demand Registration by the Stockholders, which, in the opinion of the underwriter can be sold without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, pro rata among such Stockholders requesting such Demand Registration on the basis of the number of such securities held by such Stockholders and such Stockholders that are Piggyback Sellers (as defined below); (ii) second, securities the Company proposes to sell; and (iii) third, all other securities of the Company duly requested to be included in such registration statement, pro rata on the basis of the number of such other securities requested to be included or such other method determined by the Company.

(g) Any investment bank(s) that will serve as an underwriter with respect to such Demand Registration or, if such Demand Registration is not an Underwritten Offering, any investment bank engaged in connection therewith, shall be selected by the Stockholder participating in such Demand Registration that holds a number of Registrable Securities included in such Demand Registration constituting a plurality of all Registrable Securities included in such Demand Registration.

Section 5.2 Piggyback Registration .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, whenever the Company proposes to register any of its equity securities under the Securities Act (other than a registration by the Company (x) on a registration statement on Form S-4 or (y) on a registration statement on Form S-8 (or in any of the cases of (x) or (y) on any successor forms thereto)) (each a “ Piggyback Registration ”), whether for its own account or for the account of others, the Company shall give each Stockholder that on such date constitutes a Piggyback Stockholder prompt written notice thereof (but not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the filing by the Company with the SEC of any registration statement with respect thereto). Such notice (a “ Piggyback Notice ”) shall specify, at a minimum, the number of equity securities proposed to be registered, the proposed date of filing of such registration statement with the SEC, the proposed means of distribution, the proposed managing underwriter or underwriters (if any and if known) and a good faith estimate

 

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by the Company of the proposed minimum offering price of such equity securities. Upon the written request of any Person that on the date of such Piggyback Notice constitutes a Piggyback Stockholder (any such Persons a “ Piggyback Seller ”) (which written request shall specify the number of Registrable Securities then presently intended to be disposed of by such Piggyback Seller), given within two (2) Business Days after such Piggyback Notice is received by such Person, the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities held by Piggyback Sellers with respect to which the Company has received such written requests for inclusion to be included in such Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as the Company’s equity securities being sold in such Piggyback Registration.

(b) If, in connection with a Piggyback Registration, any managing underwriter (or, if such Piggyback Registration is not an Underwritten Offering, a nationally recognized investment bank engaged in connection with such registration) advises the Company in writing that, in its opinion, the inclusion of all the equity securities sought to be included in such Piggyback Registration by (i) the Company, (ii) others who have sought to have equity securities of the Company registered in such Piggyback Registration pursuant to rights to demand (other than pursuant to so-called “piggyback” or other incidental or participation registration rights) such registration (such Persons being “ Other Demanding Sellers ”), (iii) the Piggyback Sellers and (iv) any other proposed sellers of equity securities of the Company (such Persons being “ Other Proposed Sellers ”), as the case may be, would adversely affect the marketability of the equity securities sought to be sold pursuant thereto, then the Company shall include in the registration statement applicable to such Piggyback Registration only such equity securities as the Company is so advised by such underwriter can be sold without such an effect, as follows and in the following order of priority:

(i) if the Piggyback Registration relates to an offering for the Company’s own account, then (A) first, such number of equity securities to be sold by the Company as the Company, in its reasonable judgment and acting in good faith and in accordance with sound financial practice, shall have determined, (B) second, Registrable Securities of Piggyback Sellers and securities sought to be registered by Other Demanding Sellers (if any), pro rata on the basis of the number of Class A Shares proposed to be sold by such Piggyback Sellers and Other Demanding Sellers and (C) third, other equity securities held by any Other Proposed Sellers; or

(ii) if the Piggyback Registration relates to an offering other than for the Company’s own account, then (A) first, such number of equity securities sought to be registered by each Other Demanding Seller and the Piggyback Sellers pro rata in proportion to the number of Class A Shares sought to be registered by all such Other Demanding Sellers (if any) and Piggyback Sellers and (B) second, other equity securities proposed to be sold by any Other Proposed Sellers or to be sold by the Company as determined by the Company and with such priorities among them as may from time to time be determined or agreed to by the Company.

(c) In connection with any Underwritten Offering under this Section  5.2 for the Company’s account, the Company shall not be required to include a holder’s Registrable Securities in the Underwritten Offering unless such holder accepts the terms of the underwriting as agreed upon between the Company and the underwriters selected by the Company.

 

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(d) If, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any of its equity securities as set forth in this Section  5.2 and prior to the time the registration statement filed in connection with such Piggyback Registration is declared effective, the Company shall determine for any reason not to register such equity securities, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to each Piggyback Stockholder within five (5) Business Days thereof and thereupon shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such particular withdrawn or abandoned Piggyback Registration (but not from its obligation to pay the Registration Expenses in connection therewith as provided herein); provided , that Stockholders may continue the registration as a Demand Registration pursuant to the terms of Section  5.1 .

Section 5.3 Shelf Registration .

(a) Subject to Section  5.3(e) , and further subject to the availability of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 or a successor form, which may be an automatically effective registration statement at any time the Company is eligible (“ Form S-3 ”), to the Company, any Stockholder may by written notice delivered to the Company (the “ Shelf Notice ”) require the Company to (i) file as promptly as practicable (but no later than 30 days after the date the Shelf Notice is delivered), and to use reasonable best efforts to cause to be declared effective by the SEC at the earliest possible date permitted under the rules and regulations of the SEC (but no later than 60 days after such filing date), a Form S-3 (which, if the Company is eligible, shall be an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act)), or (ii) use an existing Form S-3 filed with the SEC, in each case providing for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act relating to the offer and sale, from time to time, of the Registrable Securities Beneficially Owned by such Stockholder (or any of its Permitted Transferees who are Stockholders), as the case may be, and any other Persons that at the time of the Shelf Notice meet the definition of a Stockholder who elect to participate therein as provided in Section  5.3(c) (the “ Shelf Registration Statement ”).

(b) Each Stockholder shall be entitled to require the Company to file an unlimited number of Shelf Registration Statements until such time as such Stockholder Beneficially Owns together with its Affiliates less than a Registrable Amount.

(c) Within five (5) Business Days after receipt of a Shelf Notice pursuant to Section  6.3(a) , the Company will deliver written notice thereof to each Piggyback Stockholder. Each Piggyback Stockholder may elect to participate in the Shelf Registration Statement by delivering to the Company a written request to so participate within five (5) Business Days after the Shelf Notice is received by any such Piggyback Stockholder.

(d) Subject to Section  5.3(e) , the Company will use reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until the date on which all Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold thereunder in accordance with the plan and method of distribution disclosed in the prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement, or otherwise (the “ Shelf Registration Effectiveness Period ”).

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled, from time to time, by providing written notice to the Stockholders

 

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who elected to participate in the Shelf Registration Statement, to require such Stockholders to suspend the use of the prospectus for sales of Registrable Securities under the Shelf Registration Statement for a reasonable period of time not to exceed 90 days in succession or 120 days in the aggregate in any 12 month period (a “ Suspension Period ”) if the Board determines in good faith and in its reasonable judgment that it is required to disclose in the Shelf Registration Statement material, non-public information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential. Immediately upon receipt of such notice, the Stockholders covered by the Shelf Registration Statement shall suspend the use of the prospectus until the requisite changes to the prospectus have been made as required below. Any Suspension Period shall terminate at such time as the public disclosure of such information is made. After the expiration of any Suspension Period and without any further request from a Stockholder, the Company shall as promptly as practicable prepare a post-effective amendment or supplement to the Shelf Registration Statement or the prospectus, or any document incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of the Registrable Securities included therein, the prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(f) At any time, and from time-to-time, during the Shelf Registration Effectiveness Period (except during a Suspension Period), any Stockholder may notify the Company of its intent to sell Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement (in whole or in part) in an Underwritten Offering (a “ Shelf Underwritten Offering ”). Such notice shall specify (x) the aggregate number of Registrable Securities requested to be registered in such Shelf Underwritten Offering and (y) the identity of the Stockholder(s) requesting such Shelf Underwritten Offering. Upon receipt by the Company of such notice, the Company shall promptly comply with the applicable provisions of this Agreement, including those provisions of Section  5.6 relating to the Company’s obligation to make filings with the Commission, assist in the preparation and filing with the SEC of prospectus supplements and amendments to the Shelf Registration Statement, participate in “road shows,” agree to customary “lock-up” agreements with respect to the Company’s securities and obtain “comfort” letters, and the Company shall take such other actions as necessary or appropriate to permit the consummation of such Shelf Underwritten Offering as promptly as practicable. In any Shelf Underwritten Offering, the investment bank(s) and managers that will serve as lead or co-managing underwriters with respect to the offering of such Registrable Securities shall be selected by the Stockholders participating in such Shelf Underwritten Offering that hold a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such Shelf Underwritten Offering.

(g) If Stockholders wish to engage in an underwritten block trade off of a Shelf Registration Statement (either through filing an automatic shelf registration statement or through a take-down from an already existing Shelf Registration Statement), then notwithstanding the time periods set forth above, such Stockholders shall notify the Company of the block trade Shelf Underwritten Offering not less than two (2) Business Days prior to the day such offering is to commence. The Company shall promptly notify other Stockholders which hold Registrable Securities of such block trade Shelf Underwritten Offering and such other holders of Registrable Securities must elect whether or not to participate by 11:00 a.m., New York time on the next business day (i.e., one business day prior to the day such offering is to commence) and the Company shall as expeditiously as possible use its reasonable best efforts to facilitate such offering (which may close as early as two business days after the date it commences).

 

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Section 5.4 Withdrawal Rights .

Any Stockholder having notified or directed the Company to include any or all of its Registrable Securities in a registration statement under the Securities Act shall have the right to withdraw any such notice or direction with respect to any or all of the Registrable Securities designated by it for registration by giving written notice to such effect to the Company prior to the effective date of such registration statement. In the event of any such withdrawal, the Company shall not include such Registrable Securities in the applicable registration and such Registrable Securities shall continue to be Registrable Securities for all purposes of this Agreement. No such withdrawal shall affect the obligations of the Company with respect to the Registrable Securities not so withdrawn; provided , however , that in the case of a Demand Registration, if such withdrawal shall reduce the number of Registrable Securities sought to be included in such registration below the Registrable Amount, then the Company shall as promptly as practicable give each holder of Registrable Securities sought to be registered notice to such effect and, within ten days following the mailing of such notice, such holder(s) of Registrable Securities still seeking registration shall, by written notice to the Company, elect to register additional Registrable Securities, when taken together with elections to register Registrable Securities by their Permitted Transferees who are Stockholders, to satisfy the Registrable Amount or elect that such registration statement not be filed or, if theretofore filed, be withdrawn. During such ten day period, the Company shall not file such registration statement if not theretofore filed or, if such registration statement has been theretofore filed, the Company shall not seek, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent, the effectiveness thereof.

Section 5.5 Holdback Agreements .

(a) In connection with any Underwritten Offering, each Stockholder will enter into any lock-up, holdback or similar agreements requested by the underwriter(s) managing such offering, in each case with such modifications and exceptions as may be approved by the Majority Stockholders. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Stockholder hereby agrees that in connection with any Demand Registration, Shelf Underwritten Offering or Piggyback Registration that is an Underwritten Offering, not to (i) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of (including sales pursuant to Rule 144), directly or indirectly, any equity securities of the Company (including equity securities of the Company that may be deemed to be owned beneficially by such Stockholder in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC) (collectively, “ Securities ”), or any securities, options or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Securities (collectively, “ Other Securities ”), (ii) enter into a transaction which would have the same effect as described in clause (i) above, (iii) enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences or ownership of any Securities or Other Securities, whether such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such Securities or Other Securities, in cash or otherwise (each of (i), (ii) and (iii) above, a “ Sale Transaction ”), or (iv) publicly disclose the intention to enter into any Sale Transaction, commencing on the date on which the Company gives notice to the Stockholders that a preliminary prospectus has been circulated for such Underwritten

 

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Offering or the “pricing” of such offering and continuing to the date that is 90 days following the date of the final prospectus (such period, or such shorter period as agreed to by the managing underwriters, a “ Holdback Period ”), in each case with such modifications and exceptions as may be approved by the Majority Stockholders. The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to any Securities or Other Securities subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section  5.5(a) until the end of such Holdback Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Stockholder (other than officers and directors of the Company) will be subject to the Holdback Period in connection with a block Shelf Underwritten Offering unless such Stockholder was provided notice one day prior to such block Shelf Underwritten Offering and provided the opportunity to participate therein (whether or not such Stockholder elects to participate in such block trade).

(b) The Company (i) will not file any registration statement for a sale or distribution by the Company, one of its Subsidiaries and/or stockholders to the public of Securities or Other Securities pursuant to an offering registered under the Securities Act or cause any such registration statement to become effective, or effect any public sale or distribution of its Securities or Other Securities during any Holdback Period (other than as part of such Underwritten Offering, or a registration on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any successor or similar form) and (ii) will cause each of its directors and executive officers to agree not to effect any Sale Transaction during any Holdback Period, except as part of such Underwritten Offering (if otherwise permitted), unless approved in writing by the Majority Stockholders and the underwriters managing the Underwritten Offering and to enter into any lock-up, holdback or similar agreements requested by the underwriter(s) managing such offering, in each case with such modifications and exceptions as may be approved by the Majority Stockholders.

Section 5.6 Registration Procedures .

(a) If and whenever the Company is required to use reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in Sections 5.1 , 5.2 and 5.3 the Company shall as promptly as practicable (in each case, to the extent applicable):

(i) prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement to effect such registration, cause such registration statement to become effective at the earliest possible date permitted under the rules and regulations of the SEC and thereafter use reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to remain effective pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; provided , however , that the Company may discontinue any registration of its securities which are not Registrable Securities at any time prior to the effective date of the registration statement relating thereto; provided , further that before filing such registration statement or any amendments thereto, the Company will furnish to the counsel selected by the holders of Registrable Securities which are to be included in such registration (“ Selling Holders ”) copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review and comment of such counsel (it being understood that counsel to the Selling Holders will conduct its review and provide any comments promptly);

(ii) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith and any Exchange Act reports incorporated by reference therein as may be

 

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necessary to keep such registration statement effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement until the earlier of such time as all of such securities have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Selling Holder(s) set forth in such registration statement or (x) in the case of a Demand Registration pursuant to Section  5.1 , the expiration of 60 days after such registration statement becomes effective, (y) in the case of a Piggyback Registration pursuant to Section  5.2 , the expiration of 60 days after such registration statement becomes effective or (z) in the case of a Shelf Registration pursuant to Section  5.3 , the Shelf Registration Effectiveness Period;

(iii) furnish to each Selling Holder and each underwriter, if any, of the securities being sold by such Selling Holder such number of conformed copies of such registration statement and of each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits), such number of copies of the prospectus contained in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus) and each Free Writing Prospectus utilized in connection therewith and any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and such other documents as such Selling Holder and underwriter, if any, may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Holder;

(iv) use reasonable best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities laws or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Selling Holder and any underwriter of the securities being sold by such Selling Holder shall reasonably request, and take any other action which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Selling Holder and underwriter to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Holder, except that the Company shall not for any such purpose be required to (A) qualify generally to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not but for the requirements of this clause (iv) be obligated to be so qualified, (B) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (C) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction;

(v) use reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed and, if no such securities are so listed, use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registrable Securities to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market;

(vi) use reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the Selling Holder(s) thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

 

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(vii) obtain for each Selling Holder and any underwriter:

(A) an opinion of counsel for the Company, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in Underwritten Offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Selling Holder and/or underwriters, and

(B) a “comfort” letter (or, in the case of any such Person which does not satisfy the conditions for receipt of a “comfort” letter specified in AU Section 634 of the AICPA Professional Standards, an “agreed upon procedures” letter) signed by the independent registered public accountants who have certified the Company’s financial statements included in such registration statement (and, if necessary, any other independent registered public accountant of any Subsidiary of the Company or any business acquired by the Company from which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in the registration statement);

(viii) promptly make available for inspection by any Selling Holder, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to any registration statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent or representative retained by any such Selling Holder or underwriter (collectively, the “ Inspectors ”), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the “ Records ”), as shall be reasonably necessary to enable such Selling Holder or underwriter to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information requested by any such Inspector in connection with such registration statement promptly; provided , however , that, unless the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in the registration statement or the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction, the Company shall not be required to provide any information under this subparagraph (viii) if (i) the Company believes, after consultation with counsel for the Company, that to do so would cause the Company to forfeit an attorney-client privilege that was applicable to such information or (ii) if either (A) the Company has requested and been granted from the SEC confidential treatment of such information contained in any filing with the SEC or documents provided supplementally or otherwise or (B) the Company reasonably determines in good faith that such Records are confidential and so notifies the Inspectors in writing unless prior to furnishing any such information with respect to (i) or (ii) such holder of Registrable Securities requesting such information agrees, and causes each of its Inspectors, to enter into a confidentiality agreement on terms reasonably acceptable to the Company; and provided , further , that each holder of Registrable Securities agrees that it will, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action and to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential;

(ix) promptly notify in writing each Selling Holder and the underwriters, if any, of the following events:

(A) the filing of the registration statement, the prospectus or any prospectus supplement related thereto, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or post-effective amendment to the registration statement, and, with respect to the registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective;

 

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(B) any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to the registration statement or the prospectus or for additional information;

(C) the issuance by the SEC or any of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings by any Person for that purpose;

(D) when any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus includes information that may conflict with the information contained in the registration statement; and

(E) the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction or the initiation or threat of any Proceeding for such purpose;

(x) notify each Selling Holder, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, upon discovery that, or upon the happening of any event as a result of which, the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, at the request of any Selling Holder, promptly prepare and furnish to such Selling Holder a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

(xi) use reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement;

(xii) otherwise use reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to Selling Holders, as promptly as practicable, an earnings statement of the Company covering the period of at least 12 months, but not more than 18 months, beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full quarter after the effective date of such registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;

(xiii) use its reasonable best efforts to assist Stockholders who made a request to the Company to provide for a third party “market maker” for the Class A Shares; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to serve as such “market maker”;

(xiv) cooperate with any Selling Holder and any underwriters and the managing underwriter to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (which shall not bear any restrictive legends unless required under applicable law), if necessary or appropriate, representing securities sold under any registration statement, and enable such securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriter or such Selling Holders may request and keep available and make available to the Company’s transfer agent prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement a supply of such certificates, if necessary or appropriate;

 

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(xv) have appropriate officers of the Company prepare and make presentations at any “road shows” and before analysts and rating agencies, as the case may be, take other actions to obtain ratings for any Registrable Securities (if they are eligible to be rated) and otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to cooperate as reasonably requested by the Selling Holders and the underwriters in the offering, marketing or selling of the Registrable Securities;

(xvi) have appropriate officers of the Company, and cause representatives of the Company’s independent registered public accountants, to participate in any due diligence discussions reasonably requested by any Selling Holder or any underwriter;

(xvii) if requested by any underwriter or the Majority Stockholders, agree, and cause the Company and any directors or officers of the Company to agree, to be bound by customary “lock-up” agreements restricting the ability to dispose of Company securities and file or cause the filing of any registration statement under the Securities Act;

(xviii) if requested by any Selling Holders or any underwriter, promptly incorporate in the registration statement or any prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such Selling Holders may reasonably request to have included therein, including information relating to the “Plan of Distribution” of the Registrable Securities;

(xix) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with the FINRA and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter that is required to be undertaken in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA;

(xx) otherwise use reasonable best efforts to cooperate as reasonably requested by the Selling Holders and the underwriters in the offering, marketing or selling of the Registrable Securities;

(xxi) otherwise use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and all reporting requirements under the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act;

(xxii) cause any officer of the Company to participate fully in the sale process in a manner customary for persons in like positions and consistent with his or her other duties with the Company, including the preparation of the registration statement and the preparation and presentation of any road shows and other investor meetings; and

(xxiii) use reasonable best efforts to take any action requested by the Selling Holders, including any action described in clauses (i) through (xxii) above to prepare for and facilitate any “over-night deal” or other proposed sale of Registrable Securities over a limited timeframe.

The Company may require each Selling Holder and each underwriter, if any, to furnish the Company in writing such information regarding each Selling Holder or underwriter and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request to complete or amend the information required by such registration statement.

 

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Without limiting any of the foregoing, in the event that the offering of Registrable Securities is to be made by or through an underwriter, the Company shall enter into an underwriting agreement with a managing underwriter or underwriters containing representations, warranties, indemnities and agreements customarily included (but not inconsistent with the covenants and agreements of the Company contained herein) by an issuer of common stock in underwriting agreements with respect to offerings of common stock for the account of, or on behalf of, such issuers. In connection with any offering of Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall furnish to the underwriter, if any (or, if no underwriter, the Selling Holder), unlegended certificates representing ownership of the Registrable Securities being sold (unless, in the Company’s sole discretion, such Registrable Securities are to be issued in uncertificated form pursuant to the customary arrangements for issuing shares in such form), in such denominations as requested and instruct any transfer agent and registrar of the Registrable Securities to release any stop transfer order with respect thereto.

(b) Each Selling Holder agrees that upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section  5.6(a)(ix) , such Selling Holder shall forthwith discontinue such Selling Holder’s disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the applicable registration statement and prospectus relating thereto until such Selling Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section  5.6(a)(ix) and, if so directed by the Company, deliver to the Company, at the Company’s expense, all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Selling Holder’s possession of the prospectus current at the time of receipt of such notice relating to such Registrable Securities. In the event the Company shall give such notice, any applicable 60 day or two year period during which such registration statement must remain effective pursuant to this Agreement shall be extended by the number of days during the period from the date of giving of a notice regarding the happening of an event of the kind described in Section  5.6(a)(ix) to the date when all such Selling Holders shall receive such a supplemented or amended prospectus and such prospectus shall have been filed with the SEC.

Section 5.7 Registration Expenses .

All expenses incident to the Company’s performance of, or compliance with, its obligations under this Agreement including (i) (A) all registration and filing fees, all fees and expenses of compliance with securities and “blue sky” laws, (B) all fees and expenses associated with filings required to be made with FINRA (including, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” as such term is defined in NASD Rule 2720 or the equivalent rule incorporated into the FINRA rulebook), (C) all fees and expenses of compliance with securities and “blue sky” laws, (D) all printing (including expenses of printing certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company and of printing prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is requested by a holder of Registrable Securities) and copying expenses, (E) all messenger and delivery expenses, (F) all fees and expenses of the Company’s independent certified public accountants and counsel (including with respect to “comfort” letters, “agreed-on-procedure” letter and opinions), (G) fees and expenses of one counsel to the Stockholders selling in such registration (which firm shall be

 

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selected by the Stockholders selling in such registration that hold a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such registration, provided that such counsel is reasonably acceptable to the Company) and (H) except as otherwise provided in this Section  5.7 , the fees and expenses (including transfer taxes) of every nationally recognized investment bank engaged in connection with a Demand Registration or a Piggyback Registration that is not an Underwritten Offering (collectively, the “ Registration Expenses ”) and (ii) any expenses described in clauses (i)(A) through (i)(H) above incurred in connection with the marketing and sale of Registrable Securities shall be borne by the Company, in each case regardless of whether a registration is effected, marketing is commenced or a sale is made. The Company will pay its internal expenses (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties, the expense of any annual audit and the expense of any liability insurance) and the expenses and fees for listing the securities to be registered on each securities exchange and included in each established over-the-counter market on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or traded. Each Selling Holder shall pay its portion of all underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale of such Selling Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to any registration.

Section 5.8 Request for Information . Not less than five (5) Business Days (or such shorter period expressly provided herein) before the expected filing date of each registration statement pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall notify each Stockholder who has timely provided the requisite notice hereunder entitling the Stockholder to register Registrable Securities in such registration statement of the information, documents and instruments from such Stockholder that the Company or any underwriter reasonably requests in connection with such registration statement, including, but not limited to a questionnaire, custody agreement, power of attorney, lock-up letter and underwriting agreement (the “ Requested Information ”). If the Company has not received, on or before the second day before the expected filing date, the Requested Information from such Stockholder, the Company may file the Registration Statement without including Registrable Securities of such Stockholder. The failure to so include in any registration statement the Registrable Securities of a Stockholder (with regard to that registration statement) shall not in and of itself result in any liability on the part of the Company to such Stockholder.

Section 5.9 No Grant of Future Registration Rights . The Company shall not grant any shelf, demand, piggyback or incidental registration rights that are (a) senior to the rights granted to the Stockholders hereunder to any other Person or (b) more favorable to such other Person in any respect as compared to the rights of the Stockholders under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Majority Stockholders.

Section 5.10 Confidentiality . Each Stockholder agrees to treat as confidential the receipt of any notice hereunder and the information contained therein, and not to disclose or use the information contained in any such notice (or the existence thereof) without the prior written consent of the Company until such time as the information contained therein is or becomes available to the public generally (other than as a result of disclosure by such Stockholder in breach of the terms of this Agreement).

 

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ARTICLE VI

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 6.1 General Indemnification . The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Stockholder and its Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, managers, partners and agents and each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) such Stockholder or such other indemnified Person against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable expenses of investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) (collectively, the “ Losses ”) incurred by such Stockholder or other indemnified Person before or after the date of this Agreement, in each case, based on, arising out of, resulting from or in connection with any claim, action, cause of action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other (collectively, “ Actions ”) and based on, arising out of, pertaining to or in connection with (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Filing or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and/or (ii) any Action to which any Stockholder or other indemnified Person is made a party or involved in its capacity as a stockholder or owner of securities of the Company (or in their capacity as an officer, director, employee, manager, partner, agent or controlling person of such Stockholder or other such indemnified party), provided that the foregoing indemnification rights shall not be available to the extent that (A) any such Losses are incurred as a result of such Stockholder’s willful misconduct or gross negligence, (B) any such Losses are incurred as a result of non-compliance by such Stockholder with any laws or regulations applicable to any of them, (C) any such Losses are incurred as a result of non-compliance by such Stockholder with its obligations under this Agreement, (D) subject to the rights of contribution provided for below, to the extent indemnification for any Losses would violate any applicable law, regulation or public policy; or (E) in the case of clause (i) above, other than misstatements or omissions made in reliance on information relating to and furnished by such Stockholder in writing expressly for use in the preparation of such Filing. For purposes of this Section  6.1 , none of the circumstances described in the limitations contained in the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence shall be deemed to apply absent a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to such effect, in which case to the extent any such limitation is so determined to apply to any Stockholder or such other indemnified Person as to any previously advanced indemnity payments made by the Company under this Section  6.1 , then such payments shall be promptly repaid by such Stockholder or such other indemnified Person to the Company. The rights of any Stockholder or such other indemnified Person to indemnification hereunder will be in addition to any other rights any such party may have under any other agreement or instrument referenced above or any other agreement or instrument to which such Stockholder or such other indemnified Person is or becomes a party or is or otherwise becomes a beneficiary or under law or regulation. In the event of any payment of indemnification pursuant to this Section  6.1 , so long as any Stockholder or such other indemnified Person is fully indemnified for all Losses, the Company will be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the related rights of recovery of the Stockholder or such other indemnified Person to which such payment is made against all other Persons. The indemnity agreement contained in this Section  6.1 shall be applicable whether or not any Action or the facts or transactions giving rise to such Action arose prior to, on or subsequent to the date of this Agreement.

 

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Section 6.2 Registration Statement Indemnification .

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Selling Holder and officers, directors, employees, managers, members, partners and Affiliates from and against all Losses caused by, resulting from or relating to any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any registration statement, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission (or alleged omission) of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by any information furnished in writing to the Company by such Selling Holder expressly for use therein and except to the extent such Selling Holder or other indemnified Person is indemnified for such Losses pursuant to Section  6.1 . In connection with an Underwritten Offering and without limiting any of the Company’s other obligations under this Agreement, the Company shall also indemnify such underwriters, their officers, directors, employees and agents and each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) such underwriters or such other indemnified Person to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification (and exceptions thereto) of the holders of Registrable Securities being sold. Reimbursements payable pursuant to the indemnification contemplated by this Section  6.2(a) will be made by periodic payments during the course of any investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or expenses incurred.

(b) In connection with any registration statement in which a holder of Registrable Securities is participating, each such Selling Holder will furnish to the Company in writing information regarding such Selling Holder’s ownership of Registrable Securities and its intended method of distribution thereof and, to the extent permitted by law, shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify the Company, its directors, officers, employees and agents and each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company or such other indemnified Person against all Losses caused by any untrue statement of material fact contained in the registration statement, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is caused by and contained in such information so furnished in writing by such Selling Holder expressly for use therein; provided , however , that each Selling Holder’s obligation to indemnify the Company hereunder shall, to the extent more than one Selling Holder is subject to the same indemnification obligation, be apportioned between each Selling Holder based upon the net amount received by each Selling Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities, as compared to the total net amount received by all of the Selling Holders of Registrable Securities sold pursuant to such registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Selling Holder shall be liable to the Company for amounts in excess of the lesser of (i) such apportionment and (ii) the net amount received by such holder in the offering giving rise to such liability.

Section 6.3 Notice . Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification; provided , however , the failure to give such notice shall not release the indemnifying party from its obligation, except to the extent that the indemnifying party has been materially prejudiced by such failure to provide such notice on a timely basis.

 

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Section 6.4 Defense of Actions . In any case in which any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies an indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein, and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not (so long as it shall continue to have the right to defend, contest, litigate and settle the matter in question in accordance with this paragraph) be liable to such indemnified party hereunder for any legal or other expense subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation, supervision and monitoring (unless (i) such indemnified party reasonably objects to such assumption on the grounds that there may be defenses available to it which are different from or in addition to the defenses available to such indemnifying party or (ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed within a reasonable period of time to assume such defense and the indemnified party is or is reasonably likely to be prejudiced by such delay, in either event the indemnified party shall be promptly reimbursed by the indemnifying party for the expenses incurred in connection with retaining separate legal counsel). An indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of an Action effected without its consent. The indemnifying party shall lose its right to defend, contest, litigate and settle a matter if it shall fail to diligently contest such matter (except to the extent settled in accordance with the next following sentence). No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened Action in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Action. Any Losses for which an indemnified party is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Article VI shall be paid by the indemnifying party to the indemnified party as such Losses are incurred. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Article VI shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any indemnified party, the Company, its directors or officers, or any person controlling the Company, and (ii) any termination of this Agreement. The parties hereto shall, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries or Controlled Affiliates to, cooperate with each other in a reasonable manner with respect to access to unprivileged information and similar matters in connection with any Action. The provisions of this Article VI are for the benefit of, and are intended to create third party beneficiary rights in favor of, each of the indemnified parties referred to herein.

Section 6.5 Contribution . If recovery is not available under the foregoing indemnification provisions for any reason or reasons, any Person who would otherwise be entitled to indemnification by the terms thereof shall nevertheless be entitled to contribution with respect to any Losses with respect to which such Person would be entitled to such indemnification but for such reason or reasons. In determining the amount of contribution to which the respective Persons are entitled, there shall be considered the Persons’ relative knowledge and access to information concerning the matter with respect to which the claim was asserted, the opportunity to correct and prevent any statement or omission, and other equitable

 

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considerations appropriate under the circumstances. It is hereby agreed that it would not necessarily be equitable if the amount of such contribution were determined by pro rata or per capita allocation. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not found guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Selling Holder or transferee thereof shall be required to make a contribution in excess of the net amount received by such holder from its sale of Registrable Securities in connection with the offering that gave rise to the contribution obligation.

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 7.1 Notices . All notices, requests, consents and other communications hereunder to any party shall be deemed to be sufficient if contained in a written instrument delivered in person or sent by email ( provided a copy is thereafter promptly delivered as provided in this Section  7.1 ) or nationally recognized overnight courier, addressed to such party at the address or facsimile number set forth below or such other address or email address as may hereafter be designated in writing by such party to the other parties:

 

(a)    If to the Company, to:
  

Chewy, Inc.

1855 Griffin Road, Suite B-428

Dania Beach, Florida 33004

Attention: General Counsel

Email: shelfrick@chewy.com

   with a copy to:
  

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10022

   Attention:   

Joshua Korff

Tim Cruickshank

   Email:   

jkorff@kirkland.com

tim.cruickshank@kirkland.com

(b)    if to a Stockholder, to:
   the address and email address set forth in the records of the Company.

All such notices, requests, consents and other communications shall be deemed to have been given or made if and when received (including by overnight courier) by the parties at the above addresses or sent by email, with confirmation received, to the email addresses specified above (or at such other address or email address for a party as shall be specified by like notice). Any notice delivered by any party hereto to any other party hereto shall also be delivered to each other party hereto simultaneously with delivery to the first party receiving such notice.

 

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Section 7.2 Interpretation . The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words “included”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”.

Section 7.3 Severability . The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any person or entity or any circumstance, is found to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in any other jurisdiction.

Section 7.4 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall, taken together, be considered one and the same agreement, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart.

Section 7.5 Adjustments Upon Change of Capitalization . In the event of any change in the outstanding Class A Shares and Class B Shares, as applicable, by reason of dividends, splits, reverse splits, spin-offs, split-ups, recapitalizations, combinations, exchanges of shares and the like, the term “Class A Shares” and “Class B Shares” shall refer to and include the securities received or resulting therefrom, but only to the extent such securities are received in exchange for or in respect of Class A Shares and Class B Shares, as applicable.

Section 7.6 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement (a) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior agreements, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and (b) is not intended to confer upon any Person, other than the parties hereto, except as provided in Article VI , any rights or remedies hereunder.

Section 7.7 Further Assurances . Each party shall execute, deliver, acknowledge and file such other documents and take such further actions as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the other party hereto to give effect to and carry out the transactions contemplated herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the Stockholders (i) acknowledges that such Stockholder will prepare and file with the SEC filings under the Exchange Act, including under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, relating to its Beneficial Ownership of Voting Securities and (ii) agrees to use its reasonable efforts to assist and cooperate with the other parties in promptly preparing, reviewing and executing any such filings under the Exchange Act, including any amendments thereto.

Section 7.8 Governing Law; Equitable Remedies . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO CONFLICT OF LAWS

 

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PRINCIPLES THEREOF). The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties hereto shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions and other equitable remedies to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any of the Selected Courts (as defined below), this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with respect to such remedy are hereby waived by each of the parties hereto. Each party further agrees that, in the event of any action for an injunction or other equitable remedy in respect of such breach or enforcement of specific performance, it will not assert the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.

Section 7.9 Consent to Jurisdiction . With respect to any suit, action or proceeding (“ Proceeding ”) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably (i) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or the Court of Chancery located in the State of Delaware, County of Newcastle (the “ Selected Courts ”) and waives any objection to venue being laid in the Selected Courts whether based on the grounds of forum non conveniens or otherwise and hereby agrees not to commence any such Proceeding other than before one of the Selected Courts; provided , however , that a party may commence any Proceeding in a court other than a Selected Court solely for the purpose of enforcing an order or judgment issued by one of the Selected Courts; (ii) consents to service of process in any Proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or by recognized international express carrier or delivery service, to the Company or Stockholders at their respective addresses referred to in Section  7.1 ; provided , however , that nothing herein shall affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by law; and (iii)  TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW THAT CANNOT BE WAIVED, WAIVES, AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION ARISING IN WHOLE OR IN PART UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTIONS, WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, AND AGREES THAT ANY OF THEM MAY FILE A COPY OF THIS PARAGRAPH WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE KNOWING, VOLUNTARY AND BARGAINED-FOR AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY TO WAIVE ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING WHATSOEVER BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTIONS WILL INSTEAD BE TRIED IN A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY A JUDGE SITTING WITHOUT A JURY .

Section 7.10 Amendments; Waivers .

(a) No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived unless such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by the parties hereto, or in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective.

 

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(b) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

Section 7.11 Successors and Assigns . Except as otherwise provided herein, all the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the respective successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto. No Stockholder may assign any of its rights hereunder to any Person other than a Permitted Transferee. Each Permitted Transferee of any Stockholder shall be subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such shares such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits of and be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to comply with all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement; provided , however , no transfer of rights permitted hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until (i) if required under Section  2.1 , the Company shall have received written notice of such transfer and the joinder of the transferee provided for in Section  2.1 , and (ii) such transferee can establish Beneficial Ownership or ownership of record of a Registrable Amount (whether individually or together with its Affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no successor or assignee of the Company shall have any rights granted under this Agreement until such Person shall acknowledge its rights and obligations hereunder by a signed written statement of such Person’s acceptance of such rights and obligations.

Section 7.12 Rule 144 . The Company covenants and agrees that it will file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder (or, if it is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities, make publicly available other information so long as necessary to permit sales in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act), and it will take such further reasonable action, to the extent required from time to time to enable such holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule 144 may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the reasonable request of any holder of Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver to such holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such information and filing requirements.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered, all as of the date first set forth above.

 

CHEWY, INC.
By:  

/s/ Susan Helfrick

Name: Susan Helfrick
Title: General Counsel

[Signature Page to Investor Rights Agreement]


PETSMART BUDDY HOLDINGS CORP.
By:  

/s/ Alan Schnaid

Name: Alan Schnaid
Title: President and Chief Financial Officer

 

BUDDY CHESTER SUB CORP.
By:  

/s/ Alan Schnaid

Name: Alan Schnaid
Title: Authorized signatory

 

BUDDY HOLDINGS CORP.
By:  

/s/ Alan Schnaid

Name: Alan Schnaid
Title: Authorized signatory

[Signature Page to Investor Rights Agreement]

Exhibit 10.2

MASTER TRANSACTION AGREEMENT

This MASTER TRANSACTION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), is executed as of June 13, 2019 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Chewy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Chewy ”), and PetSmart, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ PetSmart ”). Each party hereto may be referred to in this Agreement as a “ Party ” or, collectively, the “ Parties .”

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, the Parties are or may in the future be engaged in the business of developing, manufacturing, distributing, selling and/or providing a range of pet products, supplies and/or services (together with any similar, complementary, related, synergistic, incidental or ancillary thereto, the “ Business ”) and seek to cooperate and coordinate their purchasing activities to achieve various benefits including volume discounts and cost reductions;

WHEREAS, Chewy intends to engage PetSmart to provide certain support and other services (the “ Support Services ”) as set forth in Annex A hereto, as may be amended in writing by the Parties from time to time;

WHEREAS, PetSmart has provided several guarantees (the “ Existing Guarantees ”) as set forth in Annex B hereto of Chewy’s obligations under certain of its agreements and other arrangements (the “ Guaranteed Chewy Agreements ”), and the Parties seek to agree on the terms under which such guarantees will be provided, including with respect to any fees (“ Guarantee Fees ”) that are payable to PetSmart for the provision of any such Existing Guarantees; and

WHEREAS, the Parties recognize that as of the date of this Agreement Chewy is a “restricted subsidiary” under certain of PetSmart’s credit agreements and indentures as set forth in Annex C (“ PetSmart Debt Agreements ”) and may be classified as a restricted subsidiary under any future credit facility entered into by PetSmart.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified in this A:

Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Business ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Business Products ” shall mean pet food, pet supplies, pet medicines, equipment, raw materials, and any other product or service that may be offered for sale or used or useful in the Business.

Chewy ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.


Claims ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.11.

Confidential Information ” shall have the meaning set forth in Article VIII.

Control ” means the possession, control or ownership, directly or indirectly, by PetSmart or one or more of the subsidiaries of PetSmart or any combination thereof, of more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors of Chewy.

Disclosing Party ” shall have the meaning set forth in Article VIII.

Effective Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Existing Guarantees ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Force Majeure ” shall include conditions beyond the reasonable control of PetSmart, including an act of God, acts of terrorism, voluntary or involuntary compliance with any regulation, law or order of any government, war, acts of war (whether war be declared or not), labor strike or lock-out, civil commotion, epidemic, failure or default of public utilities or common carriers, destruction of production facilities or materials by fire, earthquake, storm or like catastrophe.

Guaranteed Chewy Agreements ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Guarantee Fees ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Joint Purchasing Services ” shall mean, to the extent permitted by applicable law, such cooperation and coordination between the Parties and their Subsidiaries, including by means of information sharing, joint purchasing and similar arrangements, as is necessary or advisable to achieve benefits for each Party including volume discounts and cost reductions relating to the purchase of Business Products.

Parties ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

PetSmart ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

PetSmart Agreements ” shall mean all agreements between PetSmart or any of its subsidiaries and a third party related services, goods, or other matters that inures in whole or in part to the benefit of Chewy and/or is related to the Support Services, including without limitation any real property lease, license, or other contract.

PetSmart Debt Agreements ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

PetSmart Representatives ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.11.

Receiving Party ” shall have the meaning set forth in Article VIII.

Required Payment ” means any Service Fee or Guarantee Fee that is due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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Service Fee ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

Subsidiary ” of a Party means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which (i) a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, (ii) more than half of the issued share capital is at the time beneficially owned or (iii) the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Party.

Support Services ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Tax Matters Agreement ” shall mean the Tax Matters Agreement expected to be entered into by and between Argos Intermediate Holdco I, Inc., PetSmart and Chewy on or about June 13, 2019.

ARTICLE II

JOINT PURCHASING SERVICES

The Parties shall, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to, use commercially reasonable efforts to provide to each other at no cost Joint Purchasing Services and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to jointly purchase Business Products if and to the extent such joint purchasing would reduce the cost of such item to either or both Parties or their respective Subsidiaries without unduly burdening the other Party.

The Parties shall also cooperate in good faith with each other as needed to coordinate, to the extent permitted by applicable law, information sharing and the joint purchasing of Business Products, the provision of Joint Purchasing Services, reviewing and agreeing to the Support Services being provided, and reviewing the amounts payable by each Party to the other Party under this Agreement.

ARTICLE III

SUPPORT SERVICES

3.1 Provision of Services . From time to time, Chewy may request that PetSmart provide the Support Services as set forth herein or as otherwise agreed between the Parties from time to time.

3.2 Acceptance of Services . Unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, acceptance by Chewy of the Support Services shall be deemed to occur upon the provision of the Support Services by PetSmart.

3.3 Service Fees . In consideration of the Support Services provided by PetSmart under this Agreement, Chewy shall pay to PetSmart a service fee (“ Service Fee ”) equal to the direct and indirect costs incurred by PetSmart in providing the Support Services, plus a mark-up equal to fifteen percent (15%), which may be modified from time to time by the Parties. The Parties may, upon mutual agreement or if required as part of a governmental agency audit, engage a qualified third party to conduct a “transfer pricing report,” as defined in the regulations pursuant to Section 482 of the Internal Revenue Code, regarding the Services Fee and the Parties may adjust such fee as may be appropriate based on the findings of such transfer pricing report.

 

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3.4 Purchase or Sale of Goods . A Party may purchase from or sell to the other Party various goods, equipment, and other assets as agreed to between the Parties from time to time.

3.5 Use of Third Parties . PetSmart may hire or engage one or more third parties to perform the Support Services; provided that PetSmart will in all cases remain responsible for all of its obligations under this Agreement. Under no circumstances will Chewy be responsible for making any payments directly to any third Party engaged by PetSmart unless it is otherwise obligated to make such direct payment under a PetSmart Agreement.

3.6 Allocated Costs and/or Expenses . The following costs and/or expenses shall be allocated by PetSmart to Chewy in a commercially reasonable manner to be determined by PetSmart, subject to reallocation in connection with any “transfer pricing report” prepared consistently with the provisions of Section  3.3 . Any costs and/or expenses allocated to Chewy pursuant to this Section  3.6 shall be included in the Service Fee but shall not be subject to any mark-up.

(a) Costs and/or expenses for preparing any consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return (as defined in the Tax Matters Agreement).

(b) Costs and/or expenses paid or payable to a third party for goods, services, or products covering both Parties.

ARTICLE IV

PROVISION OF GUARANTEES

In consideration of the Existing Guarantees provided by PetSmart, Chewy shall pay to PetSmart on a quarterly basis a recurring Guarantee Fee equal to fifty basis points (50bps) of the aggregate outstanding amount of all Existing Guarantees that are outstanding for all or any part of the calendar quarter preceding the calendar quarter in which such fee is payable.

ARTICLE V

COMPLIANCE WITH AGREEMENTS

Chewy agrees, represents, and warrants that it shall at all times comply with the terms and conditions, to the extent Chewy is aware of such terms and conditions, of this Agreement, the Guaranteed Chewy Agreements, the PetSmart Agreements, and the PetSmart Debt Agreements, including without limitation:

(i) Chewy agrees that so long as Chewy is classified as a “restricted subsidiary” under the terms of any PetSmart Debt Agreement, it shall take no action nor omit to take any action which may reasonably cause a violation of any of the representations, warranties, covenants or other terms of such PetSmart Debt Agreement or any future credit facility or indebtedness, to which PetSmart or any Subsidiarity may in future become a party and under which Chewy is a “restricted subsidiary”.

 

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(ii) Chewy shall comply with the terms of each Guaranteed Chewy Agreement for so long as the Existing Guarantee pertaining to such Guaranteed Chewy Agreement is effective.

PetSmart shall use commercially reasonably efforts to notify Chewy of any obligations imposed on Chewy under a PetSmart Agreement or PetSmart Debt Agreement.

So long as PetSmart and Chewy are considered to be within a “controlled group” for purposes of any employee benefit plan, the Parties shall cooperate with each other prior to taking any material action that could have an adverse impact on, or increase the costs to, the other Party or such employee benefit plan.

ARTICLE VI

PAYMENT TERMS

6.1 Payment Terms . The Service Fee shall be recorded on a financial monthly basis and be due and payable by Chewy to PetSmart no later than thirty (30) days following the end of each PetSmart fiscal quarter. The Guarantee Fee shall be due and payable by Chewy to PetSmart no later than thirty (30) days following the end of each calendar quarter. All payments shall be made in U.S. dollars without set off.

6.2 Withholding Taxes . All payments due under this Agreement shall be subject to all applicable withholding taxes. To the extent that any such taxes are required to be withheld from payments made under this Agreement, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes as having been paid by Chewy to PetSmart. Chewy shall promptly furnish to PetSmart a copy of any receipt for such taxes issued by the applicable taxing authority. The Parties agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to the extent legally permissible to minimize any withholding taxes.

ARTICLE VII

TERM AND TERMINATION

7.1 Term of Agreement . This Agreement is effective as of the Effective Date and shall remain in effect until terminated as provided in Section 7.2 below. (the “ Term ”).

7.2 Termination by Agreement or Notice . This Agreement may be terminated (a) by mutual agreement of the Parties or (b) by either Party hereto on thirty (30) days’ notice to the other Party. PetSmart may terminate this Agreement immediately if Chewy is in violation of any Guaranteed Chewy Agreement, PetSmart Agreement, or PetSmart Debt Agreement and Chewy does not cure such violation within the time-period set forth in such Guaranteed Chewy Agreement, PetSmart Agreement, or PetSmart Debt Agreement, as applicable. Either Party may terminate this Agreement immediately upon written notice to the other Party if:

(i) the other Party voluntarily files a petition (or a petition has been filed against it) under applicable bankruptcy or insolvency laws;

 

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(ii) a receiver or other custodian is appointed to administer or conduct such a material part of the other Party’s business or affairs;

(iii) the other Party winds up, dissolves, liquidates or otherwise ceases to function as a going concern; or

(iv) a Party is in violation of any other agreement between it and the other Party and such violating Party does not cure such violation within the time-period set forth in such agreement.

7.3 Effect of Termination and Survival. Upon the termination of this Agreement:

(a) such payments as shall be due from Chewy to PetSmart as of such termination date shall be recoverable without prejudice; and

(b) any remedy for any breach or default which has not previously been cured shall be preserved.

Any provisions of this Agreement creating obligations extending beyond the Term of this Agreement will survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement, including without limitation Articles III, V, VI, VIII, and IX.

ARTICLE VIII

CONFIDENTIALITY

The Parties acknowledge that, from time to time, one Party (the “ Disclosing Party ”) may disclose to the other Party (the “ Receiving Party ”) confidential information relating to the Disclosing Party’s business, products and services or otherwise relating to the Disclosing Party that is of a confidential and proprietary nature (including any information that is marked as “proprietary” or “confidential” or which would, under the circumstances, be understood by a reasonable person to be proprietary and nonpublic) (“ Confidential Information ”). The Receiving Party shall retain such Confidential Information in confidence and shall not disclose it to any third party without the Disclosing Party’s prior written consent. Each Party shall use at least the same procedures and degree of care that it uses to protect its own Confidential Information of like importance, and in no event less than reasonable care, to protect the confidentiality of the other Party’s Confidential Information. Each Party may disclose the Confidential Information of the other Party to: (a) its subsidiaries, any parent company and its and their respective employees, managers and directors and (b) as required under applicable law or regulation or by order of a competent governmental authority. In addition, PetSmart may disclose Confidential Information to the extent required by any PetSmart Debt Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information will not include information to the extent that such information:

(i) was already known by the Receiving Party without an obligation of confidentiality at the time of disclosure hereunder;

(ii) was generally available to the public at the time of its disclosure to the Receiving Party other than by a breach of confidentiality;

 

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(iii) became generally available to the public after its disclosure other than through an act or omission of the Receiving Party in breach of this Agreement;

(iv) was subsequently lawfully and independently disclosed to the Receiving Party by a Person without a duty of confidentiality other than the Disclosing Party; or

(v) was independently developed by the Receiving Party outside of this Agreement.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

9.1 Governing Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to any conflicts of law provisions that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

9.2 Further Actions . Each of the Parties will take all such lawful action as may be necessary or appropriate to effect the transactions described in this Agreement.

9.3 Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

9.4 Counterparts . For the convenience of the parties hereto, any number of counterparts hereof may be executed and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument.

9.5 Assignment . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Party shall, without the prior written consent of the other Party, assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any third party, and any attempt at such assignment without such written consent shall be voided. No such consent shall be required in connection with any assignment or transfer of a Party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement to an affiliate, provided that such Party shall provide notice of such assignment to the other Party within thirty (30) days following such assignment.

9.6 Relationship of the Parties . Nothing in the Agreement shall be construed: (a) to give either Party the power to direct or control the daily activities of the other Party, or (b) to constitute the Parties as principal and agent, employer and employee, franchiser and franchisee, partners, joint venturers, co-owners or otherwise as participants in a joint undertaking. Neither Party is the agent of the other Party nor is a Party authorized to make any representation, contract, or commitment on behalf of the other Party unless specifically requested or authorized to do so by the other Party.

9.7 Entire Agreement . This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations and agreements, written, oral or implied, between them relating to the subject matter hereof, and none of the Parties shall be bound by any conditions, definitions, warranties, understandings or representations with respect to such subject matter except as expressly provided herein or as duly set forth on or subsequent to the date hereof, in writing and signed by a proper and duly authorized officer or representative of each of the Parties.

 

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9.8 Warranty Disclaimer. PETSMART MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE WARRANTIES IMPLIED BY LAW OR MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, REGARDING THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SUPPORT SERVICES CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.

9.9 Limitation of Liability. PetSmart will not be liable to Chewy or to any other person or entity for any losses, costs or damages caused by, attributable to or arising in connection with the performance, nonperformance or delayed performance of the Support Services to be provided to Chewy as contemplated by this Agreement, except for such losses, costs or damages attributable to PetSmart’s bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct for which damages PetSmart will be liable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, PetSmart shall not be liable for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages in connection with the provision of Support Services to Chewy even if PetSmart has been advised of the possibility of such damages. PetSmart will not be liable for any failure to perform or any delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder due to Force Majeure. PetSmart may decline to provide any Support Services in its sole discretion.

9.10 Indemnification. Chewy agrees to protect, defend, hold harmless and indemnify PetSmart, its Subsidiaries and its and their respective successors, assigns, directors, officers, stockholders, members, employees and agents (collectively, the “ PetSmart Representatives ”), from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, liabilities, damages, losses, fines, penalties, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees (collectively referred to as “ Claims ”), actually or allegedly, directly or indirectly, arising out of or related to any breach or allegation of a breach of this Agreement caused or alleged to have been caused by Chewy or a Chewy Representative (as defined below). Notwithstanding the foregoing, except to the extent PetSmart has an indemnification obligation to a third party, including without limitation under any Guaranteed Chewy Agreement, PetSmart Agreement, or PetSmart Debt Agreement, Chewy shall not be liable for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages in connection with any Claim even if Chewy has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

PetSmart agrees to protect, defend, hold harmless and indemnify Chewy, its Subsidiaries and its and their respective successors, assigns, directors, officers, stockholders, members, employees and agents (collectively, the “Chewy Representatives ”), from and against any and all Claims, actually or allegedly, directly or indirectly, arising out of or related to any breach or allegation of a breach of this Agreement caused or alleged to have been caused by PetSmart or a PetSmart Representative. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except to the extent Chewy has an indemnification obligation to a third-party, PetSmart shall not be liable for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages in connection with any Claim even if PetSmart has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

9.11 No Waiver . The failure of any Party to insist on strict performance of a covenant hereunder or of any obligation hereunder shall not be a waiver of such Party’s right to demand strict compliance therewith in the future.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers or representatives, as of the date first written above.

 

CHEWY, INC.
By:     

/s/ Susan Helfrick

 

Name: Susan Helfrick

Title: General Counsel

 

PETSMART, INC.
By:     

/s/ Alan M. Schnaid

 

Name: Alan M. Schnaid

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer

Signature Page to Master Transaction Agreement


ANNEX A

DESCRIPTION OF SUPPORT SERVICES

 

   

Chewy’s use of specified facilities leased by PetSmart or its subsidiaries

 

   

PetSmart assistance in coordinating the administration or testing of any 401(k) or similar employee benefit plan under which the Parties are deemed to be within the same “control group”, but excluding any health and wellness plans

 

   

Chewy’s inclusion on specified insurance and similar policies obtained by PetSmart and claims management assistance

 

   

Management support, as agreed between Chewy and PetSmart from time to time

 

   

Corporate filings and other specified administrative support, including:

 

   

Business licenses and registrations

 

   

Annual state and local corporate filings/reports

 

   

Tax filings other than Tax Returns prepared on a consolidated, combined, or unitary basis, which costs and/or expenses are allocated pursuant to Section  3.6

 

   

Excluding any filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other agencies related to Chewy being a publicly traded company

 

   

Procurement support

 

   

Other corporate or administrative support services as agreed to in writing by the Parties

 

A-1


ANNEX B

EXISTING GUARANTEES

 

   

Corporate Guarantee by PetSmart in favor of Euler Hermes North American Insurance Company and the current and future suppliers of the Chewy, in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the Corporate Guarantee Agreement dated August 8, 2018.

 

   

Guarantee by PetSmart in favor of NP Goodyear AZ Industrial, LLC, in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the Limited Guaranty of Payment dated August 16, 2017.

 

   

Guarantee effective as of August 13, 2018 by PetSmart in favor of Harbor Capital Leasing, Inc.

 

   

Guarantee by PetSmart in favor of NP Dayton Chewy, LLC, in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the Limited Guaranty of Payment dated July 27, 2018.

 

   

Guarantee by PetSmart in favor of NP Salisbury Industry, LLC in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the Limited Guaranty of Payment dated April, 2019.

 

B-1


ANNEX C

PETSMART DEBT AGREEMENTS

 

   

Credit Agreement, dated March 11, 2015, as amended from time to time, among Argos Holdings Inc., PetSmart, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent.

 

   

ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2015, as amended from time to time, by and among Argos Holdings Inc., PetSmart, PETM Canada Corporation, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent.

 

   

Indenture, dated as of May 31, 2017, as amended and supplemented from time to time, among PetSmart, the guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the “ Trustee ”), as trustee and collateral agent, related to the PetSmart’s 5.875% Senior First Lien Notes due 2025.

 

   

Indenture, dated as of May 31, 2017, as amended and supplemented from time to time, among PetSmart, the guarantors party thereto and the Trustee, as trustee, related to the Issuer’s 8.875% Senior Notes due 2025.

 

   

Indenture, dated as of March 4, 2015, as amended and supplemented from time to time, among the Issuer, the guarantors party thereto and the Trustee, as trustee, related to PetSmart’s 7.125% Senior Notes due 2023.

 

C-1

Exhibit 10.3

TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

ARGOS INTERMEDIATE HOLDCO I INC.,

PETSMART, INC.

AND

CHEWY, INC.

Dated as of June 13, 2019


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I

     1  

Section 1.01

   Definitions      1  

ARTICLE II

     4  

Section 2.01

   Separate Tax Liabilities      4  

Section 2.02

   Allocation of Consolidated Federal Tax Liability and Use of Attributes      4  

Section 2.03

   Treatment of Income from Cancellation of Indebtedness      5  

Section 2.04

   Pre-IPO Tax Attributes      5  

Section 2.05

   Estimated Tax Payments      5  

Section 2.06

   Calculations; Timing      6  

Section 2.07

   Adjustments      6  

Section 2.08

   Non-U.S. Federal Income Taxes      6  

ARTICLE III

     6  

Section 3.01

   Tax Return Preparation      6  

Section 3.02

   Refunds      8  

ARTICLE IV

     8  

Section 4.01

   Audits      8  

ARTICLE V

     9  

Section 5.01

   Cooperation: Tax Information      9  

Section 5.02

   Retention of Records      10  

ARTICLE VI

     10  

Section 6.01

   Interpretation of Agreement and Resolution of Disputes      10  

Section 6.02

   Miscellaneous      11  


TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

This Tax Matters Agreement (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of June 13, 2019, is entered into by and between Argos Intermediate Holdco I Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Parent ”), PetSmart, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ PetSmart ”) and Chewy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Chewy ”) (each a “ Party ” and, collectively, the “ Parties ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS , Chewy Group Members (as defined below) file Income Tax Returns (as defined below) on a consolidated, combined and/or unitary basis for certain federal, state, local and non-U.S. Income Tax (as defined below) purposes;

WHEREAS , PetSmart Group Members (as defined below) file Income Tax Returns on a consolidated, combined and/or unitary basis for certain federal, state, local and non-U.S. Income Tax purposes;

WHEREAS , PetSmart prepares and files, or causes to be prepared and filed, the Income Tax Returns of each PetSmart Group Member and each Chewy Group Member, whether or not such PetSmart Group Member or Chewy Group Member files such Income Tax Return on a consolidated, combined or unitary basis with any Parent Group Member;

WHEREAS , Chewy intends to undertake an initial public offering (the “ IPO ”);

WHEREAS , in contemplation of the IPO, Parent, PetSmart and Chewy desire to (i) agree upon the method of determining the financial consequences to each Party resulting from the preparation and filing of Tax Returns, (ii) provide for the payment of Tax liabilities associated with Tax Returns and entitlement to refunds thereof, (iii) allocate responsibility for, and cooperation in, the filing and defense of Tax Returns and (iv) provide for certain other matters relating to Taxes.

ARTICLE I

Section  1.01 Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

Accounting Firm shall mean a recognized independent public accounting firm, mutually agreed upon by the Parties.

Adjustment shall mean any final change in the Tax liability of any Person.

Chewy Group shall mean, collectively, Chewy and its subsidiaries that are part of any consolidated, combined, or unitary tax group that includes Chewy. With respect to any Taxable Period beginning before the IPO, the Chewy Group shall be determined as if the Chewy Group came into existence on the first day of such Taxable Period.


Chewy Group Member shall mean each Entity in the Chewy Group (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any entity that is a “disregarded entity” for U.S. federal income tax purposes).

Chewy Separate Tax Liability ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

Control shall mean the possession, control or ownership, directly or indirectly, by Parent or one or more of the subsidiaries of Parent or any combination thereof, of more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors of Chewy.

Due Date ” means, with respect to any Tax Return, and as context requires, either (a) the date any payment would be owed to the applicable Taxing Authority with respect to such Tax Return, or (b) the date a Tax Return must be filed with an applicable Taxing Authority, in each case, taking into account any available extension of time actually requested for the filing of a Tax Return.

Entity shall mean a partnership (whether general or limited), a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or any other entity, without regard to whether it is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal tax purposes.

Final Determination shall mean the final resolution of any Tax matter, including, but not limited to, a closing agreement with the IRS or other relevant Taxing Authority, a claim for refund which has been allowed, a recovery of an erroneously-granted refund, a deficiency notice with respect to which the period for filing a petition with the United States Tax Court or the relevant foreign, state or local tribunal has expired, or a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction that is not subject to appeal or as to which the time for appeal has expired.

Income Tax Return shall mean any Tax Return filed or required to be filed with any Taxing Authority with respect to Income Taxes.

Income Taxes shall mean all Taxes imposed on or measured in whole or in part by income, capital or net worth or a taxable base in the nature of income, capital or net worth, including franchise Taxes based on such factors, and shall include any addition to Tax, additional amount, interest and penalty imposed with respect to such Taxes. For the avoidance of doubt, Income Taxes do not include sales, use, real or personal property, or transfer or similar Taxes.

IPO Date shall mean the date Chewy undertakes the IPO.

IRS shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Service or any successor thereto, including but not limited to its agents, representatives and attorneys.

Parent Consolidated Group shall mean, collectively, Parent and its subsidiaries that are part of any consolidated, combined, or unitary tax group that includes Parent (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any entity that is a “disregarded entity” for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, any PetSmart Group Member and any Chewy Group Member).

 

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Parent Group ” shall mean the Parent Consolidated Group, but excluding any Chewy Group Member.

Parent Group Member shall mean each Entity in the Parent Group.

Parent Separate Tax Liability ” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

Person shall mean an individual or any Entity.

PetSmart Group Member shall mean, collectively, PetSmart and its subsidiaries that are part of any consolidated, combined, or unitary tax group that includes PetSmart (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Entity that is a “disregarded entity” for U.S. federal income Tax purposes), but excluding any Chewy Group Member.

Refund shall mean any refund (or credit in lieu thereof) of Taxes (including any overpayment of Taxes that can be refunded or, alternatively, applied to other Taxes payable), including any interest paid on or with respect to such refund of Taxes.

Schedule shall have the meaning provided in Section  2.06 .

Tax or Taxes means any and all U.S. federal, state or local, or non-U.S., income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, customs duties, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, estimated, or other tax of any kind whatsoever (including any assessment, duty, fee or other charge in the nature of or in lieu of any such tax) and any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether disputed or not.

Tax Attributes shall mean net operating losses, capital losses, investment tax credit carryovers, earnings and profits, foreign tax credit carryovers, overall foreign losses, previously taxed income, separate limitation losses, excess business interest and any other losses, deductions, credits or other comparable items that could reduce a Tax liability for a past or future taxable period.

Tax Proceeding means any audit, assessment, pre-filing agreement, other examination by any Taxing Authority, proceeding, appeal of a proceeding or litigation, whether administrative or judicial, including proceedings relating to competent authority determinations, in each case, relating to Taxes.

Tax Return shall mean any return, report, form, declaration or other information filed or required to be filed with any Taxing Authority with respect to Taxes, including elections, estimates or amendments thereof, and any attachment, exhibit, schedule or supplement thereto.

Taxable Period shall mean any taxable year or portion thereof.

Taxing Authority shall mean, with respect to any Tax, the government or governmental or regulatory body thereof, or political subdivision thereof, whether federal, state, local or foreign, or any agency, instrumentality or authority thereof, that imposes such Tax and the agency (if any) charged with the collection of such Tax, including the IRS.

 

3


Treasury Regulations shall mean the proposed, final, and temporary income United States Treasury Regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Treasury pursuant to and in respect of the Code. All references to any particular Treasury Regulations shall be interpreted to include any corresponding provisions of succeeding, similar or substitute, final or temporary Treasury Regulations.

ARTICLE II

Section  2.01 Separate Tax Liabilities .

(a) In General. The Chewy Group shall be solely responsible for any Tax of a Chewy Group Member (and any other direct or indirect subsidiary of Chewy) that is not determined on a consolidated, combined, or unitary basis with any Parent Group Member (a “ Chewy Separate Tax Liability ”). The Parent Group shall be solely responsible for any Tax of a Parent Group Member (and any other direct or indirect subsidiary of Parent, but excluding any Chewy Group Member and any other direct or indirect subsidiary of Chewy) that is not determined on a consolidated, combined, or unitary basis with any Chewy Group Member (a “ Parent Separate Tax Liability ”).

(b) Indemnification . In the event the Chewy Group is required to pay any Parent Separate Tax Liability, or the Parent Group is required to pay any Chewy Separate Tax Liability, then the Parent Group or the Chewy Group, as the case may be, shall indemnify the Chewy Group or the Parent Group, as the case may be, for such Parent Separate Tax Liability or Chewy Separate Tax Liability and any reasonable costs (including accounting and legal fees) incurred in connection with such liability and payment.

Section  2.02 Allocation of Consolidated Federal Tax Liability and Use of Attributes .

(a) In General. The consolidated U.S. federal income tax liability (if any) of the Parent Consolidated Group, and use of Tax Attributes of the Parent Consolidated Group (if any), shall be determined consistent with the provisions of Section 1552(a)(1) of the Code and Treasury Regulations §§ 1.1502-12, 1.1502-33(d)(3), 1.1502-32(b)(3)(iv)(D), and 1.1552-1(a)(1)(ii) applied as if the Parent Consolidated Group consisted of two members: the Parent Group and the Chewy Group.

(b) Allocation of Consolidated Tax Liability . Each of the Parent Group and the Chewy Group shall be allocated a portion of the consolidated U.S. federal income tax liability (if any) of the Parent Consolidated Group by applying the provisions of Section 1552(a)(1) of the Code, determined utilizing the hypothetical taxable income of the Parent Group and the Chewy Group calculated in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulations §§ 1.1502-12 and 1.1552-1(a)(1)(ii). The amount calculated under this Section  2.02(b) is the amount that the Parent Group and the Chewy Group, as the case may be, must contribute to the payment of the Parent Consolidated Group’s consolidated U.S. federal income tax liability, with such payment being made in a manner that is consistent with Section  2.06 .

 

4


(c) Additional Payment Obligation . Subject to the limitation in Section  2.04 , in the event the Parent Group or the Chewy Group, as applicable, has a “separate return tax liability” under Treasury Regulations §§ 1.1502-12 and 1.1552-1(a)(1)(ii) that exceeds its portion of the consolidated income tax liability of the Parent Consolidated Group as determined pursuant to Section  2.02(b) , then the Parent Group or the Chewy Group, as applicable, shall pay to the Chewy Group or the Parent Group, as applicable, the amount of such excess, in accordance with Treasury Regulation § 1.1502-32(b)(3)(iv)(D) and in a manner that is consistent with Section  2.06 . This Section  2.02(c) is intended to result in compensation for the use of Tax Attributes attributable to the Parent Group or the Chewy Group, as the case may be, in the Taxable Period in which they are utilized.

(d) Treatment of Compensation . For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent any employee compensation (including in the form of equity or any equity-like instrument) is issued by the Parent Group or the Chewy Group, as the case may be, the Parent Group or the Chewy Group, as the case may be, shall be entitled to include any allowable deduction with respect to such employee compensation, without regard to whether the applicable employee is employed by the Parent Group or the Chewy Group; provided, however , that if the Parent Group or the Chewy Group, as the case may be, compensates the Chewy Group or the Parent Group, as the case may be, for the issuance of such employee compensation, then the Parent Group or the Chewy Group, as the case may be, shall be entitled to such deduction.

Section  2.03 Treatment of Income from Cancellation of Indebtedness . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, for any Taxable Period, a reduction in Tax Attributes resulting from the application of Treasury Regulation § 1.1502-28 shall not give rise to a payment or reimbursement obligation under this Agreement.

Section  2.04 Pre-IPO Tax Attributes . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no payment liability shall arise as a result of any use by the Parent Group in any Taxable Period of net operating losses, capital losses and business credits (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any depreciation, deferred intercompany transactions and intercompany obligations under Treasury Regulation § 1.1502-13) attributable to the Chewy Group (determined in accordance with Treasury Regulation § 1.1502-21) for any Taxable Period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the IPO Date, determined as if a “closing of the books” occurred (and any relevant Taxable Periods ended) at the end of the IPO Date.

Section  2.05 Estimated Tax Payments . The provisions of Sections 2.02 2.04 shall be applied to determine the allocation of responsibility for the amount of any estimated U.S. federal income tax payments (including quarterly or extension payments, as the case may be) required to be made by the Parent Consolidated Group. Any amounts paid hereunder in connection with any estimated Tax payment shall be treated as a credit against any final payment obligation due under Section  2.02 . To the extent amounts paid hereunder in connection with any estimated Tax payments exceed any final payment obligation due under Section  2.02 , such excess amount shall be refunded pursuant to Section  3.02 .

 

5


Section 2.06 Calculations; Timing .

(a) Calculations . For each Taxable Period beginning after the date of the IPO, a schedule (the “ Schedule ”) shall be prepared by PetSmart showing in reasonable detail PetSmart’s application of Sections 2.02 2.04 , including any payment obligations owed under Sections 2.07 and 3.02 , and taking into account any payments made under Section  2.05 .

(b) Payment . If any payment obligation of a Party is reflected on the Schedule, and a cash payment is owed to the applicable Taxing Authority with respect to such Taxable Period, then such payment as reflected on the Schedule shall be made in accordance with Section  2.06 to the applicable Party at least five (5) days prior to the Due Date of the applicable Tax Return (or, if later, within ten (10) days after the receipt of the Schedule). Except as otherwise provided herein, all other payments to be made pursuant to this Agreement shall be made within fifteen (15) days of written notice of a request for payment by (or on behalf of) the applicable Party, which notice shall be accompanied by a computation of the amount due. If any payment required to be made pursuant to this Agreement is not made when due, such payment shall bear interest at the prevailing long-term applicable federal rate compounded monthly as determined under Section 1274 of the Code.

Section  2.07 Adjustments . If, as a result of a Final Determination, there is an Adjustment, then a payment shall be made by the applicable Party to the other Party in the amount of the net difference (if any) between the amounts previously paid by the first Party pursuant to this Agreement with respect to any Taxable Period(s) directly or indirectly affected by the Adjustment, on one hand, and the amount that would have been paid by such Party under this Agreement with respect to such Taxable Period(s) had the Tax Return(s) for such Taxable Period(s) been prepared in accordance with such Adjustment; plus an additional amount to account for any interest or penalties imposed by the applicable Taxing Authority as a result of such Adjustment.

Section  2.08 Non-U.S. Federal Income Taxes . To the extent practicable as determined by PetSmart in its reasonable discretion, responsibility for any Tax other than U.S. federal income Tax that is not a Chewy Separate Tax Liability or Parent Separate Tax Liability shall be determined in accordance with the principles of Section  2.02—Section  2.07 , giving appropriate consideration to any differences in the application and determination of the applicable Tax, on one hand, and U.S. federal income Tax, on the other hand.

ARTICLE III

Section  3.01 Tax Return Preparation .

(a) Consolidated Returns. PetSmart shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all Tax Returns that include any Chewy Group Member and are required to be filed on a consolidated, combined, or unitary basis with any Parent Group Member, and shall be responsible for remitting (or causing to be remitted) to the applicable Taxing Authority all Taxes shown as due on such Tax Returns (including Taxes for which the Chewy Group Members are responsible pursuant to this Agreement).

 

6


(b) Separate Returns . PetSmart shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all Tax Returns related to Parent Separate Tax Liabilities, and shall be responsible for remitting (or causing to be remitted) to the applicable Taxing Authority all Taxes shown as due on such Tax Returns. Chewy shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all Tax Returns related to Chewy Separate Tax Liabilities, and shall be responsible for remitting (or causing to be remitted) to the applicable Taxing Authority all Taxes shown as due on such Tax Returns.

(c) Right to Review .

(i) In the case of any Tax Return described in Section  3.01(a) PetSmart shall provide (or shall cause to be provided) a draft of such Tax Return and the applicable Schedule to Chewy for its review and comment at least thirty (30) days prior to the Due Date for such Tax Return or, in the case of any such Tax Return filed on a monthly basis or a property Tax Return, at least ten (10) days prior to such Due Date. PetSmart shall consider in good faith any reasonable comment received from Chewy at least five (5) days prior to the Due Date for such Tax Return.

(ii) In the case of any Income Tax Return or other material Tax Return prepared by Chewy pursuant to Section  3.01(b) , Chewy shall provide a draft of such Tax Return to PetSmart for its review and comment at least thirty (30) days prior to the Due Date for such Tax Return or, in the case of any such Tax Return filed on a monthly basis or property Tax Return, at least ten (10) days prior to such Due Date. Chewy shall consider in good faith any reasonable comment received from PetSmart at least five (5) days prior to the Due Date for such Tax Return.

(iii) The Parties shall negotiate in good faith to resolve all disputed issues with respect to Tax Returns prepared pursuant to this Section  3.01 . Any disputes that the Parties are unable to resolve shall be resolved pursuant to Article 6 . In the event that any dispute is not resolved (whether pursuant to good faith negotiations among the Parties or pursuant to Section  6.01 ) prior to the Due Date for the filing of any Tax Return, such Tax Return shall be timely filed as prepared by the respective Party, and such Tax Return shall be amended as necessary to reflect the resolution of such dispute in a manner consistent with such resolution.

(iv) In the event any of the time periods set forth in Section  3.01 are determined to be insufficient to adequately comply with relevant Tax filing obligations while providing the Parties a commercially reasonable period of time to review materials they are otherwise entitled to review under Section  3.01 , then the Parties shall mutually agree to an adjustment to the applicable time periods to permit such compliance and a commercially reasonable period of time to review such materials.

 

7


Section  3.02 Refunds .

(a) Parent shall be entitled to all Refunds of Taxes for which (i) Parent or any Parent Group Member is responsible pursuant to Section  2.02 or Section  2.08; (ii) which relate to any Parent Separate Tax Liability; or (iii) which relate to any Taxable Period ending on or prior to the IPO Date. Chewy shall be entitled to all Refunds of Taxes for which Chewy or any Chewy Group Member is responsible pursuant to Section  2.02 or Section  2.08 or which relate to any Chewy Separate Tax Liability (other than any Refund relating to any Taxable Period ending on or prior to the IPO Date).

(b) A Party receiving a Refund to which the other Party is entitled pursuant to this Agreement shall pay to the other Party the amount to which such other Party is entitled within ten (10) days after the receipt of the Refund (or, in the case of any Refund received in the form of a credit, within ten (10) days after application of such credit to reduce an amount of Taxes payable).

ARTICLE IV

Section  4.01 Audits .

(a) The Party that is responsible for preparing and filing an applicable Tax Return pursuant to Section  3.01 (the “ Controlling Party ”) shall have sole responsibility for, and control over, any Tax Proceeding relating to such Tax Return; provided however that PetSmart shall be the Controlling Party with respect to (i) any Tax Proceeding that could reasonably be expected to affect Tax Attributes of the Chewy Group described in Section  2.04 and (ii) any Taxable Period beginning before the date of the IPO.

(b) In the case of any Tax Proceeding described in Section  4.01(a) that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect any Tax liability or liability under this Agreement of a Party not in control of such Tax Proceeding (a “ Non-Controlling Party ”), the Controlling Party shall provide notice to such Non-Controlling Party within fifteen (15) days after receiving notice of such Tax Proceeding; provided that any failure to provide such notice shall not affect the obligations of such Non-Controlling Party with respect to Taxes addressed by such Tax Proceeding except to the extent such Non-Controlling Party is materially prejudiced by such failure. With respect to any such Tax Proceeding, (i) the Non-Controlling Party shall be entitled to participate in any such Tax Proceeding (at its sole expense, to the extent expenses are not otherwise allocated pursuant to this Agreement or another agreement), (ii) the Controlling Party shall keep the Non-Controlling Party reasonably informed and consult in good faith with the Non-Controlling Party with respect to any issue relating to such Tax Proceeding that is reasonably expected to materially affect the Non-Controlling Party, (iii) the Controlling Party shall provide the Non-Controlling Party with a copy of any written submission to be sent to the applicable Taxing Authority with respect to such Tax Proceeding prior to such sending, and shall consider in good faith any comments provided by the Non-Controlling Party with respect thereto and (iv) any disputes arising under this Section  4.01 shall be resolved in accordance with Article VI .

 

8


(c) At the request of the Controlling Party, the Non-Controlling Parties shall take (and shall cause its subsidiaries to take) any action (e.g., executing a limited power of attorney) that is reasonably requested by the Controlling Party in order for the Controlling Party to handle, conduct, or settle the Tax Proceeding. Each Party shall assist the other Parties in taking (or causing to be taken) any remedial actions that are necessary or desirable to minimize the effects of any Adjustment made by any Taxing Authority. The Controlling Party shall reimburse the Non-Controlling Party for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs actually incurred by the Non-Controlling Party in complying with this Section  4.01(c) . The Controlling Party shall have no obligation to indemnify the Non-Controlling Party for any additional Taxes resulting from the Tax Proceeding, if the Non-Controlling Party fails to provide assistance in accordance with this Section  4.01(c) , to the extent such additional Taxes are directly attributable to the Non-Controlling Party’s failure to provide such assistance.

ARTICLE V

Section  5.01 Cooperation: Tax Information .

(a) Chewy shall, and shall cause each Chewy Group Member to, cooperate with Parent and PetSmart in the preparation and filing of Tax Returns, as described in Article III, or in the conduct of Tax Proceedings, as described in Article IV , including by maintaining such books and records and providing on a timely basis such information as may be necessary or useful in the filing of such Tax Returns or the conduct of such Tax Proceedings and executing any documents, providing any further information and taking any actions which Parent may reasonably request in connection therewith.

(b) If any Chewy Group Member fails to provide any information reasonably requested pursuant to this Article V on a timely basis, then Parent shall have the right to engage the Accounting Firm to gather such information. Chewy agrees to permit the Accounting Firm full access to all Tax Returns and other relevant information in the possession of any Chewy Group Member during reasonable business hours, and to reimburse or pay directly all costs and expenses incurred in connection with such engagement of the Accounting Firm.

(c) Parent shall, and shall cause each Parent Group Member, to cooperate with Chewy in the preparation and filing of Tax Returns, as described in Article III, or in the conduct of Tax Proceedings, as described in Article IV , including by maintaining such books and records and providing on a timely basis such information as may be necessary or useful in the filing of such Tax Returns or the conduct of such Tax Proceedings and executing any documents, providing any further information and taking any actions which Chewy may reasonably request in connection therewith.

(d) If any Parent Group Member fails to provide any information reasonably requested pursuant to this Article V on a timely basis, then Chewy shall have the right to engage the Accounting Firm to gather such information. Parent agrees to permit the Accounting Firm full access to all Tax Returns and other relevant information in the possession of any Parent Group Member during reasonable business hours, and to reimburse or pay directly all costs and expenses incurred in connection with such engagement of the Accounting Firm.

 

9


Section  5.02 Retention of Records . Chewy agrees to retain, and cause each Chewy Group Member to retain, the appropriate records which may affect the determination of the Tax liability of any Parent Group Member until such time as there has been a Final Determination or the applicable statute of limitations has expired with respect thereto. Any Chewy Group Member intending to destroy any such materials, records, or documents relating to Taxes of any Parent Group Member shall provide Parent with ninety (90) days advance notice and the opportunity to copy or take possession of such materials, records and documents. Parent agrees to retain, and cause each Parent Group Member to retain, the appropriate records which may affect the determination of the Tax liability of any Chewy Group Member until such time as there has been a Final Determination or the applicable statute of limitations has expired with respect thereto. Any Parent Group Member intending to destroy any such materials, records, or documents relating to Taxes of any Chewy Group Member shall provide Chewy with ninety (90) days advance notice and the opportunity to copy or take possession of such materials, records and documents.

ARTICLE VI

Section 6.01 Interpretation of Agreement and Resolution of Disputes .

 

  (a)

Technical Matters .

(i) In the event of any dispute among the Parties as to the application of Sections 2.02 - 2.05 , 2.07 , and 2.08 , such dispute shall be negotiated in good faith between the Parties.

(ii) In the event the Parties are unable to resolve any such dispute, PetSmart shall, in good faith using reasonable discretion, finally determine any such matter (A) while Parent (or the direct or indirect majority owners of Parent as of the date of this Agreement) directly or indirectly has Control of Chewy or (B) with respect to any Taxable Period of which Parent (or the direct or indirect majority owners of Parent) directly or indirectly has or had Control of Chewy.

(iii) For disputes not addressed by Section  6.01(a)(ii) , the Parties shall require the Accounting Firm to resolve all disputes no later than thirty (30) days after the submission of such dispute to the Accounting Firm and agree that all decisions by the Accounting Firm with respect thereto shall be final and conclusive and binding on the Parties. The Accounting Firm shall resolve all disputes in a manner consistent with this Agreement. The Parties shall require the Accounting Firm to render all determinations in writing and to set forth, in reasonable detail, the basis for such determination. The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne equally by the Parties.

 

  (b)

Interpretation of Other Agreement Provisions .

(i) In the event of any dispute among the Parties as to other provisions in this Agreement (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the application of

 

10


Sections 2.02 - 2.05 , 2.07 , and 2.08 as provided by Section  6.01(a) ), such dispute shall be negotiated in good faith between the Parties.

(ii) In the event the Parties are unable to resolve any such dispute, PetSmart shall, in good faith using reasonable discretion, finally determine any such matter (A) while Parent (or the direct or indirect majority owners of Parent as of the date of this Agreement) directly or indirectly has Control of Chewy or (B) with respect to any Taxable Period of which Parent (or the direct or indirect majority owners of Parent) directly or indirectly has or had Control of Chewy.

(iii) For disputes not addressed by Section 6.01(b)(ii), such dispute shall be settled by binding arbitration in the state of Delaware or another location mutually agreeable to the parties. Any decision or award as a result of any such arbitration proceeding shall be in writing and shall provide an explanation for all conclusions of law and fact and shall include the assessment of costs, expenses and reasonable attorneys’ fees.

Section  6.02 Miscellaneous .

(a) Term of the Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date of its execution and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, shall continue in full force and effect indefinitely.

(b) Injunctions . The parties acknowledge that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. The parties hereto shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court having jurisdiction, such remedy being in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity.

(c) Severability . If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect, and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such which may be hereafter declared invalid, void or unenforceable. In the event that any such term, provision, covenant or restriction is held to be invalid, void or unforeseeable, the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternate means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction.

(d) Assignment . Except by operation of law or in connection with the sale of all or substantially all the assets of a party hereto, this Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by any party hereto without the advance written consent of the other party, and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations arising under

 

11


this Agreement without such consent shall be void; provided , however , that the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by, the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

(e) Further Assurances . Subject to the provisions hereof, the parties hereto shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver such other instruments and documents, and take all such other actions, as may be reasonably required in order to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Subject to the provisions hereof, each of the parties shall, in connection with entering into this Agreement, performing its obligations hereunder and taking any and all actions relating hereto, comply with all applicable laws, regulations, orders and decrees, obtain all required consents and approvals and make all required filings with any Taxing Authority, governmental agency, other regulatory or administrative agency, commission or similar authority, and promptly provide the other parties with all such information as they may reasonably request in order to be able to comply with the provisions of this sentence.

(f) Parties in Interest . Except as herein otherwise specifically provided, nothing in this Agreement expressed or implied is intended to confer any right or benefit upon any Person other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and permitted assigns, and any entity that subsequently becomes a Parent Group Member, PetSmart Group Member or Chewy Group Member.

(g) Waivers, Etc . No failure or delay on the part of the parties in exercising any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. No modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor the consent to any departure by the parties therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.

(h) Setoff . All payments to be made by any party under this Agreement shall be made without setoff, counterclaim or withholding, all of which are expressly waived.

(i) Change of Law . If, due to any change in applicable law or regulations or their interpretation by any court of law or other governing body having jurisdiction subsequent to the date of this Agreement, the performance of any provision of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby shall become impracticable or impossible, the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such provision.

(j) Confidentiality . Subject to any contrary requirement of law and the right of each party to enforce its rights hereunder in any arbitration or legal action, each party agrees that it shall keep strictly confidential, and shall cause its employees and agents to keep strictly confidential, any information which it or any of its employees or agents may acquire pursuant to, or in the course of performing its obligations under, any provision of this Agreement.

 

12


(k) Headings . Descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

(l) Counterparts . For the convenience of the parties, any number of counterparts of this Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto, and each such executed counterpart shall be, and shall be deemed to be, an original instrument.

(m) Notices . All notices, consents, requests, instructions, approvals and other communications provided for herein shall be validly given, made or served, if in writing and delivered personally or sent by registered mail, postage prepaid, or by e-mail to:

 

PetSmart at:

  

 

  
  

 

  
  

ASchnaid@PetSmart.com                                                                                                                                       

Attn: Alan Schnaid

  

Chewy at:

  

 

  
  

 

  
  

mmarte@chewy.com                                                                                                                                                

Attn: Mario Marte

  

Parent at:

  

 

  
  

 

  
  

ASchnaid@PetSmart.com                                                                                                                                       

Attn: Alan Schnaid

  

or to such other address as any party may, from time to time, designate in a written notice given in a like manner. Notice delivered personally or given by telegram shall be deemed delivered when received by the recipient. Notice given by mail as set out above shall be deemed delivered five (5) days after the date the same is mailed. Notice given by facsimile transmission shall be deemed delivered on the day of transmission provided telephone confirmation of receipt is obtained promptly after completion of transmission.

(n) Costs and Expenses . Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, each Party agrees to pay its own costs and expenses resulting from the exercise of its respective rights or the fulfillment of its respective obligations hereunder.

(o) Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the domestic substantive laws of the State of Delaware without regard to any choice or conflict of laws, rules or provisions that would cause the application of the domestic substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

13


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective officers, each of whom is duly authorized, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

ARGOS INTERMEDIATE HOLDCO I INC.
By:  

/s/ Alan M. Schnaid

Name:  

Alan M. Schnaid

Title:  

President and Chief Financial Officer

PETSMART, INC.

By:  

/s/ Alan M. Schnaid

Name:  

Alan M. Schnaid

Title:  

President and Chief Financial Officer

CHEWY, INC.

By:  

/s/ Susan Helfrick

Name:  

Susan Helfrick

Title:  

General Counsel

Exhibit 10.4

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

June 18, 2019, among

CHEWY, INC.,

as the Borrower,

the Lenders from time to time party hereto,

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Administrative Agent, and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Syndication Agent,

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
ARTICLE I       
DEFINITIONS       

SECTION 1.01

   Defined Terms      1  

SECTION 1.02

   Classification of Loans and Borrowings      58  

SECTION 1.03

   Terms Generally      58  

SECTION 1.04

   Accounting Terms; GAAP      59  

SECTION 1.05

   Effectuation of Transactions      59  

SECTION 1.06

   Currency Translation; Rates      60  

SECTION 1.07

   Letters of Credit      60  

SECTION 1.08

   Limited Condition Acquisitions and Pro Forma Calculations      61  

SECTION 1.09

   Divisions      64  
ARTICLE II       
THE CREDITS       

SECTION 2.01

   Commitments      64  

SECTION 2.02

   Loans and Borrowings      64  

SECTION 2.03

   Requests for Borrowings      65  

SECTION 2.04

   Funding of Borrowings      65  

SECTION 2.05

   Interest Elections      66  

SECTION 2.06

   Termination and Reduction of Commitments      67  

SECTION 2.07

   Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt      68  

SECTION 2.08

   Protective Advances and Overadvances      69  

SECTION 2.09

   Prepayment of Loans      70  

SECTION 2.10

   Fees      71  

SECTION 2.11

   Interest      72  

SECTION 2.12

   Alternate Rate of Interest      73  

SECTION 2.13

   Increased Costs      74  

SECTION 2.14

   Break Funding Payments      75  

SECTION 2.15

   Taxes      76  

SECTION 2.16

   Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs      79  

SECTION 2.17

   Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders      80  

SECTION 2.18

   Increased Commitments      81  

SECTION 2.19

   [Reserved]      83  

SECTION 2.20

   Defaulting Lenders      83  

SECTION 2.21

   Illegality      85  

SECTION 2.22

   Loan Modification Offers      86  

SECTION 2.23

   Swingline Loans      87  

SECTION 2.24

   Letters of Credit      89  

SECTION 2.25

   [Reserved]      96  

SECTION 2.26

   Reserves; Change in Reserves; Decisions by Agent      96  

 

i


ARTICLE III       
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES       

SECTION 3.01

   Organization; Powers      96  

SECTION 3.02

   Authorization; Enforceability      96  

SECTION 3.03

   Governmental and Third-Party Approvals; No Conflicts      96  

SECTION 3.04

   Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Effect      97  

SECTION 3.05

   Properties; Insurance      97  

SECTION 3.06

   Litigation and Environmental Matters      97  

SECTION 3.07

   Compliance with Laws and Agreements      98  

SECTION 3.08

   Investment Company Status      98  

SECTION 3.09

   Taxes      98  

SECTION 3.10

   ERISA      98  

SECTION 3.11

   Disclosure      98  

SECTION 3.12

   Subsidiaries      99  

SECTION 3.13

   Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.      99  

SECTION 3.14

   Solvency      99  

SECTION 3.15

   Senior Indebtedness      99  

SECTION 3.16

   Federal Reserve Regulations      99  

SECTION 3.17

   Use of Proceeds      99  

SECTION 3.18

   Sanctions, Anti-Corruption Laws, and Anti-Terrorism Laws      99  
ARTICLE IV       
CONDITIONS       

SECTION 4.01

   Effective Date      100  

SECTION 4.02

   Each Credit Event      102  
ARTICLE V       
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS       

SECTION 5.01

   Financial Statements and Other Information      103  

SECTION 5.02

   Notices of Material Events      106  

SECTION 5.03

   Information Regarding Collateral      106  

SECTION 5.04

   Existence; Conduct of Business      107  

SECTION 5.05

   Payment of Taxes, etc.      107  

SECTION 5.06

   Maintenance of Properties      107  

SECTION 5.07

   Insurance      107  

SECTION 5.08

   Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights; Appraisals; Field Examinations      107  

SECTION 5.09

   Compliance with Laws      108  

SECTION 5.10

   Use of Proceeds      108  

SECTION 5.11

   Additional Subsidiaries      109  

SECTION 5.12

   Further Assurances      109  

SECTION 5.13

   Certain Post-Closing Obligations      109  

SECTION 5.14

   Designation of Subsidiaries      110  

SECTION 5.15

   Change in Business      110  

SECTION 5.16

   Changes in Fiscal Periods      110  

SECTION 5.17

   Cash Management      110  

SECTION 5.18

   Quarterly Lender Calls      111  

 

ii


ARTICLE VI       
NEGATIVE COVENANTS       

SECTION 6.01

   Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities      112  

SECTION 6.02

   Liens      116  

SECTION 6.03

   Fundamental Changes      119  

SECTION 6.04

   Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions      120  

SECTION 6.05

   Asset Sales      123  

SECTION 6.06

   [Reserved]      125  

SECTION 6.07

   Negative Pledge      125  

SECTION 6.08

   Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness; Certain Amendments      126  

SECTION 6.09

   Transactions with Affiliates      130  

SECTION 6.10

   Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio      131  
ARTICLE VII       
EVENTS OF DEFAULT       

SECTION 7.01

   Events of Default      132  

SECTION 7.02

   Application of Proceeds      134  

SECTION 7.03

   Cure Right      136  
ARTICLE VIII       
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT       

SECTION 8.01

   The Administrative Agent      137  
ARTICLE IX       
MISCELLANEOUS       

SECTION 9.01

   Notices      144  

SECTION 9.02

   Waivers; Amendments      145  

SECTION 9.03

   Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver      148  

SECTION 9.04

   Successors and Assigns      150  

SECTION 9.05

   Survival      154  

SECTION 9.06

   Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness      154  

SECTION 9.07

   Severability      154  

SECTION 9.08

   Right of Setoff      154  

SECTION 9.09

   Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Process Agent      155  

SECTION 9.10

   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      155  

SECTION 9.11

   Headings      156  

SECTION 9.12

   Confidentiality      156  

SECTION 9.13

   Patriot Act      157  

SECTION 9.14

   Judgment Currency      157  

SECTION 9.15

   Release of Liens and Guarantees      158  

SECTION 9.16

   No Fiduciary Relationship      158  

SECTION 9.17

   Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Bank Product Obligations and Secured Swap Obligations      158  

SECTION 9.18

   Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions      159  

SECTION 9.19

   Certain ERISA Matters      159  

SECTION 9.20

   Intercreditor Agreements      160  

SECTION 9.21

   Acknowledgement Regarding any Supported OFCs      160  

 

iii


SCHEDULES:

 

Schedule 1.01(a)          

Excluded Subsidiaries

Schedule 1.01(b)

         

Effective Date Existing Letters of Credit

Schedule 2.01

         

Commitments

Schedule 3.12

         

Subsidiaries

Schedule 5.14

         

Certain Post-Closing Obligations

Schedule 6.01

         

Existing Indebtedness

Schedule 6.02

         

Existing Liens

Schedule 6.04(f)

         

Existing Investments

Schedule 6.07

         

Existing Restrictions

Schedule 6.09

         

Existing Affiliate Transactions

EXHIBITS:

 

Exhibit A

          Form of Assignment and Assumption

Exhibit B

          Form of Borrowing Request

Exhibit C

          Form of Guarantee Agreement

Exhibit D

          Form of Collateral Agreement

Exhibit E

          Form of ABL Intercreditor Agreement

Exhibit F

          Form of Borrowing Base Certificate

Exhibit G

          Form of Closing Certificate

Exhibit H

          Form of Intercompany Note

Exhibit I

          Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibits J-1 and J-2

          Forms of Collateral Access Agreements

Exhibit K

          [Reserved]

Exhibit L

          [Reserved]

Exhibit M

          [Reserved]

Exhibit N

          [Reserved]

Exhibit O

          [Reserved]

Exhibit P-1

          Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit P-2

          Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit P-3

          Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit P-4

          Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

iv


ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of June 18, 2019 (this “ Agreement ”), among CHEWY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders party hereto, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“ Wells Fargo ”), as Administrative Agent.

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested the Lenders to extend Commitments in an initial aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000; and NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01 Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

ABL Intercreditor Agreement ” means an ABL Intercreditor Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit E , among the Administrative Agent and the representatives for one or more classes of obligations to be secured relative to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Secured Obligations, with such modifications thereto as the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall reasonably agree.

ABL Priority Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the form of ABL Intercreditor Agreement attached as Exhibit E hereto.

ABR ,” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if at any time the rate determined pursuant to this definition is less than zero, then such rate shall be deemed to be zero.

Accepting Lenders ” shall have the meaning assigned to each term in Section 2.22.

Account ” as defined in the UCC, including all rights to payment for goods sold or leased, or for services rendered.

Account Debtor ” means any Person obligated on an Account.

Accounting Changes ” has the meaning specified in Section 1.04(d).

Acquired EBITDA ” means, with respect to any Pro Forma Entity for any period, the amount for such period of Consolidated EBITDA of such Pro Forma Entity (determined as if references to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the definition of the term “Consolidated EBITDA” (and in the component financial definitions used therein) were references to such Pro Forma Entity and its Subsidiaries which will become Restricted Subsidiaries), all as determined on a consolidated basis for such Pro Forma Entity.

Acquired Entity or Business ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA.”

Acquisition Transaction ” means the purchase or other acquisition, by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise, by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of Equity Interests in, or all or substantially all the assets of (or all or substantially all the assets constituting a business unit, division, product line or line of business of), any Person.

 

1


Additional Lender ” means, at any time, any bank or other financial institution (including any such bank or financial institution that is a Lender at such time) that agrees to provide any portion of any Incremental Commitment pursuant to an Incremental Facility Amendment in accordance with Section 2.18.

Adjustment Date ” means the first calendar day of each calendar month of January, April, July and October.

Administrative Agent ” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as administrative agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Article VIII. The Administrative Agent may from time to time designate one or more of its Affiliates or branches to perform the functions of the Administrative Agent in connection with Loans denominated in any Permitted Currency other than Dollars, in which case references herein to the “Administrative Agent” shall, in connection with Loans denominated in any such Permitted Currency, mean any Affiliate or branch so designated.

Administrative Agent Account ” means, with respect to any payment to be made to the Administrative Agent hereunder, the account specified by the Administrative Agent from time to time for the purpose of receiving payments of such type.

Administrative Questionnaire ” means an administrative questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

Affected Class ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(a).

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly or indirectly Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

Agent ” means, individually and collectively as the context may require, the Administrative Agent, each Lead Arranger, each Joint Bookrunner, the Syndication Agent and any successors and assigns in such capacity, and “ Agents ” means two or more of them.

Agreement ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

Agreement Currency ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.14(b).

Alternate Base Rate ” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (ii) the rate of interest announced, from time to time, within Wells Fargo at its principal office in San Francisco as its “prime rate”, with the understanding that the “prime rate” is one of Wells Fargo’s base rates (not necessarily the lowest of such rates) and serves as the basis upon which effective rates of interest are calculated for those loans making reference thereto and is evidenced by the recording thereof after its announcement in such internal publications as Wells Fargo may designate (and, if any such announced rate is below zero, then the rate determined pursuant to this clause (ii) shall be deemed to be zero) and (iii) the LIBO Rate on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) for a deposit in Dollars, with a maturity of one calendar month plus 1.00%.

AML Legislation ” has the meaning specified in Section 9.13.

 

2


Anti-Corruption Laws ” means the FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010, as amended, and all other applicable laws and regulations or ordinances concerning or relating to bribery or corruption in any jurisdiction in which the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries is located or is doing business.

Anti-Terrorism Laws ” means all applicable laws and regulations or ordinances relating to terrorism or money laundering in any jurisdiction in which the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries is located or is doing business, including Executive Order No. 13224, the USA Patriot Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, and the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 (i.e., 18 USC. §§ 1956 and 1957).

Applicable Creditor ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.14(b).

Applicable Rate ” means, for any day, with respect to all Revolving Loans, the applicable rate per annum set forth below, based upon the Average Excess Availability as of the most recent Adjustment Date; provided that until the first Adjustment Date occurring after the first full fiscal quarter ended after the Effective Date, the “Applicable Rate” shall be the applicable rate per annum set forth below in Category 3:

 

Average Excess Availability

   LIBO Rate     ABR  

Category 1

Average Excess Availability less than 33.3% of the Total Maximum Borrowing Amount

     1.75     0.75

Category 2

Average Excess Availability greater than or equal to 33.3% of the Total Maximum Borrowing Amount, but less than 66.6% of the Total Maximum Borrowing Amount

     1.50     0.50

Category 3

Average Excess Availability greater than or equal to 66.6% of the Total Maximum Borrowing Amount

     1.25     0.25

The Applicable Rate shall be adjusted quarterly on a prospective basis on each Adjustment Date based upon the Average Excess Availability in accordance with the table above; provided that (i) if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time any reduction in the Applicable Rate would otherwise be implemented, then no such reduction shall be implemented until the date on which such Event of Default shall no longer be continuing and (ii) if any Borrowing Base Certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement is at any time restated or otherwise revised, or if the information set forth in any such Borrowing Base Certificate otherwise proves to be false or incorrect such that the Applicable Rate would have been higher than was otherwise in effect during any period, without constituting a waiver of any Default or Event of Default arising as a result thereof, interest due under this Agreement shall be recalculated by the Administrative Agent at such higher rate for any applicable periods and shall be due and payable within 5 Business Days of receipt of such calculation by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent and shall be payable only to the Lenders whose Commitments were outstanding during such period when the Applicable Rate should have been higher (regardless of whether such Lenders remain parties to this Agreement at the time such payment is made).

 

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Approved Bank ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Permitted Investments.”

Approved Electronic Communications ” means each notice, demand, communication, information, document and other material that any Loan Party is obligated to, or otherwise chooses to, provide to the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein, including (a) any supplement, joinder or amendment to the Security Documents and any other written communication delivered or required to be delivered in respect of any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein and any financial statements, financial and other report, notice, request, certificate and other information materials; provided , however , that solely with respect to delivery of any such Communication by any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent and without limiting or otherwise affecting either the Administrative Agent’s right to effect delivery of such Communication by posting such Communication to the Approved Electronic Platform or the protections afforded hereby to the Administrative Agent in connection with any such posting, “Approved Electronic Communication” shall exclude (i) any notice of borrowing, letter of credit request, notice of conversion or continuation, and any other notice, demand, communication, information, document and other material relating to a request for a new, or a conversion of an existing, Borrowing, (ii) any notice relating to the payment of any principal or other amount due under any Loan Document prior to the scheduled date therefor, (iii) all notices of any Default or Event of Default and (iv) any notice, demand, communication, information, document and other material required to be delivered to satisfy any of the conditions set forth in Article IV or any other condition to any Borrowing or other extension of credit hereunder or any condition precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement.

Approved Electronic Platform ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01.

Approved Foreign Bank ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Permitted Investments.”

Approved Fund ” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate or branch of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate or branch of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any Person whose consent is required by Section 9.04), substantially in the form of Exhibit A or any other form reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent.

Audited Financial Statements ” means the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its subsidiaries as at the end of and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, for the fiscal years ended January 28, 2018 and February 3, 2019, including the notes thereto.

Availability Period ” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of (a) the Maturity Date of any Commitments and (b) the date of termination of such Commitments.

Availability Reserves ” means, without duplication of any other reserves or items that are otherwise addressed or excluded through eligibility criteria, such reserves as the Administrative Agent from time to time determines in its Permitted Discretion as being appropriate (a) to reflect any impediments to the Administrative Agent’s ability to realize upon the ABL Priority Collateral included in the Borrowing Base, (b) to reflect claims and liabilities that may need to be satisfied in connection with the realization upon the Collateral consisting of ABL Priority Collateral included in the Borrowing Base or (c) to reflect criteria, events, conditions, contingencies or risks which adversely affect any component of the Borrowing Base.

 

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Available Equity Amount ” as of any date means a cumulative amount equal to (without duplication):

(a) the net cash proceeds of new public or private issuances of Qualified Equity Interests in the Borrower or any parent of the Borrower which are contributed to the Borrower, plus

(b) capital contributions received by Borrower in cash or Permitted Investments (other than in respect of any Disqualified Equity Interest or constituting a Cure Amount) and the Fair Market Value of other property that is useful in the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and contributed to the capital of the Borrower (including through consolidation or merger), plus

(c) the net cash proceeds received by Borrower from Indebtedness and Disqualified Equity Interest issuances issued and which have been exchanged or converted into Qualified Equity Interests; plus

(d) returns, profits, distributions and similar amounts received in cash or Permitted Investments by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on Investments made using the Available Equity Amount (not to exceed the amount of such Investments);

in each case, which net cash proceeds, capital contributions, returns, profits, distributions and similar amounts have been received by the Borrower during the immediately preceding consecutive 90-day period and, in any event, after the Effective Date.

Available Revolving Commitment ” means, at any time, the Commitments of any Revolving Lender then in effect under the Facility minus the Revolving Exposure of such Revolving Lender under the Facility at such time.

Average Excess Availability ” means, at any Adjustment Date, the average daily Excess Availability for the calendar quarter immediately preceding such Adjustment Date.

Average Revolving Loan Utilization ” means, as of any Adjustment Date, the average daily Revolving Exposure under the Facility (excluding any Revolving Exposure under the Facility resulting from any outstanding Swingline Loans) for the three-calendar month period immediately preceding such Adjustment Date (or, if less, the period from the Effective Date to such Adjustment Date), divided by the aggregate Commitments under the Facility in effect at such time.

Bail-In Action ” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation ” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Bank Accounts ” means any checking or other demand deposit account, securities account, commodities account or other bank account maintained by any of the Loan Parties.

 

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Bank Product Obligations ” means other obligations in respect of purchase card programs.

Bank Product Reserve ” means a reserve in respect of the full amount (or (a) solely with respect to Secured Bank Product Obligations owed to the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates or branches, such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may elect in its sole discretion and (b) solely with respect to Secured Bank Product Obligations owed to any other Person, such lesser amount as such Person may elect in its sole discretion) of Secured Bank Product Obligations outstanding at the applicable time, as determined by the Administrative Agent.

Basel III ” means, collectively, those certain agreements on capital requirements, a leverage ratio and liquidity standards contained in “Basel III: A Global Regulatory Framework for More Resilient Banks and Banking Systems,” “Basel III: International Framework for Liquidity Risk Measurement, Standards and Monitoring,” and “Guidance for National Authorities Operating the Countercyclical Capital Buffer,” each as published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2010 (as revised from time to time), and as implemented by a Lender’s primary banking regulatory authority.

Beneficial Ownership Certificate ” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Beneficial Ownership Regulation ” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

Benefit Plan ” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

Board of Directors ” means, with respect to any Person, (a) in the case of any corporation, the board of directors of such Person or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board, (b) in the case of any limited liability company, the board of managers or board of directors of such Person, (c) in the case of any partnership, the board of directors or board of managers of a general partner of such Person and (d) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing.

Board of Governors ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

Borrower ” has the meaning provided in the preamble hereto.

Borrowing ” means (a) Loans of the same Facility, Class and Type, made, converted or continued on the same date in the same currency and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, (b) Swingline Loans or (c) Protective Advances.

Borrowing Base ” means:

(i) 85% (except as may be required by clauses (e) or (i) of the definition of “Eligible Receivables”) of the Value of Eligible Receivables of the Loan Parties, plus

(ii) 90% of the Net Orderly Liquidation Value of Eligible Inventory of the Loan Parties, plus

(iii) 90% of the face amount of Eligible Credit Card Receivables of the Loan Parties, plus

(iv) at the option of the Borrower, 100% of Qualified Cash, minus

 

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(v) without duplication, the amount of all Reserves as the Administrative Agent may at any time and from time to time in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion establish or modify in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.26;

provided that in no event shall the aggregate amounts set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) of this definition attributable to Inventory or Receivables acquired pursuant to the purchase or other acquisition of property and assets or businesses of any Person or of assets constituting a business unit, a line of business or division of such Person or Equity Interests in a Person, that is not subject to a completed inventory appraisal or field examination conducted by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent exceed 10% of the Borrowing Base; provided further that in connection with any such purchase or other acquisition, the Borrower may request that the Administrative Agent undertake an inventory appraisal or field examination in respect of such acquired Inventory or Receivables and, upon such request, the Administrative Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to engage a third party reasonably acceptable to the Borrower to commence such inventory appraisal or field examination within 30 days.

The Borrowing Base at any time shall be determined by reference to the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the definition of “Qualified Accounts”, Section 5.01(i), Section 5.14, the final paragraph of Section 6.05 or the first proviso of Section 9.15 and adjusted by the Administrative Agent in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion and in accordance with Section 2.26 based upon additional information, if any, received after the date of delivery of any such Borrowing Base Certificate; provided that until the earlier of (i) delivery of an initial inventory appraisal and an initial field examination conducted by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent and a Borrowing Base Certificate in respect thereof along with customary supporting documentation and (ii) the date that is 90 days following the Effective Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent reasonably agrees), the Borrowing Base shall be deemed to be $200,000,000 (or such greater amount set forth in the initial inventory appraisal conducted by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent); provided, further, that, in the event the Borrower does not deliver an initial inventory appraisal and an initial field examination conducted by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent by the date that is 90 days following the Effective Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent reasonably agrees), on the date that is 90 days following the Effective Date (or such applicable later date) the Borrowing Base shall be reduced to zero and shall not be increased until such date as the Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent such inventory appraisal and field examination and a Borrowing Base Certificate in respect thereof along with customary supporting documentation.

Borrowing Base Certificate ” means a certificate, signed and certified as accurate and complete by a Financial Officer of the Borrower Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit F or another form which is acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.

Borrowing Request ” means a request by a Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03, via electronic notice via the Portal or otherwise in substantially the form of Exhibit B or another form which is acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that (a) when used in connection with any Eurocurrency Loan or any Letter of Credit (other than U.S. Letters of Credit), the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in deposits in the applicable currency in the London interbank market and (b) in the case of any Letter of Credit, any Swingline Loan, or any Eurocurrency Loan, in each case denominated in Euros, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day which is not a Business Day as determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

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Capital Expenditures ” means, for any period, the additions to property, plant and equipment and other capital expenditures of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries that are (or should be) set forth in a consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower for such period prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Capital Lease Obligation ” means an obligation that is a Capitalized Lease; and the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby at any time shall be the amount of the liability in respect thereof that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP as applied by the Borrower in the Audited Financial Statements.

Capitalized Leases ” means all leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP as applied by the Borrower in the Audited Financial Statements, recorded as capitalized leases.

Capitalized Software Expenditures ” means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

Cash Dominion Period ” means (a) the period from the date that Specified Excess Availability is less than the greater of (i) 10% of the Total Maximum Borrowing Amount and (ii) $30,000,000 for five (5) consecutive Business Days until the date that Specified Excess Availability has been at least the greater of (i) 10% of the Total Maximum Borrowing Amount and (ii) $30,000,000 for twenty (20) consecutive calendar days or (b) upon the occurrence of a Specified Default, the period that such Specified Default shall be continuing.

Cash Management Obligations ” means (a) obligations in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository, cash pooling arrangements and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds and (b) other obligations in respect of netting services, employee credit card programs and similar arrangements.

Cash Management Services ” has the meaning provided in the definition of Secured Cash Management Obligations.

Casualty Event ” means any event that gives rise to the receipt by the Borrower, a Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any insurance proceeds or condemnation awards in respect of any equipment, fixed assets or real property (including any improvements thereon) to replace or repair such equipment, fixed assets or real property.

CF Debt Priority Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the form of ABL Intercreditor Agreement attached as Exhibit E hereto.

Change in Control ” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group, other than the Permitted Holders (directly or indirectly, including through one or more holding companies), of Equity Interests representing 40% or more of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in the Borrower and the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power so held is greater than the percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the Equity Interests in the Borrower held by the Permitted Holders, unless the Permitted Holders (directly or indirectly, including through one of more holding companies) otherwise have the right (pursuant to contract, proxy or otherwise), directly or indirectly, to designate, nominate or appoint (and do so designate, nominate or appoint) a majority of the Board of Directors of

 

8


the Borrower or (b) the occurrence of a “Change of Control” (or similar event, however denominated), as defined in the documentation governing any Material Indebtedness that is Subordinated Indebtedness. For purposes of this definition, (i) “beneficial ownership,” shall be as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act, (ii) the phrase Person or “group” is within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such Person or “group” and its subsidiaries and any Person acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan, and (iii) if any Person or “group” includes one or more Permitted Holders, the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower directly or indirectly owned by the Permitted Holders that are part of such Person or “group” shall not be treated as being owned by such Person or “group” for purposes of determining whether this definition is triggered).

Change in Law ” means (a) the adoption of any rule, regulation, treaty or other law after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any rule, regulation, treaty or other law or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) any requests, rules, guidelines or directives under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 or issued in connection therewith and (ii) any requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank of International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case shall be deemed to be a “Change in Law,” regardless of when enacted, adopted, promulgated or issued.

Chattel Paper ” means any “chattel paper,” as such term is defined in the UCC, including electronic chattel paper, now owned or hereafter acquired by any Loan Party, wherever located.

Class ” when used in reference to (a) any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Loans under the Facility (including a FILO Tranche), (b) any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving Commitment or an Incremental Commitment under the Facility and (c) any Lender, refers to whether such Lender has a Loan or Commitment with respect to a particular Class of Loans or Commitments under the Facility. Loans made under Incremental Commitments that have different terms and conditions shall be construed to be in different Classes.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Collateral ” means any and all assets, whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, on which Liens are purported to be granted pursuant to the Security Documents by any Loan Party to secure the Secured Obligations of the Loan Parties.

Collateral Access Agreement ” means a collateral access agreement (including a landlord lien waiver) in the form of Exhibit J-1 or J-2 hereto, as applicable, or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Collateral Agreement ” means the Collateral Agreement among the Borrower, each other Loan Party and the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit D .

 

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Collateral and Guarantee Requirement ” means, at any time, the requirement that:

(a) the Administrative Agent shall have received from (i) the Borrower and each Subsidiary (other than an applicable Excluded Subsidiary) either (x) a counterpart of the Guarantee Agreement duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person or (y) in the case of any Domestic Subsidiary that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of any Loan Party (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) or ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary after the Effective Date, a supplement to the Guarantee Agreement, in the form specified therein, and (ii) the Borrower and each Subsidiary Loan Party either (x) a counterpart of the Security Documents, as applicable, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person or (y) in the case of any Domestic Subsidiary that becomes a Loan Party after the Effective Date (including by ceasing to be an Excluded Subsidiary), a supplement to the Security Documents in the form specified therein, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person, and in each case under this clause (a) together with, in the case of any such Loan Documents executed and delivered after the Effective Date, documents and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, opinions and certificates of the type referred to in Section 4.01(b) and 4.01(c));

(b) all outstanding Equity Interests of the Restricted Subsidiaries of any Loan Parties (other than any Equity Interests constituting Excluded Assets or Equity Interests of Immaterial Subsidiaries) owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party shall have been pledged pursuant to the Security Documents (and the Administrative Agent shall have received certificates or other instruments representing all such Equity Interests (if any), together with undated stock powers or other instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank);

(c) if any Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in a principal amount of $10,000,000 or more is owing by such obligor to any Loan Party, such Indebtedness shall be evidenced by a promissory note, such promissory note shall have been pledged pursuant to the applicable Security Document and the Administrative Agent shall have received all such promissory notes, together with undated instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank; and

(d) all certificates, agreements, documents and instruments, including Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, required by the Security Documents, Requirements of Law and reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, delivered, registered or recorded to create the Liens intended to be created by the Security Documents and perfect such Liens to the extent required by, and with the priority required by, the Security Documents and the other provisions of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement,” shall have been filed, registered or recorded or delivered to the Administrative Agent for filing, registration or recording.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition or anything in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, (a) the foregoing provisions of this definition shall not require the creation or perfection of pledges of or security interests in, or the obtaining of title insurance, legal opinions or other deliverables with respect to, particular assets of the Loan Parties, or the provision of Guarantees by any Subsidiary, if, and for so long as and to the extent that the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree in writing that the cost of creating or perfecting such pledges or security interests in such assets, or obtaining such title insurance, legal opinions or other deliverables in respect of such assets, or providing such Guarantees (taking into account any material adverse Tax consequences to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including the imposition of withholding or other material Taxes)), shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom, (b) Liens required to be granted from time to time pursuant to the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” shall be subject to exceptions and limitations set forth in the Security Documents as in effect on the Effective Date, (c) except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, in no event shall control agreements or other control or similar arrangements be required with respect to deposit accounts, securities accounts, commodities accounts or other assets specifically requiring perfection by control agreements, (d) no perfection actions shall be required with respect to Vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title, (e) no perfection actions shall be required with respect to commercial tort claims with a value less than $5,000,000 and no perfection shall be required with respect to promissory notes evidencing debt for borrowed money in a

 

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principal amount of less than $5,000,000 (except to the extent such perfection may be achieved solely by filing a UCC financing statement), (f) no actions in any non-U.S. jurisdiction or required by the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction shall be required, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, to be taken to create any security interests in assets located or titled outside of the United States (including any Equity Interests of Foreign Subsidiaries and any Intellectual Property or real property owned by Foreign Subsidiaries) or to perfect or make enforceable any security interests in any such assets, (g) no actions shall be required to perfect a security interest in letter of credit rights (other than the filing of UCC filings), (h) in no event shall the Collateral include any Excluded Assets and (i) no delivery of share certificates evidencing Equity Interests in Immaterial Subsidiaries shall be required. The Administrative Agent may grant extensions of time for the creation and perfection of security interests in or the obtaining of title insurance, legal opinions or other deliverables with respect to particular assets or the provision of any Guarantee by any Subsidiary (including extensions beyond the Effective Date or in connection with assets acquired, or Subsidiaries formed or acquired, after the Effective Date) where it determines that such action cannot be accomplished without undue effort or expense by the time or times at which it would otherwise be required to be accomplished by this Agreement or the Security Documents.

Commercial Letter of Credit ” means any Letter of Credit issued for the purpose of providing the primary payment mechanism in connection with the purchase of any materials, goods or services by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

Commitment ” means with respect to any Lender, its Revolving Commitment, Incremental Commitment or any combination thereof (as the context requires).

Commitment Fee Rate ” means a rate per annum equal to 0.25%; provided that, commencing on the first date of the first fiscal quarter commencing after the Effective Date and for any day thereafter, the Commitment Fee Rate shall be the applicable rate per annum set forth below based upon the Average Revolving Loan Utilization under the Facility as of the most recent Adjustment Date:

 

Average Revolving Loan Utilization

   Commitment Fee Rate  

Less than 50%

     0.375

Greater than or equal to 50%

     0.25

The Commitment Fee Rate shall be adjusted quarterly on each Adjustment Date based upon the Average Revolving Loan Utilization under the Facility in accordance with the table above; provided that if a Specified Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time any reduction in the Commitment Fee Rate would otherwise be implemented, then no such reduction shall be implemented until the date on which such Specified Event of Default shall have been cured or waived.

Commitment Schedule ” means Schedule 2.01 .

Commodity Exchange Act ” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq .), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

Company Materials ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.

Compliance Certificate ” means a Compliance Certificate in the form of Exhibit I required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(c).

 

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Compliance Period ” means any period beginning on the date that Specified Excess Availability has been less than the greater of (a) 10% of the Total Maximum Borrowing Amount and (b) $30,000,000 for three (3) consecutive Business Days, until the date that Specified Excess Availability has been at least the greater of (i) 10% of the Total Maximum Borrowing Amount and (ii) $30,000,000 for twenty (20) consecutive calendar days.

Consolidated EBITDA ” means, for any period, the Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus :

(a) without duplication and to the extent already deducted (and not added back) in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of the following amounts for such period:

(i) total interest expense and, to the extent not reflected in such total interest expense, any losses on hedging obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk, net of interest income and gains on such hedging obligations or such derivative instruments, and bank and letter of credit fees and costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, together with items excluded from the definition of “Consolidated Interest Expense” pursuant to clauses (i) through (x) thereof,

(ii) provision for taxes based on income, profits, revenue or capital gains, including federal, foreign and state income, franchise, excise, value added and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes paid or accrued during such period (including in respect of repatriated funds) including penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from any tax examinations, and any payments to a direct or indirect parent company pursuant to Section 6.08(a)(vii) in respect of such taxes,

(iii) depreciation and amortization (including amortization of Capitalized Software Expenditures, internal labor costs and deferred financing fees or costs),

(iv) other non-cash charges (other than any accrual in respect of bonuses) ( provided , in each case, that if any non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period),

(v) the amount of any non-controlling interest consisting of income attributable to non-controlling interests of third parties in any non-wholly-owned subsidiary deducted (and not added back in such period to Consolidated Net Income) excluding cash distributions in respect thereof,

(vi) (A) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees, indemnities and related expenses paid or accrued in such period to (or on behalf of) the Sponsors (including any termination fees payable in connection with the early termination of management and monitoring agreements) to the extent otherwise permitted under Section 6.09(x) and (B) the amount of payments made to option holders of the Borrower or any of its direct or indirect parent companies in connection with, or as a result of, any distribution being made to shareholders of such person or its direct or indirect parent companies, which payments are being made to compensate such option holders as though they were shareholders at the time of, and entitled to share in, such distribution, in each case to the extent permitted in the Loan Documents,

 

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(vii) losses or discounts on sales of receivables and related assets in connection with any Permitted Receivables Financing,

(viii) cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were deducted in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to paragraph (c) below for any previous period and not added back,

(ix) any costs or expenses incurred by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement, any severance agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such costs or expenses are non-cash or otherwise funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Borrower or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Equity Interests or relating to Equity Interests constituting Cure Amounts), and

(x) any net pension or other post-employment benefit costs representing amortization of unrecognized prior service costs, actuarial losses, including amortization of such amounts arising in prior periods, amortization of the unrecognized net obligation (and loss or cost) existing at the date of initial application of FASB Accounting Standards Codification 715, and any other items of a similar nature,

plus

(b) without duplication, the amount of “run rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies related to the Transactions or any other Specified Transaction, any restructuring, cost saving initiative or other initiative projected by the Borrower in good faith to be realized as a result of actions that have been taken or initiated or are expected to be taken (in the good faith determination of the Borrower), including any cost savings, expenses and charges (including restructuring and integration charges) in connection with, or incurred by or on behalf of, any joint venture of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (whether accounted for on the financial statements of any such joint venture or the Borrower) (i) with respect to the Transactions, on or prior to the date that is 24 fiscal months after the Effective Date (including actions initiated prior to the Effective Date) and (ii) with respect to any other Specified Transaction, any restructuring, cost saving initiative or other initiative, within 24 fiscal months after such Specified Transaction, restructuring, cost saving initiative or other initiative (which cost savings shall be added to Consolidated EBITDA until fully realized and calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such cost savings had been realized on the first day of the relevant period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized from such actions; provided that (A) such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable, (B) no cost savings, operating expense reductions or synergies shall be added pursuant to this clause (b) to the extent duplicative of any expenses or charges relating to such cost savings, operating expense reductions or synergies that are included in clause (a) above (it being understood and agreed that “run rate” shall mean the full recurring benefit that is associated with any action taken) and (C) the share of any such cost savings, expenses and charges with respect to a joint venture that are to be allocated to the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not exceed the total amount thereof for any such joint venture multiplied by the percentage of income of such venture expected to be included in Consolidated EBITDA for the relevant Test Period;

 

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less

(c) without duplication and to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of the following amounts for such period:

(i) non-cash gains (excluding any non-cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Consolidated Net Income or Consolidated EBITDA in any prior period),

(ii) the amount of any non-controlling interest consisting of loss attributable to non-controlling interests of third parties in any non-wholly-owned subsidiary added (and not deducted in such period from Consolidated Net Income),

in each case, as determined on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP; provided that,

(I) there shall be included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period, without duplication, the Acquired EBITDA of any Person, property, business or asset acquired by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary) whether such acquisition occurred before or after the Effective Date to the extent not subsequently sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of (but not including the Acquired EBITDA of any related Person, property, business or assets to the extent not so acquired) (each such Person, property, business or asset acquired, including pursuant to the Transactions or pursuant to a transaction consummated prior to the Effective Date, and not subsequently so disposed of, an “ Acquired Entity or Business ”), and the Acquired EBITDA of any Unrestricted Subsidiary that is converted into a Restricted Subsidiary during such period (each, a “ Converted Restricted Subsidiary ”), in each case based on the Acquired EBITDA of such Pro Forma Entity for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or conversion) determined on a historical Pro Forma Basis, and

(II) there shall be (A) excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period the Disposed EBITDA of any Person, property, business or asset (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary) sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified as discontinued operations by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period (but if such operations are classified as discontinued due to the fact that they are subject to an agreement to dispose of such operations, only when and to the extent such operations are actually disposed of) (each such Person, property, business or asset so sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified, a “ Sold Entity or Business ”), and the Disposed EBITDA of any Restricted Subsidiary that is converted into an Unrestricted Subsidiary during such period (each, a “ Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary ”), in each case based on the Disposed EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such sale, transfer, disposition, closure, classification or conversion) determined on a historical Pro Forma Basis and (B) included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period in which a Sold Entity or Business is disposed, an adjustment equal to the Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment with respect to such Sold Entity or Business (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such disposal) as specified in the Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent (for further delivery to the Lenders).

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, for all purposes of this Agreement, Consolidated EBITDA shall be deemed to equal (a) ($51,509,000) for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018, (b) ($53,410,000) for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2018, (c) ($68,633,000) for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018 and (d) ($55,355,000) for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2018, in each case and, without duplication, adjusted to reflect any Pro Forma Adjustment with respect to any relevant Specified Transaction or any restructuring, cost saving initiative or other initiative, in each case, occurring or identified after the Effective Date and not otherwise included in the calculation of the foregoing amounts.

Consolidated First Lien Debt ” means Consolidated Total Debt that is not Subordinated Indebtedness and is secured by Liens on the Collateral on an equal or senior priority basis (but without regard to the control of remedies) with Liens securing the Secured Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, (a) any Indebtedness under the Facility shall constitute First Lien Debt and (b) Consolidated First Lien Debt shall be reduced, without duplication, by the amount of cash and Permitted Investments reducing Consolidated Total Debt as of the relevant date of determination.

Consolidated Interest Expense ” means the sum of (a) cash interest expense (including that attributable to Capitalized Leases), net of cash interest income of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing and net costs under hedging agreements plus (b) non-cash interest expense resulting solely from the amortization of original issue discount from the issuance of Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Indebtedness borrowed hereunder in connection with the Transactions) at less than par, plus (c) pay-in-kind interest expense of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, (i) amortization of deferred financing costs, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and any other amounts of non-cash interest other than referred to in clause (b) above (including as a result of the effects of acquisition method accounting or pushdown accounting), (ii) non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement of the mark-to-market valuation of obligations under hedging agreements or other derivative instruments pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification No. 815-Derivatives and Hedging, (iii) any one-time cash costs associated with breakage in respect of hedging agreements for interest rates, (iv) commissions, discounts, yield, make whole premium and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) incurred in connection with any Permitted Receivables Financing, (v) any “additional interest” owing pursuant to a registration rights agreement with respect to any securities, (vi) any payments with respect to make-whole premiums or other breakage costs of any Indebtedness, including, without limitation, any Indebtedness issued in connection with the Transactions, (vii) penalties and interest relating to taxes, (viii) accretion or accrual of discounted liabilities not constituting Indebtedness, (ix) interest expense attributable to a direct or indirect parent entity resulting from push-down accounting, (x) any expense resulting from the discounting of Indebtedness in connection with the application of recapitalization or purchase accounting and (xi) any interest expense attributable to the exercise of appraisal rights and the settlement of any claims or actions (whether actual, contingent or potential) with respect thereto and with respect to any Permitted Acquisition or similar Investment permitted hereunder, all as calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by the Borrower to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the net income (loss) of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, excluding (and excluding the effect of), without duplication:

(a) extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses (including any unusual or non-recurring operating expenses directly attributable to the implementation of cost savings initiatives and any accruals or reserves in respect of any extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual items), severance, relocation costs, integration and facilities’ opening costs and other business optimization expenses (including related to new product introductions and other strategic or cost savings initiatives), restructuring charges, accruals or reserves (including restructuring and integration costs related to acquisitions and adjustments to existing reserves), whether or not classified as restructuring expense on the consolidated financial statements, signing costs, retention or completion bonuses, other executive recruiting and retention costs, transition costs, costs related to closure/consolidation of facilities and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans (including any settlement of pension liabilities and charges resulting from changes in estimates, valuations and judgments),

(b) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income,

(c) Transaction Costs,

(d) the net income for such period of any Person that is an Unrestricted Subsidiary and any Person that is not a Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting; provided that Consolidated Net Income shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash or Permitted Investments (or, if not paid in cash or Permitted Investments, but later converted into cash or Permitted Investments, upon such conversion) by such Person to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof during such period,

(e) any fees and expenses (including any transaction or retention bonus or similar payment) incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, Investment, asset disposition, issuance or repayment of debt, issuance of equity securities, refinancing transaction or amendment or other modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to the Effective Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, in each case whether or not successful (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the effects of expensing all transaction-related expenses in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification 805 and gains or losses associated with FASB Accounting Standards Codification 460),

(f) any income (loss) for such period attributable to the early extinguishment of Indebtedness, hedging agreements or other derivative instruments,

(g) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted as a result of the Transactions in accordance with GAAP (including any adjustment of estimated payouts on existing earn-outs) or changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period,

(h) all Non-Cash Compensation Expenses,

(i) any income (loss) attributable to deferred compensation plans or trusts,

 

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(j) any income (loss) from investments recorded using the equity method of accounting (but including any cash dividends or distributions actually received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such investment),

(k) any gain (loss) on asset sales, disposals or abandonments (other than asset sales, disposals or abandonments in the ordinary course of business) or income (loss) from discontinued operations (but if such operations are classified as discontinued due to the fact that they are subject to an agreement to dispose of such operations, only when and to the extent such operations are actually disposed of),

(l) any non-cash gain (loss) attributable to the mark to market movement in the valuation of hedging obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification 815-Derivatives and Hedging or mark to market movement of other financial instruments pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification 825-Financial Instruments; provided that any cash payments or receipts relating to transactions realized in a given period shall be taken into account in such period,

(m) any non-cash gain (loss) related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including the net loss or gain resulting from hedging agreements for currency exchange risk and revaluations of intercompany balances),

(n) any non-cash expenses, accruals or reserves related to adjustments to historical tax exposures ( provided , in each case, that the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from Consolidated Net Income for the period in which such cash payment was made), and

(o) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down (including related to intangible assets (including goodwill), long-lived assets, and investments in debt and equity securities).

There shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income for any period the effects from applying acquisition method accounting, including applying acquisition method accounting to inventory, property and equipment, loans and leases, software and other intangible assets and deferred revenue (including deferred costs related thereto and deferred rent) required or permitted by GAAP and related authoritative pronouncements (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries), as a result of the Transactions, any acquisition consummated prior to the Effective Date and any Permitted Acquisitions or other Investment or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof.

In addition, to the extent not already included in Consolidated Net Income, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received or, so long as such Person has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer or indemnifying party and only to the extent that such amount is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of the insurable or indemnifiable event (net of any amount so added back in any prior period to the extent not so reimbursed within the applicable 365-day period), due from business interruption insurance or reimbursement of expenses and charges that are covered by indemnification and other reimbursement provisions in connection with any acquisition or other Investment or any disposition of any asset permitted hereunder.

Consolidated Secured Debt ” means Consolidated Total Debt that is not Subordinated Indebtedness and is secured by a Lien on the Collateral. For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated Secured Debt shall be reduced, without duplication, by the amount of cash and Permitted Investments reducing Consolidated Total Debt as of the relevant date of determination.

 

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Consolidated Total Assets ” means, as at any date of determination, the amount that would be set forth opposite the caption “total assets” (or any like caption) on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Total Debt ” means, as of any date of determination (i) the outstanding principal amount of all third party Indebtedness for borrowed money (including purchase money Indebtedness), unreimbursed drawings under letters of credit, Capital Lease Obligations, third party Indebtedness obligations evidenced by notes or similar instruments and, without duplication, Receivables Guarantees, in each case of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on such date, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP (excluding, in any event, the effects of any discounting of Indebtedness resulting from the application of acquisition method accounting in connection with the Transactions or any Permitted Acquisition or other Investment) minus (ii) the aggregate amount of cash and Permitted Investments on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on such date to the extent the use thereof for the application to the payment of Indebtedness is not prohibited by law or any contract to which the Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiary is a party (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include all Qualified Cash so long as no Cash Dominion Event is continuing). It is understood that (x) the foregoing clause (ii) shall not apply in respect of any calculation hereunder of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and (y), to the extent the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs any Indebtedness and receives the proceeds of such Indebtedness, for purposes of determining any incurrence test under this Agreement and whether the Borrower is in Pro Forma Compliance with any such test, the proceeds of such incurrence may be considered cash or Permitted Investments for purposes of any “netting” pursuant to clause (ii) of this definition to the extent not promptly applied to the transaction financed in connection with such incurrence.

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies, or the dismissal or appointment of the management, of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

Control Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.17(a).

Controlled Accounts ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.17(a).

Converted Restricted Subsidiary ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA.”

Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA.”

Cost ” means the cost of purchase of Inventory determined according to the accounting policies used in the preparation of the Borrower’s audited financial statements.

Covered Party ” has the meaning specified in Section 9.21(a).

Cure Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.03(a).

Cure Expiration Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.03(a).

Cure Right ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.03(a).

 

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Customs Broker/Carrier Agreement ” means an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent among the Borrower, a customs broker, freight forwarder, consolidator or carrier, and the Administrative Agent, in which the customs broker, freight forwarder, consolidator or carrier acknowledges that it has control over and holds the documents evidencing ownership of the subject inventory for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and agrees, upon notice from the Administrative Agent, to hold and dispose of the subject inventory solely as directed by the Administrative Agent.

Debtor Relief Laws ” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, arrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, examination or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

Default ” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender that has (a) failed to fund any portion of its Loans or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans within two Business Days of the date on which such funding is required hereunder, (b) notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swingline Lender or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement or provided any written notification to any Person to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement, (c) failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent (whether acting on its own behalf or at the reasonable request of the Borrower (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall comply with any such reasonable request)), to confirm that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, (d) otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within two Business Days of the date when due, in each case unless the subject of a good faith dispute or subsequently cured, (e)(i) become or is insolvent or has a parent company that has become or is insolvent or (ii) become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or any action or proceeding of the type described in Section 7.01(h) or (i), or has had a receiver, interim receiver, monitor, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors, examiner, liquidator or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or custodian, appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or has a parent company that has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, interim receiver, monitor, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors, examiner, liquidator or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or (f) or has a direct or indirect parent company that has become the subject of a Bail-In Action.

Deposit Account ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Uniform Commercial Code in the state of New York.

Designated Disbursement Account ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section  5.17(d) .

Designated Non-Cash Consideration ” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Borrower or a Subsidiary in connection with a Disposition pursuant to Section 6.05(k) that is designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, setting forth the basis of such valuation (which amount will be reduced by the Fair Market Value of the portion of the non-cash consideration converted to cash within 180 days following the consummation of the applicable Disposition).

 

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Determination Date ” means, (a) with respect to any Letter of Credit denominated in a currency other than Dollars, (i) each date of issuance of such Letter of Credit and (ii) each date of any amendment of such Letter of Credit that would have the effect of increasing the face amount thereof; and (b) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent or the respective Issuing Bank determine in its reasonable discretion.

Dilution Percentage ” means the percent equal to (a) bad debt write-downs or write-offs, discounts, returns, promotions, credits, credit memos, charge backs and other dilutive items with respect to Eligible Credit Card Receivables or Eligible Receivables, as the case may be, divided by (b) gross sales, determined based on information contained in the most recent field examination (or, in the Permitted Discretion of the Administrative Agent, based on updated information provided to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower).

Dilution Reserve ” means an amount equal to the amount of Eligible Credit Card Receivables or Eligible Receivables under the Facility, multiplied by the percentage by which the Dilution Percentage exceeds 5%.

Disposed EBITDA ” means, with respect to any Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary for any period, the amount for such period of Consolidated EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary (determined as if references to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the definition of the term “Consolidated EBITDA” (and in the component financial definitions used therein) were references to such Sold Entity or Business and its subsidiaries or to such Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary and its subsidiaries), all as determined on a consolidated basis for such Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Disposition ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.05.

Disqualified Equity Interest ” means, with respect to any Person, any Equity Interest in such Person that by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable, either mandatorily or at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event or condition:

(a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Equity Interests in such Person that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests), whether pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;

(b) is convertible or exchangeable, either mandatorily or at the option of the holder thereof, for Indebtedness or Equity Interests (other than solely for Equity Interests in such Person that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests); or

(c) is redeemable (other than solely for Equity Interests in such Person that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests) or is required to be repurchased by such Person or any of its Affiliates, in whole or in part, at the option of the holder thereof;

 

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in each case, on or prior to the date 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date; provided , however , that (i) an Equity Interest in any Person that would not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest but for terms thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to redeem or purchase such Equity Interest upon the occurrence of an “asset sale,” a “change of control” or similar event shall not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest if any such requirement becomes operative only after repayment in full of all the Loans and all other Loan Document Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Commitments and the termination of all outstanding Letters of Credit (other than Letters of Credit that have been cash collateralized on terms set forth in Section 2.24(i) or back-stopped following the termination of the Commitments in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Banks) and (ii) if an Equity Interest in any Person is issued pursuant to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or any of the Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Equity Interest shall not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof) or any of the Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations of such Person.

Disqualified Lenders ” means (a) those Persons identified by a Sponsor or the Borrower to the Joint Bookrunners in writing prior to June 18, 2019 (or, if identified in writing after such date but prior to the date hereof, with the consent of Joint Bookrunners holding at least a majority of the financing commitments as of June 18, 2019), (b) those Persons who are competitors of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries identified by a Sponsor or the Borrower to the Administrative Agent from time to time in writing (including by email) and (c) in the case of each Persons identified pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) above, any of their Affiliates that are either (i) identified in writing by the Borrower or a Sponsor from time to time or (ii) known or reasonably identifiable as Affiliates (other than, in the case of this clause (ii), Affiliates that are bona fide debt funds); provided , that no designation of any Person as a Disqualified Lender shall retroactively disqualify any assignments or participations made to, or information provided to, such Person before it was designated as a Disqualified Lender, and such Person shall not be deemed to be a Disqualified Lender in respect of any assignments or participations made to such Person prior to the date of such designation.

Document ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

Dollar Equivalent ” means, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount in Dollars, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in any other currency, the equivalent amount thereof in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent at such time in accordance with Section 1.06 hereof.

Dollars ” or “ $ ” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is incorporated or organized under the laws of a State within the United States of America or the District of Columbia.

Drawing Document ” means any Letter of Credit or other document presented for purposes of drawing under any Letter of Credit, including by electronic transmission such as SWIFT, electronic mail, facsimile or computer generated communication.

EEA Financial Institution ” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

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EEA Member Country ” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

EEA Resolution Authority ” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

Effective Date ” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).

Eligible Assignee ” means (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, (c) an Approved Fund and (d) any other Person other than, in each case, (i) a natural person, (ii) a Defaulting Lender, (iii) a Disqualified Lender or (iv) any Sponsor, the Borrower or any of their respective Affiliates.

Eligible Credit Card Receivables ” means, as of any date of determination, Receivables and Payment Intangibles due to a Loan Party from major credit card processors (including, without limitation, VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, Carte Blanche and DiscoverCard) as arise in the ordinary course of business and which have been earned by performance, that, unless otherwise approved by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, meet all of the following requirements:

(a) such Receivable or Payment Intangible has not been outstanding for more than seven Business Days from the date of sale or for such longer period as may be approved by the Administrative Agent;

(b) a Loan Party has good, valid and marketable title to such Receivable or Payment Intangible;

(c) such Receivable or Payment Intangible is not subject to any other Lien other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02, and such Liens do not have priority over the Lien of the Administrative Agent and are junior to the Lien of the Administrative Agent (other than inchoate or other Liens (including tax Liens) arising by operation of law so long as the Administrative Agent has established a Reserve in respect thereof in its Permitted Discretion);

(d) such Receivable or Payment Intangible is not disputed, or with respect to which no claim, counterclaim, offset or chargeback has been asserted, by the related credit card processor (but only to the extent of such dispute, counterclaim, offset or chargeback) (it being the intent that chargebacks in the ordinary course by the credit card processors shall not be deemed violative of this clause); and

(e) if such Receivable or Payment Intangible is due to a Loan Party from a major credit card processor other than VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, Carte Blanche or DiscoverCard, the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, has not determined that such Receivable or Payment Intangible is unlikely to be collected.

Eligible In-Transit Inventory ” means Inventory (other than Eligible Letter of Credit Inventory) owned by a Loan Party that would be Eligible Inventory under clause (2) of such definition if it were not in transit from a foreign location to a location of such Loan Party within the United States. Without limiting the foregoing, no Inventory shall be Eligible In-Transit Inventory unless it (a) has cleared customs into the United States; (b) is insured in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (c) has been identified to the applicable sales contract and title has passed to the applicable Loan Party; (d) is not sold by a vendor that has a right to reclaim, divert shipment of, repossess, stop delivery, claim any reservation of title or otherwise assert Lien rights against the

 

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Inventory, or with respect to whom any Loan Party is in default of any obligations; (e) is subject to customary purchase orders and other sale documentation consistent with such Loan Party’s ordinary course of dealing; (f) is shipped by a common carrier that is not affiliated with the vendor; and (g) is subject to documents of title evidencing ownership thereof over which the Administrative Agent has control (such as, if requested by the Administrative Agent, by the delivery of a Customs Broker/Carrier Agreement).

Eligible Inventory ” means (1) Eligible Letter of Credit Inventory and Eligible In-Transit Inventory and (2) items of Inventory of the Loan Parties subject to the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent held for sale in the ordinary course of the business of the Loan Parties (but not including packaging or shipping materials or maintenance supplies) that, unless otherwise approved by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, meet all of the following requirements:

(a) such Inventory is owned by a Loan Party and is subject to a perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and not subject to any other Lien other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02, and such Liens do not have priority over the Lien of the Administrative Agent and are junior to the Lien of the Administrative Agent (other than an inchoate or other Liens (including tax Liens) arising by operation of law so long as either (A) the Administrative Agent has established a Reserve in respect thereof in its Permitted Discretion or (B) the relevant Loan Party has provided a Collateral Access Agreement pursuant to clause (g) or (h) below);

(b) such Inventory consists of finished goods and does not consist of raw materials, work in progress, supplies, live animals or consigned goods; provided that raw materials or work-in-progress shall not be deemed ineligible under this clause (b) to the extent the most recent inventory appraisal delivered to the Administrative Agent ascribes a value thereto;

(c) such Inventory is in good condition and meets in all material respects all material standards applicable to such goods, their use or sale imposed by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such matters;

(d) such Inventory is currently either usable or saleable, at prices approximating at least the Cost thereof, in the normal course of the Loan Party’s business;

(e) such Inventory is not slow-moving, perishable, obsolete or unmerchantable, and does not constitute returned or repossessed goods; provided that slow-moving or obsolete inventory shall not be deemed ineligible under this clause (e) to the extent the most recent inventory appraisal delivered to the Administrative Agent ascribes a value to such slow-moving or obsolete inventory;

(f) such Inventory (other than any Eligible Letter of Credit Inventory and Eligible In-Transit Inventory) is either (x) located within the United States at one of the Permitted Inventory Locations; provided that such Inventory at any Permitted Inventory Location is in excess of $100,000 or (y) is in transit within the United States;

(g) such Inventory is not located on leased premises or in the possession of a vendor, warehouseman, processor, repairman, mechanic, shipper, freight forwarder or other Person, unless (i) the lessor or such Person has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement or (ii) an appropriate Rent Reserve with respect to such location has been established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion;

 

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(h) such Inventory is not subject to any warehouse receipt or negotiable Document unless in the possession of the Administrative Agent, and if such Inventory is located in any third party warehouse or is in the possession of a bailee and is not evidenced by a Document, (i) such warehouseman or bailee has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require or (ii) an appropriate Rent Reserve has been established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion;

(i) such Inventory is not subject to any Royalty or other similar arrangement that restricts such Loan Party’s or Administrative Agent’s right to dispose of such Inventory, unless (i) the Administrative Agent (A) has received a Collateral Access Agreement or (B) is otherwise satisfied that it could sell such Inventory on favorable terms following an Event of Default or (ii) an appropriate Royalty Reserve has been established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion.

With respect to any Inventory that was acquired or originated by any Person acquired after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts, at the expense of the Loan Parties, to complete diligence in respect of such Person and such Inventory, within a reasonable time following request of the Borrower.

Eligible Letter of Credit Inventory ” means as of the date of determination thereof, without duplication of other Eligible Inventory, Inventory, (a) the purchase of which is supported by a Commercial Letter of Credit having an expiry within one hundred twenty (120) days of such date of determination, which Commercial Letter of Credit provides for documentary requirements to include a document of title showing the applicable Loan Party as consignee (except as otherwise reasonably agreed by the Administrative Agent) and, beginning with the 181st day after the Effective Date, as to which the Administrative Agent has control over the documents of title, to the extent applicable, which evidence ownership of the subject Inventory, and (b) which otherwise would constitute Eligible Inventory under clause (2) thereof.

Eligible Receivable ” means the unpaid portion of a Receivable payable in a Permitted Currency to a Loan Party subject to the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, which Receivable, unless otherwise approved by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, meets all of the following requirements:

(a) such Receivable is owned by a Loan Party and represents a complete bona fide transaction which requires no further act under any circumstances on the part of a Loan Party to make such Receivable payable by the Account Debtor and, for the avoidance of doubt, in the case of a Receivable related to goods shipped where title to such goods passes to the customer upon receipt of the goods, such transaction shall not be deemed a bona fide transaction requiring no further act until such goods have been received by the customer;

(b) such Receivable is not past due more than 90 days after its due date or later than 120 days after the invoice date; provided that in calculating delinquent portions of Receivables, credit balances which are unapplied for more than 90 days shall not reduce the past due portion of the Receivables balance;

(c) such Receivable does not arise out of any transaction with any Loan Party, Excluded Subsidiary, or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing, other than Receivables arising out of transactions with domestic Affiliates of the Sponsor (other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof), which Receivables (i) arise from arms-length transactions entered to in the ordinary course of business upon standard market terms and (ii) would otherwise be Eligible Receivables hereunder;

 

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(d) such Receivable is not owing by an Account Debtor from which an aggregate amount of more than 50% of the Receivables owing therefrom are (i) based on the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate, not Eligible Receivables pursuant to clause (b) above or (ii) based on the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate, past due more than 90 days after their applicable due date or later than 120 days after their applicable invoice date;

(e) such Receivables are due within no more than 360 days after the invoice date; provided that such Receivables due more than 90 days after the invoice date may be included as part of the Borrowing Base in an aggregate amount not to exceed $20,000,000; and provided further , that only 70% of the value of such Receivables shall be included in the Borrowing Base;

(f) if the Account Debtor with respect thereto is located outside of the United States, the goods which gave rise to such Receivable were shipped after receipt by the applicable Loan Party from the Account Debtor of an irrevocable letter of credit that has been confirmed by a financial institution reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and on terms, reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, payable in the full face amount of the face value of the Receivable in a Permitted Currency at a place of payment located within the United States and has been duly assigned to the Administrative Agent;

(g) the Account Debtor with respect to such Receivable is not a Sanctioned Person or Sanctioned Entity;

(h) such Receivable is not a billing for interest, fees or late charges;

(i) such Receivable (i) is a valid, legally enforceable obligation of the Account Debtor with respect thereto and (ii) is not disputed, is not subject to a claim, counterclaim, discount, deduction, reserve, allowance for rebate, other allowance recoupment, offset (including potential offsets associated with core deposits) or chargeback that has been asserted with respect thereto by the applicable Account Debtor (any such item, a “ Contra Account ”) (but only to the extent of such Contra Account (with such Contra Account being valued at the lesser of (x) such Receivable and (y) such asserted claim, counterclaim, discount, deduction, reserve, allowance for rebate, other allowance recoupment, offset or chargeback), and is not subject to offset or reduction based upon cash received by such Loan Party but not yet applied against such Receivable;

(j) such Receivable is not owed by an Account Debtor that is subject to a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or that is liquidating, dissolving or winding up its affairs;

(k) the goods the sale of which gave rise to such Receivable were shipped or delivered to the Account Debtor on an absolute sale basis and not on a bill and hold sale basis, a consignment sale basis, a guaranteed sale basis, a sale or return basis or on the basis of any other similar understanding, and such goods have not been returned or rejected;

(l) such Receivable is not owing by an Account Debtor whose then-existing Receivables owing to the Loan Parties, based on the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate, exceed 20% of the net amount of all Eligible Receivables, but such Receivable shall be ineligible only to the extent of such excess;

(m) such Receivable is evidenced by a customary invoice or other customary documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion;

(n) such Receivable is not evidenced by Chattel Paper or an Instrument of any kind;

 

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(o) such Receivable is capable of being secured in favor of the Administrative Agent and is subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(p) such Receivable has not been pledged to the lenders or any other credit providers under, and is not included in the calculation of availability under, any other receivables facility, whether or not a Permitted Receivables Financing;

(q) such Receivable is not due to a Loan Party from VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, Carte Blanche and DiscoverCard (or any other credit card processor); and

(r) such Receivable is not subject to any Lien other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02 and such Liens do not have priority over the Lien of the Administrative Agent and are junior to the Lien of the Administrative Agent (other than inchoate or other Liens (including tax Liens) arising by operation of law so long as the Administrative Agent has established a Reserve in respect thereof in its Permitted Discretion).

With respect to any Receivables that were acquired or originated by any Person acquired by the Borrower after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts, at the expense of the Loan Parties, to complete diligence in respect of such Person and such Receivables, within a reasonable time following request of the Borrower. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, warehouse acceptance deferrals, re-bills, unapplied cash and customer deposits, in each case, of any Loan Party will be calculated and reflected in the Borrowing Base as of the end the last fiscal month of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower and, with respect to each fiscal month thereafter until the next such quarterly calculation, the Borrowing Base shall be updated to reflect an equivalent percentage of the aggregate Value of Receivables for each such item for such fiscal month based on the aggregate Value of Receivables reflected in the calculation for such prior fiscal quarter end.

EMU Legislation ” means the legislative measures of the European Council for the introduction of, changeover to or operation of a single or unified European currency.

Environmental Laws ” means applicable common law, codes, ordinances and judgments and other applicable Requirements of Law, and all applicable injunctions or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Authority, in each instance relating to the protection of the environment, including with respect to the preservation or reclamation of natural resources or the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material, or to the extent relating to exposure to Hazardous Materials, the protection of human health or safety.

Environmental Liability ” means any liability, obligation, loss, claim, action, order or cost, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of medical monitoring, costs of environmental remediation or restoration, administrative oversight costs, consultants’ fees, fines, penalties and indemnities), of or relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law or permit, license or approval issued thereunder, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

Equity Interests ” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person.

 

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ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

ERISA Affiliate ” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with any Loan Party, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

ERISA Event ” means (a) any “reportable event,” as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30 day notice period is waived); (b) any failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 or Section 430 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at-risk” status (as defined in Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA or Section 430(i)(4) of the Code); (e) the incurrence by a Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (f) the receipt by a Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (g) the incurrence by a Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan (including any liability under Section 4062(e) of ERISA) or Multiemployer Plan; or (h) the receipt by a Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from a Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA or in endangered or critical status, within the meaning of Section 305 of ERISA.

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule ” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

Euro ” means the single currency of the European Union as constituted by the Treaty on European Union and as referred to in the EMU Legislation.

Eurocurrency ” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the LIBO Rate.

Event of Default ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.

Excess Availability ” means, at any time, an amount equal to (a) the Maximum Borrowing Amount of the Facility at such time, minus (b) the aggregate Revolving Exposures under the Facility (including the LC Exposure) of all Revolving Lenders under the Facility at such time.

Exchange Act ” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

Exchange Rate ” means for a currency means the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two Business Days prior to the date of such determination; provided that the Administrative Agent may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Administrative Agent if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency.

 

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Excluded Account ” has the meaning given such term in Section 5.17(d).

Excluded Assets ” means (a) any fee-owned real property, (b) all leasehold interests in real property, (c) any governmental licenses or state or local franchises, charters or authorizations, to the extent a security interest in any such license, franchise, charter or authorization would be prohibited or restricted thereby (including any legally effective prohibition or restriction, but excluding any prohibition or restriction that is ineffective under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar applicable law of any applicable jurisdiction), (d) any asset if, to the extent that and for so long as the grant of a Lien thereon to secure the Secured Obligations is prohibited by any Requirements of Law (other than to the extent that any such prohibition would be rendered ineffective pursuant to any other applicable Requirements of Law) or would require consent or approval of any Governmental Authority, (e) margin stock and, to the extent prohibited by, or creating an enforceable right of termination in favor of any other party thereto under (other than any Loan Party) the terms of any applicable Organizational Documents, joint venture agreement or shareholders’ agreement, Equity Interests in any Person other than wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiaries, (f) assets to the extent a security interest in such assets would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower or one of its subsidiaries as reasonably determined by the Borrower in consultation with the Administrative Agent, (g) any intent-to-use trademark application prior to the filing of a “Statement of Use” or “Amendment to Allege Use” with respect thereto, (h) any lease, license or other agreement or any property subject thereto (including pursuant to a purchase money security interest or similar arrangement) to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license or agreement or purchase money arrangement or create a breach, default or right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than any Loan Party) after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code or similar applicable law of any applicable jurisdiction, other than proceeds and receivables thereof, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar applicable law of any applicable jurisdiction notwithstanding such prohibition, (i) solely with respect to Security Documents, in excess of 65% of the voting Equity Interests of (A) any Foreign Subsidiary or (B) any FSHCO, (j) receivables, and related assets (or interests therein) (A) sold to any Receivables Subsidiary or (B) otherwise pledged, factored, transferred or sold in connection with any Permitted Receivables Financing, (k) commercial tort claims and letter-of-credit rights, in each case with a value of less than $5,000,000 (except to the extent a security interest therein can be perfected by a UCC or similar filing in the applicable jurisdiction), (l) Vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title, (m) any aircraft, airframes, aircraft engines or helicopters, or any Equipment or other assets constituting a part thereof and (n) any and all assets and personal property owned by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party.

Excluded Subsidiary ” means (a) any Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Borrower, (b) each Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.01(a) , (c) each Unrestricted Subsidiary, (d) each Immaterial Subsidiary, (e) any Subsidiary that is prohibited by (i) applicable Requirements of Law or (ii) any contractual obligation existing on the Effective Date or on the date any such Subsidiary is acquired (so long in respect of any such contractual prohibition such prohibition is not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition), in each case from guaranteeing the Secured Obligations (but only for so long as such restriction is continuing) or which would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to provide a Guarantee under the Guarantee Agreement, or for which the provision of a Guarantee under the Guarantee Agreement would result in a material adverse tax consequence (including as a result of the operation of Section 956 of the Code or any similar law or regulation in any applicable jurisdiction) to the Borrower or one of its subsidiaries (as reasonably determined by the Borrower in consultation with the Administrative Agent), (f) any Foreign Subsidiary, (g) any direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary of a direct or indirect Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrower

 

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that is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code, (h) any FSHCO, (i) any other Subsidiary excused from becoming a Loan Party pursuant to clause (a) of the last paragraph of the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement,” (j) each Receivables Subsidiary and (k) any not-for-profit Subsidiaries, captive insurance companies or other special purpose subsidiaries designated by the Borrower from time to time.

Excluded Swap Obligation ” means, with respect to any Guarantor, (a) any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, as applicable, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (determined after giving effect to any applicable keep well, support, or other agreement for the benefit of such Guarantor and any and all Guarantees of such Guarantor’s Swap Obligations by other Loan Parties) at the time the Guarantee of such Guarantor, or a grant by such Guarantor of a security interest, becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or (b) any other Swap Obligation designated as an “Excluded Swap Obligation” of such Guarantor as specified in any agreement between the relevant Loan Parties and counterparty applicable to such Swap Obligations. If a Swap Obligation arises under a Master Agreement governing more than one Swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to Swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes excluded in accordance with the first sentence of this definition.

Excluded Taxes ” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (a) Taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income or profits (however denominated), branch profits Taxes and franchise Taxes, in each case imposed by (i) a jurisdiction as a result of such recipient being organized or having its principal office located in that jurisdiction or, in the case of any Lender, having its applicable lending office located in the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) any jurisdiction as a result of a present or former connection between such recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than a connection arising solely from such recipient having executed, delivered, or become a party to, performed its obligations or received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, sold or assigned of an interest in, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced, any Loan Documents), (b) any withholding Tax that is attributable to a Lender’s failure to comply with Section 2.15(e) or Agent’s failure to comply with Section 2.15(f), (c) except in the case of an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 2.17, any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed due to a Requirement of Law in effect at the time a Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new lending office), except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, immediately prior to the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts with respect to such withholding Tax under Section 2.15(a)and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed pursuant to FATCA.

Existing Letter of Credit ” means any letter of credit or bank guarantee previously issued for the account of the Borrower or any other Loan Party or Subsidiary by a Lender or an Affiliate or branch of a Lender that is (a) outstanding on the Effective Date and (b) listed on Schedule 1.01(b) .

Facility ” means, collectively, the Commitment and the extensions of credit made thereunder.

Fair Market Value ” means with respect to any asset or group of assets on any date of determination, the value of the consideration obtainable in a sale of such asset at such date of determination assuming a sale by a willing seller to a willing purchaser dealing at arm’s length and arranged in an orderly manner over a reasonable period of time having regard to the nature and characteristics of such asset. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, such value shall be determined in good faith by the Borrower.

 

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Fair Value ” means the amount at which the assets (both tangible and intangible), in their entirety, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, within a commercially reasonable period of time, each having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts, with neither being under any compulsion to act.

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as in effect on the date hereof (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to current Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any law, regulation, rule, promulgation or official agreement implementing an official governmental agreement or intergovernmental agreement with respect to the foregoing.

FCPA ” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal to, for each day during such period, the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it (and, if any such rate is below zero, then the rate determined pursuant to this definition shall be deemed to be zero).

FILO Tranche ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18(d).

Financed Capital Expenditures ” means, with respect to any Person and for any period, Capital Expenditures made by such Person during such period that are financed with the proceeds of Indebtedness (other than Revolving Loans) or Net Proceeds of any Disposition of assets, any Casualty Event, any incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness or any issuance of Equity Interests.

Financial Officer ” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower.

First Lien Leverage Ratio ” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated First Lien Debt as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the Test Period as of such date.

Fixed Amounts ” has the meaning specified in Section 1.08(f).

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means the ratio of (a) (1) Consolidated EBITDA minus (2) taxes based on income, profits or capital, including federal, foreign, state, franchise, excise and similar taxes (including in respect of repatriated funds), net of cash refunds received, of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries paid in cash during such Test Period minus (3) Capital Expenditures paid in cash during the applicable Test Period (other than Financed Capital Expenditures) to (b) (1) Consolidated Interest Expense plus (2) the aggregate amount of scheduled principal payments in respect of long term Consolidated Total Debt of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries made during such period (other than payments made by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary), all calculated for such period for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis plus (3) the amount of distributions made pursuant to Section 6.08(a)(xiv) paid in cash during the applicable Test Period.

 

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Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is not incorporated or organized under the laws of a State within the United States of America or the District of Columbia.

FSHCO ” means any direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower that has no material assets other than Equity Interests in one or more direct or indirect Foreign Subsidiaries that are “controlled foreign corporations” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as in effect from time to time; provided , however , that if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Effective Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, (a) all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under FASB Accounting Standards Codification 825-Financial Instruments, or any successor thereto (including pursuant to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification), to value any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any subsidiary at “fair value,” as defined therein and (b) the amount of any Indebtedness under GAAP with respect to Capital Lease Obligations shall be determined in accordance with the definition of Capital Lease Obligations.

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America and any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state, provincial, territorial, municipal or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Granting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(e).

Guarantee ” of or by any Person (the “ guarantor ”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Effective Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to

 

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the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

Guarantee Agreement ” means that certain Guarantee Agreement, entered into by each Loan Party, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto.

Guarantors ” means (i) each Loan Party other than the Borrower and (ii) with respect to the Secured Obligations of any Loan Party (other than the Borrower), the Borrower.

Hazardous Materials ” means all explosive, radioactive, hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum by-products or distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated as hazardous or toxic, or any other term of similar import, pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Hedge Termination Value ” means, in respect of any one or more Secured Swap Obligations, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Secured Swap Obligations, (a) for any date on or after the date such Secured Swap Obligations have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) or maximum peak exposure value for such Secured Swap Obligations, as determined based upon customary industry practices.

IFRS ” means international accounting standards as promulgated by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Immaterial Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is not a Material Subsidiary.

Immediate Family Members ” means with respect to any individual, such individual’s child, stepchild, grandchild or more remote descendant, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, qualified domestic partner, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law and daughter-in-law (including adoptive relationships) and any trust, partnership or other bona fide estate-planning vehicle the only beneficiaries of which are any of the foregoing individuals or any private foundation or fund that is controlled by any of the foregoing individuals or any donor-advised fund of which any such individual is the donor.

Impacted Loans ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(a)(ii).

Implementation Date ” means the earlier to occur of (a) the first date on which each of the policies and procedures designed to promote compliance by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates with all Sanctions, Anti-Corruption Laws and AML Legislation referenced in Section 3.18(e) have been implemented (as determined by the Borrower in its reasonable discretion) and (b) the date that is 120 days following the Closing Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent reasonably agrees to in writing).

Incremental Commitment ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18(a).

Incremental Facility Amendment ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18(b)(ii).

 

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Incurrence-Based Amounts ” has the meaning specified in Section 1.08(f)

Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and any earn-out obligation until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and if not paid within 60 days after being due and payable), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (f) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), (g) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty and (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances; provided that the term “Indebtedness” shall not include (i) deferred or prepaid revenue, (ii) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the seller, (iii) any obligations attributable to the exercise of appraisal rights and the settlement of any claims or actions (whether actual, contingent or potential) with respect thereto, (iv) Indebtedness of any Parent Entity appearing on the balance sheet of the Borrower solely by reason of push down accounting under GAAP, (v) accrued expenses and royalties and (vi) asset retirement obligations and obligations in respect of reclamation and workers’ compensation (including pensions and retiree medical care) that are not overdue by more than 60 days. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (e) above shall (unless such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person) be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (A) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (B) the Fair Market Value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith. For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall exclude intercompany liabilities arising from their cash management, tax, and accounting operations and intercompany loans, advances or Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any rollover or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business.

Indemnified Taxes ” means all Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document.

Indemnitee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(b).

Individual LC Sublimit ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LC Sublimit”.

Information ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.12(a).

Information Certificate ” means an information certificate in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent delivered to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Effective Date.

Insignificant Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Borrower other than any such subsidiary that is a “significant subsidiary” of the Borrower within the meaning of Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in each case determined as of the date of the most recent financial statements of the Borrower delivered pursuant to Section 4.01(h).

 

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Intellectual Property ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the applicable Security Documents.

Interest Coverage Ratio ” means, as of any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA to (b) Consolidated Interest Expense, in each case for the Test Period as of such date.

Interest Election Request ” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.05.

Interest Payment Date ” means, subject to Section 2.10(c), (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the first day of each calendar month of January, April, July and October and the Maturity Date and (b) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and the Maturity Date and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three calendar months’ duration, each day immediately following the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three calendar months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period.

Interest Period ” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six calendar months thereafter (or, in the case of Eurocurrency Borrowings only, if agreed to by each Lender participating therein, twelve calendar months or such other period of less than one month as the Borrower may elect; provided that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (b) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period and (c) that in the event the Borrower elects an Interest Period of less than one month the interest rate in respect of the applicable Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be determined through the use of straight-line interpolation by reference to two such rates, one of which shall be determined as if the length of the period of such deposits were the period of time for which the rate for such deposits are available is the period next shorter than the length of such Interest Period and the other of which shall be determined as if the period of time for which the rate for such deposits are available is the period next longer than the length of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

Investment ” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests or Indebtedness or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of Indebtedness of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other Indebtedness or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person (excluding, in the case of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, intercompany loans, advances, or Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any rollover or extensions of terms and made in the ordinary course of business) or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of another Person or assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of such Person. The amount, as of any date of determination, of (i) any Investment in the form of a loan or an advance shall be the principal amount

 

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thereof outstanding on such date, minus any cash payments actually received by the applicable investor representing interest in respect of such Investment (to the extent any such payment to be deducted does not exceed the remaining principal amount of such Investment and without duplication of amounts increasing the Available Equity Amount), but without any adjustment for write-downs or write-offs (including as a result of forgiveness of any portion thereof) with respect to such loan or advance after the date thereof, (ii) any Investment in the form of a Guarantee shall be equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof, as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer, (iii) any Investment in the form of a transfer of Equity Interests or other non-cash property by the investor to the investee, including any such transfer in the form of a capital contribution, shall be the Fair Market Value of such Equity Interests or other property as of the time of the transfer, minus any payments actually received by the applicable investor representing a return of capital of, or dividends or other distributions in respect of, such Investment (to the extent such payments do not exceed, in the aggregate, the original amount of such Investment and without duplication of amounts increasing the Available Equity Amount), but without any other adjustment for increases or decreases in value of, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to, such Investment after the date of such Investment, and (iv) any Investment (other than any Investment referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above) by the specified Person in the form of a purchase or other acquisition for value of any Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities of any other Person shall be the original cost of such Investment (including any Indebtedness assumed in connection therewith), plus (A) the cost of all additions thereto and minus (B) the amount of any portion of such Investment that has been repaid to the investor in cash as a repayment of principal or a return of capital, and of any cash payments actually received by such investor representing interest, dividends or other distributions in respect of such Investment (to the extent the amounts referred to in clause (B) do not, in the aggregate, exceed the original cost of such Investment plus the costs of additions thereto and without duplication of amounts increasing the Available Equity Amount), but without any other adjustment for increases or decreases in value of, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to, such Investment after the date of such Investment. For purposes of Section 6.04, if an Investment involves the acquisition of more than one Person, the amount of such Investment shall be allocated among the acquired Persons in accordance with GAAP; provided that pending the final determination of the amounts to be so allocated in accordance with GAAP, such allocation shall be as reasonably determined by a Financial Officer.

Investor ” means a holder of Equity Interests in the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) on the Effective Date.

IPO ” means the initial underwritten public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) of common Equity Interests in the Borrower.

IPO Separation Agreements ” means (a) that certain master procurement agreement, dated as of May 31, 2019, among the Borrower and the China Joint Business Arrangement between PetSmart International Holdings I LLC and PetSmart International Holdings II LLC, (b) that certain master transaction agreement, dated as of June 1, 2019, among the Borrower and PetSmart, Inc., (c) that certain tax matters agreement, dated as of June 13, 2019, among the Borrower, PetSmart, Inc. and Argos Intermediate Holdco I Inc., (d) that certain master purchase agreement, dated as of February 7, 2019 (as amended by that certain amendment to master purchase agreement, effective as of May 15, 2019) among the Borrower and PetSmart Home Office, Inc., (e) that certain intercompany services agreement, dated as of July 2, 2018, among the Borrower and Chewy Pharmacy KY, LLC, (f) that certain investor rights agreement, dated as of June 13, 2019, among Chewy, Inc. and the other signatories thereto, (g) that certain stockholders agreement of Chewy Inc., dated as of April 17, 2019.

 

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ISP ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the International Standby Practices 1998 (International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590) and any version or revision thereof accepted by any Issuing Bank for use.

Issuer Document ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, a letter of credit application, a letter of credit agreement, or any other document, agreement or instrument entered into (or to be entered into) by a Borrower in favor of Issuing Bank and relating to such Letter of Credit.

Issuing Bank ” means each of Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and any other Revolving Lender which after notice to the Administrative Agent agrees to become an Issuing Bank and, solely with respect to any Existing Letter of Credit (and any amendment, renewal or extension thereof in accordance with this Agreement), the Lender or Affiliate of a Lender that issued such Existing Letter of Credit. Each Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.

Joint Bookrunners ” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Judgment Currency ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.14(b).

Junior Financing ” means any Indebtedness (other than any permitted intercompany Indebtedness owing to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) that is Subordinated Indebtedness.

Latest Maturity Date ” means, at any date of determination, the latest maturity or expiration date applicable to any Loan or Commitment hereunder at such time, in each case as extended in accordance with this Agreement from time to time.

LC Collateral Account ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.24(i).

LC Disbursement ” means a payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a drawing on a Letter of Credit.

LC Exposure ” means, at any time of determination, the sum (without duplication) of the Dollar Equivalent of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party at such time, less (c) the amount then on deposit in the LC Collateral Account. The LC Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Pro Rata Share of the total LC Exposure at such time.

LC Sublimit ” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $50,000,000 and (b) the Total Revolving Commitments; provided that, with respect to each Person acting as an Issuing Bank as of the Effective Date, there shall be an individual LC Sublimit (the “ Individual LC Sublimit ”) equal to the greater of (x) $25,000,000 and (y) the face amount of all Existing Letters of Credit (including extensions and renewals thereof but without giving effect to any increase in the face amount thereof) issued by such Issuing Bank (if any). The LC Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Commitments.

LCA Election ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.08. “ LCA Test Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.08.

 

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Lead Arrangers ” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Lenders ” means, individually and collectively as the context may require, the Revolving Lenders. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lenders and the Issuing Banks.

Letter of Credit ” means any letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to this Agreement other than any such letter of credit or bank guarantee that shall have ceased to be a “Letter of Credit” outstanding hereunder pursuant to Section 9.05. Letters of Credit under the Facility may be issued in any Permitted Currency under the Facility.

Liabilities ” means the recorded liabilities (including contingent liabilities that would be recorded in accordance with GAAP) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, as of the Effective Date after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions, determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

LIBO Rate ” means, for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“ LIBOR ”) or a comparable or successor rate, which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent, as published by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or such other commercially available source providing quotations of LIBOR as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) as of 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for a term, and in an amount, comparable to the Interest Period and the amount of the Eurocurrency Borrowing requested (whether as an initial Eurocurrency Borrowing or as a continuation of a Eurocurrency Borrowing or as a conversion of an ABR Borrowing to a Eurocurrency Borrowing) by the Borrower.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if at any time the rate determined pursuant to this definition is less than zero, then such rate shall be deemed to be zero. Each determination of the LIBO Rate shall be made by the Administrative Agent and shall be presumed to be correct in the absence of objective evidence to the contrary.

LIBOR ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LIBO Rate.”

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.

Limited Condition Acquisition ” shall mean any Acquisition Transaction the consummation of which is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing.

Loan Document Obligations ” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the principal of and interest at the applicable rate or rates provided in this Agreement (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, examination or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise and (ii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, including obligations to pay LC Disbursements, fees, expense reimbursement obligations and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or

 

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otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, arrangement, administration, examination or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), (b) the due and punctual payment and performance of all other obligations of the Borrower under or pursuant to each of the Loan Documents and (c) the due and punctual payment and performance of all the obligations of each other Loan Party under or pursuant to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents (including interest and monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, arrangement, administration, examination or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding).

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, any Incremental Facility Amendment, any Loan Modification Agreement, the Guarantee Agreement the Security Documents, the ABL Intercreditor Agreement (if executed) and, except for purposes of Section 9.02, any promissory notes delivered pursuant to Section 2.07(g).

Loan Modification Agreement ” means a Loan Modification Agreement, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and one or more Accepting Lenders, effecting one or more Permitted Amendments and such other amendments hereto and to the other Loan Documents as are contemplated by Section 2.22.

Loan Modification Offer ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.22(a).

Loan Parties ” means the Borrower and the Subsidiary Loan Parties.

Loans ” means the loans and advances made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, including Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and Protective Advances.

Local Time ” means local time in New York, New York, with respect to the times for the receipt and sending of notices by and to, and the disbursement by or payment to, the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank, (b) local time in London, England, with respect to the times for the determination of “LIBO Rate”; (c) local time at the place of determination, if such local time as of such place for determination is specified herein; and (d) in all other circumstances, New York, New York time.

Management Investors ” means the directors and officers and employees of the Borrower and/or any of its subsidiaries who are (directly or indirectly through one or more investment vehicles) Investors.

Master Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Swap Agreement.”

Material Adverse Effect ” means any event, circumstance or condition that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a materially adverse effect on (a) the business or financial condition of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower and the Guarantors, taken as a whole, to perform their payment obligations under the Loan Documents or (c) the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the Loan Documents.

Material Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness (other than the Loan Document Obligations), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $33,000,000; provided that in no event shall any Permitted Receivables Financing be considered Material Indebtedness for any purpose. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

 

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Material Subsidiary ” means (a) each wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiary that, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended for which financial statements are available, had revenues or total assets for such quarter in excess of 2.5% of the consolidated revenues or total assets, as applicable, of the Borrower for such quarter or that is designated by the Borrower as a Material Subsidiary and (b) any group comprising wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiaries that each would not have been a Material Subsidiary under clause (a) but that, taken together, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended for which financial statements are available, had revenues or total assets for such quarter in excess of 10.0% of the consolidated revenues or total assets, as applicable, of the Borrower for such quarter; provided that solely for purposes of Section 7.01(h) and 7.01(i) each such Restricted Subsidiary forming part of such group is subject to an Event of Default under one or more of such Sections.

Maturity Date ” means (a) with respect to the initial Commitments hereunder, the date that is five years after the Effective Date and (b) with respect to any Incremental Commitments, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Incremental Facility Amendment; provided , in each case, that if such day is not a Business Day, the applicable Maturity Date shall be the Business Day immediately preceding such day.

Maximum Borrowing Amount ” means the lesser of (a) the aggregate Revolving Commitments at such time and (b) the Borrowing Base, in each case as determined for the Facility at any time.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

Multiemployer Plan ” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

Net Orderly Liquidation Value ” means, with respect to Inventory of any Loan Party, the orderly liquidation value thereof, net of all costs of liquidation thereof, as based upon the most recent Inventory appraisal conducted in accordance with this Agreement and expressed as a percentage of Cost of such Inventory.

Net Proceeds ” means, with respect to any event, (a) the proceeds received in respect of such event in cash or Permitted Investments, including (i) any cash or Permitted Investments received in respect of any non-cash proceeds, including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment or earn-out (but excluding any interest payments), but only as and when received, (ii) in the case of a casualty, insurance proceeds that are actually received, and (iii) in the case of a condemnation or similar event, condemnation awards and similar payments that are actually received, minus (b) the sum of (i) all fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such event (including attorney’s fees, investment banking fees, survey costs, title insurance premiums, and related search and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes, underwriting discounts and commissions, other customary expenses and brokerage, consultant, accountant and other customary fees), (ii) in the case of a Disposition of an asset (including pursuant to a Sale Leaseback or Casualty Event or similar proceeding), (x) the amount of all payments that are permitted hereunder and are made by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such event to repay Indebtedness (other than the Loans) secured by such asset or otherwise subject to mandatory prepayment as a result of such event, (y) the pro rata portion of net cash proceeds thereof (calculated without regard to this clause (y)) attributable to minority interests and not available for distribution to or for the account of the Borrower and the

 

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Restricted Subsidiaries as a result thereof and (z) the amount of any liabilities directly associated with such asset and retained by the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries and (iii) the amount of all Taxes paid (or reasonably estimated to be payable), and the amount of any reserves established by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries to fund contingent liabilities reasonably estimated to be payable, that are directly attributable to such event, provided that any reduction at any time in the amount of any such reserves (other than as a result of payments made in respect thereof) shall be deemed to constitute the receipt by the Borrower at such time of Net Proceeds in the amount of such reduction.

New Project ” shall mean (a) each facility or store which is either a new facility, store, branch or office or an expansion, relocation, remodeling or substantial modernization of an existing facility, store, branch or office owned by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries which in fact commences operations and (b) each creation (in one or a series of related transactions) of a business unit to the extent such business unit commences operations or each expansion (in one or a series of related transactions) of business into a new market.

Non-Accepting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.22(c).

Non-Cash Compensation Expense ” means any non-cash expenses and costs that result from the issuance of stock-based awards, partnership interest-based awards and similar incentive based compensation awards or arrangements.

Non-Consenting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(c).

Not Otherwise Applied ” means the Available Equity Amount that was not previously applied pursuant to Section 6.04(o) or 6.08(b)(iv).

Noticed Cash Management Obligations ” means any Secured Cash Management Obligations with respect to which the Borrower and the Secured Party with respect thereto have notified the Administrative Agent of the intent to include such Secured Cash Management Obligations as Noticed Cash Management Obligations hereunder (so long as such designation, and the resulting Secured Cash Management Reserves at the time of designation, would not result in an Overadvance) and with respect to which a Secured Cash Management Reserve has subsequently been established in the amount set forth in such notice; provided that such designation shall be made within ten (10) Business Days of (i) the Effective Date if such Cash Management Services are in place on the Effective Date or (ii) the date such Cash Management Services are commenced if not in place on the Effective Date.

Noticed Hedge ” means any Secured Swap Obligations arising under a Swap Agreement with respect to which the Borrower and the Secured Party thereof have notified the Administrative Agent of the intent to include such Secured Swap Obligations as a Noticed Hedge hereunder (so long as such designation, and the resulting Secured Hedge Reserves at the time of designation, would not result in an Overadvance) and with respect to which a Secured Hedge Reserve has subsequently been established in the amount set forth in such notice; provided that such designation shall be made within ten (10) Business Days of (i) the Effective Date if such Swap Agreement is in place on the Effective Date or (ii) the date such Swap Agreement is entered into if such Swap Agreement is not in place on the Effective Date.

OFAC ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.18.

Organizational Documents ” means (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents

 

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with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); and (c) with respect to any unlimited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation, organization or incorporation and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation, organization or incorporation (as applicable) with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation, organization or incorporation (as applicable) and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

Other Taxes ” means all present or future recording, stamp, court or documentary, intangible, filing or similar Taxes arising from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment.

Overadvance ” means at any time the amount by which the aggregate outstanding Revolving Exposure exceeds the Borrowing Base.

Overadvance Condition ” means and is deemed to exist any time the aggregate outstanding Revolving Exposure exceeds the Borrowing Base.

Overadvance Loan ” means an Alternate Base Rate Revolving Loan made at a time an Overadvance Condition exists or which results in an Overadvance Condition.

Parent Entity ” means any Person that is a direct or indirect parent of the Borrower.

Participant ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c)(i).

Participant Register ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c)(iii).

Payment Account ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.17(c).

Payment Conditions ” means the following: (a) Pro Forma Compliance for the most recently ended Test Period with a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 1.0:1.0 and (b) the Borrower shall have pro forma Specified Excess Availability giving effect to such transaction as of the date of such transaction (and would have had pro forma Specified Excess Availability giving effect to such transaction for each day in the period of 30 days immediately preceding such action) in excess of the greater of 12.5% (or 15% in the case of Liens permitted by Section 6.02(xxv) and Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08(a)(xiv)) of the Total Maximum Borrowing Amount and $37,500,000 (or $45,000,000 in the case of Liens permitted by Section 6.02(xxv) and Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08(a)(xiv)); provided that the condition set forth in clause (a) shall not be applicable if the Borrower have pro forma Specified Excess Availability giving effect to such transaction as of the date of such transaction (and would have had pro forma Specified Excess Availability giving effect to such transaction for each day in the period of 30 days immediately preceding such action) in excess of the greater of 17.5% of the Total Maximum Borrowing Amount (or 20% in the case of Liens permitted by Section 6.02(xxv) and Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08(a)(xiv)) and $52,500,000 (or $60,000,000 in the case of Liens permitted by Section 6.02(xxv) and Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08(a)(xiv)).

Payment Intangible ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC.

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

 

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Permitted Acquisition ” means an Acquisition Transaction; provided that (a) in the case of any purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests in a Person, (i) such Person, upon the consummation of such purchase or acquisition, will be a Subsidiary (including as a result of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation between any Subsidiary and such Person), or (ii) such Person is merged into or consolidated or, amalgamated with a Subsidiary and such Subsidiary is the surviving or continuing entity of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, (b) the business of such Person, or such assets, as the case may be, constitute a business permitted by Section 5.15, (c) with respect to each such purchase or other acquisition, all actions required to be taken with respect to any such newly created or acquired Subsidiary (including each subsidiary thereof) or assets in order to satisfy the requirements set forth in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) of the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” to the extent applicable shall have been taken (or arrangements for the taking of such actions after the consummation of the Permitted Acquisition shall have been made that are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) (unless such newly created or acquired Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 5.14 or is otherwise an Excluded Subsidiary) and (d) after giving effect to any such purchase or other acquisition, (i) no Event of Default under clause (a), (b), (h) or (i) of Section 7.01 shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) if such Person is an Unrestricted Subsidiary or such assets are owned by an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the applicable Payment Conditions are satisfied.

Permitted Amendment ” means an amendment to this Agreement and, if applicable the other Loan Documents, effected in connection with a Loan Modification Offer pursuant to Section 2.22, providing for an extension of a maturity date applicable to all or any portion of the Loans and/or Commitments of the Accepting Lenders and, in connection therewith, (a) a change in the Applicable Rate with respect to the Loans and/or Commitments of the Accepting Lenders and/or (b) a change in the fees payable to, or the inclusion of new fees to be payable to, the Accepting Lenders and/or (c) additional covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date at the time of such Loan Modification Offer (it being understood that to the extent that any additional financial maintenance covenant is added for the benefit of any such Loans and/or Commitments, no consent shall be required by the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders if such additional financial maintenance covenant is either (i) also added for the benefit of any corresponding Loans remaining outstanding after the issuance or incurrence of such Loans and/or Commitments or (ii) only applicable after the Latest Maturity Date at the time of such Loan Modification Offer); provided that (A) the borrowing and repayment (other than in connection with a permanent repayment and termination of commitments) of the Loans made pursuant to the amended Commitments shall be made on a pro rata basis with any borrowings and repayments of any Loans and Commitments of the Class that is being amended and that remain outstanding after such amendment and (B) assignments and participations of the amended Commitments shall be governed by the assignment and participation provisions set forth in Section 9.04.

Permitted Cure Securities ” means any Equity Interest of the Borrower other than any Disqualified Equity Interests; provided that any such Equity Interests issued for purposes of exercising a Cure Right pursuant to Section 7.03 that are not common Equity Interests shall be on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Permitted Currency ” means each currency in which a Borrowing may be made under the Facility as well as Euros, Sterling, Swiss Francs, Canadian Dollars, Japanese Yen and Chinese Yuan.

Permitted Discretion ” means a determination made in good faith and in the exercise of reasonable (from the perspective of a secured asset-based lender) business judgment. Any Reserve established or modified by the Administrative Agent shall have a reasonable relationship to circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies which are the basis for such reserve, as reasonably determined, without duplication, by the Administrative Agent in good faith; provided that circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies known to the Administrative Agent as of the Effective Date shall not be the basis for any such establishment or modification after the Effective Date; provided , further , that notwithstanding the foregoing, solely with respect to Bank Product Reserves, “Permitted Discretion” as used herein shall mean the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent.

 

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Permitted Encumbrances ” means:

(a) Liens for taxes or other governmental charges that are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained in accordance with GAAP, in each case so long as such Liens do not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect;

(b) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or construction contractors’ Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business that secure amounts not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or, if more than 30 days overdue, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce such Liens or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP, in each case so long as such Liens do not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business (i) in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation and (ii) securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees or similar instruments for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or otherwise supporting the payment of items set forth in the foregoing clause (i);

(d) Liens incurred or deposits made to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, governmental contracts and leases, statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds, bankers’ acceptance facilities and other obligations of a like nature (including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations) and obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments that have been posted to support the same, incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices;

(e) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments, protrusions, municipal by-laws and regulations and other similar encumbrances and minor title defects affecting real property that, in the aggregate, do not in any case materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(f) Liens securing, or otherwise arising from, judgments not constituting an Event of Default under Section 7.01(j);

(g) Liens on goods the purchase price of which is financed by a documentary letter of credit issued for the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Liens on bills of lading, drafts or other documents of title arising by operation of law or pursuant to the standard terms of agreements relating to letters of credit, bank guarantees and other similar instruments, provided that such Lien secures only the obligations of the Borrower or such subsidiaries in respect of such letter of credit to the extent such obligations are permitted by Section 6.01;

(h) rights of set-off, banker’s lien, netting agreements and other Liens (i) arising by operation of law or by of the terms of documents of banks or other financial institutions in relation to the maintenance of administration of deposit accounts, securities accounts, cash management arrangements or (ii) in connection with the issuance of letters of credit, bank guarantees or other similar instruments;

 

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(i) Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statements or any similar filings made in respect of operating leases entered into by the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries;

(j) [reserved];

(k) Liens given to a public utility or any municipality or governmental or other public authority when required by such utility or other authority in connection with the operation of the business or ownership of the assets of the Person; provided that such Liens do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(l) servicing agreements, development agreements, site plan agreements, subdivision agreements and other agreements with Governmental Authorities pertaining to the use or development of any of the assets of the Person, provided that the same do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and

(m) the right reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority by any statutory provision or by the terms of any lease, license, franchise, grant or permit of the Person, to terminate any such lease, license, franchise, grant or permit, or to require annual or other payments as a condition to the continuance thereof.

Permitted Holder ” means (a) any one or more of the Sponsors; (b) Argos Holdings L.P. and its Affiliates (including, without limitation, Buddy Holdings Corp, PetSmart, Inc., PetSmart Buddy Holdings Corp. and Buddy Chester Sub Corp.); (c) the Management Investors and their Immediate Family Members and (d) any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof) of which the Persons described in clauses (a), (b) and/or (c) are members; provided that the Persons described in clause (a), (b) and/or (c) beneficially own a majority of the Equity Interests beneficially owned by such group.

Permitted Inventory Locations ” means each location listed on Schedules 6(a), 6(b) and 6(c) of the Information Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date, and from time to time each other location within the United States which the Borrower has notified the Administrative Agent is a location at which Inventory of a Loan Party is maintained.

Permitted Investments ” means any of the following, to the extent owned by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary:

(a) Dollars, Euros, Sterling, Australian Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Chinese Yuan or such other currencies held by it from time to time in the ordinary course of business;

(b) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the government or any agency or instrumentality of (i) the United States or (ii) any member nation of the European Union rated A-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, having average maturities of not more than 24 calendar months from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States or such member nation of the European Union is pledged in support thereof;

 

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(c) time deposits with, or insured certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of, any commercial bank that (i) is a Lender or (ii) has combined capital and surplus of at least (x) $250,000,000 in the case of U.S. banks and (y) $100,000,000 (or the Dollar equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of non-U.S. banks (any such bank meeting the requirements of clause (i) or (ii) above being an “ Approved Bank ”), in each case with average maturities of not more than 12 calendar months from the date of acquisition thereof;

(d) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by an Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable or fixed rate note issued by, or guaranteed by, a corporation rated A-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, in each case with average maturities of not more than 24 calendar months from the date of acquisition thereof;

(e) repurchase agreements entered into by any Person with an Approved Bank, a bank or trust company (including any of the Lenders) or recognized securities dealer, in each case, having capital and surplus in excess of (x) $250,000,000 in the case of U.S. banks and (y) $100,000,000 (or the Dollar equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of non-U.S. banks, in each case, for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed or insured by the government or any agency or instrumentality of (i) the United States or (ii) any member nation of the European Union rated A (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P and A2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, in which such Person shall have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a Fair Market Value of at least 100% of the amount of the repurchase obligations;

(f) marketable short-term money market and similar highly liquid funds either (i) having assets in excess of (x) $250,000,000 in the case of U.S. banks or other U.S. financial institutions and (y) $100,000,000 (or the Dollar equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of non-U.S. banks or other non-U.S. financial institutions or (ii) having a rating of at least A-2 or P-2 from either S&P or Moody’s (or, if at any time neither S&P nor Moody’s shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating service);

(g) securities with average maturities of 24 calendar months or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory having an investment grade rating from either S&P or Moody’s (or the equivalent thereof);

(h) investments with average maturities of 12 calendar months or less from the date of acquisition in mutual funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s;

(i) instruments equivalent to those referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above denominated in Euros or any other foreign currency comparable in credit quality and tenor to those referred to above and customarily used by corporations for cash management purposes in any jurisdiction outside the United States to the extent reasonably required in connection with any business conducted by any Subsidiary organized in such jurisdiction;

(j) investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets, in money market investment programs that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or that are administered by financial institutions having capital of at least $250,000,000, and, in either case, the portfolios of which are limited such that substantially all of such investments are of the character, quality and maturity described in clauses (a) through (i) of this definition;

 

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(k) with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary: (i) obligations of the national government of the country in which such Foreign Subsidiary maintains its chief executive office and principal place of business, provided such country is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, in each case maturing within one year after the date of investment therein, (ii) certificates of deposit of, bankers’ acceptances of, or time deposits with, any commercial bank which is organized and existing under the laws of the country in which such Foreign Subsidiary maintains its chief executive office and principal place of business, provided such country is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and whose short-term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least “A-2” or the equivalent thereof or from Moody’s is at least “P-2” or the equivalent thereof (any such bank being an “ Approved Foreign Bank ”), and in each case with maturities of not more than 24 calendar months from the date of acquisition and (iii) the equivalent of demand deposit accounts which are maintained with an Approved Foreign Bank; and

(l) investment funds investing at least 90% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (k) above.

Permitted Receivables Financing ” means, collectively, any, receivables securitizations or other receivables financings (including any factoring programs in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of $50,000,000 and 32% of Consolidated EBITDA for the last Test Period (measured at each time any such financing is entered into) and that are non-recourse to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (except for (x) any customary limited recourse or recourse limited Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, (y) any performance undertaking or Guarantee and (z) an unsecured parent Guarantee (a “ Receivables Guarantee ”) by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary and a parent company of a Restricted Subsidiary of obligations of Restricted Subsidiaries, and, in each case, reasonable extensions thereof); provided that with respect to Permitted Receivables Financings incurred in the form of a factoring program, the outstanding amount of such Permitted Receivables Financing for the purposes of this definition shall be deemed to be equal to the Permitted Receivables Net Investment for the last Test Period.

Permitted Receivables Net Investment ” means the aggregate cash amount paid by the purchasers under any Permitted Receivables Financing in the form of a factoring program in connection with their purchase of accounts receivable and customary related assets or interests therein, as the same may be reduced from time to time by collections with respect to such accounts receivable and related assets or otherwise in accordance with the terms of such Permitted Receivables Financing (but excluding any such collections used to make payments of commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges incurred in connection with any Permitted Receivables Financing in the form of a factoring program which are payable to any Person other than the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary).

Permitted Refinancing ” means, with respect to any Person, any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of any Indebtedness of such Person; provided that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) thereof does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium thereon plus other amounts paid, and fees and expenses incurred, in connection with such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension and by an amount equal to any existing revolving commitments unutilized thereunder to the extent that the portion of any existing and unutilized revolving commitment being refinanced was permitted to be drawn under Sections 6.01 and 6.02 of this Agreement immediately prior to such refinancing (other than by reference to a Permitted Refinancing) and such drawing shall be deemed to have been made, (b) other than with respect to a Permitted Refinancing in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(v), Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension has a final maturity date equal to or later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, (c) if the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Document Obligations,

 

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Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Document Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, (d) immediately after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (e) if the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(ii) or Section (a)(xxiii), the primary obligor in respect of, and/or the Persons (if any) that Guarantee, the Indebtedness resulting from such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension are the primary obligor in respect of, and/or Persons (if any) that Guaranteed the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended and (f) the other terms and conditions of such Indebtedness shall be as agreed between the Borrower and the parties providing any such Indebtedness. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that a Permitted Refinancing may constitute a portion of an issuance of Indebtedness in excess of the amount of such Permitted Refinancing; provided that such excess amount is otherwise permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood and agreed that a Permitted Refinancing includes successive Permitted Refinancings of the same Indebtedness.

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, unlimited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which a Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

Platform ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.

Portal ” has the meaning specified in Section  2.03 .

Post-Transaction Period ” means, with respect to any Specified Transaction, the period beginning on the date on which such Specified Transaction is consummated and ending on the last day of the eighth full consecutive fiscal quarter of the Borrower immediately following the date on which such Specified Transaction is consummated.

Present Fair Saleable Value ” means the amount that could be obtained by an independent willing seller from an independent willing buyer if the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole are sold with reasonable promptness in an arm’s-length transaction under present conditions for the sale of comparable business enterprises insofar as such conditions can be reasonably evaluated.

Pro Forma Adjustment ” means, for any Test Period, any adjustment to Consolidated EBITDA made in accordance with clause (b) of the definition of that term.

Pro Forma Basis ,” “ Pro Forma Compliance ” and “ Pro Forma Effect ” means, with respect to compliance with any test, financial ratio or covenant hereunder required by the terms of this Agreement to be made on a Pro Forma Basis, that (a) to the extent applicable, the Pro Forma Adjustment shall have been made and (b) all Specified Transactions and the following transactions in connection therewith that have been made during the applicable period of measurement or subsequent to such period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation is made shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the applicable period of measurement in such test, financial ratio or covenant: (i) income statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the property or Person subject to such Specified Transaction, (A) in the case of a Disposition of all or substantially all Equity Interests in any subsidiary of the Borrower or any division, product line, or facility used for operations of the Borrower or

 

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any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, shall be excluded, and (B) in the case of a Permitted Acquisition or Investment described in the definition of “Specified Transaction,” shall be included, (ii) any retirement of Indebtedness, and (iii) any Indebtedness incurred or assumed by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection therewith and if such Indebtedness has a floating or formula rate, shall have an implied rate of interest for the applicable period for purposes of this definition determined by utilizing the rate that is or would be in effect with respect to such Indebtedness as at the relevant date of determination; provided that, without limiting the application of the Pro Forma Adjustment pursuant to clause (a) above, the foregoing pro forma adjustments may be applied to any such test, financial ratio or covenant solely to the extent that such adjustments are consistent with the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA” (and subject to the limitations set forth in clause (b) thereof) and give effect to events (including cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies) that are (i) (x) directly attributable to such transaction, (y) expected to have a continuing impact on the Borrower and any of the Restricted Subsidiaries and (z) factually supportable or (ii) otherwise consistent with the definition of “Pro Forma Adjustment.”

Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment ” means, for any four-fiscal quarter period that includes all or a portion of a fiscal quarter included in any Post-Transaction Period with respect to any Sold Entity or Business, the pro forma increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDA projected by the Borrower in good faith as a result of contractual arrangements between the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary entered into with such Sold Entity or Business at the time of its disposal or within the Post-Transaction Period and which represent an increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDA which is incremental to the Disposed EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business for the most recent four-fiscal quarter period prior to its disposal.

Pro Forma Entity ” means any Acquired Entity or Business or any Converted Restricted Subsidiary.

Pro Rata Share ” means, with respect to each Lender at any time a fraction (expressed as a percentage, carried out to the ninth decimal place), the numerator of which is the amount of the Commitments and, if applicable and without duplication, Loans, of such Lender at such time and the denominator of which is the amount of the Aggregate Commitments and, if applicable and without duplication, Loans at such time (if the applicable Commitments have terminated or expired, the Pro Rata Share shall be determined based upon such Lender’s share of the aggregate Revolving Exposure at that time).

Proposed Change ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(c).

Protective Advance ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.08(a).

PTE ” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

Public Lenders ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.

QFC Credit Support ” has the meaning specified in Section 9.21.

Qualified Accounts ” means all Bank Accounts of Loan Parties that are either (i) in the name of the Administrative Agent or (ii) subject to a segregated account Control Agreement in favor of the Administrative Agent; provided that the applicable depositary (if not the Administrative Agent) shall provide daily reports to the Administrative Agent setting forth the balances in such accounts (which reports may relate to the previous Business Day); provided further that, in each case, such Qualified Account is not subject to any other Lien other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02, and such Liens do

 

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not have priority over, and are junior to, the Lien of the Administrative Agent (other than (i) inchoate or other Liens (including tax Liens) arising by operation of law or (ii) Permitted Encumbrances under clause (h)(i) of the definition thereof). To the extent any cash or cash equivalents have been withdrawn from any Qualified Account, then, prior to or concurrently with either (A) a Borrowing hereunder or (B) the consummation of a transaction hereunder which requires satisfaction of the Payment Conditions, in each case subsequent to such withdrawal, then either (1) the Borrower shall deliver an updated Borrowing Base Certificate (which updated Borrowing Base Certificate shall be updated only for the withdrawal of such cash or cash equivalents and which shall supersede any previously delivered Borrowing Base Certificate for the applicable period) within one (1) Business Day or (2) the Borrower may notify the Administrative Agent of such withdrawal and in lieu of delivering the updated Borrowing Base Certificate referred to in the foregoing clause (1), the Administrative Agent shall take a Reserve in the amount of such withdrawal under the Borrowing Base; provided that such Reserve shall no longer be in effect upon the delivery of an updated Borrowing Base Certificate reflecting such withdrawal.

Qualified Cash ” means, at any time, the amount of unrestricted cash and Permitted Investments of the relevant Loan Parties held in Qualified Accounts as such time.

Qualified Equity Interests ” means Equity Interests in the Borrower or any parent of the Borrower other than Disqualified Equity Interests.

Receivables ” means (i) Accounts and (ii) Payment Intangibles evidencing rights to payment for goods sold or leased, or for services rendered.

Receivables Guarantee ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Permitted Receivables Financing”.

Receivables Subsidiary ” means any Special Purpose Entity established in connection with a Permitted Receivables Financing.

Register ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(iv).

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, trustees, agents, controlling persons, advisors and other representatives of such Person and of each of such Person’s Affiliates and permitted successors.

Release ” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) and including the environment within any building or other structure.

Removal Effective Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VIII.

Rent Reserve ” means an amount equal to no more than three calendar months of the aggregate rent payable by the Loan Parties on all leased properties in respect of which Collateral Access Agreements are not in effect. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Rent Reserves will be calculated by the Administrative Agent on a semi-annual basis.

Replacement Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.22(c).

 

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Required Additional Debt Terms ” means with respect to any Indebtedness, (a) such Indebtedness does not mature earlier than the Latest Maturity Date (except in the case of customary bridge loans, which subject to customary conditions (including no payment or bankruptcy event of default), would either automatically be converted into or required to be exchanged for permanent refinancing which does not mature earlier than the Latest Maturity Date), (b) such Indebtedness does not have mandatory redemption features (other than customary asset sale, insurance and condemnation proceeds events, change of control offers or events of default or, if term loans, excess cash flow prepayments applicable to periods before the Latest Maturity Date) that could result in redemptions of such Indebtedness prior to the Latest Maturity Date, (c) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any entity that is not a Loan Party, (d) such Indebtedness that is secured (i) is not secured by any assets not securing the Secured Obligations, (ii) is subject to the ABL Intercreditor Agreement or another intercreditor agreement reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (iii) is subject to security agreements relating to such Indebtedness that are substantially the same as the Security Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) and (e) the other terms and conditions of such Indebtedness shall be as agreed between the Borrower and the parties providing any such Indebtedness.

Required Lenders ” means, at any time, Lenders having Revolving Exposures and unused Commitments (other than Swingline Commitments) representing more than 50% of the aggregate Revolving Exposures and unused Commitments (other than Swingline Commitments) at such time; provided that whenever there are one or more Defaulting Lenders or Disqualified Lenders, the total outstanding Revolving Exposures of, and the unused Revolving Commitments of, each Defaulting Lender and each Disqualified Lender shall in each case be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

Requirements of Law ” means, with respect to any Person, any statutes, laws, treaties, rules, regulations, orders, decrees, writs, injunctions or determinations of any arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

Required Reserve Notice ” means (a) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at least five Business Days’ advance notice to the Borrower (or such shorter period as the Borrower may agree), and (b) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, one days’ advance notice to the Borrower; provided that, solely for purposes of any determination under Section 4.02(d), a Required Reserve Notice with respect to any Bank Product Reserves shall be effective immediately and shall not require any advance notice.

Reserves ” means all Availability Reserves, Dilution Reserves, Rent Reserves, Royalty Reserves, Bank Product Reserves, Secured Cash Management Reserves, Secured Hedge Reserves, Shrink Reserves and any and all other reserves which the Administrative Agent deems necessary in its Permitted Discretion. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Reserves in respect of employee liabilities and employee withholdings will be determined based on information contained in the most recent field examination (or, in the Permitted Discretion of the Administrative Agent, based on updated information provided to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower).

Resignation Effective Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VIII.

Responsible Officer ” means the chief executive officer, president, vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer, or other similar officer, manager or a director of a Loan Party (including, with respect to the Portal, any person authorized and authenticated through the Portal in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s procedures for such authentication) and with respect to certain limited liability companies or partnerships that do not have officers, any manager, sole member, managing member or general partner thereof, and as to any document delivered on the Effective Date or

 

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thereafter pursuant to paragraph (a) of the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement,” any secretary or assistant secretary of a Loan Party. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

Restricted Debt Payments ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.08(b).

Restricted Payment ” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Equity Interests in the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests.

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Revolving Borrowing ” means a request for Revolving Loans.

Revolving Commitment ” means, with respect to each Revolving Lender, the commitment of such Revolving Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Protective Advances, Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum possible aggregate amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.06, (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04, (c) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.25 and (d) increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.18. The initial amount of each Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment is set forth on the Commitment Schedule, or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Commitment, as applicable. The initial aggregate amount of the Revolving Lenders’ Revolving Commitments is $300,000,000.

Revolving Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure and an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the aggregate principal amounts of Swingline Loans and Protective Advances outstanding at such time.

Revolving Lender ” means, as of any date of determination, a Lender with a Revolving Commitment or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with Revolving Exposure. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Revolving Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender under the Facility.

Revolving Loan ” means the loans and advances made by the Revolving Lenders pursuant to this Agreement, including a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01, Swingline Loans, Protective Advances, and Overadvance Loans.

Royalties ” means all royalties, fees, expense reimbursement and other amounts payable by any Loan Party under a license of Intellectual Property.

Royalty Reserve ” means an amount equal to all accrued Royalties that are then unpaid, whether or not then due and payable by any Loan Party.

 

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S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

Sale Leaseback ” means any transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary (a) sells, transfers or otherwise disposes of any property, real or personal, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and (b) as part of such transaction, thereafter rents or leases such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold, transferred or disposed of.

Sanctions ” means economic sanctions administered or enforced by the United States Government (including without limitation, sanctions enforced by OFAC), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, or any other Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over any Loan Party, any of their respective Subsidiaries or any party hereto.

Sanctioned Entity ” means (a) a country or a government of a country, (b) an agency of the government of a country, (c) an organization directly or indirectly controlled by a country or its government, or (d) a Person resident in or determined to be resident in a country, in each case of clauses (a) through (d) that is a target of any comprehensive country Sanctions program administered and enforced by OFAC.

Sanctioned Person ” means (a) any Person named on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by OFAC, OFAC’s consolidated Non-SDN list or any applicable other Sanctions-related list maintained by any applicable Governmental Authority, (b) a Person or legal entity that is the subject of Sanctions, (c) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Entity to the extent it would be prohibited by Sanctions, or (d) any Person directly or indirectly owned or controlled (individually or in the aggregate) by or acting on behalf of any such Person or Persons described in clauses (a) through (c) above.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Secured Bank Product Obligations ” means the due and punctual payment and performance of all Bank Product Obligations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any purchase card programs provided to the Borrower or any Subsidiary (whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whenever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor)) that are (a) owed to the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates or branches, (b) owed on the Effective Date to a Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate or branch of a Lender as of the Effective Date or (c) owed to a Person that is an Agent, a Lender or an Affiliate or branch of an Agent or Lender at the time such obligations are incurred.

Secured Cash Management Obligations ” means the due and punctual payment and performance of all obligations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository, cash pooling arrangements and cash management services, corporate credit and purchasing cards and related programs or any automated clearing house transfers of funds (collectively, “ Cash Management Services ”) provided to the Borrower or any Subsidiary (whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whenever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor)) that are (a) owed to the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates or branches, (b) owed on the Effective Date to a Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate or branch of a Lender as of the Effective Date or (c) owed to a Person that is an Agent, a Lender or an Affiliate or branch of an Agent or Lender at the time such obligations are incurred.

 

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Secured Cash Management Reserves ” means Secured Obligations in respect of any Secured Cash Management Obligation in the amount specified by the applicable Secured Party and the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent under the definition of “Noticed Cash Management Obligations”, which amount may, subject to the restrictions set forth in the definition of “Noticed Cash Management Obligations” be increased with respect to any existing Secured Cash Management Obligation at any time by further written notice from such Secured Party and the Borrower to the Administrative Agent.

Secured Hedge Reserves ” means Secured Obligations in respect of any Secured Swap Obligation in the amount specified by the applicable Secured Party and the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent under the definition of “Noticed Hedges” (but not to exceed the Hedge Termination Value), which amount may, subject to the restrictions set forth in the definition of “Noticed Hedges” and herein, be increased with respect to any existing Secured Swap Obligation at any time by further written notice from such Secured Party and the Borrower to the Administrative Agent.

Secured Leverage Ratio ” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Secured Debt as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the Test Period as of such date.

Secured Obligations ” means (a) the Loan Document Obligations, (b) the Secured Cash Management Obligations, (c) the Secured Bank Product Obligations and (d) the Secured Swap Obligations (excluding with respect to any Loan Party, Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Party).

Secured Parties ” means (a) each Lender, (b) each Issuing Bank, (c) the Administrative Agent, (d) each Joint Bookrunner, (e) each Lead Arranger, (f) each Person to whom any Secured Cash Management Obligations are owed, (g) each Person to whom any Secured Bank Product Obligations are owed, (h) each counterparty to any Swap Agreement the obligations under which constitute Secured Swap Obligations, (i) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (j) the permitted successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.

Secured Swap Obligations ” means the due and punctual payment and performance of all obligations of the Borrower, and the Restricted Subsidiaries under each Swap Agreement that (a) is with a counterparty that is an Agent or any of its Affiliates or branches, (b) is in effect on the Effective Date with a counterparty that is a Lender or an Affiliate or branch of a Lender as of the Effective Date and (c) is entered into after the Effective Date with any counterparty that is a Lender, an Agent or an Affiliate or branch of a Lender or an Agent at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into.

Security Documents ” means the Collateral Agreement, the ABL Intercreditor Agreement (if executed) and each other security agreement, pledge agreement or other instrument or document executed and delivered pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, Section 4.01(f), 5.11 or 5.12 by a Loan Party or any Parent Entity thereof to secure any of the Secured Obligations or to govern the lien priorities of the holders of Liens on the Collateral.

Settlement ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.23(a)(ii).

Settlement Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.23(a)(ii).

Shrink Reserve ” means an amount reasonably estimated by the Administrative Agent to be equal to that amount which is required in order that the shrink reflected in current books and records of the Loan Parties would be reasonably equivalent to the shrink calculated as part of the Borrower’s most recent physical Inventory or cycle counts; provided that no Shrink Reserve established by the Administrative Agent shall be duplicative of any shrink as so reflected in the current books and records of the Loan Parties or estimated by the Borrower for purposes of computing the Borrowing Base.

 

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Sold Entity or Business ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA.”

Solvent ” means (a) the Fair Value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis taken as a whole exceeds their Liabilities, (b) the Present Fair Saleable Value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis taken as a whole exceeds their Liabilities, (c) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis taken as a whole after consummation of the Transactions is a going concern and has sufficient capital to reasonably ensure that it will continue to be a going concern for the period from the date hereof through the Latest Maturity Date taking into account the nature of, and the needs and anticipated needs for capital of, the particular business or businesses conducted or to be conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as reflected in the projected financial statements and in light of the anticipated credit capacity and (d) for the period from the date hereof through the Latest Maturity Date, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis taken as a whole will have sufficient assets and cash flow to pay their Liabilities as those liabilities mature or (in the case of contingent Liabilities) otherwise become payable, in light of business conducted or anticipated to be conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as reflected in the projected financial statements and in light of the anticipated credit capacity.

Special Purpose Entity ” means a direct or indirect subsidiary of the Borrower, whose organizational documents contain restrictions on its purpose and activities and impose requirements intended to preserve its separateness from the Borrower and/or one or more Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

Special Resolution Regimes ” has the meaning specified in Section 9.21.

Specified Default ” means any Event of Default pursuant to Section 7.01(a), (b), (c) (with respect to representations in any Borrowing Base Certificate only), (d) (with respect to Section 5.17 or 6.10 only), (e) (with respect to Section 5.01(i) only), (h) or (i).

Specified Excess Availability ” means the sum of (a) Excess Availability and (b) the lesser of (i) Suppressed Availability and (ii) 2.5% of the aggregate Revolving Commitments at such time.

Specified Transaction ” means, with respect to any period, any Investment, Disposition, incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, Restricted Payment, New Project, subsidiary designation or other event that by the terms of the Loan Documents requires “Pro Forma Compliance” with a test or covenant hereunder or requires such test or covenant to be calculated on a “Pro Forma Basis.”

Specified Transaction Adjustments ” has the meaning specified in Section 1.08(d).

Sponsor ” means each of (a) BC Partners, Inc. and its Affiliates (including the funds, partnerships or other co-investment vehicles managed, advised or controlled thereby but other than, in each case, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any portfolio company), (b) Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and its Affiliates (including the funds, partnerships or other co-investment vehicles managed, advised or controlled thereby but other than, in each case, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any portfolio company), (c) Government of Singapore Investment Corporation and its Affiliates (including the funds, partnerships or other co-investment vehicles managed, advised or controlled thereby but other than, in each case, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any portfolio company), (d) GIC Private Limited and its Affiliates (including the funds, partnerships or other co-investment vehicles managed, advised or controlled thereby but other than, in each case, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any portfolio company), (e) Longview Asset Management LLC and its Affiliates (including the funds, partnerships or other co-investment vehicles managed, advised or controlled thereby but other than, in each case, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any portfolio company) and (f) StepStone Group LP and its Affiliates (including the funds, partnerships or other co-investment vehicles managed, advised or controlled thereby but other than, in each case, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any portfolio company).

 

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SPV ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(e).

Standby Letter of Credit ” means any Letter of Credit other than a Commercial Letter of Credit.

Standard Letter of Credit Practice ” means, for any Issuing Bank, any domestic or foreign law or letter of credit practices applicable in the city in which such Issuing Bank issued the applicable Letter of Credit or, for its branch or correspondent, such laws and practices applicable in the city in which it has advised, confirmed or negotiated such Letter of Credit, as the case may be, in each case, (a) which letter of credit practices are of banks that regularly issue letters of credit in the particular city, and (b) which laws or letter of credit practices are required or permitted under ISP or UCP, as chosen in the applicable Letter of Credit.

Sterling ” means the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means any Material Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Document Obligations.

subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person (the “ parent ”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Borrower.

Subsidiary Loan Party ” means each Subsidiary that is party to the Guarantee Agreement.

Successor Borrower ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.03(a)(iv).

Super Majority Lenders ” means, at any time, Lenders having Revolving Exposures and unused Commitments (other than Swingline Commitments) representing more than 66.7% of the aggregate Revolving Exposures and unused Commitments (other than Swingline Commitments) at such time; provided that whenever there are one or more Defaulting Lenders, the total outstanding Revolving Exposures of, and the unused Revolving Commitments of, each Defaulting Lender shall in each case be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Super Majority Lenders.

Supported QFC ” has the meaning specified in Section 9.21.

Suppressed Availability ” means, at any time, the amount (if any, but in no event less than zero) by which the Borrowing Base exceeds the aggregate Revolving Commitments at such time.

Swap ” means any agreement, contract, or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act or other applicable law.

 

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Swap Agreement ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

Swap Obligation ” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation to pay or perform under any Swap.

Swingline Borrowing ” means a request for Swingline Loans.

Swingline Exposure ” means, with respect to any Revolving Lender, at any time, such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Swingline Loans outstanding at such time.

Swingline Lender ” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder, and its successors and assigns in such capacity.

Swingline Loan ” means a Swingline Loan made by the Swingline Lender to the Borrower under Section 2.23(a).

Swingline Sublimit ” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $30,000,000 and (b) the Total Revolving Commitments. The Swingline Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Commitments.

Syndication Agent ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as syndication agent hereunder.

Tax Group ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.08(a)(vii)(A)

Taxes ” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings (including backup withholding) imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Test Period ” means, at any date of determination, the most recently completed four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending on or prior to such date for which financial statements have been (or were required to have been) delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b); provided that prior to the first date financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), the Test Period in effect shall be the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ended February 3, 2019.

Total Leverage Ratio ” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the Test Period as of such date.

 

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Total Maximum Borrowing Amount ” means the Maximum Borrowing Amount under the Facility at such time.

Total Revolving Commitments ” means the aggregate outstanding amount of Revolving Commitments for the Facility of all Revolving Lenders under the Facility.

Transactions ” means, collectively, (a) the effectiveness of this Agreement, (b) the effectiveness of the IPO Separation Agreements, (c) the consummation of any other transactions in connection with the foregoing and (d) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with any of the foregoing (including the Transaction Costs).

Transaction Costs ” means any fees or expenses incurred or paid by the Sponsors, a Parent Entity, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the Transactions, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Type ,” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the LIBO Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.

UCC ” or “ Uniform Commercial Code ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided , however , that, at any time, if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of the Administrative Agent’s security interest in any item or portion of the Pledged Collateral (as defined in the Collateral Agreement) is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a U.S. jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect, at such time, in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions relating to such provisions.

UCP ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits 2007 Revision, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600 and any version or revision thereof accepted by any Issuing Bank for use.

Uncontrolled Cash ” means all amounts from time to time on deposit in any Designated Disbursement Account.

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary designated by the Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 5.14 subsequent to the Effective Date.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.15(e)(2)(D)

USA Patriot Act ” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, as amended from time to time.

Value ” means, on any date, with reference to (a) Eligible Inventory, the Net Orderly Liquidation Value thereof and (b) Eligible Receivables, the book value thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

Vehicles ” means all railcars, cars, trucks, trailers, construction and earth moving equipment and other vehicles covered by a certificate of title law of any state and all tires and other appurtenances to any of the foregoing.

 

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Weekly Borrowing Base Certificate ” means a certificate, signed and certified as accurate and complete by a Financial Officer of the Borrower, in substantially the form of Exhibit F or another form which is acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion (it being agreed that each Weekly Borrowing Base Certificate will be based on the most recently delivered Borrowing Base Certificate delivered on a monthly basis updated to reflect changes in the aggregate Value of Receivables and Inventory of the relevant Loan Parties but with ineligibility and reserve related items reflecting those set forth in such most recent Borrowing Base Certificate).

Weekly Reporting Period ” means any period (a) beginning on the date that Excess Availability is less than the greater of (i) 10% of the Total Maximum Borrowing Amount and (ii) $30,000,000 for five consecutive Business Days, until such time as Excess Availability has been at least the greater of (i) 10% of the Total Maximum Borrowing Amount and (ii) $30,000,000 for at least 20 consecutive calendar days, or (b) during which a Specified Default has occurred and is continuing.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

wholly-owned subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person at any date, a subsidiary of such Person of which securities or other ownership interests representing 100% of the Equity Interests (other than (a) directors’ qualifying shares and (b) nominal shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable Requirements of Law) are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held by such Person or one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of such Person.

Withdrawal Liability ” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

Withholding Agent ” shall mean any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent and, in the case of any U.S. federal withholding tax, any other withholding agent, if applicable.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

SECTION 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings . For purposes of this Agreement, Loans and Borrowings may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Revolving Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing”).

SECTION 1.03 Terms Generally . The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise,

 

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(a) any definition of or reference to any agreement (including this Agreement and the other Loan Documents), instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignment set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental Authority, any other Governmental Authority that shall have succeeded to any or all functions thereof, (c) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

SECTION 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP .

(a) All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with GAAP.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of determining compliance with any test contained in this Agreement (other than Section 6.10), the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, First Lien Leverage Ratio, Secured Leverage Ratio, Interest Coverage Ratio and the Total Leverage Ratio shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis to give effect to all Specified Transactions that have been made during the applicable period of measurement or subsequent to such period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation is made.

(c) Where reference is made to “the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis” or similar language, such consolidation shall not include any Subsidiaries of the Borrower other than the Restricted Subsidiaries.

(d) In the event that the Borrower elects to prepare its financial statements in accordance with IFRS and such election results in a change in the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms (collectively, the “ Accounting Changes ”) in this Agreement, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree to enter into good faith negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement (including the levels applicable herein to any computation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, First Lien Leverage Ratio, Secured Leverage Ratio, Interest Coverage Ratio or the Total Leverage Ratio) so as to reflect equitably the Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Borrower’s financial condition shall be substantially the same after such change as if such change had not been made. Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, all financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed in accordance with GAAP (as determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower) (it being agreed that the reconciliation between GAAP and IFRS used in such determination shall be made available to Lenders) as if such change had not occurred.

SECTION 1.05 Effectuation of Transactions . All references herein to the Borrower and its subsidiaries shall be deemed to be references to such Persons, and all the representations and warranties of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be deemed made, in each case, after giving effect to the Transactions to occur on the Effective Date, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

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SECTION 1.06 Currency Translation; Rates .

(a) Unless expressly provided otherwise, all references in the Loan Documents to Loans, Letters of Credit, Loan Document Obligations, Revolving Commitments, Borrowing Base components and other amounts shall be denominated in Dollars. For purposes of any determination under Article IV, Article V, Article VI or Article VII, all amounts incurred, outstanding or proposed to be incurred or outstanding in currencies other than Dollars shall be translated into Dollars at the Exchange Rate (rounded to the nearest currency unit, with 0.5 or more of a currency unit being rounded upward). The Borrower shall report Borrowing Base components to the Agent in the currency invoiced by the applicable obligors or shown in their financial records, and unless expressly provided otherwise, herein shall deliver financial statements and calculate financial covenants in Dollars. Unless expressly provided otherwise, if any Loan Document Obligation is funded and expressly denominated in a currency other than Dollars, the Loan Parties shall repay such Loan Document Obligation in such other currency. No Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred solely as a result of changes in rates of exchange occurring after the time such Indebtedness or Investment is incurred or Disposition or Restricted Payment made; provided , further , that, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.06 shall otherwise apply to such Sections, including with respect to determining whether any Indebtedness or Investment may be incurred or Disposition or Restricted Payment made at any time under such Sections. For purposes of any determination of Consolidated Total Debt, amounts in currencies other than Dollars shall be translated into Dollars at the currency exchange rates used in preparing the most recently delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b). Each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify with the Borrower’s consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) to appropriately reflect a change in currency of any country and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to such change in currency.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall determine the Exchange Rate as of each Determination Date to be used for calculating the Dollar Equivalent amounts of Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit denominated in a currency other than Dollars. Such Exchange Rates shall become effective as of such Determination Date and shall be the Exchange Rate employed in converting the amount of any Revolving Loan, Swingline Loan and Letters of Credit between Dollars and another currency until the next Determination Date to occur. In the event that on any Determination Date (after giving effect to the determination of the outstanding amount of each Revolving Loan, Swingline Loan and LC Exposure) the total Revolving Exposure under the Facility exceeds the Maximum Borrowing Amount under the Facility, the relevant Borrower shall, within one Business Day after receipt of notice from the Administrative Agent, prepay the Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans and/or reduce LC Exposure (in each case, taking the Dollar Equivalent of any amounts in a currency other than Dollars), in accordance with, and to the extent required by, Section 2.09(b).

SECTION 1.07 Letters of Credit .

(a) Letters of Credit . Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the amount of the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided , however , that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the amount of the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

 

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SECTION 1.08 Limited Condition Acquisitions and Pro Forma Calculations .

(a) In connection with any action being taken solely in connection with a Limited Condition Acquisition, for purposes of:

(i) determining compliance with any provision of this Agreement which requires the calculation of the Interest Coverage Ratio, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, the First Lien Leverage Ratio, the Secured Leverage Ratio or the Total Leverage Ratio;

(ii) determining compliance with representations, warranties, defaults or Events of Default (in each case, other than for purposes of Section 4.02); and

(iii) testing availability under baskets set forth in this agreement (including baskets measured as a percentage of Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Total Assets and the Payment Conditions baskets (including the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as set forth therein));

in each case, at the option of the Borrower (the Borrower’s election to exercise such option in connection with any Limited Condition Acquisition, an “ LCA Election ”), the date of determination of whether any such action is permitted hereunder, shall be deemed to be the date the definitive agreements for such Limited Condition Acquisition are entered into (the “ LCA Test Date ”) ( provided that the Borrower shall be required to make an LCA Election on or prior to the date on which the definitive agreements for such Limited Condition Acquisition have been entered into), and if, after giving Pro Forma Effect to the Limited Condition Acquisition and the other transactions to be entered into in connection therewith (including any incurrence of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) as if they had occurred at the beginning of the most recent Test Period ending prior to the LCA Test Date (after giving effect to any increases or decrease in Indebtedness of the Borrower and Restricted Subsidiaries since such date), the Borrower could have taken such action on the relevant LCA Test Date in compliance with such ratio, representation, warranty, default, Events of Default or basket, such ratio, representation, warranty, default, Event of Default or basket shall be deemed to have been complied with for purposes of such Limited Condition Acquisition. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Borrower has made an LCA Election and any of the ratios or baskets for which compliance was determined or tested as of the LCA Test Date are exceeded as a result of fluctuations in any such ratio or basket, including due to fluctuations in Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower or the Person subject to such Limited Condition Acquisition, at or prior to the consummation of the relevant transaction or action, such baskets or ratios will not be deemed to have been exceeded as a result of such fluctuations. If the Borrower has made an LCA Election for any Limited Condition Acquisition, then in connection with any subsequent calculation of any ratios, representations, warranties, defaults, Events of Default or basket availability with respect to the incurrence of Indebtedness or Liens, or the making of Restricted Payments, mergers, the conveyance, lease or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower, the prepayment, redemption, purchase, defeasance or other satisfaction of Indebtedness, or the designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary on or following the relevant LCA Test Date and prior to the earlier of the date on which such Limited Condition Acquisition is consummated or the date that the definitive agreement for such Limited Condition Acquisition is terminated or expires without consummation of such Limited Condition Acquisition, any such ratios, representations, warranties, defaults, Events of Default or baskets shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis assuming such Limited Condition Acquisition and other transactions in connection therewith (including any incurrence of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) have not been consummated until such time as the applicable Limited Condition Acquisition has actually closed or the definitive agreement with respect thereto has been terminated (it being further understood that any Consolidated Net Income, Consolidated EBITDA and/or Consolidated Total Assets therefrom shall not be included in the Borrower’s Consolidated Net Income, Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Total Assets, as applicable, in any such subsequent calculation until such Limited Condition Acquisition has actually closed or the definitive agreement with respect thereto has been terminated).

 

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(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the First Lien Leverage Ratio, the Secured Leverage Ratio, the Total Leverage Ratio, the Interest Coverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated in the manner prescribed by this Section 1.08; provided , that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in clauses (c), (d) or (e) of this Section 1.08, when calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for purposes of Section 6.10, the events described in this Section 1.08 that occurred subsequent to the end of the applicable Test Period shall not be given pro forma effect.

(c) For purposes of calculating the First Lien Leverage Ratio, the Secured Leverage Ratio, the Total Leverage Ratio, the Interest Coverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Specified Transactions (and the incurrence or repayment of any Indebtedness in connection therewith) that have been made (i) during the applicable Test Period or (ii) subsequent to such Test Period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of any such ratio is made shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Specified Transactions (and any increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated First Lien Debt, Consolidated Secured Debt, Consolidated Total Debt and/or Fixed Charges and the component financial definitions used therein attributable to any Specified Transaction) had occurred on the first day of the applicable Test Period. If since the beginning of any applicable Test Period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such Test Period shall have made any Specified Transaction that would have required adjustment pursuant to this Section 1.08, then the First Lien Leverage Ratio, the Secured Leverage Ratio, the Total Leverage Ratio, the Interest Coverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated to give pro forma effect thereto in accordance with this Section 1.08.

(d) Whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a Specified Transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a Responsible Officer and may include, for the avoidance of doubt, the amount of cost savings, operating expense reductions and, synergies projected by the Borrower in good faith to be realized as a result of specified actions taken, committed to be taken or expected to be taken (calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies had been realized on the first day of such Test Period and as if such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies were realized during the entirety of such period) relating to such Specified Transaction, net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions (such cost savings and synergies, “ Specified Transaction Adjustments ”); provided that (i) such Specified Transaction Adjustments are reasonably identifiable, quantifiable and factually supportable in the good faith judgment of the Borrower (it being agreed such determination need not be made in compliance with Regulation S-X or other applicable securities laws), (ii) such actions are taken, committed to be taken or expected to be taken no later than twenty-four months after the date of such Specified Transaction and (iii) no amounts shall be added pursuant to this clause (d) to the extent duplicative of any amounts that are otherwise added back in calculating Consolidated EBITDA, whether through a pro forma adjustment or otherwise, with respect to any Test Period.

(e) Without limiting the general application of Section 1.04(b), in the event that the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs (including by assumption or guarantees) or repays (including by redemption, repayment, retirement or extinguishment) any Indebtedness included in the calculations of the First Lien Leverage Ratio, the Secured Leverage Ratio, the Total Leverage Ratio, the Interest Coverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as the case may be, (i) during the applicable Test Period or (ii) subsequent to the end of the applicable Test Period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of any such ratio is made, then the First Lien Leverage Ratio, the Secured Leverage Ratio, the Total Leverage Ratio, the Interest Coverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, to the extent required, as if the same had occurred on the last day of the applicable Test Period with respect to leverage ratios or the first day of such Test Period with respect to

 

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the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and to the extent the proceeds of any new Indebtedness are to be used to repay other Indebtedness (including by repurchase, redemption, retirement, extinguishment, defeasance, discharge or pursuant to escrow or similar arrangements) whether at the time of or after the incurrence of such new Indebtedness, the Borrower shall be permitted to give Pro Forma Effect to such repayment of Indebtedness.

(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any Loan Document to the contrary (i) unless the Borrower elects otherwise, if the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any transaction or series of related transactions (A) incurs Indebtedness, creates Liens, makes Dispositions, makes Investments, makes Restricted Payments, designates any Subsidiary as restricted or unrestricted or repays any Indebtedness or takes any other action under or as permitted by a ratio-based basket (including, without limitation, any First Lien Leverage Ratio test, any Secured Leverage Ratio test, any Total Leverage Ratio test, any Interest Coverage Ratio test and/or any Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test) (any such amounts, the “ Incurrence-Based Amounts ”) and (B) incurs Indebtedness, creates Liens, makes Dispositions, makes Investments, makes Restricted Payments, designates any Subsidiary as restricted or unrestricted or repays any Indebtedness or takes any other action under a non-ratio-based basket (any such amounts, the “ Fixed Amounts ”), then the Fixed Amounts shall be disregarded in the calculation of the financial test or ratio test applicable to such Incurrence-Based Amounts, (ii) if the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries enters into any revolving, delayed draw or other committed debt facility, the Borrower may elect to determine compliance of such debt facility (including the incurrence of Indebtedness and Liens from time to time in connection therewith) with this Agreement and each other Loan Document on the date commitments with respect thereto are first received, assuming the full amount of such facility is incurred (and any applicable Liens are granted) on such date, in lieu of determining such compliance on any subsequent date (including any date on which Indebtedness is incurred pursuant to such facility); provided , that if such election is made, then all calculations under this Agreement from the date of such election until such facility is effective or such commitments are terminated shall be calculated as if such facility were fully drawn and (iii) if the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs Indebtedness consisting of Incurrence-Based Amounts (together with any other Incurrence-Based Amounts incurred or made in connection therewith, including in respect of other Indebtedness, Liens, Dispositions, Investments, Restricted Payments or Restricted Debt Payments) the relevant ratios will be calculated excluding the cash proceeds of such Incurrence-Based Amounts for netting purposes (i.e., such cash proceeds shall not reduce the Borrower’s Consolidated Total Debt) in connection with any calculation with respect to the fiscal quarter in which such Indebtedness was incurred. In addition, any Indebtedness (and associated Liens, subject to the applicable priorities required pursuant to the applicable Incurrence-Based Amounts), Investments, liquidations, dissolutions, mergers, consolidations, Restricted Payments or any prepayments of Indebtedness (or, in each case, any portion thereof) incurred or otherwise effected in reliance on Fixed Amounts shall be automatically and immediately reclassified at any time, unless the Borrower otherwise elects from time to time, as incurred under the applicable Incurrence-Based Amounts if the Borrower subsequently meets the applicable ratio for such Incurrence-Based Amounts on a pro forma basis.

(g) For purposes of determining the permissibility of any action, change, transaction or event that requires a calculation of any financial ratio or test (including, without limitation, any First Lien Leverage Ratio test, Secured Leverage Ratio test, any Total Leverage Ratio test, any Interest Coverage Ratio test and/or any Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test and/or the amount of Consolidated EBITDA), such financial ratio or test shall be calculated at the time such action is taken (subject to Section 1.04(b) and this Section 1.08), such change is made, such transaction is consummated or such event occurs, as the case may be, and no Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred solely as a result of a change in such financial ratio or test occurring after the time such action is taken, such change is made, such transaction is consummated or such event occurs, as the case may be.

 

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SECTION 1.09 Divisions. For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.

ARTICLE II

THE CREDITS

SECTION 2.01 Commitments . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Lender agrees, severally and not jointly, to make Revolving Loans in Dollars under the Facility to the Borrower under the Facility from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment for the Facility at such time or (ii) the total Revolving Exposures exceeding the Maximum Borrowing Amount for the Facility (subject to the Administrative Agent’s authority, in its sole discretion, to make Protective Advances and Overadvances pursuant to the terms of Section 2.08) at such time. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Revolving Loans.

SECTION 2.02 Loans and Borrowings .

(a) Each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Facility, Class and Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the applicable Class. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder, provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and, other than as expressly provided herein with respect to a Defaulting Lender, no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required hereby.

(b) Subject to Section 2.12, each Borrowing denominated in Dollars shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith; provided that all Borrowings denominated in Dollars made on the Effective Date must be made as ABR Borrowings unless the Borrower shall have given the notice required for a Eurocurrency Borrowing under Section 2.03.

(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 (or, in the case of any currency other than Dollars, an approximate equivalent thereof as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) and not less than $1,000,000 (or, in the case of any currency other than Dollars, an approximate equivalent thereof as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion). ABR Borrowings may be in any amount. Each Swingline Loan shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 (or, in the case of any currency other than Dollars, an approximate equivalent thereof as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) and not less than $500,000 (or, in the case of any currency other than Dollars, an approximate equivalent thereof as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion). Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of 15 Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding under the Facility at the same time.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

SECTION 2.03 Requests for Borrowings . To request an ABR Borrowing, the Borrower shall request through the Administrative Agent’s Commercial Electronic Office Portal or through such other electronic portal provided by the Administrative Agent (the “ Portal ”), which must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. on the requested date of any ABR Borrowing. The Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that any request made through the Portal shall be deemed made by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. All Borrowing requests which are not made on-line via the Portal shall be subject to (and unless the Administrative Agent elects otherwise in the exercise of its sole discretion, such Borrowings shall not be made until the completion of) the Administrative Agent’s authentication process (with results satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) prior to the funding of any such requested Borrowing. To request a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request not later than 11:00 a.m., Local Time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing (or, in the case of any Eurocurrency Borrowing to be made on the Effective Date, not later than 11:00 a.m., Local Time, one Business Day before the Effective Date). Each such Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be delivered by hand delivery, facsimile or other electronic transmission to the Administrative Agent and shall be signed by the Borrower. Each Borrowing Request in respect of a Eurocurrency Borrowing shall specify the following information:

(i) the Class and Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted and the currency thereof;

(ii) the aggregate amount of such Borrowing;

(iii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iv) the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and

(v) the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.04.

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing of Revolving Loans is specified, then a Borrowing of Revolving Loans requested in Dollars shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Borrowing of Revolving Loans, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one calendar month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each applicable Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

SECTION 2.04 Funding of Borrowings .

(a) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Pro Rata Share of the applicable Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to ABR Loans described in Section 2.03. Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds in the currency of such Borrowing by 4:00 p.m., Local Time, to the Administrative Agent Account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided that Swingline

 

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Loans shall be made pursuant to Section 2.23. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower either by (i) promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower.

(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date (and, with respect to any ABR Loan, time) of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance on such assumption and in its sole discretion, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such share on demand of the Administrative Agent. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon demand of the Administrative Agent therefor, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower, and the Borrower agrees to pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand. The Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover from such Lender or the Borrower interest on such corresponding amount, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, if such Borrowing is denominated in Dollars, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, the rate reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be its cost of funding such amount, or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to such Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.11. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

(c) Obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 9.03(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 9.03(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and, other than as expressly provided herein with respect to a Defaulting Lender, no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 9.03(c).

SECTION 2.05 Interest Elections .

(a) Each Revolving Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a Borrowing of a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section 2.05. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably (in accordance with the principal amount of the applicable Loans) among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section 2.05 shall not apply to Swingline Loans or Protective Advances, which may not be converted or continued.

 

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(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Revolving Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be made by hand delivery, facsimile or other electronic transmission to the Administrative Agent (with a copy to the Administrative Agent if not the original recipient thereof) of a written Interest Election Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower.

(c) Each Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.03:

(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing;

(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is to be a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period.

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one calendar month’s duration.

(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the applicable Class of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e) If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Revolving Borrowing under the Facility may be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing; and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

(f) Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurocurrency Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurocurrency Loan.

SECTION 2.06 Termination and Reduction of Commitments . Upon the prior written notice to the Administrative Agent (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Lenders), the Borrower shall have the right, without premium or penalty, on any day, permanently to terminate or reduce the Commitments of any Class, as determined by the Borrower, in whole or in part; provided that:

(i) any such termination or reduction shall apply proportionately and permanently to reduce the Commitments of each of the Lenders of such Class, except that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may allocate any termination or reduction of Commitments among Classes of Commitments at its direction,

 

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(ii) any partial reduction pursuant to this Section 2.06 shall be in an aggregate amount of at least $1,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof,

(iii) after giving effect to such termination or reduction and to any prepayments of Loans or cancellation or cash collateralization of Letters of Credit made on the date thereof in accordance with this Agreement, the aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Credit Exposure for such Class shall not exceed the Total Revolving Commitments for such Class, and

(iv) if, after giving effect to any reduction of the Commitments, the LC Sublimit or the Swingline Sublimit with respect to the Facility exceeds the amount of Total Revolving Commitments thereunder, such sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess.

Except as provided above, the amount of any such Revolving Commitment reduction shall not be applied to the LC Sublimit or the Swingline Sublimit unless otherwise specified by the Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may rescind or postpone any notice of termination of the Commitments if such termination would have resulted from a refinancing of all of the Facility, which refinancing is not consummated or is otherwise shall be delayed. Unless previously terminated, all Commitments of a Class shall terminate on the Maturity Date applicable to such Class.

SECTION 2.07 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt .

(a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan on the Maturity Date, (B) to the Administrative Agent the then unpaid amount of each Protective Advance on the earlier of the Maturity Date and demand by the Administrative Agent, and (C) to each Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of such Swingline Loan of such Swingline Lender on the Maturity Date; provided that on each date that a Revolving Loan is made while any Swingline Loan or Protective Advance is outstanding under the same Facility, the Borrower shall repay all such Swingline Loans and Protective Advances with the proceeds of such Revolving Loan then outstanding under the Facility.

(b) At all times after the commencement and during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Period, and written notification thereof by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower (subject to the provisions of Section 5.17(b)), on each Business Day, at or before 1:00 p.m., Local Time, the Administrative Agent shall apply all immediately available funds credited on behalf of the Borrower to a Payment Account or such other account directed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.17(b) in accordance with Section 7.02 (except (A) clauses first and second thereof and (B) to Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Bank Product Obligations and Secured Swap Obligations).

(c) [Reserved].

(d) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

 

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(e) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made under the Facility, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the relevant Borrower to each Lender under the Facility and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

(f) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (d) or (e) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein, provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to pay any amounts due hereunder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the entries made pursuant to paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section, the accounts maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section shall control.

(g) Any Lender may request through the Administrative Agent that Loans of any Class made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the relevant Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form provided by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Borrower.

SECTION 2.08 Protective Advances and Overadvances .

(a) Subject to the limitations set forth below, the Administrative Agent is authorized by the Borrower and the Lenders, from time to time in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent (but, in any such case, none of them shall have absolutely any obligation to) to make Loans in Dollars to the Borrower on behalf of the Revolving Lenders (each such Loan, a “ Protective Advance ”), which the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems necessary or desirable (A) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof, (B) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Loans and other Secured Obligations, or (C) to pay any other amount chargeable to or required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including payments of reimbursable expenses (including costs, fees, and expenses as described in Section 9.03) and other sums payable under the Loan Documents; provided that the aggregate amount of outstanding Protective Advances (taken together with Overadvances under Section 2.08(c) below under the Facility) shall not, at any time, exceed (x) 10% of the Borrowing Base as determined on the date of such proposed Protective Advance or (y) when added to the aggregate Revolving Exposure of all the Revolving Lenders, the aggregate Commitments. Protective Advances may be made even if the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have not been satisfied. All Protective Advances shall be ABR Borrowings. The Administrative Agent’s authorization to make Protective Advances may be revoked at any time by the Required Lenders. Any such revocation must be in writing and shall become effective prospectively upon the Administrative Agent’s receipt thereof. At any time that the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied, the Administrative Agent may request the Revolving Lenders under the Facility to make a Revolving Loan, in the currency in which the applicable Protective Advance was denominated, to repay a Protective Advance. At any other time the Administrative Agent may require the Lenders to fund, in the currency in which the applicable Protective Advance was denominated, their risk participation described in Section 2.08(b).

(b) Upon the making of a Protective Advance (whether before or after the occurrence of a Default) by the Administrative Agent under the Facility, each Revolving Lender under the Facility shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, to have unconditionally and irrevocably purchased from the Administrative Agent, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such Protective Advance, in proportion to its Pro Rata Share. From and after the date, if any, on which any Lender is required to fund its participation in any Protective Advance purchased hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to such Lender, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of all payments of principal and interest and all proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent in respect of such Protective Advance.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Section 2.08 or this Agreement or the other Loan Documents and whether or not a Default or Event of Default exists at the time, the Administrative Agent may require the Revolving Lenders under the Facility to honor requests or deemed requests by the Borrower for Revolving Loans at a time that an Overadvance Condition exists or which would result in an Overadvance Condition and each relevant Lender shall be obligated to continue to make its Pro Rata Share of any such Overadvance Loan up to a maximum amount outstanding equal to its Revolving Commitment under the Facility at such time, so long as such Overadvance is not known by the Administrative Agent to exceed 5% of the Maximum Borrowing Amount under the Facility, at such time, but in no event shall such Overadvance exist for more than thirty (30) consecutive Business Days or more than forty-five (45) Business Days in any twelve calendar month period; provided , that (i) the aggregate amount of outstanding Overadvances plus any Protective Advances described in Section 2.08(a) plus the aggregate of all other Revolving Exposure shall not exceed the Total Revolving Commitments under the Facility and (ii) the Revolving Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed the Revolving Commitment of such Lender under the Facility. The Administrative Agent’s authorization to require Revolving Lenders to honor requests or deemed requests for Overadvance Loans may be revoked at any time by the Required Lenders.

SECTION 2.09 Prepayment of Loans .

(a) Upon prior notice in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section 2.09, the Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Revolving Borrowing in whole or in part without premium or penalty (but subject to Section 2.14).

(b) Except for Protective Advances and Overadvance Loans permitted under Section 2.08, in the event and on each Business Day on which the total Revolving Exposure under the Facility exceeds the Maximum Borrowing Amount under the Facility, the relevant Borrower shall promptly prepay first , any outstanding Swingline Loans under the Facility in an amount equal to such excess Swingline Loans, second , if any excess remains after prepaying all Swingline Loans, any outstanding Revolving Loans under the Facility in an amount equal to any remaining excess and third , if any excess remains after prepaying all Swingline Loans and all Revolving Loans, depositing an amount in cash in an amount equal to any remaining excess in the LC Collateral Account for the Facility.

(c) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the applicable Swingline Lender) by facsimile or other electronic communication of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, not later than 11:00 a.m., Local Time, three (3) Business Days before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Loan, not later than 10:00 a.m., Local Time, on the day of prepayment, or (iii) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not later than 11:00 a.m., Local Time, on the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid. Promptly following receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the applicable Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.11. At the Borrower’s election in connection with any prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.09, such prepayment shall not be applied to any Loan of a Defaulting Lender and shall be allocated ratably among the relevant non-Defaulting Lenders.

 

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SECTION 2.10 Fees .

(a) Commitment Fee . The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Revolving Lenders (based on their Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Exposure) a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Commitment Fee Rate on the average daily amount of the Available Revolving Commitment of the Revolving Lenders during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which the Lenders’ Revolving Commitments terminate. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears in accordance with clause (c) below. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). For purposes of calculating the commitment fees only, no portion of the Revolving Commitments shall be deemed utilized as a result of outstanding Swingline Loans.

(b) Letter of Credit Fees . The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Borrower, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurocurrency Rate Loans on the daily amount of such Revolving Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) under the Facility, during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Revolving Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure. In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay to each Issuing Bank, for its own account, a fronting fee, in respect of each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank to the Borrower for the period from the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit through the expiration date of such Letter of Credit (or if terminated on an earlier date to the termination date of such Letter of Credit), computed at a rate equal to 0.125% per annum or such other percentage per annum to be agreed upon between the Borrower and such Issuing Bank of the daily outstanding amount of such Letter of Credit, as well as such Issuing Bank’s standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Accrued participation fees and fronting fees shall be payable in accordance with clause (c) below; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed.

(c) Subject to clause (d) below, all interest, commitment fees under Section 2.10(a) and participation and fronting fees under Section 2.10(b), in each case payable hereunder, shall accrue through and including, and be due and payable in arrears on, (i) in the case of all interest and commitment fees payable under Section 2.10(a), the first day of each calendar month of January, April, July and October and (ii) in the case of all participation and fronting fees payable under Section 2.10(b), the first Business Day of each calendar month of January, April, July and October and, in each case, as applicable, on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate (other than as set forth under the definition of “Interest Payment Date”). The Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent, from time to time without prior notice to the Borrower, to charge all such amounts that are due and payable to the loan account of the Borrower ( provided that such amounts shall not be charged to any loan account until (5) Business Days after the Administrative Agent has provided the Borrower with an invoice for any such amount). Any such amounts payable hereunder that are charged to a loan account shall thereupon constitute Loans under the Facility and shall initially accrue interest at the rate then applicable to Loans comprising ABR Borrowings (unless and until converted, if applicable, into Eurocurrency Borrowings in accordance with the terms of this Agreement).

 

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(d) The Borrower shall pay to the Agents such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever (except as expressly agreed between the Borrower and each applicable Agent).

(e) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the applicable Issuing Bank in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to Section 2.10, the Borrower shall not be obligated to pay any amounts to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Section 2.10.

SECTION 2.11 Interest .

(a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(b) The Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at the LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

(c) [Reserved].

(d) [Reserved].

(e) Each Protective Advance shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2.00% per annum plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2.00% per annum plus the rate applicable to Loans that are ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section; provided that no amount shall be payable pursuant to this Section 2.11(f) to a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender; provided , further , that no amounts shall accrue pursuant to this Section 2.11(f) on any overdue amount or other amount payable to a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender.

(g) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

(h) All computations of interest for ABR Loans (including ABR Loans determined by reference to the LIBO Rate) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days, as the case may be) and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which

 

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the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.16, bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

SECTION 2.12 Alternate Rate of Interest .

(a) If at least two Business Days prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing:

(i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable for such Interest Period; or

(ii) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period (in each case with respect to the Loans impacted by this clause (b) or clause (a) above, “ Impacted Loans ”),

(iii) in the case of clause (a) or (b) above, the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof (and, if requested by the Borrower, reasonably acceptable evidence of such determination) to the Borrower and the Lenders by facsimile or other electronic means as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall be ineffective and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing, then such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing and the utilization of the LIBO Rate component in determining the Alternate Base Rate shall be suspended; provided , however , that, in each case, the Borrower may revoke any Borrowing Request that is pending when such notice is received.

(iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent has made the determination described in clause (a) of this Section 2.12 and/or is advised by the Required Lenders of their determination in accordance with clause (b) of this Section 2.12 and the Borrower shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Required Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend the definition of “LIBO Rate” and other applicable provisions to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change; provided that, until so amended, such Impacted Loans will be handled as otherwise provided pursuant to the terms of this Section 2.12.

(b) If at any time the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), or the Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent (with a copy to the Borrower) that the Required Lenders have determined, that (i) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBO Rate (including because the LIBO Rate is not available or published on a current basis or the circumstances set forth in Section 2.12(i) or (ii) above have occurred) and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary; or (ii) the administrator of the LIBO Rate or a Governmental Authority has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which the LIBO Rate shall no longer be made available or used for determining the interest rate of loans (such specific date, the “ Scheduled Unavailability Date ”), then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall endeavor to establish an alternate rate of interest to the LIBO Rate and agree on the spread adjustment applicable

 

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thereto (if any), giving due consideration to (i) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest as a replacement to LIBOR for U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities or (ii) any selection, endorsement or recommendation of a replacement rate and/or replacement spread or the mechanism for determining such a rate or spread by the relevant Governmental Authority (or a committee convened by the Board of Governors) in effect at such time, and shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement to reflect such alternate rate of interest, the spread adjustment applicable thereto (if any) and such other related changes to this Agreement as may be applicable; provided that such amendment shall provide that if such alternate rate of interest shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9.02, such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement so long as the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five (5) Business Days of the date a copy of such amendment is provided to the Lenders, written notice from the Required Lenders stating that such Required Lenders object to such amendment. If no such alternate rate has been determined and the circumstances under clause (i) above exist or the Scheduled Unavailability Date has occurred (as applicable), the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender, and thereafter until execution of an amendment to implement an alternative rate in accordance with the foregoing, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurocurrency Loans shall be suspended, and (y) the LIBO Rate component shall no longer be utilized in determining the Alternate Base Rate. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Loan of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Loans (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of ABR Loans (subject to the foregoing clause (y)) in the amount specified therein.

SECTION 2.13 Increased Costs .

(a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the LIBO Rate) or Issuing Bank;

(ii) impose on any Lender or Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than with respect to Taxes) affecting this Agreement, Eurocurrency Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; or

(iii) subject any Lender or Issuing Bank to any Taxes on its Loans, letters of credit, Commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, maintaining, continuing or converting any Eurocurrency Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender or any Issuing Bank or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then, from time to time upon request of such Lender or Issuing Bank, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank for such increased costs actually incurred or reduction actually suffered, provided that to the extent any such costs or reductions are incurred by any Lender as a result of any requests, rules, guidelines or directives enacted or promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and Basel III after the Effective Date, then such Lender or such Issuing Bank shall be compensated pursuant to this Section 2.13(a) only to the extent such Lender or such Issuing Bank is

 

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imposing such charges on similarly situated borrowers under the other syndicated credit facilities that such Lender is a lender under or such Issuing Bank is a letter of credit issuer under. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Borrower shall not be liable for such increased cost or reduction other than to the extent that it relates to the Facility under which such Person is the Borrower and (ii) this paragraph will not apply to (A) Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes indemnifiable under Section 2.15 or (B) Excluded Taxes.

(b) If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity requirements), then, from time to time upon request of such Lender or such Issuing Bank, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank, or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, for any such reduction actually suffered.

(c) A certificate of a Lender or Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company in reasonable detail, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 15 days after receipt thereof.

(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided , further , that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

SECTION 2.14 Break Funding Payments . In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto or (d) the assignment of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.17 or Section 9.02(c), then, in any such event, the Borrower shall, after receipt of a written request by any Lender affected by any such event (which request shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amount), compensate each Lender under the Facility for the actual loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 2.14, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurocurrency Loan made by it at the LIBO Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurocurrency Loan was in fact so funded. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 15 days after receipt of such demand. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 2.14 will not apply to losses, costs or expenses resulting from Taxes, as to which Section 2.15 shall govern.

 

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SECTION 2.15 Taxes .

(a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, provided that if the applicable Withholding Agent shall be required by applicable Requirements of Law to deduct or withhold any Taxes from such payments, then (i) the applicable Withholding Agent shall make such deductions or withholding, (ii) the applicable Withholding Agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law and (iii) if the Tax in question is an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax, the amount payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after all required deductions or withholding have been made (including deductions or withholdings applicable to additional amounts payable under this Section 2.15) the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholding been made.

(b) Without limiting the provisions of paragraph (a) above, the Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Requirements of Law, or at the option of Withholding Agent timely reimburse it for the payment thereof.

(c) The Loan Parties shall indemnify each applicable Lender and the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank under the Facility, within 30 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, and any Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.15) and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and calculation of the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to Administrative Agent), by an Issuing Bank or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by a Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.15, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(e) Each Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable Requirements of Law and such other documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent (i) as will permit such payments under any Loan Document to be made without, or at a reduced rate of, withholding or (ii) as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to withholding or information reporting requirements. Each Lender shall, whenever a lapse or time or change in circumstances renders such documentation obsolete, expired or inaccurate in any respect, deliver promptly to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent updated or other appropriate documentation (including any new documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its inability to do so.

 

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Without limiting the foregoing:

(1) Each Lender that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or any successor forms) certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding.

(2) Each Lender that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) whichever of the following is applicable:

(A) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or any successor forms) claiming eligibility for the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party,

(B) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI (or any successor forms),

(C) in the case of a Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 871(h) or Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) two properly completed and duly signed certificates substantially in the form of Exhibit P-1 , P-2 , P-3 or P-4 , as applicable, (any such certificate, a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or any successor forms),

(D) to the extent a Lender is not the beneficial owner (for example, where the Lender is a partnership or a participating Lender), two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY (or any successor forms) of the Lender, accompanied by a Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate, Form W-9, Form W-8IMY or any other required information (or any successor forms) from each beneficial owner that would be required under this Section 2.15(e) if such beneficial owner were a Lender, as applicable ( provided that, if the Lender is a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and not a participating Lender) and one or more direct or indirect partners are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, the U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate may be provided by such Lender on behalf of such direct or indirect partner(s)), or

(E) two properly completed and duly signed original copies of any other form prescribed by applicable U.S. federal income tax laws as a basis for claiming a complete exemption from, or a reduction in, U.S. federal withholding tax on any payments to such Lender under the Loan Documents, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

(3) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the

 

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Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA, to determine whether such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA and, if necessary, to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (3), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date hereof.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this clause (e), a Lender shall not be required to deliver any form or other documentation that such Lender is not legally eligible to deliver.

(f) On or before the date Agent (or any successor thereto) becomes a party to this Agreement, Agent shall provide to the Borrower, two duly-signed, properly completed copies of the documentation prescribed in clause (i) or (ii) below, as applicable (together with all required attachments thereto): (i) Form W-9 (or successor forms), or (ii) (A) Form W-8ECI (or successor forms), and (B) with respect to payments received on account of any Lender, a U.S. branch withholding certificate on Form W-8IMY (or successor forms) evidencing its agreement with the Borrower to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal withholding purposes as contemplated by Treasury Regulation Section 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv)(A). At any time thereafter, Agent shall provide updated documentation previously provided (or successor forms) when any documentation previously delivered has expired or become obsolete or invalid or otherwise upon the reasonable request of the Borrower.

(g) If the Borrower determines in good faith that a reasonable basis exists for contesting any Taxes for which indemnification has been demanded hereunder, the Administrative Agent or the relevant Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower in a reasonable challenge of such Taxes if so requested by the Borrower; provided that (a) the Administrative Agent or such Lender or Issuing Bank determines in its reasonable discretion that it would not be subject to any unreimbursed third party cost or expense or otherwise be prejudiced by cooperating in such challenge, (b) the Borrower pays all related expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable and (c) the Borrower indemnifies the Administrative Agent or such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, for any liabilities or other costs incurred by such party in connection with such challenge. The Administrative Agent or a Lender or Issuing Bank shall claim any refund that it determines is reasonably available to it, unless it concludes in its reasonable discretion that it would be adversely affected by making such a claim. If the Administrative Agent or a Lender or Issuing Bank receives a refund of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.15, it shall pay over such refund to the Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of the Administrative Agent or such Lender or Issuing Bank and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender or Issuing Bank, agrees promptly to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. The Administrative Agent or such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, shall, at the Borrower’s request, provide the Borrower with a copy of any notice of assessment or other evidence of the requirement to repay such refund received from the relevant taxing authority ( provided that the Administrative Agent or such Lender or Issuing Bank may delete any information therein that the

 

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Administrative Agent or such Lender or Issuing Bank deems confidential). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, this Section 2.15(g) shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender or Issuing Bank to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to Taxes which it deems confidential to any Loan Party or any other Person).

(h) The agreements in this Section 2.15 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

SECTION 2.16 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs .

(a) The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it under any Loan Document (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.13, 2.14 or 2.15, or otherwise) prior to the time expressly required hereunder or under such other Loan Document for such payment (or, if no such time is expressly required, prior to 2:00 p.m., Local Time), on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without setoff or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to such account as may be specified by the Administrative Agent, except payments to be made directly to any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.13, 2.14, 2.15 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto and payments pursuant to other Loan Documents shall be made to the Persons specified therein. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment (other than payments on the Eurocurrency Loans) under any Loan Document shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day. If any payment on a Eurocurrency Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the case of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding two sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate for the period of such extension. All payments or prepayments of any Loan or with respect to a Letter of Credit shall be made in the currency in which such Loan or Letter of Credit (as applicable) is denominated, all payments of accrued interest payable on a Loan shall be made in the currency in which such Loan is denominated, and all other payments under each Loan Document shall be made in Dollars. If, for any reason, the Borrower is prohibited by Requirements of Law from making any required payment hereunder in any currency (other than Dollars), the Borrower shall make such payment in Dollars in the Dollar Equivalent of such payment amount.

(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due under the Facility, such funds shall be applied in accordance with Section 7.02(a) (except (A) clauses first and second thereof and (B) to Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Bank Product Obligations and Secured Swap Obligations) notwithstanding the absence of an Event of Default, exercise of remedies or acceleration of the Loans.

(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans of a given Class or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans of such Class or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender with outstanding Loans of the same Class or participations in such LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans, then the Lender

 

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receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans of such Class or participations in such LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans of such Class or participations in such LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans, provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from existence of a Defaulting Lender), (B) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant or (C) any disproportionate payment obtained by a Lender of any Class or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans as a result of the extension by Lenders of the maturity date or expiration date of some but not all Loans of that Class or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans or any increase in the Applicable Rate in respect of Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans of Lenders that have consented to any such extension. The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower, as applicable, in the amount of such participation.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or Issuing Banks hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption and in its sole discretion, distribute to the Lenders or Issuing Banks, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(a) or 2.04(b), 2.16(d) or 9.03(c), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion and in the order determined by the Administrative Agent (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Section until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and to be applied to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under any such Section.

SECTION 2.17 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders .

(a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.13, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15 or any event that gives rise to the operation of Section 2.21, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or its participation in any Letter of Credit affected by such event, or to assign and delegate its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment and delegation (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts

 

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payable pursuant to Section 2.13 or Section 2.15 or mitigate the applicability of Section 2.21, as the case may be, and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense reasonably deemed by such Lender to be material and would not be inconsistent with the internal policies of, or otherwise be disadvantageous in any material economic, legal or regulatory respect to, such Lender.

(b) If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.13 or gives notice under Section 2.21, (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or to any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, or (iii) any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment and delegation), provided that (A) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent to the extent such consent would be required under Section 9.04(b) for an assignment of Loans or Commitments, as applicable, which consents, in each case, shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, (B) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and unreimbursed participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued but unpaid interest thereon, accrued but unpaid fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts), (C) the Borrower or such assignee shall have paid (unless waived) to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b)(ii) and (D) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.13, payment required to be made pursuant to Section 2.15 or a notice given under Section 2.21, such assignment will result in a material reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise (including as a result of any action taken by such Lender under paragraph (a) above), the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Each party hereto agrees that an assignment required pursuant to this paragraph may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the assignee and that the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto.

SECTION 2.18 Increased Commitments .

(a) At any time and from time to time after the Effective Date, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may, by notice to the Administrative Agent (whereupon the Administrative Agent shall promptly make available to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders under the Facility), request to effect one or more increases in the Revolving Commitments of the Facility (or, solely to the extent set forth in Section 2.18(d) below, provide commitments under a new Facility constituting a FILO Tranche) (an “ Incremental Commitment ”) from one or more Additional Lenders; provided that (A) at the time of each such request and upon the effectiveness of each Incremental Facility Amendment, (i) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (except in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or any other Investment not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement, which shall be subject to no continuing Event of Default under clauses (a), (b), (h) or (i) of Section 7.01) or shall result therefrom and (ii) the representations and warranties set forth Article III hereof shall be true and correct in all material respects (except in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or any other Investment not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement, which, if and only to the extent required by the Lenders providing such Incremental Commitment, shall be subject to customary “SunGard” or “certain funds” conditionality), (B) the arrangement, upfront or similar fees in respect of such Incremental Commitment and the extensions of credit thereunder shall be determined by the Borrower and the applicable Additional Lenders, and (C) except as set forth in clause (B) above or, with respect to any FILO Tranche under

 

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Section 2.18(d) below, any Incremental Commitment shall be on the same terms and pursuant to the same documentation applicable to the existing Revolving Commitments under the Facility. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the aggregate principal amount of all Incremental Commitments shall not exceed $100,000,000. Each Incremental Commitment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (unless the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise agree); provided that such amount may be less than $5,000,000 if such amount represents all the remaining availability under the aggregate principal amount of Incremental Commitments set forth above.

(b) (i) Each notice from the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall set forth the requested amount of the relevant Incremental Commitments.

(ii) Any Incremental Commitments shall become Commitments under this Agreement pursuant to an amendment (an “ Incremental Facility Amendment ”) to this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents executed by the Borrower, such applicable Additional Lenders and the Administrative Agent. Incremental Commitments shall be provided by Additional Lenders (including any Existing Lender (it being understood that no existing Lender shall have any right to participate in any Incremental Commitments or, unless it agrees, be obligated to provide any Incremental Commitments)); provided that each Additional Lender (other than any Person that is a Lender) shall be subject to the written consent of the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and the Borrower (such approval in each case not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). An Incremental Facility Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to any Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, to (x) effect the provisions of this Section and/or (y) so long as such amendments are not, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, materially adverse to the Lenders, maintain the “fungibility” of any such Incremental Commitments with any tranche of then outstanding Loans and or Commitments hereunder.

(c) Any Revolving Loan made pursuant to an Incremental Commitment shall be a “Loan” for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(d) Any Incremental Commitment may be in the form of a separate “first-in, last-out” or “last-out” tranche (the “ FILO Tranche ”) with interest rate margins, rate floors, upfront fees, funding discounts and original issue discounts and advance rates, in each case to be agreed upon (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not require any adjustment to the Applicable Rate or other Loans) among the Borrower and the Additional Lenders providing the FILO Tranche so long as (1) any loans and related obligations in respect of the FILO Tranche are not be guaranteed by any Person other than the Guarantors and are not secured by any assets other than Collateral; (2) as between (x) the Revolving Loans (other than the FILO Tranche) and other Loan Document Obligations, the Noticed Cash Management Obligations and the Noticed Hedges and (y) the FILO Tranche, all proceeds from the liquidation or other realization of the Collateral or application of funds under Section 7.02 shall be applied, first to obligations owing under, or with respect to, the Revolving Loans (other than the FILO Tranche) and other Loan Document Obligations, the Noticed Cash Management Obligations and the Noticed Hedges, and second to the FILO Tranche; (3) the Borrower may not prepay Loans under the FILO Tranche or terminate or reduce the commitments in respect thereof at any time that other Loans (including Swingline Loans) and/or amounts owed in respect of LC Disbursements (unless cash collateralized or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) are outstanding; (4) the Required Lenders shall, subject to the terms of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, exercise control of remedies in respect of the Collateral; (5) no changes affecting the priority status of the Revolving Loans (other than the FILO Tranche) and other Loan Document Obligations, the Noticed Cash Management Obligations

 

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and the Noticed Hedges vis-à-vis the FILO Tranche may be made without the consent of each of the Revolving Lenders (other than the Revolving Lenders under FILO Tranche), (6) the final maturity of any FILO Tranche shall not occur, and no FILO Tranche shall require mandatory commitment reductions prior to, the Latest Maturity Date at such time and (7) except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.18(d), the terms of any such FILO Tranche (other than advance rates that do not exceed 95%) shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, this Section 2.18 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.16 or Section 9.02 to the contrary.

SECTION 2.19 [Reserved] .

SECTION 2.20 Defaulting Lenders .

(a) General . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

(i) Waivers and Amendments . Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 9.02.

(ii) Reallocation of Payments . Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VII or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.08), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent; second , to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender; third , to cash collateralize the Issuing Banks’ LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.24(i); fourth , as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan under the Facility in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth , if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under the Facility; sixth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, such Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to any Loan Party as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Loan Party against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth , subject to the last sentence of Section 2.09(e), to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Disbursements and such Lender is a Defaulting Lender under clause (a) of the definition thereof, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the relevant Loans of, and LC Disbursements owed to, the relevant non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied pursuant to Section 2.24(i). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post cash collateral pursuant to Section 2.24(i) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

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(iii) Certain Fees . That Defaulting Lender (x) shall not be entitled to receive or accrue any commitment fee pursuant to Section 2.10(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender) and (y) shall be limited in its right to receive Letter of Credit Fees as provided in Section 2.10(b).

(iv) Reallocation of Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure . If any Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure exists at the time a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

(A) all or any part of such Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders under the Facility in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent (x) the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Exposures plus such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure does not exceed the lesser of the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Commitments under the Facility and the applicable Borrowing Base, as of such date and (y) no such non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Exposure under the Facility shall exceed such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment under the Facility at such time; and

(B) If the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within three (3) Business Days following notice by the Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay the Swingline Exposure of such Defaulting Lender and (y) second, cash collateralize such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.24(i) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;

(C) if the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to this Section 2.22(a)(iv), the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.10(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;

(D) if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.22(c), then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.10(a) and Section 2.10(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Pro Rata Share (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment); or

(E) if any Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to this Section 2.20(a)(iv), then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the applicable Issuing Bank or any Lender hereunder, all letter of credit fees payable under Section 2.10(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the applicable Issuing Bank until such LC Exposure is cash collateralized and/or reallocated.

 

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(v) Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit . So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and the Issuing Banks thereunder shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.20(a)(iv), and participating interests in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit or newly made Swingline Loan shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.20(a)(iv) (and Defaulting Lenders shall not participate therein).

(b) Defaulting Lender Cure .

(i) If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein, that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided , further , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

(ii) After a determination pursuant to clause (i) above, then the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of the other Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swingline Loans) as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Pro Rata Share (without giving effect to Section 2.20(a)(iv)).

SECTION 2.21 Illegality . If any Lender determines that any law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the LIBO Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the LIBO Rate, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurocurrency Loans or to convert ABR Loans to Eurocurrency Loans, as applicable, shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrower shall, upon three Business Days’ notice from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurocurrency Loans of such Lender to ABR Loans, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Loans, and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the LIBO Rate, the Administrative Agent shall, during the period of such suspension, compute the Alternate Base Rate, as applicable, applicable to such Lender without reference to the LIBO Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the LIBO Rate. Each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing promptly upon becoming aware that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the LIBO Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

 

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SECTION 2.22 Loan Modification Offers .

(a) At any time after the Effective Date, the Borrower may on one or more occasions, by written notice to the Administrative Agent, make one or more offers (each, a “ Loan Modification Offer ”) to all the Lenders of one or more Classes (each Class subject to such a Loan Modification Offer, an “ Affected Class ”) to effect one or more Permitted Amendments relating to such Affected Class pursuant to procedures reasonably specified by the Administrative Agent and reasonably acceptable to the Borrower (including mechanics to permit cashless rollovers and exchanges by Lenders). Such notice shall set forth (i) the terms and conditions of the requested Permitted Amendment and (ii) the date on which such Permitted Amendment is requested to become effective. Permitted Amendments shall become effective only with respect to the Loans and Commitments of the Lenders of the Affected Class that accept the applicable Loan Modification Offer (such Lenders, the “ Accepting Lenders ”) and, in the case of any Accepting Lender, only with respect to such Lender’s Loans and Commitments of such Affected Class as to which such Lender’s acceptance has been made.

(b) A Permitted Amendment shall be effected pursuant to a Loan Modification Agreement executed and delivered by the Borrower, each applicable Accepting Lender and the Administrative Agent; provided that no Permitted Amendment shall become effective unless the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent such legal opinions, board resolutions, secretary’s certificates, officer’s certificates and other documents as shall be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in connection therewith. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Loan Modification Agreement. Each Loan Modification Agreement may, without the consent of any Lender other than the applicable Accepting Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to give effect to the provisions of this Section 2.22, including any amendments necessary to treat the applicable Loans and/or Commitments of the Accepting Lenders as a new “Class” of loans and/or commitments hereunder.

(c) If, in connection with any proposed Loan Modification Offer, any Lender of the Affected Class declines to consent to such Loan Modification Offer on the terms and by the deadline set forth in such Loan Modification Offer (each such Lender, a “ Non-Accepting Lender ”) then the Borrower may, on notice to the Administrative Agent and the Non-Accepting Lender, (i) replace such Non-Accepting Lender in whole or in part by causing such Lender to (and such Lender shall be obligated to) assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04) all or any part of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of the Loans and Commitments of the Affected Class to one or more Persons approved (other than any Person that is a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund of a Lender at such time, in which case no such approval shall be required) by the Administrative Agent (such approval in each case not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender under the Facility (such Person, a “ Replacement Lender ”); provided that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to the Borrower to find a Replacement Lender; provided , further , that (i) the Replacement Lender shall have agreed to provide Commitments on the terms set forth in the applicable Permitted Amendment, (ii) such Non-Accepting Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of the Loans of the Affected Class assigned by it pursuant to this Section 2.22(c), accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder from the Replacement Lender (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) and (iii) unless waived, the Borrower or such Replacement Lender shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b).

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, this Section 2.22 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.16 or Section 9.02 to the contrary.

 

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SECTION 2.23 Swingline Loans .

(a) Facility .

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Swingline Lender under the Facility in reliance upon the agreements of the other Revolving Lenders set forth in this Section 2.23, make available Swingline Loans to the relevant Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans under the Facility exceeding the Swingline Sublimit for the Facility, (ii) any Revolving Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment for the Facility or (iii) the total Revolving Exposures exceeding the Maximum Borrowing Amount, at such time; provided , that a Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower under the Facility may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans. Such Swingline Loans shall bear interest at the rate then applicable to Revolving Loans based on the Alternate Base Rate under the Facility. To request a Swingline Loan, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by facsimile or electronic communication (if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent), not later than 2:00 p.m. Local Time on the day of a proposed Swingline Loan. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Swingline Loan. The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any such notice received from the Borrower. Such Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to the Borrower by means of a credit in accordance with the instructions of the Borrower (including, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.24(e), by remittance to the applicable Issuing Bank, and in the case of repayment of another Loan or fees or expenses, by remittance to the Administrative Agent to be distributed to the relevant Lenders) on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.

(ii) To facilitate administration of the Revolving Loans, the Revolving Lenders and the Administrative Agent agree (which agreement is solely among them, and not for the benefit of or enforceable by the Borrower) that in order to facilitate the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, settlement among them as to the Revolving Loans under the Facility, and Swingline Loans under the Facility, shall take place on a periodic basis in accordance with this clause (a)(ii). The Administrative Agent shall request settlement (a “ Settlement ”) with the Revolving Lenders on at least a bi-weekly basis, or on a more frequent basis if so determined by the Administrative Agent, (A) on behalf of the applicable Swingline Lender, with respect to each outstanding Swingline Loan and (B) with respect to collections received, in each case, by notifying the applicable Revolving Lenders of such requested Settlement by facsimile or other electronic form of transmission, of such requested Settlement, no later than 1:00 p.m. Local Time, on the date of such requested Settlement (the “ Settlement Date ”). Each applicable Revolving Lender (other than the Swingline Lender, in the case of Swingline Loans) shall make the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding principal amount of the Swingline Loans with respect to which Settlement is requested available to the Administrative Agent, to such account of the Administrative Agent as the Administrative Agent may designate, not later than 3:00 p.m., Local Time, on the Settlement Date applicable thereto, which may occur before or after the occurrence or during the continuation of a Default or an Event of Default and whether or not the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Article IV have then been satisfied without regard to any minimum amount specified therein. Such amounts made available to the Administrative Agent shall be applied

 

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against the amounts of the applicable Swingline Loan and, together with the portion of such Swingline Loan representing the Swingline Lender’s pro rata share thereof, shall constitute Revolving Loans of the Revolving Lenders under the Facility. If any such amount is not made available to the Administrative Agent by any Revolving Lender on the Settlement Date applicable thereto, the Administrative Agent shall, on behalf of the applicable Swingline Lender with respect to each outstanding Swingline Loan, be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Revolving Lender together with interest thereon at the Alternate Base Rate for the first three days from and after the Settlement Date and thereafter at the interest rate then applicable to Revolving Loans. Between Settlement Dates, the Administrative Agent may pay over to the applicable Swingline Lender any payments received by the Administrative Agent, which in accordance with the terms of this Agreement would be applied to the reduction of the Revolving Loans, for application to such Swingline Lender’s Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans. If, as of any Settlement Date, collections received since the then immediately preceding Settlement Date have been applied to such Swingline Lender’s Revolving Loans, such Swingline Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the accounts of the applicable Revolving Lenders, to be applied to the outstanding Revolving Loans of such Revolving Lenders, an amount such that each Revolving Lender shall, upon receipt of such amount, have, as of such Settlement Date, its Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Loans under the Facility. During the period between Settlement Dates, each Swingline Lender with respect to its Swingline Loans, the Administrative Agent with respect to Protective Advances under the Facility and each Revolving Lender with respect to its Revolving Loans shall be entitled to interest thereon at the applicable rate or rates payable under this Agreement.

(iii) In addition, a Swingline Lender under the Facility may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m., Local Time, on any Business Day require the Revolving Lenders under the Facility to acquire participations not later than 1:00 p.m. on such Business Day in all or a portion of its outstanding Swingline Loans under the Facility. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Revolving Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Revolving Lender under the Facility, specifying in such notice such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of a Swingline Lender under the Facility, such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Revolving Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.04 with respect to Loans made by such Revolving Lender (and Section 2.04 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph. Any amounts received by a Swingline Lender from the Borrower (or other party on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan under the Facility after receipt by such Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to such Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided that any

 

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such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Swingline Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.

(b) Termination and Appointment . The Borrower may terminate the appointment of any Swingline Lender as a “Swingline Lender” hereunder by providing a written notice thereof to such Swingline Lender, with a copy to the Administrative Agent. Any such termination shall become effective upon the earlier of (i) such Swingline Lender’s acknowledging receipt of such notice and (ii) the fifth Business Day following the date of the delivery thereof; provided that no such termination shall become effective until and unless the Swingline Exposure of such Swingline Lender shall have been reduced to zero. Notwithstanding the effectiveness of any such termination, the terminated Swingline Lender shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights of a Swingline Lender under this Agreement with respect to Swingline Loans made by it prior to such termination, but shall not make any additional Swingline Loans. After notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower may appoint any other Revolving Lender as a “Swingline Lender” so long as such Revolving Lender agrees to such appointment.

SECTION 2.24 Letters of Credit .

(a) General . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (i) each Issuing Bank agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Revolving Lenders set forth in this Section 2.24, (A) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Effective Date to but not including the 5th Business Day prior to the Maturity Date, upon the request of the Borrower, to issue Letters of Credit denominated in a Permitted Currency and issued on sight basis only for the account of the Borrower, and to amend or renew Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with Section 2.24(b); provided that if the Borrower requests the applicable Issuing Bank to issue a Letter of Credit for an affiliated or unaffiliated third party (an “ Account Party ”), (i) such Account Party shall have no rights against the applicable Issuing Bank; (ii) the Borrower shall be responsible for the application and obligations under this Agreement; and (iii) communications (including notices) related to the respective Letter of Credit shall be among the applicable Issuing Bank and the Borrower, and (B) to honor drafts under the Letters of Credit, and (ii) the Revolving Lenders under the Facility severally agree to participate in the Letters of Credit issued pursuant to Section 2.24(d) under the Facility; provided that no Letters of Credit shall be issued if the Administrative Agent receives notice from the Required Lenders that the conditions set forth in Article IV have not been satisfied. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed.

(b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions . To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall hand deliver or facsimile (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent, at least two (2) Business Days in advance of the requested date of issuance (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank), a completed and irrevocable Letter of Credit application in a form reasonably acceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank, subject to the applicable Issuing Bank’s authentication procedures with results satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank. To request an amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall submit such an application to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent at least two (2) Business Days in advance of the requested date of amendment, extension or renewal, which such application (i) shall specify (A) the amount of such Letter of Credit, (B) the date of issuance, amendment, renewal, or extension of such Letter of Credit, (C) the proposed expiration date of such Letter of Credit, (D) the name and address of the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit, and (E) such other

 

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information (including, the conditions to drawing, and, in the case of an amendment, renewal, or extension, identification of the Letter of Credit to be so amended, renewed, or extended) as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew, or extend such Letter of Credit, and (ii) shall be accompanied by such Issuer Documents as the Administrative Agent or applicable Issuing Bank may request or require, to the extent that such requests or requirements are consistent with the Issuer Documents such Issuing Bank generally requests for Letters of Credit in similar circumstances. The applicable Issuing Bank’s records of the content of any such application will be conclusive. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of Letter of Credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, the applicable Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended if (and on issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the LC Exposure shall not exceed the LC Sublimit with respect to the Facility, (ii) no Issuing Bank’s LC Exposure shall exceed its Individual LC Sublimit and (iii) the Revolving Exposures shall not exceed the Maximum Borrowing Amount with respect to the Facility at such time. Additionally, the applicable Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue or extend a Letter of Credit if (A) any order, judgment, or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall, by its terms, purport to enjoin or restrain Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any law applicable to the applicable Issuing Bank or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the applicable Issuing Bank shall prohibit or request that the applicable Issuing Bank refrain from the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular, or (B) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the applicable Issuing Bank applicable to letters of credit generally. Promptly after the delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the applicable Issuing Bank will also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment. Promptly after receipt of such Letter of Credit or amendment, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Revolving Lenders, in writing, of such Letter of Credit or amendment, and if so requested by a Revolving Lender the Administrative Agent, will provide such Revolving Lender with copies of such Letter of Credit or amendment. With respect to Commercial Letters of Credit, each Issuing Bank shall, on the first Business Day of each week, submit to the Administrative Agent, by facsimile (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank), a report detailing the daily aggregate total of Commercial Letters of Credit for the previous calendar week.

(c) Expiration Date . Each Standby Letter of Credit shall expire not later than the date that is twelve months after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit; provided that any Standby Letter of Credit may provide for the automatic extension thereof for any number of additional periods each of up to one year in duration; provided further that any Letter of Credit which extends beyond the Maturity Date shall be cash collateralized pursuant to clause (j) of this Section 2.24 on or before the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Maturity Date. Each Commercial Letter of Credit shall expire on the earlier of (i) 120 days after the date of the issuance of such Commercial Letter of Credit and (ii) 5 Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.

(d) Participations . By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank or the Revolving Lenders, the applicable Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Lender under the Facility, and each Revolving Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay in Dollars (in accordance with Section 1.06,

 

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as applicable) to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the relevant Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section 2.24, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments under the Facility, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(e) Reimbursement . (i) If the applicable Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than (i) 3:00 p.m., Local Time, on the Business Day immediately following the date the Borrower is presented notice of such LC Disbursement under paragraph (g) of this Section 2.24; provided that the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.23 that such payment be financed with ABR Loans or Swingline Loans under the Facility in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Loans or Swingline Loan. In the case of a Letter of Credit denominated in a Permitted Currency (other than Dollars), the Borrower shall reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank in Dollars in accordance with Section 1.06. Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars shall be reimbursed by the Borrower in Dollars. In the case of any such reimbursement in Dollars of a drawing under a Letter of Credit denominated in another Permitted Currency, the applicable Issuing Bank shall notify the Borrower of the Dollar equivalent of the amount of the drawing promptly following the determination thereof. If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the amount of the LC Disbursement immediately and automatically shall be deemed to be a Revolving Loan hereunder (notwithstanding any failure to satisfy any condition precedent set forth in Article IV) and, initially, shall bear interest at the rate then applicable to Revolving Loans that are ABR Loans. If an LC Disbursement is deemed to be a Revolving Loan hereunder, the Borrower’s obligation to pay the amount of such LC Disbursement to the applicable Issuing Bank shall be automatically converted into an obligation to pay the resulting Revolving Loan. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrowers pursuant to this paragraph, Agent shall distribute such payment to Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to Section 2.11(e) to reimburse Issuing Bank, then to such Revolving Lenders and Issuing Bank as their interests may appear.

(ii) Promptly following receipt of a notice of a drawing pursuant to the foregoing clause (i), each Revolving Lender shall fund its Pro Rata Share of any Revolving Loan deemed made pursuant to the foregoing clause (i) on the same terms and conditions as if the Borrower had requested the amount thereof as a Revolving Loan and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment, renewal, or extension of a Letter of Credit) and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank or the Revolving Lenders, such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have granted to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender shall be deemed to have purchased, a participation in each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of such Letter of Credit, and each such Revolving Lender agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of such Issuing Bank, such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank under the applicable Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the

 

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Borrower on the date due as provided in the foregoing clause (i), or of any reimbursement payment that is required to be refunded (or that the Administrative Agent or the applicable Issuing Bank elects, based upon the advice of counsel, to refund) to the Borrower for any reason. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, an amount equal to its respective Pro Rata Share of each LC Disbursement pursuant to this Section 2.24(e)(ii) shall be absolute and unconditional and such remittance shall be made notwithstanding the occurrence or continuation of an Event of Default or Default or the failure to satisfy any condition set forth in Article IV. If any such Revolving Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of a LC Disbursement as provided in this Section 2.24, such Revolving Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender and the Administrative Agent (for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank) shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Revolving Lender together with interest thereon at the Defaulting Lender Rate until paid in full.

(f) Obligations Absolute . The Borrower’s reimbursement and payment obligations under this Section  2.24 are absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever; provided , that subject to Section  2.24(n) below, the foregoing shall not release the applicable Issuing Bank from such liability to the Borrower as may be finally determined in a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction against the applicable Issuing Bank following reimbursement or payment of the obligations and liabilities, including reimbursement and other payment obligations, of the Borrower to the applicable Issuing Bank arising under, or in connection with, this Section  2.24 or any Letter of Credit.

(g) No Impairment of Rights and Remedies or Obligations . Without limiting any other provision of this Agreement, the applicable Issuing Bank and each other Letter of Credit Related Person (if applicable) shall not be responsible to the Borrower for, and the applicable Issuing Bank’s rights and remedies against the Borrower and the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank for each drawing under each Letter of Credit shall not be impaired by:

(i) honor of a presentation under any Letter of Credit that on its face substantially complies with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit, even if the Letter of Credit requires strict compliance by the beneficiary;

(ii) honor of a presentation of any Drawing Document that appears on its face to have been signed, presented or issued (A) by any purported successor or transferee of any beneficiary or other Person required to sign, present or issue such Drawing Document or (B) under a new name of the beneficiary;

(iii) acceptance as a draft of any written or electronic demand or request for payment under a Letter of Credit, even if nonnegotiable or not in the form of a draft or notwithstanding any requirement that such draft, demand or request bear any or adequate reference to the Letter of Credit;

(iv) the identity or authority of any presenter or signer of any Drawing Document or the form, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any Drawing Document (other than Issuing Bank’s determination that such Drawing Document appears on its face substantially to comply with the terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit);

(v) acting upon any instruction or request relative to a Letter of Credit or requested Letter of Credit that Issuing Bank in good faith believes to have been given by a Person authorized to give such instruction or request;

 

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(vi) any errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any message, advice or document (regardless of how sent or transmitted) or for errors in interpretation of technical terms or in translation or any delay in giving or failing to give notice to any Borrower;

(vii) any acts, omissions or fraud by, or the insolvency of, any beneficiary, any nominated person or entity or any other Person or any breach of contract between any beneficiary and any Borrower or any of the parties to the underlying transaction to which the Letter of Credit relates;

(viii) assertion or waiver of any provision of the ISP or UCP that primarily benefits an issuer of a letter of credit, including any requirement that any Drawing Document be presented to it at a particular hour or place;

(ix) payment to any presenting bank (designated or permitted by the terms of the applicable Letter of Credit) claiming that it rightfully honored or is entitled to reimbursement or indemnity under Standard Letter of Credit Practice applicable to it;

(x) acting or failing to act as required or permitted under Standard Letter of Credit Practice applicable to where the applicable Issuing Bank has issued, confirmed, advised or negotiated such Letter of Credit, as the case may be;

(xi) honor of a presentation after the expiration date of any Letter of Credit notwithstanding that a presentation was made prior to such expiration date and dishonored by the applicable Issuing Bank if subsequently the applicable Issuing Bank or any court or other finder of fact determines such presentation should have been honored;

(xii) dishonor of any presentation that does not strictly comply or that is fraudulent, forged or otherwise not entitled to honor; or

(xiii) honor of a presentation that is subsequently determined by the applicable Issuing Bank to have been made in violation of international, federal, state or local restrictions on the transaction of business with certain prohibited Persons.

(h) Disbursement Procedures . The applicable Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. Such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent by facsimile or electronic communication (if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make a LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

(i) Interim Interest . If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Loans; provided that, if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section 2.24, then Section 2.24(b) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of funding by any Revolving Lender pursuant to clause (e) of this Section 2.24 to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

 

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(j) Replacement of an Issuing Bank . An Issuing Bank may be replaced at the written request of the Borrower and without the consent of the Administrative Agent at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Revolving Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.10(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

(k) Cash Collateralization . If (i) any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, (ii) Excess Availability under the Facility shall at any time be less than zero or (iii) if and to the extent required in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.07, 2.20 or 2.24, on the Business Day following the date that the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, upon such demand, the Borrower shall deposit, in an account or accounts with the Administrative Agent(s), in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders (each, an “ LC Collateral Account ”), an amount in cash equal to 102% of the LC Exposure under the Facility as of such date; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in Section 7.01(h) or (i); provided , further , that such deposit may be required at times and in the amounts specified in Section 2.09(b) and (c). Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the Loan Document Obligations in accordance with the provisions of this clause (j). The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account and the Borrower hereby grants the Administrative Agent a security interest in the LC Collateral Account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other Loan Document Obligations. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (together with all interest and other earnings with respect thereto, to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned promptly to the Borrower but in no event later than three (3) Business Days after such Event of Default has been cured or waived. If the Borrower fails to provide any cash collateral as required by this Section 2.24(j), the Lenders may (and, upon direction of the Administrative Agent, shall) advance, as Revolving Loans under the Facility, the amount of the cash collateral required (whether or not the Commitments have terminated, a Protective Advance or Overadvance exists or the conditions in Section 4.02 are satisfied).

 

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(l) Existing Letters of Credit . The Administrative Agent, the Lenders (including any Lender that issued any Existing Letter of Credit) and the Borrower agree that, notwithstanding the provisions specified in the Existing Letters of Credit, effective as of the Effective Date, the Existing Letters of Credit specified on Schedule 1.01(b) shall be deemed to have been issued as of the Effective Date and deemed to be maintained under, and to be governed by the terms and conditions of, this Agreement as Letters of Credit under the Facility specified on Schedule 1.01(b) as obligations or co-obligations of the Borrower for its own account or for the account of such Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, in each case as specified on Schedule 1.01(b) .

(m) Indemnity . The Borrower agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Issuing Bank and its branches, Affiliates, and correspondents and each such Person’s respective directors, officers, employees, attorneys and agents (each, including Issuing Bank, a “ Letter of Credit Related Person ”) on the same basis as set forth in Section 9.03(b).

(n) Liability . The liability of each Issuing Bank (or any other Letter of Credit Related Person) under, in connection with or arising out of any Letter of Credit (or pre-advice), regardless of the form or legal grounds of the action or proceeding, shall be limited to direct damages suffered by the Borrower that are caused directly by the applicable Issuing Bank’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in (i) honoring a presentation under a Letter of Credit that on its face does not at least substantially comply with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit, (ii) failing to honor a presentation under a Letter of Credit that strictly complies with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit or (iii) retaining Drawing Documents presented under a Letter of Credit. The Borrower’s aggregate remedies against the applicable Issuing Bank and any Letter of Credit Related Person for wrongfully honoring a presentation under any Letter of Credit shall in no event exceed the aggregate amount paid by the Borrower to the applicable Issuing Bank in respect of the honored presentation in connection with such Letter of Credit under Section  2.24(e) , plus interest at the Alternate Base Rate hereunder. The Borrower shall take action to avoid and mitigate the amount of any damages claimed against the applicable Issuing Bank or any other Letter of Credit Related Person, including by enforcing its rights against the beneficiaries of the Letters of Credit.

(o) Letter of Credit Governing Law . Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the applicable Issuing Bank and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the UCP shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit.

(p) Power of Attorney . At the Borrower’s cost and expense, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the applicable Issuing Bank such additional certificates, instruments and/or documents and take such additional action as may be reasonably requested by the applicable Issuing Bank to enable the applicable Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit pursuant to this Agreement, to protect, exercise and/or enforce the applicable Issuing Bank’s rights and interests under this Agreement or to give effect to the terms and provisions of this Agreement. The Borrower irrevocably appoints the applicable Issuing Bank as its attorney-in-fact and authorizes the applicable Issuing Bank, without notice to the Borrower, to execute and deliver ancillary documents and letters customary in the letter of credit business that may include but are not limited to advisements, indemnities, checks, bills of exchange and issuance documents. The power of attorney granted by the Borrower is limited solely to such actions related to the issuance, confirmation or amendment of any Letter of Credit and to ancillary documents or letters customary in the letter of credit business. This appointment is coupled with an interest.

 

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SECTION 2.25 [Reserved] .

SECTION 2.26 Reserves; Change in Reserves; Decisions by Agent . The Administrative Agent may at any time and from time to time in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion establish and increase or decrease Reserves; provided that as a condition to the establishment of any new category of Reserves, or any increase in Reserves resulting from a change in the manner of determination thereof, any Required Reserve Notice shall have been given to the Borrower; provided further that, other than in the case of Bank Product Reserves, circumstances, conditions, events or contingencies arising prior to the Effective Date of which the Administrative Agent had actual knowledge prior to the Effective Date shall not be the basis for any such establishment or modification after the Effective Date. Upon delivery of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall be available to discuss the proposed Reserve or increase, and the Borrower may take such action as may be required so that the event, condition or matter that is the basis for such Reserve or increase no longer exists, in a manner and to the extent reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion. In no event shall such notice and opportunity limit the right of the Administrative Agent to establish or change such Reserve, unless the Administrative Agent shall have determined in its Permitted Discretion that the event, condition or other matter that is the basis for such new Reserve or such change no longer exists or has otherwise been adequately addressed by the Borrower. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Reserves shall not duplicate eligibility criteria contained in the definition of “Eligible Credit Card Receivable,” “Eligible Receivable,” “Eligible In-Transit Inventory,” “Eligible Letter of Credit Inventory” or “Eligible Inventory” and vice versa, or reserves or criteria deducted in computing the cost or market value or Value of any Eligible Inventory or Eligible Receivable or the Net Orderly Liquidation Value of any Eligible Inventory and vice versa.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

SECTION 3.01 Organization; Powers . Each of the Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary is (a) duly organized or incorporated, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept exists in the relevant jurisdictions) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation, (b) has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each Loan Document to which it is a party and, (c) is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except in the case of clause (a), clause (b) and clause (c), where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability . This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes, and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is to be a party, when executed and delivered by such Loan Party, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower or such Loan Party, as the case may be, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

SECTION 3.03 Governmental and Third-Party Approvals; No Conflicts . The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority or third-party, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and except filings necessary to perfect Liens created under the Loan Documents, (b) will not

 

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violate (i) the Organizational Documents of any Loan Party, or (ii) any Requirements of Law applicable to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture or other agreement or instrument binding upon the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or their respective assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment, repurchase or redemption to be made by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or give rise to a right of, or result in, termination, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation thereunder, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, except Liens created under the Loan Documents, except (in the case of each of clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d)) to the extent that the failure to obtain or make such consent, approval, registration, filing or action, or such violation, default or right as the case may be, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Effect .

(a) The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly indicated therein, including the notes thereto, and (ii) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations for the respective periods then ended in accordance with GAAP consistently applied during the periods referred to therein, except as otherwise expressly indicated therein, including the notes thereto.

(b) [Reserved].

(c) Since the Effective Date, there has been no Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.05 Properties; Insurance .

(a) Each Loan Party and each Restricted Subsidiary has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, if any, (i) free and clear of all Liens except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02 and (ii) except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes, in each case, except as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) As of the Effective Date, Schedule 3.05 sets forth a list of each fee owned real property owned by any Loan Party having a Fair Market Value in excess of $10,000,000.

(c) Each of the Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary maintains in effect insurance that complies, in all material respects, with the requirements of Section 5.07.

SECTION 3.06 Litigation and Environmental Matters .

(a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in writing against or affecting any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary that could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, no Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit,

 

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license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has, to the knowledge of the Borrower, become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received written notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) has, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any basis to reasonably expect that any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary will become subject to any Environmental Liability.

SECTION 3.07 Compliance with Laws and Agreements . Each Loan Party and each Restricted Subsidiary is in compliance with (a) its Organizational Documents, (b) all Requirements of Law applicable to it or its property and (c) all indentures and other agreements and instruments binding upon it or its property, except, in the case of clauses (b) and (c) of this Section, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.08 Investment Company Status . None of the Borrower or any other Loan Party is required to be registered as an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.

SECTION 3.09 Taxes . Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary (a) have timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns required to have been filed and (b) have paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid (whether or not shown on a Tax return) including in their capacity as tax withholding agents, except any Taxes (i) that are not overdue by more than 30 days or (ii) that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided that the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, has set aside on its books adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP.

SECTION 3.10 ERISA .

(a) Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each Plan is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state laws.

(b) Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect: (i) no ERISA Event has occurred during the five year period prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made or is reasonably expected to occur; (ii) no Plan has failed to satisfy the minimum funding standard (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, whether or not waived; (iii) neither any Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (iv) neither any Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Section 4201 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and (v) neither any Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

SECTION 3.11 Disclosure . (i) As of the Effective Date, none of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to any Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of any Loan Document or delivered thereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) when taken as a whole contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading, provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was

 

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prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by it to be reasonable at the time delivered and, if such projected financial information was delivered prior to the Effective Date, as of the Effective Date, it being understood that any such projected financial information may vary from actual results and such variations could be material and (ii) the information set forth in each Borrowing Base Certificate is true and correct in all material respects and has been prepared in all material respects in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement.

SECTION 3.12 Subsidiaries . As of the Effective Date, Schedule 3.12 sets forth the name of each Subsidiary and the ownership interest of the Borrower and each Subsidiary in such Subsidiary.

SECTION 3.13 Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. Each Loan Party and each Restricted Subsidiary owns, licenses or possesses the right to use, all of the rights to Intellectual Property that are reasonably necessary for the operation of its business as currently conducted, and, without conflict with the rights of any Person, except to the extent such conflicts, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary do not, in the operation of their businesses as currently conducted, infringe upon any Intellectual Property rights held by any Person except for such infringements, individually or in the aggregate, which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim or litigation regarding any of the Intellectual Property owned by each Loan Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in writing against any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary, which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.14 Solvency . On the Effective Date, immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Effective Date, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are, on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions, Solvent.

SECTION 3.15 Senior Indebtedness . The Loan Document Obligations constitute “Senior Indebtedness” (or any comparable term) under and as defined in the documentation governing any Subordinated Indebtedness.

SECTION 3.16 Federal Reserve Regulations . None of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is engaged or will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock. No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, to purchase or carry any margin stock or to refinance any Indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose, or for any other purpose that entails a violation (including on the part of any Lender) of the provisions of Regulations U or X of the Board of Governors.

SECTION 3.17 Use of Proceeds . The Borrower will use the proceeds of (a) the Loans made on the Effective Date to backstop letters of credit issued under the letter of credit facility listed on Schedule 6.01 ; and (b) the Loans made on or after the Effective Date will be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, including Capital Expenditures, Investments, Restricted Payments and any other use not explicitly prohibited under the Loan Documents.

SECTION 3.18 Sanctions, Anti-Corruption Laws, and Anti-Terrorism Laws.

(a) The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries will not, directly or, to the knowledge of the Borrower after due inquiry, indirectly, use the proceeds of the Loans or the proceeds of the Letters of Credit, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, to fund (i) any activities of or business with any Person, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or (ii) any other transaction that will result in a violation by any Person participating in the transaction(whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions.

 

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(b) The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries will not use the proceeds of the Loans or the proceeds of the Letters of Credit directly, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the FCPA or other applicable Anti-Corruption Laws.

(c) To the knowledge of the Borrower, none of the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries has, in the past three years, committed a violation of applicable Sanctions or a material violation of applicable Anti-Corruption Laws, or Anti-Terrorism Laws.

(d) None of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Borrower, any director, officer, any employee or agent of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is, or is owned or controlled by a Sanctioned Entity or Sanctioned Person.

(e) Since the Implementation Date, each of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to promote compliance by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates with all Sanctions, Anti-Corruption Laws and AML Legislation.

ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS

SECTION 4.01 Effective Date . The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans (and each Issuing Bank to issue a Letter of Credit) hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions shall be satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party hereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or other electronic transmission of a signed counterpart of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the Facility and dated the Effective Date) of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, New York counsel for the Loan Parties. The Borrower hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinion.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of each Loan Party (other than the Insignificant Subsidiaries), dated the Effective Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit G with appropriate insertions, executed by any Responsible Officer of such Loan Party, and including or attaching the documents referred to in paragraph (d) of this Section.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of (i) each Organizational Document of each Loan Party (other than the Insignificant Subsidiaries for which Organizational Documents shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent within five days after the Effective Date, or such later date as agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), in each case certified, to the extent applicable, as of a recent date by the applicable Governmental Authority, (ii) signature and

 

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incumbency certificates of the Responsible Officers of each Loan Party (other than the Insignificant Subsidiaries for which certificates shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent within five days after the Effective Date, or such later date as agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (iii) resolutions of the Board of Directors and/or similar governing bodies of each Loan Party (other than the Insignificant Subsidiaries) approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of Loan Documents to which it is a party, certified as of the Effective Date by its secretary, an assistant secretary or a Responsible Officer as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment and (iv) a good standing certificate (to the extent such concept exists and it is customary to provide a good standing certificate in such jurisdiction) from the applicable Governmental Authority of each Loan Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation.

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts previously agreed in writing by the Joint Bookrunners and the Borrower to be due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced at least three Business Days prior to the Effective Date (except as otherwise reasonably agreed by the Borrower), reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) required to be reimbursed or paid by any Loan Party under any Loan Document.

(f) Except for any items referred to on Schedule 5.13 , the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement shall have been satisfied.

(g) Since February 3, 2019, there has not been any Material Adverse Effect.

(h) The Joint Bookrunners shall have received the Audited Financial Statements.

(i) On the Effective Date, the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in this Agreement and in each of the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of any representations and warranties qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on and as of the Effective Date, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of any representations and warranties qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) as of such earlier date).

(j) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from the chief financial officer of the Borrower certifying that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions are Solvent.

(k) The Administrative Agent and the Joint Bookrunners shall have received all documentation at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Effective Date and other information about the Loan Parties that shall have been reasonably requested in writing at least ten (10) days prior to the Effective Date and that the Administrative Agent or the Joint Bookrunners have reasonably determined is required by United States regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation Title III of the USA Patriot Act.

(l) At least three Business Days prior to the Effective Date, to the extent the Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation the Borrower shall deliver a Beneficial Ownership Certificate to each Lender that has requested a Beneficial Ownership Certificate at least ten (10) days prior to the Effective Date.

 

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(m) The IPO shall have been consummated, or substantially concurrently with the Effective Date shall be consummated, in a manner consistent in all material respects with the Form S-1 filed with the SEC prior to or on the Effective Date.

(n) The Transactions shall not violate or result in a default under that certain ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of March 11, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the Effective Date), among Argos Holdings, Inc., as Holdings, PetSmart, Inc., as U.S. Borrower, PETM Canada Corporation, as Canadian Borrower, the lenders or other financial institutions or entities from time to time party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent.

(o) On the Effective Date, no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

SECTION 4.02 Each Credit Event . The obligation of each Revolving Lender to make a Revolving Loan on the occasion of any Revolving Borrowing, and of any Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions (except as otherwise set forth in Section 2.18 and, with respect to clauses (b) and (c) below, subject to Section 1.08 in connection with any Limited Condition Acquisition to be funded with the proceeds of a FILO Tranche):

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received, in the case of a Revolving Borrowing, a Borrowing Request as required by Section 2.03 or, in the case of the issuance of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice requesting the issuance of such Letter of Credit as required by Section 2.24(b), or, in the case of a Swingline Borrowing, the applicable Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent shall have received a Swingline Borrowing request as required by Section 2.23(a).

(b) The representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in this Agreement and in each of the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of any representations and warranties qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Letter of Credit), as applicable, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of any representations and warranties qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) as of such earlier date).

(c) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Letter of Credit), as applicable, no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(d) On the proposed date of such Borrowing, Excess Availability under the Facility for which a Borrowing Request or notice of request for Letter of Credit issuance has been delivered shall be adequate to cover the amount of such Borrowing or issuance.

(e) If at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Letter of Credit), as applicable, Specified Excess Availability is less than the greater of (a) 10% of the Total Maximum Borrowing Amount and (b) $30,000,000, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Borrower shall be no lower than 1.00 to 1.00 on a Pro Forma Basis.

 

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Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (b) and (c).

ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Until the Commitments shall have expired or been terminated, the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees, expenses and other amounts (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been asserted) payable under any Loan Document shall have been paid in full, or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding (unless such Letters of Credit have been cash collateralized pursuant to the terms hereof), the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 5.01 Financial Statements and Other Information . The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent (on behalf of each Lender):

(a) on or before the date on which such financial statements are required or permitted to be filed with the SEC (or, if such financial statements are not required to be filed with the SEC, on or before the date that is 90 days after the end of such fiscal year (or, in the case of financial statements for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2020, on or before the date that is 120 days after the end of such fiscal year), audited consolidated balance sheet and audited consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower as of the end of and for such fiscal year, and related notes thereto, setting forth in each case commencing with the financial statements for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2021 in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by Deloitte LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit (other than any exception or explanatory paragraph, but not a qualification, that is expressly solely with respect to, or expressly resulting solely from, (A) an upcoming maturity date of any Indebtedness under this Agreement occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered or (B) any potential inability to satisfy a financial maintenance covenant on a future date or in a future period)) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of and for such year on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

(b) commencing with the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ending May 5, 2019, on or before the date on which such financial statements are required or permitted to be filed with the SEC with respect to each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower (or, if such financial statements are not required to be filed with the SEC, on or before the date that is 45 days after the end of each such fiscal quarter (or, in the case of financial statements for the fiscal quarters ending on May 5, 2019, August 4, 2019 and November 3, 2019, on or before the date that is 60 days after the end of such fiscal quarter), unaudited consolidated balance sheet and unaudited consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income and cash flows of the Borrower as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter (except in the case of cash flows) and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case commencing with the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended August 2, 2020 in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by a Financial Officer as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and

 

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the Subsidiaries as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter (except in the case of cash flows) and such portion of the fiscal year on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes and which may exclude the effects of purchase accounting with respect to any Permitted Investment or similar Investment permitted under this Agreement;

(c) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of consolidated financial statements referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) above, (i) the related consolidating financial information (which may be unaudited) reflecting adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements and (ii) commencing with the financial statements delivered for the fiscal quarter ended May 5, 2019, a Compliance Certificate evidencing compliance with the requirements of Section 6.10 if a Compliance Period then exists;

(d) not later than five days after any delivery of financial statements under paragraph (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect;

(e) commencing with the fiscal year ending February 2, 2020, not later than 90 days after the commencement of each fiscal year of the Borrower (or in the case of the fiscal year ending February 2, 2020, on or before the date that is 120 days after the end of such fiscal year), a detailed consolidated budget for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year (including a projected consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statements of projected operations and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal year and setting forth the material assumptions used for purposes of preparing such budget) in the form customarily provided by management of the Borrower (or otherwise provided to the Investors);

(f) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and registration statements (other than amendments to any registration statement (to the extent such registration statement, in the form it became effective, is delivered to the Administrative Agent), exhibits to any registration statement and, if applicable, any registration statement on Form S-8) filed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary with the SEC or with any national securities exchange;

(g) reasonably promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower, any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary as the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of any Lender may reasonably request in writing; and

(h) [reserved];

(i) as soon as available but in any event on or prior to 20th calendar day following the end of the previous fiscal month beginning with the fiscal month ending on the Effective Date, a Borrowing Base Certificate as of the close of business on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal month, substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto; provided that the Borrower may elect to deliver the Borrowing Base Certificate on a more frequent basis but if such election is exercised, it must be continued until the date that is 30 days after the date of such election (with a frequency equal to that of the initial additional Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by the Borrower for such period); provided further that upon the commencement and during the continuance of a Weekly Reporting Period, the Borrower shall deliver a Weekly Borrowing Base Certificate and such supporting information on Wednesday of each week (or if Wednesday is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day), as of the close of business on the immediately preceding Friday; and

 

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(j) concurrently with the delivery of the Borrowing Base Certificates pursuant to Section 5.01(i) above, deliver to the Administrative Agent (x) a schedule of Inventory as of the last Business Day of the immediately preceding fiscal month or week, as applicable, of the Loan Parties, itemizing and describing the kind, type and quantity of Inventory, the Loan Parties’ Cost thereof and the location thereof, (y) a reconciliation of the Company’s perpetual inventory balance to the general ledger inventory balance, and (z) a reconciliation of the Company’s general ledger inventory balance to the inventory balance shown on the most recent fiscal monthly balance sheet.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 5.01 may be satisfied with respect to financial information of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries by furnishing the Form 10-K or 10-Q (or the equivalent), as applicable, of the Borrower (or a parent company thereof) filed with the SEC or with a similar regulatory authority in a foreign jurisdiction or (B) the applicable financial statements of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower); provided that to the extent such information relates to a parent of the Borrower, such information is accompanied by consolidating information, which may be unaudited, that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand, and to the extent such information is in lieu of information required to be provided under Section 5.01(a), such materials are accompanied by a report and opinion of Deloitte LLP or any other independent registered public accounting firm of nationally recognized standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit (other than any exception or explanatory paragraph, but not a qualification, that is expressly solely with respect to, or expressly resulting solely from, (i) an upcoming maturity date of any Indebtedness under this Agreement occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered or (ii) any potential inability to satisfy a financial maintenance covenant (including Section 7.09) on a future date or in a future period).

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a), (b) or (f) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the earlier of the date (A) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto, on the Borrower’s website on the Internet or (B) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on IntraLinks/IntraAgency, SyndTrak or another website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (i) the Borrower shall deliver such documents to the Administrative Agent upon its reasonable request until a written notice to cease delivering such documents is given by the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and upon its reasonable request, provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions ( i.e ., soft copies) of such documents. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents and maintaining its copies of such documents.

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent, Lead Arrangers and/or the Joint Bookrunners will make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “ Company Materials ”) by posting the Company Materials on IntraLinks, SyndTrak or another similar electronic system (the “ Platform ”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “ Public Lender ”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. The Borrower hereby agrees that it will, upon the Administrative Agent’s reasonable

 

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request, identify that portion of the Company Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (i) all such Company Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (ii) by marking Company Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Joint Bookrunners, Lead Arrangers and the Lenders to treat such Company Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Borrower or its respective securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws ( provided , however , that to the extent such Company Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 9.12); (iii) all Company Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information”; and (iv) the Administrative Agent, Lead Arrangers and the Joint Bookrunners shall be entitled to treat any Company Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information”; provided that the Borrower’s failure to comply with this sentence shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under this Agreement or the Loan Documents.

SECTION 5.02 Notices of Material Events . Promptly after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower obtains actual knowledge thereof, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to each Lender through the Administrative Agent) written notice of the following:

(a) the occurrence of any Default; or

(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or, to the knowledge of a Financial Officer or another executive officer of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the receipt of a written notice of an Environmental Liability or the occurrence of an ERISA Event, in each case that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a written statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

SECTION 5.03 Information Regarding Collateral .

(a) The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent promptly (and in any event within 60 days or such longer period as reasonably agreed to by the Administrative Agent) written notice of any change (i) in any Loan Party’s legal name (as set forth in its certificate of organization or like document) or (ii) in the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization or the location of the chief executive office or domicile of any Loan Party or in the form of its organization.

(b) Not later than five days after delivery of financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01(a), (or such later date as agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (i) setting forth the information required pursuant to Schedules I through IV of the Collateral Agreement or confirming that there has been no change in such information since the Effective Date or the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section, (ii) identifying any wholly-owned Subsidiary that has become, or ceased to be, a Material Subsidiary during the most recently ended fiscal quarter and (iii) certifying that all notices required to be given prior to the date of such certificate by Section 5.03 or 5.12 have been given.

 

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SECTION 5.04 Existence; Conduct of Business . The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, do or cause to be done all things reasonably necessary to obtain, preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, the patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names and other Intellectual Property material to the conduct of its business, in each case (other than the preservation of the existence of the Borrower) to the extent that the failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, amalgamation, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03 or any Disposition permitted by Section 6.05.

SECTION 5.05 Payment of Taxes, etc. The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, pay its obligations in respect of Taxes before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (i) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or (ii) the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.06 Maintenance of Properties . Each of the Borrower and each Loan Party will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.07 Insurance . The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, maintain, with insurance companies that the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of the management of the Borrower) are financially sound and responsible at the time the relevant coverage is placed or renewed, insurance in at least such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance which the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of management of the Borrower) is reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business) and against at least such risks (and with such risk retentions) as the Borrower believes (in the good faith judgment of the management of the Borrower) are reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business; and will furnish to the Lenders, upon written request from the Administrative Agent, information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so carried. Each such policy of insurance maintained by the Borrower shall (i) name the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders under the Facility, as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear and (ii) in the case of each casualty insurance policy, contain a loss payable/mortgagee clause or endorsement that names the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders under the Facility, as the loss payee/mortgagee thereunder.

SECTION 5.08 Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights; Appraisals; Field Examinations .

(a) The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, maintain proper books of record and account in which entries that are full, true and correct in all material respects and are in conformity with GAAP (or applicable local standards) consistently applied shall be made of all material financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Loan Parties or the Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be. The Borrower will, and will cause the Restricted Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested; provided that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, only the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders under the Facility may exercise visitation and inspection rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Section 5.08(a) and the Administrative Agent shall not exercise such rights more often

 

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than one time during any calendar year in the aggregate absent the existence of an Event of Default, which visitation and inspection shall be at the reasonable expense of the Borrower; provided , further that (i) when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice and (ii) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall give the Borrower the opportunity to participate in any discussions with the Borrower’s independent public accountants.

(b) At reasonable times during normal business hours and upon reasonable prior notice that the Administrative Agent requests, independently of or in connection with the visits and inspections provided for in clause (a) above, (x) each Loan Party and each Restricted Subsidiary shall grant access to the Administrative Agent (including employees of the Administrative Agent or any consultants, accountants, lawyers and appraisers retained by the Administrative Agent) to such Person’s books, records, accounts and Inventory so that the Administrative Agent or an appraiser retained by the Administrative Agent may conduct an inventory appraisal and (y) the Administrative Agent may conduct (or engage third parties to conduct) such field examinations, verifications and evaluations as the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or appropriate; provided that the Borrower shall only be required to cover the costs of such periodic field examinations and inventory appraisals as follows:

(i) in any calendar year in which Specified Excess Availability has not for any five consecutive Business Days been less than the greater of (x) 12.5% of the Total Maximum Borrowing Amount and (y) $37,500,000, no more than one such appraisal and one such field examination shall be at the Borrower’s expense;

(ii) if Specified Excess Availability has for any five (5) consecutive Business Days in any calendar year been less than the greater of (x) 12.5% of the Total Maximum Borrowing Amount and (y) $37,5000,000, no more than two such appraisals and two such field examinations shall be at the Borrower’s expense during the following 12-calendar month period;

(iii) at any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Specified Default, as many appraisals and field examinations as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request shall be at the Borrower’s expense.

(iv) The Administrative Agent shall provide the Borrower with a reasonably detailed accounting of all such expenses payable by the Borrower.

(c) The Loan Parties acknowledge that the Administrative Agent, after exercising its rights of inspection, may prepare and distribute to the Lenders certain Reports pertaining to the Loan Parties’ assets for internal use by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, subject to the provisions of Section 9.12 hereof.

SECTION 5.09 Compliance with Laws . The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, comply with its Organizational Documents and all Requirements of Law with respect to it or its property (including, without limitation, ERISA and applicable Environmental Laws), except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.10 Use of Proceeds . On and after the Effective Date, the proceeds of the Revolving Loans may be used for working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including any purposes not otherwise prohibited hereunder (including (i) in accordance with Sections 3.18(a) and (b) and (ii) to, directly or indirectly, finance a portion of the Transactions).

 

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SECTION 5.11 Additional Subsidiaries . If any additional Domestic Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary is formed or acquired after the Effective Date, the Borrower will (i) within 60 days after such newly formed or acquired Restricted Subsidiary is formed or acquired (unless such Subsidiary is an Excluded Subsidiary), notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and take all actions (if any) required to be taken with respect to such newly formed or acquired Subsidiary in order to satisfy the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement shall have been taken with respect to such Subsidiary and with respect to any Equity Interest in or Indebtedness of such Subsidiary owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party within 60 days after such notice (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree) and (ii) provide any documentation and other information about such Restricted Subsidiary as shall have been reasonably requested in writing by any Lender through the Administrative Agent that the Administrative Agent shall have reasonably determined is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including Title III of the USA Patriot Act.

SECTION 5.12 Further Assurances .

(a) The Borrower will, and will cause each Loan Party to execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents), that may be required under any applicable law and that the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request, to cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be and remain satisfied, all at the expense of the Loan Parties.

(b) If, after the Effective Date, any material assets (including any owned (but not leased) real property or improvements thereto or any interest therein) with a book value in excess of $10,000,000, are acquired by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or are held by any Subsidiary on or after the time it becomes a Loan Party pursuant to Section 5.11 (other than assets constituting Collateral under a Security Document that become subject to the Lien created by such Security Document upon acquisition thereof or constituting Excluded Assets), the Borrower will notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Secured Obligations and will take and cause the other Loan Parties to take, such actions as shall be necessary and reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and consistent with the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in paragraph (a) of this Section, all at the expense of the Loan Parties and subject to last paragraph of the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement.”

SECTION 5.13 Certain Post-Closing Obligations . As promptly as practicable, and in any event within the time periods after the Effective Date specified in Schedule 5.13 or such later date as the Administrative Agent reasonably agrees to in writing, including to reasonably accommodate circumstances unforeseen on the Effective Date, the Borrower and each other Loan Party shall deliver the documents or take the actions specified on Schedule 5.13 that would have been required to be delivered or taken on the Effective Date but for the exception to Section 4.01(f), in each case except to the extent otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to its authority as set forth in the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement.”

 

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SECTION 5.14 Designation of Subsidiaries . The Borrower may at any time after the Effective Date designate any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) immediately before and after such designation, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or continue as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if it is a “Restricted Subsidiary” for the purpose of any Material Indebtedness and (iii) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if the value of ABL Priority Collateral held by such Subsidiaries so designated exceeds $30,000,000 in any given calendar year unless the Borrower shall have delivered an updated Borrowing Base Certificate giving pro forma effect to such designation on or prior to the date thereof. The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Effective Date shall constitute an Investment by the Borrower therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) investment therein. The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute (i) the incurrence at the time of designation of any Investment, Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time and (ii) a return on any Investment by the Borrower in Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the preceding sentence in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value at the date of such designation of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment in such Subsidiary.

SECTION 5.15 Change in Business . The Borrower, each Loan Party and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will not fundamentally and substantively alter the character of their business, taken as a whole, from the business conducted by them on the Effective Date and other business activities which are extensions thereof or otherwise incidental, reasonably related or ancillary to any of the foregoing.

SECTION 5.16 Changes in Fiscal Periods . The Borrower shall not make any change in its fiscal year; provided , however , that the Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, change its fiscal year to any other fiscal year reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in which case, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that are necessary to reflect such change in fiscal year.

SECTION 5.17 Cash Management .

(a) (i) Each Loan Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to enter into control agreements or blocked account agreements (each, a “ Control Agreement ”) as soon as possible after the Effective Date and, in any event, shall have actually entered into such Control Agreements within 120 days after the Effective Date (or such later date approved by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, with the Administrative Agent and each other bank with which such Loan Party maintains a Bank Account located in the United States that is a primary concentration account (other than any Excluded Account) (collectively, the “ Controlled Accounts ”); and (ii) upon delivery of such Control Agreements referred to in (a)(i) immediately above, the Borrower shall provide a schedule of Bank Accounts, indicating for each Bank Account if such Bank Account is required to be subject to a Control Agreement pursuant to the Loan Documents.

(b) The Borrower agrees that it will cause all proceeds of the ABL Priority Collateral (other than the Uncontrolled Cash and subject to clause (c) below) to be deposited into a Controlled Account.

(c) Each Control Agreement of a Loan Party shall require (only during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Period and following delivery of notice of the commencement thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower and the account bank party to such instrument or agreement; provided that such notice shall not be delivered earlier than two Business Days following the start of a Cash Dominion Period), the ACH or wire transfer no less frequently than once per Business Day (but without limit on frequency if the Maturity Date shall have actually occurred), of all available cash balances and cash receipts, including the then contents or then entire ledger balance of each Controlled

 

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Account (net of such minimum balance as may be required to be maintained in the subject Controlled Account by the bank at which such Controlled Account is maintained and other than any Uncontrolled Cash), to one or more accounts maintained by the Administrative Agent and subject to a Control Agreement (the “ Payment Accounts ”). Subject to the terms of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, all amounts received in a Payment Account or such other account shall be applied (and allocated) by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 7.02(a) (except (A) pursuant to clauses first and second thereof and (B) to Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Bank Product Obligations and Secured Swap Obligations).

(d) If, at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Event, any Permitted Investments owned by any Loan Party (other than (i) with respect to a Cash Dominion Period, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of cash collected in Controlled Accounts during the first two Business Days of such Cash Dominion Period and that is on deposit in a segregated Bank Account which the Borrower designates in writing to the Administrative Agent as being the “uncontrolled cash account” (each such account, a “ Designated Disbursement Account ” and collectively, the “ Designated Disbursement Accounts ”), which funds shall not thereafter be funded from, or when withdrawn from the Designated Disbursement Accounts, shall not be replenished by, funds constituting proceeds of the ABL Priority Collateral so long as such Cash Dominion Period continues, (ii) de minimis Permitted Investments from time to time inadvertently misapplied by any Loan Party, (iii) payroll, employee benefits, trust, third party escrow, customs and tax withholding accounts or accounts exclusively used for other fiduciary purposes funded in the ordinary course of business and required by applicable Law, (iv) accounts used exclusively for the purposes of compliance with legal requirements, to the extent such legal requirements prohibit the granting of a Lien thereof and (v) solely to the extent the ABL Intercreditor Agreement is in effect, accounts designated by the Borrower to solely contain identifiable proceeds of assets of any Subsidiary constituting Collateral that is non-ABL Priority Collateral (each such account described in clauses (i) through (v), an “ Excluded Account ”) are deposited to any account, or held or invested in any manner, otherwise than in a Controlled Account subject to a Control Agreement or a lockbox, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to require the applicable Loan Party to close such account and have all funds therein transferred to a Controlled Account, and to cause all future deposits to be made to a Controlled Account.

(e) The Loan Parties may close Bank Accounts or Controlled Accounts and/or open new Bank Accounts or Controlled Accounts without the Administrative Agent’s consent, subject to the prompt execution and delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Control Agreement to the extent required by the provisions of this Section 5.17. The Loan Parties may open or close Excluded Accounts at any time, without requirement of delivery of a Control Agreement without consent of the Administrative Agent.

(f) So long as no Cash Dominion Period is in effect, the Loan Parties may direct, and shall have sole control over, the manner of disposition of funds in their respective Controlled Accounts.

(g) (i) Any amounts received in the Payment Accounts (including all interest and other earnings with respect thereto, if any) at any time after the payment in full of all Loan Document Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claims has been asserted) and termination of the aggregate Commitments hereunder and (ii) any amounts that continue to be swept to the Payment Accounts after no Cash Dominion Event exists, shall, in each case, be remitted to the operating account of the Borrower as specified by the Borrower.

SECTION 5.18 Quarterly Lender Calls . To the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall conduct quarterly conference calls with management of the Borrower and the Lenders (at such times as reasonably agreed by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) to discuss the financial performance of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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ARTICLE VI

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees, expenses and other amounts payable (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been asserted) under any Loan Document have been paid in full, or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding (unless such Letters of Credit have been cash collateralized pursuant to the terms hereof), the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 6.01 Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities .

(a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(i) Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries under the Loan Documents (including any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 2.18 or 2.22);

(ii) Indebtedness (A) outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 6.01 and any Permitted Refinancing thereof and (B) that is intercompany Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof;

(iii) Guarantees by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that (A) such Guarantee is otherwise permitted by Section 6.04, (B) no Guarantee by any Restricted Subsidiary of any Junior Financing shall be permitted unless such Restricted Subsidiary shall have also provided a Guarantee of the Loan Document Obligations pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement, and (C) if the Indebtedness being Guaranteed is subordinated to the Loan Document Obligations, such Guarantee shall be subordinated to the Guarantee of the Loan Document Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the subordination of such Indebtedness;

(iv) Indebtedness of the Borrower or of any Restricted Subsidiary owing to any other Restricted Subsidiary or the Borrower to the extent permitted by Section 6.04; provided that all such Indebtedness of any Loan Party owing to any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subordinated to the Loan Document Obligations (to the extent any such Indebtedness is outstanding at any time after the date that is 30 days after the Effective Date or such later date as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree) (but only to the extent permitted by applicable law and not giving rise to material adverse Tax consequences) on terms (A) at least as favorable to the Lenders as those set forth in the form of intercompany note attached as Exhibit H or (B) otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(v) (A) Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries financing the acquisition, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of fixed or capital assets; provided that such Indebtedness is incurred concurrently with or within 270 days after the applicable acquisition, construction, repair, replacement or improvement, and (B) any Permitted Refinancing of any Indebtedness set forth in the immediately preceding clause (A); provided further that, at the time of any such incurrence of Indebtedness and after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto and the use of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness that is outstanding in reliance on this clause (v) shall not exceed the greater of $100,000,000 and 25% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period as of such time;

 

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(vi) Indebtedness in respect of (A) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has actual exposure (other than those in respect of shares of capital stock or other Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) and (B) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(vii) (A) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or of any Person not previously a Restricted Subsidiary that is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary) after the date hereof as a result of a Permitted Acquisition, or Indebtedness of any Person that is assumed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an acquisition of assets by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in a Permitted Acquisition; provided that such Indebtedness is not incurred in contemplation of such Permitted Acquisition; provided further that either (I) the Interest Coverage Ratio after giving Pro Forma Effect to the assumption of such Indebtedness and such Permitted Acquisition is equal to or greater than (x) 2.0 to 1.0 or (y) the Interest Coverage Ratio immediately prior to the assumption of such Indebtedness and such Permitted Acquisition for the most recently ended Test Period as of such time or (II) the Total Leverage Ratio after giving Pro Forma Effect to the assumption of such Indebtedness and such Permitted Acquisition is less than or equal to either (x) 6.50 to 1.00 or (y) the Total Leverage Ratio immediately prior to the assumption of such Indebtedness and such Permitted Acquisition for the most recently ended Test Period as of such time and (B) any Permitted Refinancing of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the foregoing clause (A); provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of which the primary obligor or a guarantor is a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party outstanding in reliance on this clause (vii) and clauses (xiv) and (xxvi) below shall not exceed, at the time of incurrence thereof and after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto, the greater of $80,000,000 and 20% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period as of such time;

(viii) Indebtedness in respect of Permitted Receivables Financings;

(ix) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(x) Indebtedness consisting of unsecured promissory notes issued by any Loan Party to current or former officers, directors and employees or their respective estates, spouses or former spouses to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests in the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) permitted by Section 6.08(a);

(xi) Indebtedness constituting indemnification obligations or obligations in respect of purchase price or other similar adjustments incurred in a Permitted Acquisition, any other Investment or any Disposition, in each case permitted under this Agreement;

(xii) Indebtedness consisting of obligations under deferred compensation or other similar arrangements incurred in connection with the Transactions or any Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted hereunder;

 

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(xiii) Cash Management Obligations, Bank Product Obligations and other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and similar arrangements and Indebtedness arising from the honoring of a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business;

(xiv) Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that at the time of the incurrence thereof and after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding in reliance on this clause (xiv) shall not exceed the greater of $200,000,000 and 50% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period as of such time; provided, further, that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of which the primary obligor or a guarantor is a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party outstanding in reliance on this clause (xiv), clause (vii) above and clause (xxvi) below shall not exceed, at the time of incurrence thereof and after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto, the greater of $80,000,000 and 20% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period as of such time;

(xv) Indebtedness consisting of (A) the financing of insurance premiums or (B) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(xvi) (A) Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances or similar instruments issued or created, or related to obligations or liabilities incurred, in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers compensation claims and (B) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries as an account party in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments in favor of suppliers or trade creditors issued in the ordinary course of business; provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding in reliance on this sub-clause (B) shall not exceed, at the time of incurrence thereof and after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto, the greater of $25,000,000 and 15% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period as of such time;

(xvii) obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and performance, bankers’ acceptance facilities and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments related thereto, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(xviii) Indebtedness in the form of term loans; provided that (i) if such Indebtedness is secured Indebtedness, the Secured Leverage Ratio after giving Pro Forma Effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness a is less than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00, (ii) the Total Leverage Ratio after giving Pro Forma Effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness a is less than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00 and (iii) such Indebtedness complies with the Required Additional Debt Terms (except that, with respect to clause (b) of such definition, such Indebtedness may be subject to customary amortization so long as such Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity no shorter than the Maturity Date) and to the extent secured by Liens on Collateral, such Liens shall be junior in priority relative to the Liens on the ABL Priority Collateral securing the Secured Obligations and senior in priority relative to the Liens on the CF Debt Priority Collateral securing the Secured Obligations, in each case pursuant to an ABL Intercreditor Agreement;

 

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(xix) unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that (A) after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness on a Pro Forma Basis, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (B) such Indebtedness (to the extent constituting Material Indebtedness) has a final maturity date that is equal to or later than the Latest Maturity Date at that time, and (C) such Indebtedness (to the extent constituting Material Indebtedness) has a weighted average life to maturity no shorter than that of the Commitments hereunder on the date of determination; provided , that, at the time any such Indebtedness is incurred, the applicable Payment Conditions are satisfied;

(xx) Indebtedness supported by a Letter of Credit or any other letter of credit or bank guaranty permitted to be issued hereunder, in a principal amount not to exceed the face amount of such Letter of Credit, letter of credit or bank guaranty;

(xxi) [Reserved];

(xxii) [Reserved];

(xxiii) [Reserved];

(xxiv) [Reserved];

(xxv) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party; provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of which the primary obligor or a guarantor is a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party outstanding in reliance on this clause (xxv) shall not exceed, at the time of incurrence thereof and after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto, the greater of $40,000,000 and 10% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period as of such time;

(xxvi) (A) Indebtedness incurred to finance a Permitted Acquisition; provided that (i) if such Indebtedness is secured by Liens on the CF Debt Priority Collateral on a first priority basis, the First Lien Leverage Ratio after giving Pro Forma Effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and such Permitted Acquisition is less than or equal to either (x) 6.50 to 1.00 or (y) the First Lien Leverage Ratio immediately prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and such Permitted Acquisition for the most recently ended Test Period as of such time, (ii) if such Indebtedness is secured by Liens on the CF Debt Priority Collateral on a junior priority basis, the Secured Leverage Ratio after giving Pro Forma Effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and such Permitted Acquisition is less than or equal to either (x) 6.50 to 1.00 or (y) the Secured Leverage Ratio immediately prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and such Permitted Acquisition for the most recently ended Test Period as of such time and (iii) if such Indebtedness is unsecured or secured by assets that are not Collateral, either (I) the Interest Coverage Ratio after giving Pro Forma Effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and such Permitted Acquisition is equal to or greater than (x) 2.0 to 1.0 or (y) the Interest Coverage Ratio immediately prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and such Permitted Acquisition for the most recently ended Test Period as of such time or (II) the Total Leverage Ratio after giving Pro Forma Effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and such Permitted Acquisition is less than or equal to either (x) 6.50 to 1.00 or (y) the Total Leverage Ratio immediately prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and such Permitted Acquisition for the most recently ended Test Period as of such time and (ii) to the extent secured by Liens on Collateral, such Liens shall be junior in priority relative to the Liens on the ABL Priority Collateral securing the Secured Obligations and senior in priority relative to the Liens on the CF Debt Priority Collateral securing the Secured Obligations, in each case pursuant to an ABL Intercreditor Agreement and (B) any

 

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Permitted Refinancing of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the foregoing clause (A); provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of which the primary obligor or a guarantor is a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party outstanding in reliance on this clause and clauses (vii), (xiv) above shall not exceed, at the time of incurrence thereof and after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto, the greater of $80,000,000 and 20% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period as of such time;

(xxvii) Indebtedness in the form of Capital Lease Obligations arising out of any Sale Leaseback and any Permitted Refinancing thereof; and

(xxviii) all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (i) through (xxix) above.

(b) The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, issue any preferred Equity Interests or any Disqualified Equity Interests, except (A) in the case of the Borrower, preferred Equity Interests that are Qualified Equity Interests and (B) in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary, preferred Equity Interests or Disqualified Equity Interests issued to and held by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.01, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (xxviii) above), the Borrower shall, in its sole discretion, classify and reclassify or later divide, classify or reclassify such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one or more of the above clauses; provided that all Indebtedness outstanding under the Loan Documents will be deemed to have been incurred in reliance only on the exception in clause (i).

SECTION 6.02 Liens . The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except:

(i) Liens created under the Loan Documents;

(ii) Permitted Encumbrances;

(iii) Liens existing on Effective Date; provided that any Lien securing Indebtedness or other obligations in excess of $2,500,000 individually shall only be permitted if set forth on Schedule 6.02 , and any modifications, replacements, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that (1) such modified, replacement, renewal or extension Lien does not extend to any additional property other than (a) after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien and (b) proceeds and products thereof, and (2) the obligations secured or benefited by such modified, replacement, renewal or extension Lien are permitted by Section 6.01;

(iv) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(a)(v) or (xxvii); provided that (A) such Liens attach concurrently with or within 270 days after the acquisition, repair, replacement, construction or improvement (as applicable) of the property subject to such Liens, (B) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, except for accessions to such property and the proceeds and the products thereof, and any lease of such property (including accessions thereto) and the proceeds and

 

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products thereof and (C) with respect to Capital Lease Obligations, such Liens do not at any time extend to or cover any assets (except for accessions to or proceeds of such assets) other than the assets subject to such Capital Lease Obligations; provided , further , that individual financings of equipment provided by one lender may be cross collateralized to other financings of equipment provided by such lender;

(v) leases, licenses, subleases, sublicenses or other similar rights granted to others that do not (A) interfere in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (B) secure any Indebtedness;

(vi) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

(vii) Liens (A) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code or similar provision of other applicable law on items in the course of collection and (B) in favor of a banking institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of setoff) and that are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

(viii) Liens (A) on cash advances or escrow deposits in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 6.04 to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment or otherwise in connection with any escrow arrangements with respect to any such Investment or any Disposition permitted under Section 6.05 (including any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to such Investment or Disposition) or (B) consisting of an agreement to dispose of any property in a Disposition permitted under Section 6.05, in each case, solely to the extent such Investment or Disposition, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;

(ix) Liens on property of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, which Liens secure Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary or another Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, in each case permitted under Section 6.01;

(x) Liens granted by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in favor of any Loan Party, Liens granted by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in favor of Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and Liens granted by a Loan Party in favor of any other Loan Party;

(xi) Liens existing on property at the time of its acquisition or existing on the property of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case after the date hereof (other than Liens on the Equity Interests of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary); provided that (A) such Lien was not created in contemplation of such acquisition or such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) such Lien does not extend to or cover any other assets or property (other than the proceeds or products thereof and other than after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing Indebtedness and other obligations incurred prior to such time and which Indebtedness and other obligations are permitted hereunder that require or include, pursuant to their terms at such time, a pledge of after-acquired property, it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (C) the Indebtedness secured thereby is permitted under Section 6.01(a)(v) or (vii);

 

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(xii) any interest or title of a lessor under leases (other than leases constituting Capital Lease Obligations) entered into by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(xiii) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale or purchase of goods by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(xiv) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements under clause (e) of the definition of the term “Permitted Investments”;

(xv) Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(xvi) Liens that are contractual rights of setoff (A) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness, (B) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or (C) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(xvii) ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries are located;

(xviii) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

(xix) Liens on the Collateral securing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(xviii) and 6.01(a)(xxvi); provided that any Liens on Collateral securing any Indebtedness pursuant to this clause are junior in priority relative to the Liens on the ABL Priority Collateral securing the Secured Obligations and senior in priority relative to the Liens on the CF Debt Priority Collateral securing the Secured Obligations, and the agent or other representative for the lenders or holders of such Indebtedness has become a party to the ABL Intercreditor Agreement or another intercreditor agreement reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

(xx) other Liens; provided that at the time of incurrence of the obligations secured thereby (after giving Pro Forma Effect to any such obligations) the aggregate outstanding face amount of obligations secured by Liens existing in reliance on this clause (xx) shall not exceed the greater of $150,000,000 and 15% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Test Period then last ended; provided that in each case, any Liens on ABL Priority Collateral securing any Indebtedness of a Loan Party pursuant to this clause are junior to the Liens securing the Secured Obligations and the agent or other representative for the lenders or holders of any Material Indebtedness secured under this clause shall have become a party to the ABL Intercreditor Agreement and/or another intercreditor agreement reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

(xxi) Liens on cash and Permitted Investments used to satisfy or discharge Indebtedness; provided such satisfaction or discharge is permitted hereunder;

 

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(xxii) receipt of progress payments and advances from customers in the ordinary course of business to the extent the same creates a Lien on the related inventory and proceeds thereof;

(xxiii) Liens on cash or Permitted Investments securing Swap Agreements in the ordinary course of business submitted for clearing in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law;

(xxiv) Liens on deposits taken by a Restricted Subsidiary that constitutes a regulated bank incurred in connection with the taking of such deposits; and

(xxv) additional Liens; provided that (A) at the time any such Lien is incurred, the applicable Payment Conditions are satisfied; (B) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (C) in each case, any Liens on ABL Priority Collateral securing any Indebtedness pursuant to this clause are junior to the Liens securing the Secured Obligations and the agent or other representative for the lenders or holders of such Indebtedness has become a party to the ABL Intercreditor Agreement or another intercreditor agreement reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.02, in the event that any Lien meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Liens described in clauses (i) through (xxv) above (or any subclause contained therein or any defined term used therein), the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, classify and reclassify or later divide, classify or reclassify such Lien (or any portion thereof) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Lien in one or more of the above clauses; provided that all Liens securing the Secured Obligations as of the Effective Date will be deemed to have been incurred in reliance only on the applicable exception in clause (i).

SECTION 6.03 Fundamental Changes .

(a) The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate or amalgamate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or amalgamate or consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve, except that:

(i) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge into or amalgamate or consolidate with, or liquidate or dissolve into (A) the Borrower; provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (B) one or more other Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that when any Subsidiary Loan Party is merging, amalgamating with, or liquidating or dissolving into, another Restricted Subsidiary either (1) the continuing or surviving Person shall be a Subsidiary Loan Party or (2) if the continuing or surviving Person is not a Subsidiary Loan Party, the acquisition of such Subsidiary Loan Party by such surviving Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under Section 6.04;

(ii) any Restricted Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve or change its legal form if the Borrower determines in good faith that such action is in the best interests of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders;

(iii) any Restricted Subsidiary may make a Disposition of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Loan Party, then either (A) the transferee must be a Loan Party, (B) to the extent constituting an Investment, such Investment must be an Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party permitted by Section 6.04 or (C) to the extent constituting a Disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such Disposition is permitted under Section 6.05 and is for Fair Market Value and any promissory note or other non-cash consideration received in respect thereof is an Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party permitted by Section 6.04;

 

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(iv) the Borrower may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with, or liquidate or dissolve into, any other Person; provided that (A) the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (B) if the Person formed by or surviving any such merger or consolidation is not the Borrower (any such Person, the “ Successor Borrower ”), (1) the Successor Borrower shall be an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof (2) the Successor Borrower shall expressly assume all the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (3) each Loan Party other than the Borrower, unless it is the other party to such merger, amalgamation, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution shall have reaffirmed, pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that its Guarantee of, and grant of any Liens as security for, the Secured Obligations shall apply to the Successor Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement and (4) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such merger, amalgamation or consolidation complies with this Agreement; provided , further , that (x) if such Person is not a Loan Party, no Event of Default exists after giving effect to such merger, amalgamation, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution and (y) if the foregoing requirements are satisfied, the Successor Borrower will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided , further , that the Borrower agrees to provide any documentation and other information about the Successor Borrower as shall have been reasonably requested in writing by any Lender through the Administrative Agent that such Lender shall have reasonably determined is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including Title III of the USA Patriot Act;

(v) [reserved];

(vi) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with any other Person in order to effect an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 6.04; provided that the continuing or surviving Person shall be a Restricted Subsidiary, which together with each of the Restricted Subsidiaries, shall have complied with the requirements of Sections 5.11 and 5.12;

(vii) the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may consummate the Transactions; and

(viii) any Restricted Subsidiary may effect a merger, dissolution, liquidation consolidation or amalgamation to effect a Disposition permitted pursuant to Section 6.05.

SECTION 6.04 Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions . The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make or hold any Investment, except:

(a) Permitted Investments at the time such Permitted Investment is made;

(b) loans or advances to officers, directors and employees of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (i) for reasonable and customary business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes, (ii) in connection with such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests in the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) ( provided that the amount of such loans and

 

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advances made in cash to such Person shall be contributed by the Borrower in cash as common equity or Qualified Equity Interests) and (iii) for purposes not described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii); provided that at the time of incurrence thereof and after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount outstanding in reliance on this clause (iii) shall not to exceed $10,000,000;

(c) Investments (i) by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Loan Party, (ii) by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in any other Restricted Subsidiary that is also not a Loan Party, (iii) by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (A) in any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of such Investments made by Loan Parties after the Effective Date in Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in reliance on this clause (iii)(A) shall not exceed, at the time of incurrence thereof and after giving Pro Forma Effect thereto, the greater of 12.5% of Consolidated EBITDA and $20,000,000 and (ii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (B) in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, constituting an exchange of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary for Indebtedness of such Subsidiary or (C) constituting Guarantees of Indebtedness or other monetary obligations of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties owing to any Loan Party, (iv) by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties so long as such transactions is part of a series of simultaneous transactions that result in the proceeds of the initial Investment being invested in one or more Loan Parties (or, if the initial proceeds were held at a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and (v) by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, consisting of the contribution of Equity Interests of any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party so long as the Equity Interests of the transferee Restricted Subsidiary is pledged to secure the Secured Obligations;

(d) Investments consisting of prepayments to suppliers in the ordinary course of business;

(e) Investments consisting of extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business;

(f) Investments (i) existing or contemplated on the date hereof and set forth on Schedule 6.04(f) and any modification, replacement, renewal, reinvestment or extension thereof and (ii) Investments existing on the date hereof by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and any modification, renewal or extension thereof; provided that the amount of the original Investment is not increased except by the terms of such Investment to the extent as set forth on Schedule 6.04(f) or as otherwise permitted by this Section 6.04;

(g) Investments in Swap Agreements permitted under Section 6.01;

(h) promissory notes and other non-cash consideration received in connection with Dispositions permitted by Section 6.05;

(i) Permitted Acquisitions;

(j) the Transactions;

(k) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of endorsements for collection or deposit and customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices;

(l) Investments (including debt obligations and Equity Interests) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers, from financially troubled account debtors or in settlement of delinquent obligations of, or other disputes with, customers and suppliers or upon the foreclosure with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment;

 

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(m) loans and advances to the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) in lieu of, and not in excess of the amount of (after giving effect to any other loans, advances or Restricted Payments in respect thereof), Restricted Payments to the extent permitted to be made to the Borrower (or such parent) in accordance with Section 6.08(a);

(n) [reserved];

(o) other Investments and other acquisitions; provided that at the time any such Investment or other acquisition is made, the aggregate outstanding amount of all Investments made in reliance on this clause (o) together with the aggregate amount of all consideration paid in connection with all other acquisitions made in reliance on this clause (o) (including the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness assumed in connection with any such other acquisition), shall not exceed the sum of (i) the greater of $40,000,000 and 37.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period after giving Pro Forma Effect to the making of such Investment or other acquisition, plus (ii) the Available Equity Amount that is Not Otherwise Applied as in effect immediately prior to the time of making of such Investment;

(p) advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business;

(q) Investments and other acquisitions to the extent that payment for such Investments is made with Qualified Equity Interests of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof); provided that (i) such amounts used pursuant to this clause (q) shall not increase the Available Equity Amount and (ii) any amounts used for such an Investment or other acquisition that are not Qualified Equity Interests of Holdings (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) shall otherwise be permitted pursuant to this Section 6.04;

(r) Investments of a Subsidiary acquired after the Effective Date or of a Person merged or consolidated with any Subsidiary in accordance with this Section and Section 6.03 after the Effective Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;

(s) non-cash Investments in connection with tax planning and reorganization activities; provided that after giving effect to any such activities, the security interests of the Lenders in the Collateral, taken as a whole, would not be materially impaired;

(t) Investments consisting of Liens, Indebtedness, fundamental changes, Dispositions and Restricted Payments permitted (other than by reference to this Section 6.04(t)) under Sections 6.01, 6.02, 6.03, 6.05 and 6.08, respectively;

(u) so long as immediately after giving effect to any such Investment no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, other Investments and other acquisitions (other than Investments constituting Permitted Acquisitions); provided that, at the time any such Investment is made, the applicable Payment Conditions are satisfied;

(v) contributions to a “rabbi” trust for the benefit of employees, directors, consultants, independent contractors or other service providers or other grantor trust subject to claims of creditors in the case of a bankruptcy of a Loan Party;

 

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(w) to the extent that they constitute Investments, purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials or equipment or purchases, acquisitions, licenses or leases of other assets, Intellectual Property, or other rights, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(x) Investments in Subsidiaries in the form of receivables and related assets required in connection with a Permitted Receivables Financing (including the contribution or lending of cash and cash equivalents to Subsidiaries to finance the purchase of such assets from the Borrower or other Restricted Subsidiaries or to otherwise fund required reserves); and

(y) Investments by an Unrestricted Subsidiary entered into prior to the day such Unrestricted Subsidiary is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.04, in the event that any Investment (or portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Investments described in clauses (i) through (y) above (or any subclause contained therein or any defined term used therein), the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, classify and reclassify or later divide, classify or reclassify (based on circumstances existing on the date of such reclassification) such Investment (or any portion thereof) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Investment in one or more of the above clauses.

SECTION 6.05 Asset Sales . The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, (i) sell, transfer, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest owned by it or (ii) permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any additional Equity Interest in such Restricted Subsidiary (other than issuing directors’ qualifying shares, nominal shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable Requirements of Law and other than issuing Equity Interests to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in compliance with Section 6.04(c)) (each, a “ Disposition ”); provided, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of the Borrower following the IPO shall not constitute a “Disposition”, except:

(a) Dispositions of obsolete or worn out property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business and Dispositions of property no longer used or useful, or economically practicable to maintain, in the conduct of the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (including allowing any registration or application for registration of any Intellectual Property that is no longer used or useful, or economically practicable to maintain, to lapse or go abandoned);

(b) Dispositions of inventory and other assets in the ordinary course of business;

(c) Dispositions of property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) an amount equal to the Net Proceeds of such Disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;

(d) Dispositions of property to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Loan Party, then either (i) the transferee must be a Loan Party, (ii) to the extent constituting an Investment, such Investment must be an Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party permitted by Section 6.04 or (iii) to the extent constituting a Disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such Disposition is for Fair Market Value and any promissory note or other non-cash consideration received in respect thereof is an Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party permitted by Section 6.04;

 

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(e) Dispositions permitted by Section 6.03, Investments permitted by Section 6.04, Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08 and Liens permitted by Section 6.02, in each case, other than by reference to this Section 6.05(e);

(f) [Reserved];

(g) Dispositions of Permitted Investments;

(h) Dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof (including sales to factors or other third parties);

(i) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses, in each case in the ordinary course of business and that do not materially interfere with the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(j) transfers of property subject to Casualty Events upon receipt of the Net Proceeds of such Casualty Event;

(k) Dispositions of property to Persons other than the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (including (x) the sale or issuance of Equity Interests in a Restricted Subsidiary and (y) any Sale Leaseback) not otherwise permitted under this Section 6.05; provided that (i) such Disposition is made for Fair Market Value and (ii) with respect to any Disposition pursuant to this clause (k) for a purchase price in excess of $10,000,000 for any transaction or series of related transactions, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary shall receive not less than 75% of such consideration in the form of cash or Permitted Investments; provided , however , that for the purposes of this clause (ii), (A) any liabilities (as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Borrower provided hereunder or in the footnotes thereto) of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated in right of payment to the Loan Document Obligations, that are assumed by the transferee with respect to the applicable Disposition and for which the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing, shall be deemed to be cash, (B) any securities received by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Permitted Investments (to the extent of the cash or Permitted Investments received) within 180 days following the closing of the applicable Disposition, shall be deemed to be cash and (C) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such Disposition having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (k) that is at that time outstanding, not in excess (at the time of receipt of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration) of the greater of (x) $96,000,000 and (y) 2.0% of Consolidated Total Assets for the most recently ended Test Period, with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value, shall be deemed to be cash;

(l) Dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between, the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;

(m) Dispositions of any assets (including Equity Interests) (i) acquired in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted hereunder, which assets are not used or useful to the core or principal business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) made to obtain the approval of any applicable antitrust authority in connection with a Permitted Acquisition;

 

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(n) transfers of condemned property as a result of the exercise of “eminent domain” or other similar powers to the respective Governmental Authority or agency that has condemned the same (whether by deed in lieu of condemnation or otherwise), and transfers of property arising from foreclosure or similar action or that have been subject to a casualty to the respective insurer of such real property as part of an insurance settlement;

(o) Dispositions of property for Fair Market Value not otherwise permitted under this Section 6.05 having an aggregate purchase price not to exceed $100,000,000; and

(p) the sale or discount (with or without recourse) and related assets in connection with a Permitted Receivables Financing.

(q) Dispositions of Equity Interests of the Borrower in connection with any management incentive plan or other equity based compensation plan, in each case, established with respect to such Person and approved by such Person’s Board of Directors.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if ABL Priority Collateral with a value in excess of $30,000,000 is the subject of any Disposition pursuant to this Section 6.05 (other than Section 6.05(b) (solely with respect to inventory) and any Disposition to a Loan Party), the Borrower shall deliver an updated Borrowing Base Certificate giving pro forma effect thereto.

SECTION 6.06 [Reserved] .

SECTION 6.07 Negative Pledge . The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any agreement, instrument, deed or lease that prohibits or limits the ability of any Loan Party to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of their respective properties or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, for the benefit of the Secured Parties with respect to the Secured Obligations or under the Loan Documents; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to:

(a) restrictions and conditions imposed by (i) Requirements of Law, (ii) any Loan Document, (iii) any documentation relating to any Permitted Receivables Financing, (iv) [reserved] and (v) any documentation governing any Permitted Refinancing incurred to refinance any such Indebtedness referenced in clauses (i) through (iv) above; provided that with respect to Indebtedness referenced in (A) clause (iv) above, such restrictions shall be no more restrictive in any material respect than the restrictions and conditions in the Loan Documents or, in the case of Junior Financing, are market terms at the time of issuance and (B) clause (iv) above, such restrictions shall not expand the scope in any material respect of any such restriction or condition contained in the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

(b) customary restrictions and conditions existing on the Effective Date and any extension, renewal, amendment, modification or replacement thereof, except to the extent any such amendment, modification or replacement expands the scope of any such restriction or condition;

(c) restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary or any assets pending such sale; provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary or assets that is or are to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder;

(d) customary provisions in leases, licenses and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof;

(e) restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement to the extent such restriction applies only to the property securing by such Indebtedness;

 

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(f) any restrictions or conditions set forth in any agreement in effect at any time any Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (but not any modification or amendment expanding the scope of any such restriction or condition); provided that such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and the restriction or condition set forth in such agreement does not apply to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(g) restrictions or conditions in any Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01 that is incurred or assumed by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties to the extent such restrictions or conditions are no more restrictive in any material respect than the restrictions and conditions in the Loan Documents or, in the case of Junior Financing, are market terms at the time of issuance and are imposed solely on such Restricted Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries;

(h) restrictions on cash (or Permitted Investments) or other deposits imposed by agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business (or other restrictions on cash or deposits constituting Permitted Encumbrances);

(i) restrictions set forth on Schedule 6.07 and any extension, renewal, amendment, modification or replacement thereof, except to the extent any such amendment, modification or replacement expands the scope of any such restriction or condition;

(j) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures permitted by Section 6.02 and applicable solely to such joint venture and entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

(k) customary net worth provisions contained in real property leases entered into by Subsidiaries, so long as the Borrower has determined in good faith that such net worth provisions could not reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to meet their ongoing obligations.

SECTION 6.08 Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness; Certain Amendments .

(a) The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except:

(i) The Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary; provided that in the case of any such Restricted Payment by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, such Restricted Payment is made to the Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary based on their relative ownership interests of the relevant class of Equity Interests;

(ii) [reserved];

(iii) the Borrower may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the Equity Interests of such Person;

(iv) Restricted Payments made to consummate the Transactions and pay fees and expenses related thereto;

(v) repurchases of Equity Interests in the Borrower (or Restricted Payments by the Borrower to allow repurchases of Equity Interest in any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower) deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such stock options or warrants;

 

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(vi) Restricted Payments to the Borrower which the Borrower may use to redeem, acquire, retire or repurchase its Equity Interests (or any options, warrants, restricted stock units or stock appreciation rights issued with respect to any of such Equity Interests) (or make Restricted Payments to allow any of the Borrower’s direct or indirect parent companies to so redeem, retire, acquire or repurchase their Equity Interests) held by current or former officers, managers, consultants, directors and employees (or their respective spouses, former spouses, successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legatees or distributees) of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) and the Restricted Subsidiaries, upon the death, disability, retirement or termination of employment of any such Person or otherwise in accordance with any stock option or stock appreciation rights plan, any management, director and/or employee stock ownership or incentive plan, stock subscription plan, employment termination agreement or any other employment agreements or equity holders’ agreement; provided that the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments permitted by this clause (vi) after the Effective Date, together with the aggregate amount of loans and advances to the Borrower made pursuant to Section 6.04(m) in lieu thereof, shall not exceed the sum of (A) $10,000,000 in any fiscal year of the Borrower and (B) the amount in any fiscal year equal to the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Effective Date; provided that any unused portion of the preceding basket calculated pursuant to clauses (A) and (B) above for any fiscal year may be carried forward to succeeding fiscal years;

(vii) Restricted Payments in cash to the Borrower and, where applicable, the Borrower may make Restricted Payments in cash:

(A) the proceeds of which shall be used by the Borrower to pay (or to make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower to pay), for any taxable period for which the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries are members of a consolidated, combined or unitary tax group for U.S. federal and/or applicable state, local or foreign income Tax purposes of which a direct or indirect parent of the Borrower is the common parent (a “ Tax Group ”), the portion of any U.S. federal, state, local or foreign Taxes (as applicable) of such Tax Group for such taxable period that are attributable to the income of the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries; provided that Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (a)(vii)(A) shall not exceed the Tax liability that the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries (as applicable) would have incurred were such Taxes determined as if such entity(ies) were a stand-alone taxpayer or a stand-alone group (but taking into account only such Tax attributes that are actually available to the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries under applicable law for such taxable period); and provided , further , that Restricted Payments under this clause (A) in respect of any Taxes attributable to the income of any Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Borrower may be made only to the extent that such Unrestricted Subsidiaries have made cash payments for such purpose to Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(B) the proceeds of which shall be used by the Borrower to pay (or to make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower to pay) (1) its operating expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and other corporate overhead costs and expenses (including administrative, legal, accounting and similar expenses payable to third parties) that are reasonable and customary and incurred in the ordinary course of business, (2) any reasonable and customary indemnification claims made by directors or officers of the Borrower (or any parent thereof) attributable to the

 

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ownership or operations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, (3) fees and expenses (x) due and payable by any of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and (y) otherwise permitted to be paid by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries under this Agreement and (4) payments that would otherwise be permitted to be paid directly by the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 6.09(iii);

(C) the proceeds of which shall be used by the Borrower to pay (or to make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower to pay) franchise and similar Taxes, and other fees and expenses, required to maintain its corporate existence;

(D) the proceeds of which shall be used by the Borrower to make Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08(a)(v) or Section 6.08(a)(vi);

(E) to finance any Investment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 6.04 other than Section 6.04(m); provided that (1) such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such Investment and (2) the Borrower shall, immediately following the closing thereof, cause (x) all property acquired (whether assets or Equity Interests but not including any loans or advances made pursuant to Section 6.04(b)) to be contributed to the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries or (y) the Person formed or acquired to merge into or consolidate with the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such merger or consolidation is permitted in Section 6.03) in order to consummate such Investment, in each case in accordance with the requirements of Sections 5.11 and 5.12;

(F) the proceeds of which shall be used to pay customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to officers and employees of the Borrower or any direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(G) the proceeds of which shall be used by the Borrower to pay (or to make Restricted Payments to allow any direct or indirect parent thereof to pay) fees and expenses related to any equity or debt offering not prohibited by this Agreement (whether or not such offering is successful);

(viii) [reserved];

(ix) redemptions in whole or in part of any of its Equity Interests for another class of its Equity Interests or with proceeds from substantially concurrent equity contributions or issuances of new Equity Interests; provided that such new Equity Interests contain terms and provisions at least as advantageous to the Lenders in all respects material to their interests as those contained in the Equity Interests redeemed thereby;

(x) payments made or expected to be made in respect of withholding or similar Taxes payable by any future, present or former employee, director, manager or consultant and any repurchases of Equity Interests in consideration of such payments including deemed repurchases in connection with the exercise of stock options and the vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock units;

 

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(xi) the Borrower may (a) pay cash in lieu of fractional Equity Interests in connection with any dividend, split or combination thereof or any Permitted Acquisition (or other similar Investment) and (b) honor any conversion request by a holder of convertible Indebtedness and make cash payments in lieu of fractional shares in connection with any such conversion and may make payments on convertible Indebtedness in accordance with its terms;

(xii) the declaration and payment of Restricted Payments on the Borrower’s common stock (or the payment of Restricted Payments to any direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower to fund a payment of dividends on such company’s common stock), following consummation of the IPO; provided that the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (xii) in any fiscal year shall not exceed an amount equal to 6.0% of the aggregate net cash proceeds of such IPO received by or contributed to the Borrower;

(xiii) payments made or expected to be made by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of withholding or similar taxes payable upon exercise of Equity Interests by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant (or their respective controlled Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) and any repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants or required withholding or similar taxes;

(xiv) additional Restricted Payments; provided that (A) at the time any such Restricted Payment is made, the applicable Payment Conditions are satisfied and (B) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(xv) the distribution, by dividend or otherwise, of shares of Equity Interests of, or Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries, the primary assets of which are Permitted Investments).

(b) The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to make or pay, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal of or interest on any Junior Financing, or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Junior Financing (the foregoing, “ Restricted Debt Payments ”), except:

(i) payment of regularly scheduled interest and principal payments as, in the form of payment and when due in respect of any Indebtedness, other than payments in respect of any Junior Financing prohibited by the subordination provisions thereof;

(ii) refinancings of Indebtedness with proceeds of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01;

(iii) the conversion of any Junior Financing to Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Borrower or any of its direct or indirect parent companies;

(iv) prepayments, redemptions, purchases, defeasances and other payments in respect of Junior Financings prior to their scheduled maturity in an aggregate amount, when taken together with the aggregate amount of loans and advances to the Borrower made pursuant to Section 6.04(m) in lieu of Restricted Payments permitted by this clause (iv) not to exceed the sum of (A) an amount at the time of making any such Restricted Debt Payment and together with any

 

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other Restricted Debt Payment made utilizing this clause (A) so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or would result therefrom, not to exceed the greater of $20,000,000 and 20% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period after giving Pro Forma Effect to the making of such prepayment, redemption, purchase, defeasance or other payment plus (B) the Available Equity Amount that is Not Otherwise Applied; and

(v) prepayments, redemptions, purchases, defeasances and other payments in respect of Junior Financings prior to their scheduled maturity; provided that (A) no Event of Default shall have occurred or result therefrom and (B) at the time of any such payment made pursuant to this Section 6.08(b)(v), the applicable Payment Conditions are satisfied.

(c) The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, amend or modify any documentation governing any Junior Financing if the effect of such amendment or modification (when taken as a whole) is materially adverse to the Lenders.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the foregoing provisions of Section 6.08 will not prohibit the payment of any Restricted Payment or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption, purchase, defeasance or other payment within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof or the giving of such irrevocable notice, as applicable, if at the date of declaration or the giving of such notice such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement.

For purposes of determining compliance with (i) Section 6.08(a), in the event that any Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Restricted Payments described in clauses (a)(i) through (a)(xv) above (or any subclause contained therein or any defined term used therein), the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, classify and reclassify or later divide, classify or reclassify (based on circumstances existing on the date of such reclassification) such Restricted Payment (or any portion thereof) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Restricted Payment in one or more of the above clauses and (ii) Section 6.08(b), in the event that any Restricted Debt Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Restricted Debt Payments described in clauses (b)(i) through (b)(v) above (or any subclause contained therein or any defined term used therein), the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, classify and reclassify or later divide, classify or reclassify (based on circumstances existing on the date of such reclassification) such Restricted Debt Payment (or any portion thereof) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Restricted Debt Payment in one or more of the above clauses.

SECTION 6.09 Transactions with Affiliates . The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except

(i) (A) transactions with the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and (B) transactions involving aggregate payments or consideration of less than $20,000,000;

(ii) on terms substantially as favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary as would be obtainable by such Person at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate;

(iii) (i) the Transactions and the payment of fees and expenses related to the Transactions and (ii) the performance of the IPO Separation Agreements (as in effect on the Effective Date or as amended or modified (when taken as a whole) in a manner that is not materially adverse to the Lenders);

 

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(iv) issuances of Equity Interests of the Borrower to the extent otherwise permitted by this Agreement;

(v) employment and severance arrangements between the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective officers and employees in the ordinary course of business or otherwise in connection with the Transactions (including loans and advances pursuant to Sections 6.04(b) and 6.04(p));

(vi) payments by the Borrower (and any direct or indirect parent thereof) and the Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to tax sharing agreements among the Borrower (and any such parent thereof) and the Restricted Subsidiaries on customary terms to the extent attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(vii) the payment of customary fees and reasonable out-of-pocket costs to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, directors, officers and employees of the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof) and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to the extent attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(viii) transactions pursuant to permitted agreements in existence or contemplated on the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 6.09 or any amendment thereto to the extent such an amendment is not adverse to the Lenders in any material respect;

(ix) Restricted Payments permitted under Section 6.08;

(x) customary payments (including related indemnities and expense reimbursements) by the Borrower and any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to the Sponsors made for any financial advisory, consulting, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities (including in connection with acquisitions, divestitures or financings), which payments are approved by the majority of the members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of such Person in good faith including the payment of management and monitoring fees to certain of the Sponsors (or management companies of the Sponsors) in amounts contemplated by the services agreement entered into as of the Effective Date and any termination or success fees payable thereunder in connection with the early termination of such agreement);

(xi) the issuance or transfer of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Borrower to any Permitted Holder or to any former, current or future director, manager, officer, employee or consultant (or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing) of the Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent thereof; and

(xii) transactions in connection with any Permitted Receivables Financing.

SECTION 6.10 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio . The Borrower will not permit its Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any Test Period to be lower than 1.00 to 1.00; provided that such Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will only be tested (a) on the date on which a Compliance Period begins, as of the last day of the Test Period ending immediately prior to the date on which such Compliance Period shall have commenced, and (b) as of the last day of each Test Period thereafter until such Compliance Period is no longer continuing.

 

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ARTICLE VII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

SECTION 7.01 Events of Default . If any of the following events (any such event, an “ Event of Default ”) shall occur:

(a) any Loan Party shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

(b) any Loan Party shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section) payable under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five Business Days;

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, or in completing any request for a Borrowing via the Portal, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made, and such incorrect representation or warranty (if curable) shall remain incorrect for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower;

(d) the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Sections 5.02(a), 5.04 (with respect to the existence of the Borrower), 5.10, 5.17 (during a Cash Dominion Period only) or in Article VI; provided that any Event of Default under Section 6.10 is subject to cure as provided in Section 7.03 and an Event of Default with respect to such Section shall not occur until the Cure Expiration Date;

(e) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (d) of this Section), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days (or 5 Business Days (or 3 Business Days in the case of a Weekly Borrowing Base Certificate) in the case of Section 5.01(i)) after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower;

(f) the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal, interest or otherwise and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable (after giving effect to any applicable grace period);

(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity, provided that this paragraph (g) shall not apply to (i) secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the sale, transfer or other disposition (including as a result of a casualty or condemnation event) of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness (to the extent such sale, transfer or other disposition is not prohibited under this Agreement) or (ii) termination events or similar events occurring under any Swap Agreement that constitutes Material Indebtedness (it being understood that paragraph (f) of this Section will apply to any failure to make any payment required as a result of any such termination or similar event);

 

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(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, court protection, reorganization, examination or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or its debts, or of a material part of its assets, under any federal, state, provincial or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, trustee, administrator, monitor, liquidator, custodian, examiner, sequestrator, conservator, liquidator or similar official for the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or for a material part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed or unstayed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(i) the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, court protection, reorganization, arrangement, consolidation, examination or other relief under any federal, state, provincial or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, arrangement or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in paragraph (h) of this Section, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, trustee, administrator, monitor, liquidator, custodian, examiner, sequestrator, conservator, liquidator or similar official or similar official for the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or for a material part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding or (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

(j) one or more enforceable judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $33,000,000 (to the extent not covered by insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of such judgment or order and has not denied its obligation) shall be rendered against any Loan Party, any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 60 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any judgment creditor shall legally attach or levy upon assets of such Loan Party that are material to the businesses and operations of the Loan Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to enforce any such judgment;

(k) (i) an ERISA Event occurs that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Loan Party under Title IV of ERISA in an aggregate amount that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its Withdrawal Liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, in each case, that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(l) any Lien purported to be created under any Security Document shall cease to be, or shall be asserted by any Loan Party not to be, a valid and perfected Lien on any material portion of the Collateral, except (i) as a result of the sale or other disposition of the applicable Collateral to a Person that is not a Loan Party in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents, (ii) as a result of the Administrative Agent’s failure to (A) maintain possession of any stock certificates, promissory notes or other instruments delivered to it under the Security Documents or (B) file Uniform Commercial Code continuation statements or similar filings, (iii) as to Collateral consisting of real property, to the extent that such losses are covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and such insurer has not denied coverage or (iv) as a result of acts or omissions of the Administrative Agent or any Lender;

 

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(m) any material provision of any Loan Document or any Guarantee of the Loan Document Obligations shall for any reason be asserted by any Loan Party not to be a legal, valid and binding obligation of any Loan Party thereto other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder;

(n) any Guarantees by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement shall cease to be in full force and effect (in each case, other than in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents);

(o) a Change in Control shall occur;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in paragraph (h) or (i) of this Section), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and in case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in paragraph (h) or (i) of this Section, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

SECTION 7.02 Application of Proceeds . After the exercise of remedies or acceleration of the Loans provided for in Section 7.01, any amounts received on account of the Secured Obligations shall be applied as follows:

(a) any amounts received on account of the Secured Obligations (other than proceeds of the Collateral) shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.20 and 2.24(i), be applied ratably by the Administrative Agent, in the following order:

First , to the payment of all reasonable costs and out-of-pocket expenses, fees, commissions and taxes of such sale, collection or other realization including, without limitation, compensation to the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and all expenses, liabilities and advances made or incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection therewith (other than in respect of Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Bank Product Obligations or Secured Swap Obligations);

Second , to the payment of all other reasonable costs and out-of-pocket expenses of such sale, collection or other realization including, without limitation, costs and expenses and all costs, liabilities and advances made or incurred by the other Secured Parties in connection therewith (other than in respect of Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Bank Product Obligations or Secured Swap Obligations);

Third , to interest then due and payable on the any Swingline Loans;

Fourth , to the principal balance of the Swingline Loans outstanding until the same has been prepaid in full;

 

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Fifth , to interest then due and payable on Revolving Loans and other amounts due pursuant to Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15;

Sixth , to cash collateralize all LC Exposures (to the extent not otherwise cash collateralized pursuant to the terms hereof) plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon;

Seventh , to the principal balance of Revolving Exposure then outstanding and all Secured Obligations on account of Noticed Hedges (in an amount not to exceed the associated Secured Hedge Reserves), on account of Noticed Cash Management Obligations (in an amount not to exceed the aggregate amount of the associated Secured Cash Management Reserves) and on account of Bank Product Obligations (in an amount not to exceed the aggregate amount of the associated Bank Product Reserves) with Secured Parties, pro rata ;

Eighth , to all other Secured Obligations pro rata ; and

Ninth , the balance, if any, as required by the ABL Intercreditor Agreement or, in the absence of any such requirement, to the Person lawfully entitled thereto (including the applicable Loan Party or its successors or assigns).

Amounts used to cash collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Sixth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as cash collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Secured Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above. Amounts distributed with respect to any Secured Cash Management Obligations or Secured Swap Obligations shall be the lesser of the maximum Secured Cash Management Obligations or Secured Swap Obligations, as applicable, under the Facility last reported to the Administrative Agent or the actual Secured Cash Management Obligations or Secured Swap Obligations, as applicable, as calculated by the methodology reported to the Administrative Agent for determining the amount due. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to calculate the amount to be distributed with respect to any Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Bank Product Obligations or Secured Swap Obligations, and may request a reasonably detailed calculation of such amount from the applicable Secured Party. If a Secured Party fails to deliver such calculation within five days following request by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume the amount to be distributed is zero.

In the event that any such proceeds are insufficient to pay in full the items described in clauses First through Eighth of this Section 7.02(a), the Loan Parties shall remain liable for any deficiency. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, this Section 7.02 is subject to the provisions of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement.

(b) any proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent shall be applied ratably in the following order:

First , to the payment of all reasonable costs and out-of-pocket expenses, fees, commissions and taxes of such sale, collection or other realization including, without limitation, compensation to the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and all expenses, liabilities and advances made or incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection therewith due from the Loan Parties (other than in respect of Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Bank Product Obligations or Secured Swap Obligations);

 

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Second , to the payment of all other reasonable costs and out-of-pocket expenses of such sale, collection or other realization including, without limitation, costs and expenses and all costs, liabilities and advances made or incurred by the other Secured Parties in connection therewith (other than in respect of Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Bank Product Obligations or Secured Swap Obligations) due from the Loan Parties;

Third , to interest then due and payable on any Swingline Loans;

Fourth , to the principal balance of any Swingline Loans outstanding until the same has been prepaid in full;

Fifth , to interest then due and payable on Revolving Loans and other amounts due pursuant to Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15;

Sixth , to the principal balance of any Protective Advances then outstanding;

Seventh , to cash collateralize all LC Exposure (to the extent not otherwise cash collateralized pursuant to the terms hereof) plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon;

Eighth , to the principal balance of Revolving Exposure then outstanding and Secured Obligations of the Loan Parties on account of Noticed Hedges (in an amount not to exceed the associated Secured Hedge Reserves), on account of Noticed Cash Management Obligations (in an amount not to exceed the aggregate amount of the associated Secured Cash Management Reserves) and on account of Bank Product Obligations (in an amount not to exceed the aggregate amount of the associated Bank Product Reserves) with Secured Parties, pro rata ;

Ninth , to all other Secured Obligations pro rata ; and

Tenth , the balance, if any, as required by the ABL Intercreditor Agreement or, in the absence of any such requirement, to the Person lawfully entitled thereto (including the applicable Loan Party or its successors or assigns).

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to any Guarantor shall not be paid with amounts received from such Guarantor or its assets, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to payments from other Loan Parties to preserve the allocation to Secured Obligations otherwise set forth in Section 4.02 of the Collateral Agreement and/or the similar provisions in the other Security Documents.

SECTION 7.03 Cure Right .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article VII, in the event that the Borrower fails to comply with the requirements of Section 6.10, until the expiration of the 10th Business Day subsequent to the later of (x) the first day of the applicable Compliance Period or (y) the date the Compliance Certificate is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(c) for the applicable Test Period (the “ Cure Expiration Date ”), the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) shall have the right to issue Permitted Cure Securities for cash or otherwise receive cash contributions to (or in the case of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower, receive equity interests in the Borrower for its cash contributions to) the capital of the Borrower (collectively, the “ Cure Right ”), and upon contribution of such cash in return for common Equity Interests of the Borrower (the “ Cure Amount ”) pursuant to the exercise by the Borrower of such Cure Right, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio under Section 6.10 shall be recalculated giving effect to the following pro forma adjustments:

 

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(i) EBITDA shall be increased with respect to such applicable fiscal quarter and any Test Period that contains such fiscal quarter, solely for the purpose of measuring the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio under Section 6.10 and not for any other purpose under this Agreement, by an amount equal to the Cure Amount;

(ii) [reserved]; and

(iii) if, after giving effect to the foregoing pro forma adjustments, the Borrower shall then be in compliance with Section 6.10, the Borrower shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of Section 6.10 as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable breach or default of Section 6.10 that had occurred shall be deemed cured for purposes of this Agreement.

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) in each twelve calendar month period there shall be at least two three-calendar month periods during which the Cure Right is not exercised, (ii) there shall be no more than five Cure Rights exercised during the term of this Agreement, (iii) the Cure Amount shall be no greater than the amount required for purposes of complying with Section 6.10 and (iv) all Cure Amounts shall be disregarded for purposes of determining any baskets or ratios with respect to the other covenants contained in the Loan Documents and for purposes of determining Excess Availability and Specified Excess Availability.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 7.01, upon contribution of the Cure Amount (and designation thereof) by the Borrower, the requirements of Section 6.10 shall be deemed satisfied and complied with as of the end of the relevant fiscal quarter with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply with the requirements of Section 6.10 and any Event of Default under Section 6.10 (and any other Default as a result thereof) shall be deemed not to have occurred for purposes of the Loan Documents.

ARTICLE VIII

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

SECTION 8.01 The Administrative Agent .

Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints Wells Fargo Bank, National Association to serve as Administrative Agent and trustee under the Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and none of the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any such provisions. Further, the Administrative Agent shall also act as the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a Person to whom any Secured Obligations are owed) and each of the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of such Lender or Issuing Bank for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Loan Document Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Administrative Agent, as “collateral agent” and any co-agents, sub-agents, trustees and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 8.01 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Security Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Administrative Agent), shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article VIII (including paragraph 13 hereof) and Article IX (as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

 

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Each Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or to exercise any discretionary power, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in the Loan Documents); provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, no Administrative Agent shall have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any other Affiliate of any of the foregoing that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith to be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, except with respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest, fees, and expenses required to be paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders and, except with respect to Events of Default of which the Administrative Agent has actual knowledge, unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default, and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.” The Administrative Agent promptly will notify the Lenders of its receipt of any such notice or of any Event of Default of which the Administrative Agent has actual knowledge. If any Lender obtains actual knowledge of any Event of Default, such Lender promptly shall notify the other Lenders and the Administrative Agent of such Event of Default. Each Lender shall be solely responsible for giving any notices to its Participants, if any. Subject to the succeeding paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as may be requested by the Required Lenders in accordance with Article VII; provided, that unless and until the Administrative Agent has received any such request, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for nor have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or satisfaction of any condition that expressly refers to the matters described therein being

 

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acceptable or satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to any Lenders (or other Secured Parties) to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the books and records or properties of any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries. The Administrative Agent shall have no liability to any Lender, any Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates if any request for a Loan, Letter of Credit or other extension of credit was not authorized by the Borrower.

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall not incur any liability for relying, upon any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person (including, if applicable, a Responsible Officer or Financial Officer of such Person). The Administrative Agent also may rely, and shall not incur any liability for relying, upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person (including, if applicable, a Financial Officer or a Responsible Officer of such Person). The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

The Administrative Agent may perform any of and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any of and all their duties and exercise their rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as the Administrative Agent.

Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign upon 30 days’ notice to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the Borrower’s consent (unless an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing), to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If, at the time that the Administrative Agent’s resignation is effective, it is acting as the Swingline Lender, such resignation shall also operate to effectuate its resignation as the Swingline Lender and it shall automatically be relieved of any further obligation to make Swingline Loans. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be (a) an Approved Bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such Approved Bank and (b) approved by the Borrower (unless an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing); provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment by the date that is 35 days after the relevant notice of resignation was given by the Administrative Agent, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective (the earlier to occur of the date upon which the retiring Administrative Agent is replaced and the date such resignation otherwise becomes effective, the “ Resignation Effective Date ”).

If the Person serving as the Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender, the Required Lenders and the Borrower may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, with the consent of the Borrower, appoint a successor.

 

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If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (the “ Removal Effective Date ”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.

With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (1) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except (i) that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed and (ii) with respect to any outstanding payment obligations) and (2) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or removed) Administrative Agent (other than any rights to indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents as set forth in this Section. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.

Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Joint Bookrunner or any other Lender, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Joint Bookrunner or any other Lender, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. Except for notices, reports, and other documents expressly herein required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender (or other Secured Party) with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of the Borrower or any other Person party to a Loan Document that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent. Each Lender (and each other Secured Party) acknowledges that the Administrative Agent does not have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis (except to the extent, if any, that is expressly specified herein) to provide such Lender (or Secured Party) with any credit or other information with respect to the Borrower, its Affiliates or any of their respective business, legal, financial or other affairs, and irrespective of whether such information came into the Administrative Agent’s or its Affiliates’ or representatives’ possession before or after the date on which such Lender became a party to this Agreement.

 

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The Administrative Agent may incur and pay expenses on behalf of the Lenders to the extent the Administrative Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate for the performance and fulfillment of its functions, powers, and obligations pursuant to the Loan Documents, including court costs, attorneys’ fees and expenses, fees and expenses of financial accountants, advisors, consultants, and appraisers, costs of collection by outside collection agencies, auctioneer fees and expenses, and costs of security guards or insurance premiums paid to maintain the Collateral, solely to the extent the Borrower is obligated to reimburse the Administrative Agent or Lenders for such expenses pursuant to this Agreement; provided that the foregoing shall not create any reimbursement obligation on the part of the Borrower that is otherwise inconsistent with Section 9.03(a). The Administrative Agent is authorized and directed to deduct and retain sufficient amounts from payments or proceeds of the Collateral received by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Administrative Agent for such out-of-pocket costs and expenses prior to the distribution of any amounts to Lenders. In the event the Administrative Agent is not reimbursed for such costs and expenses by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, each Lender hereby agrees that it is and shall be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s ratable share thereof. If the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, each of the Lenders on a ratable basis, shall indemnify and defend the Administrative Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so) from and against any and all indemnified liabilities; provided , that no Lender shall be liable for the payment to the Administrative Agent of any portion of such liabilities resulting solely from such Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct nor shall any Lender be liable for the obligations of any Defaulting Lender in failing to make a Revolving Loan or other extension of credit hereunder. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse the Administrative Agent upon demand for such Lender’s ratable share of any costs or out of pocket expenses (including attorneys, accountants, advisors, and consultants fees and expenses) incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment, or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the extent that the Administrative Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of the Borrower. The undertaking in this paragraph shall survive the payment of all Secured Obligations hereunder and the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent.

Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement and funding its Loans on the Effective Date, or delivering its signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or Incremental Facility Amendment pursuant to which it shall become a Lender hereunder, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be delivered to, or be approved by or satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders on the Effective Date.

The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to any of the Lenders (i) to verify or assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or is cared for, protected, or insured or has been encumbered, (ii) to verify or assure that the Administrative Agent’s Liens have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected, or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, (iii) to verify or assure that any particular items of Collateral meet the eligibility criteria applicable in respect thereof, (iv) to impose, maintain, increase, reduce, implement, or eliminate any particular reserve hereunder or to determine whether the amount of any reserve is appropriate or not, or (v) to exercise at all or in any particular manner or under any duty of care, disclosure or fidelity, or to continue exercising, any of the rights, authorities and powers granted or available to the Administrative Agent pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, it being understood and agreed that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission, or event related thereto, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, the Administrative Agent may act in any manner it may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion given the Administrative Agent’s own interest in the Collateral in its capacity as one of the Lenders and that the Administrative Agent shall have no other duty or liability whatsoever to any Lender as to any of the foregoing, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.

 

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No Lender shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce any Guarantee of the Secured Obligations, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies under the Loan Documents, in connection with any Loan, Letter of Credit or otherwise in its capacity as a Lender, may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders in accordance with the terms thereof. In the event of a foreclosure by the Administrative Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser or licensor of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other disposition, and the Administrative Agent, as agent for and representative of the Lenders (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless Required Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders at such sale or other disposition. Each Lender, whether or not a party hereto, will be deemed, by its acceptance of the benefits of the Collateral and of the Guarantees of the Secured Obligations, to have agreed to the foregoing provisions.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither any Joint Bookrunner nor any Person named on the cover page of this Agreement as a Lead Arranger, a Syndication Agent, a Co-Manager, a Senior Managing Agent or a Co-Documentation Agent have any duties or obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except in its capacity as a Lender), but all such Persons shall have the benefit of the indemnities provided for hereunder, including under Section 9.03, fully as if named as an indemnitee or indemnified person therein and irrespective of whether the indemnified losses, claims, damages, liabilities and/or related expenses arise out of, in connection with or as a result of matters arising prior to, on or after the effective date of any Loan Document.

To the extent required by any applicable law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax. Without limiting or expanding the provisions of Section 2.15, each Lender shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent against, and shall make payable in respect thereof within 30 days after demand therefor, any and all Taxes and any and all related losses, claims, liabilities and expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent) incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Authority as a result of the failure of the Administrative Agent to properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of such Lender for any reason (including, without limitation, because the appropriate form was not delivered or not property executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstance that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of withholding tax ineffective). A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due the Administrative Agent under this paragraph. The agreements in this paragraph shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other obligations under any Loan Document.

The Administrative Agent hereby appoints each other Lender as its agent (and each Lender hereby accepts such appointment) for the purpose of perfecting the Administrative Agent’s Liens in assets which, in accordance with Article 8 or Article 9, as applicable, of the UCC can be perfected by possession or control. Should any Lender obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, such Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and, promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request therefor shall deliver possession or control of such Collateral to the Administrative Agent or in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s instructions.

 

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Each party to this Agreement hereby appoints the Administrative Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the relevant Security Documents, acknowledges that the Administrative Agent is the beneficiary of the parallel debt referred to in the relevant Security Documents and the Administrative Agent will accept the parallel debt arrangements reflected in the relevant Security Documents on its behalf and will enter into the relevant Security Documents as pledgee in its own name.

By becoming a party to this Agreement, each Lender:

(a) is deemed to have requested that the Administrative Agent furnish such Lender, promptly after it becomes available, a copy of each field examination report respecting any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries (each, a “Report”) prepared by or at the request of the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall so furnish each Lender with such Reports,

(b) expressly agrees and acknowledges that the Administrative Agent does not (i) make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy of any Report, and (ii) shall not be liable for any information contained in any Report,

(c) expressly agrees and acknowledges that the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, that the Administrative Agent or other party performing any field examination will inspect only specific information regarding the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries and will rely significantly upon the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ books and records, as well as on representations of Borrower’s personnel,

(d) agrees to keep all Reports and other material, non-public information regarding the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries and their operations, assets, and existing and contemplated business plans in a confidential manner in accordance with this Agreement, and

(e) without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, agrees: (i) to hold the Administrative Agent and any other Lender preparing a Report harmless from any action the indemnifying Lender may take or fail to take or any conclusion the indemnifying Lender may reach or draw from any Report in connection with any loans or other credit accommodations that the indemnifying Lender has made or may make to the Borrower, or the indemnifying Lender’s participation in, or the indemnifying Lender’s purchase of, a loan or loans of the Borrower, and (ii) to pay and protect, and indemnify, defend and hold the Administrative Agent, and any such other Lender preparing a Report harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts (including, attorneys’ fees and costs) incurred by the Administrative Agent and any such other Lender preparing a Report as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who might obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender.

In addition to the foregoing, any Lender may from time to time request of the Administrative Agent in writing that the Administrative Agent provide to such Lender a copy of any report or document provided by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries to the Administrative Agent that has not been contemporaneously provided by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary to such Lender, and, upon receipt of such request, the Administrative Agent promptly shall provide a copy of same to such Lender.

Notwithstanding that certain of the Loan Documents now or hereafter may have been or will be executed only by or in favor of the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such, and not by or in favor of the Lenders, any and all obligations on the part of the Administrative Agent (if any) to make any credit available hereunder shall constitute the several (and not joint) obligations of the respective Lenders on a ratable basis, according to their respective Commitments, to make an amount of such credit not to exceed, in principal amount, at any one time outstanding, the amount of their respective Commitments. Nothing

 

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contained herein shall confer upon any Lender any interest in, or subject any Lender to any liability for, or in respect of, the business, assets, profits, losses, or liabilities of any other Lender. Each Lender shall be solely responsible for notifying its Participants of any matters relating to the Loan Documents to the extent any such notice may be required, and no Lender shall have any obligation, duty, or liability to any Participant of any other Lender. Except as provided in this Article XVIII, no Lender shall have any liability for the acts of any other Lender. No Lender shall be responsible to the Borrower or any other Person for any failure by any other Lender to fulfill its obligations to make credit available hereunder, nor to advance for such Lender or on its behalf, nor to take any other action on behalf of such Lender hereunder or in connection with the financing contemplated herein.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 9.01 Notices . Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by fax, e-mail or other electronic transmission, as follows:

(a) If to the Borrower, to (A) it at Chewy, Inc., 1855 Griffin Road, Suite B-428, Dania Beach, FL 33004, Attn: Mario Marte, (Phone (786) 320-7111, Email: mmarte@chewy.com) and (B) to c/o/ BC Partners, Inc., 667 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10064, Attn: Michael Chang (Phone (212) 891-2880, Email: Michael.Chang@BCPartners.com) and David Leland (Phone (212) 891-2880, Email: David.Leland@BCPartners.com);

(b) If to the Administrative Agent, to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association at One Boston Place, 19 th Floor, MAC J9214-180, Boston, MA 02108, Attn: Jai Alexander, (Phone 617-854-4347, Email: jai.alexander@wellsfargo.com); and

(c) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or fax number or email address) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by fax or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient).

The Borrower may change its address, email or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may change its address, email or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower and any Lender may change its address, email or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Administrative Agent. Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may also be delivered or furnished by electronic transmission (including email and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic transmission.

 

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Each Loan Party hereby appoints the Borrower as its agent for all purposes relevant to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, including the giving and receipt of notices, it being understood that the Borrower will receive the proceeds of the Initial Loans on the Effective Date.

Notwithstanding anything herein or in any other Loan Document providing for the delivery of any Approved Electronic Communication by any other means, the Loan Parties shall deliver all Approved Electronic Communications to the Administrative Agent by properly transmitting such Approved Electronic Communications in an electronic/soft medium in a format reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent to Jai Alexander (Email: jai.alexander@wellsfargo.com) or such other electronic mail address (or similar means of electronic delivery) as the Administrative Agent may notify to the Borrower (which notice shall be effective upon acknowledgement of receipt thereof by the Borrower). Nothing in this paragraph shall prejudice the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender Party to deliver any Approved Electronic Communication to any Loan Party in any manner authorized in this Agreement or to request that the Borrower effect delivery in such manner.

Each of the Lenders and each Loan Party agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make the Approved Electronic Communications available to the Lender Parties by posting such Approved Electronic Communications on IntraLinks , SyndTrak or a substantially similar electronic platform chosen by the Administrative Agent to be its electronic transmission system (the “Approved Electronic Platform”). Although the Approved Electronic Platform and its primary web portal are secured with generally-applicable security procedures and policies implemented or modified by the Administrative Agent from time to time (including, as of the Effective Date, a dual firewall and a User ID/Password Authorization System) and the Approved Electronic Platform is secured through a single-user-per-deal authorization method whereby each user may access the Approved Electronic Platform only on a deal-by-deal basis, each of the Lender Parties and each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure and that there are confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution. In consideration for the convenience and other benefits afforded by such distribution and for the other consideration provided hereunder, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, each of the Lender Parties and each Loan Party hereby approves distribution of the Approved Electronic Communications through the Approved Electronic Platform and understands and assumes the risks of such distribution.

SECTION 9.02 Waivers; Amendments .

(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right or power under any Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time. No notice or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

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(b) Except as provided in Section 2.12(b) with respect to any alternate rate of interest, Section 2.18 with respect to any Incremental Commitments and Section 2.22 with respect to any Permitted Amendment, neither any Loan Document nor any provision thereof may be waived, amended or modified except, in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent (to the extent that such waiver, amendment or modification does not affect the rights, duties, privileges or obligations of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall execute such waiver, amendment or other modification to the extent approved by the Required Lenders) and the Required Lenders or, in the case of any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties that are parties thereto, in each case with the consent of the Required Lenders, provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender (it being understood that a waiver of any Default, Event of Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Commitments shall not constitute an extension or increase of any Commitment of any Lender), (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan (it being understood that a waiver of any Default, Event of Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Commitments shall not constitute a reduction or forgiveness in principal) or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (it being understood that any change to the definitions of Average Excess Availability or Average Revolving Loan Utilization or in the component definitions thereof shall not constitute a reduction of interest or fees), provided that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay default interest pursuant to Section 2.11(f), (iii) postpone the maturity of any Loan (it being understood that a waiver of any Default, Event of Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Commitments shall not constitute an extension of any maturity date), or any date for the payment of any interest or fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, (iv) change any of the provisions of this Section without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, provided that any such change which is in favor of a Class of Lenders holding Loans maturing after the maturity of other Classes of Lenders (and only takes effect after the maturity of such other Classes of Loans or Commitments) will require the written consent of the Required Lenders with respect to each Class directly and adversely affected thereby, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the percentage set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” or “Super Majority Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender, (vi) release all or substantially all the value of the Guarantees under the Guarantee Agreement (except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents) without the written consent of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender or a Disqualified Lender), (vii) release all or substantially all the Collateral from the Liens of the Security Documents, without the written consent of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender or a Disqualified Lender) (except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents), (viii) increase any advance rates under the definition of Borrowing Base ( provided that the foregoing shall not impair the ability of the Administrative Agent to add, remove, reduce or increase reserves against the ABL Priority Collateral included in the Borrowing Base in its Permitted Discretion) without the written consent of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) adversely affected thereby, (ix) change any of the provisions of Section 2.16(b) or Section 7.02 without the written consent of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) directly and adversely affected thereby, (x) change the priority of the ABL Priority Collateral to any priority subordinated to such initial priority without the written consent of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents, or (xi) other than as set forth under clause (viii), change the definition of Borrowing Base ( provided that the foregoing shall not impair the ability of the Administrative Agent to add, remove, reduce or increase reserves against the ABL Priority Collateral included in the Borrowing Base in its Permitted Discretion), or any of the component definitions thereof which result in increased Excess Availability without the written consent of the Super Majority Lenders under the Facility; provided , further , that (A) no such agreement shall amend, modify or

 

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otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, (B) no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of an Issuing Bank without the prior written consent of such Issuing Bank, (C) no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Swingline Lender without the prior written consent of the Swingline Lender, (D) the Administrative Agent may, from time to time on and after the Effective Date, without any further consent of any Lender, Issuing Bank or counterparty to any Secured Cash Management Obligation, Secured Bank Product Obligation or Secured Swap Obligation, enter into an ABL Intercreditor Agreement and amendments to, amendments and restatements of, and/or replacements of, such ABL Intercreditor Agreement, and enter into any other intercreditor agreement with the collateral agent or other representatives of the holders of Indebtedness that is permitted to be secured by a Lien on the Collateral that is permitted under this Agreement, in each case in order to effect the first-priority Liens of the ABL Priority Collateral and to provide for certain additional rights, obligations and limitations in respect of, any Liens required by the terms of this Agreement to be junior priority Liens or other Liens that are, in each case, incurred in accordance with Article VI of this Agreement, and to establish certain relative rights as between the holders of the Secured Obligations and the holders of the Indebtedness secured by such Liens; provided that the definition of ABL Priority Collateral shall not be amended or modified without the consent of the Required Lenders, and (E) any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document may be amended by an agreement in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (i) to add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that such credit facilities shall be pari passu or junior in terms of priority of Collateral and payment with the Secured Obligations and (ii) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Lenders prior to such inclusion, (b) this Agreement and other Loan Documents may be amended or supplemented by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower or any Loan Party as to which such agreement or agreements is to apply, without the need to obtain the consent of any Lender, to include additional “parallel debt” or similar provisions, and any authorizations or granting of powers by the Lenders and the other Secured Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent, in each case required to create in favor of the Administrative Agent any security interest contemplated to be created under this Agreement, or to perfect any such security interest, where the Administrative Agent shall have been advised by its counsel that such provisions are necessary or advisable under local law for such purpose (with the Borrower hereby agreeing to, and to cause its subsidiaries to, enter into any such agreement or agreements upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent promptly upon such request) and (c) upon notice thereof by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent with respect to the inclusion of any previously absent financial maintenance covenant, this Agreement shall be amended by an agreement in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent without the need to obtain the consent of any Lender to include such covenant on the date of the incurrence of the applicable Indebtedness to the extent required by the terms of such definition or section.

(c) In connection with any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or termination (a “ Proposed Change ”) requiring the consent of all Lenders or all directly and adversely affected Lenders, if the consent of the Required Lenders to such Proposed Change is obtained, but the consent to such Proposed Change of other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is not obtained as described in paragraph (b) of this Section being referred to as a “ Non-Consenting Lender ”), then, so long as the Lender that is acting as Administrative Agent is not a Non-Consenting Lender, the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Non-Consenting Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Non-Consenting Lender to assign and delegate,

 

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without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which Eligible Assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that (a) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent to the extent such consent would be required under Section 9.04(b) for an assignment of Loans or Commitments, as applicable, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (b) such Non-Consenting Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts, payable to it hereunder from the Eligible Assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (c) unless waived, the Borrower or such Eligible Assignee shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b).

(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to the contrary, the Loans of any Lender that is at the time a Defaulting Lender shall not have any voting or approval rights under the Loan Documents and shall be excluded in determining whether all Lenders (or all Lenders of a Class), all affected Lenders (or all affected Lenders of a Class) or the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to this Section 9.02); provided that (i) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender and (ii) the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Defaulting Lender (it being understood that any Commitments or Loans held or deemed held by any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for a vote of the Lenders hereunder requiring any consent of the Lenders).

(e) [Reserved].

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.02, the Guarantee, the Security Documents and related documents executed by Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be in a form reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and may be, together with this Agreement, amended and waived with the consent of the Administrative Agent at the request of the Borrower without the need to obtain the consent of any other Lender if such amendment or waiver is delivered in order (i) to comply with local Law or advice of local counsel, (ii) to cure ambiguities or defects or (iii) to cause the Guarantee, Security Documents or other document to be consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including by adding additional parties as contemplated herein).

SECTION 9.03 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver .

(a) The Borrower shall pay, if the Effective Date occurs, (i) all reasonable and documented or invoiced out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (without duplication), including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and to the extent reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be necessary one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction or otherwise retained with the Borrower’s consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), in each case for the Administrative Agent, and to the extent retained with the Borrower’s consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), consultants, in connection with their due diligence investigation, the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions thereof and (ii) all reasonable and documented or invoiced out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents, including its rights under

 

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this Section, or in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans; provided that such counsel shall be limited to one lead counsel and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, one additional counsel per affected party.

(b) The Borrower shall indemnify each Agent, each Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and reasonable and documented or invoiced out-of-pocket fees and expenses of one counsel and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, where the Indemnitee affected by such conflict notifies the Borrower of the existence of such conflict and thereafter retains its own counsel, one additional counsel for such affected Indemnitee) for all Indemnitees (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower or any Subsidiary arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of any Letter of Credit, Issuer Document, Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties to the Letters of Credit, Issuer Documents, Loan Documents of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) to the extent in any way arising from or relating to any of the foregoing, any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on, at or from any property currently or formerly owned or operated by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any other Environmental Liability, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any Subsidiary and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (i) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of, or a material breach of the Letters of Credit, Issuer Documents or Loan Documents by, such Indemnitee or its Related Parties or (ii) any dispute between and among indemnified persons that does not involve an act or omission by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries except that each Agent, the Lead Arrangers and the Joint Bookrunners shall be indemnified in their capacities as such to the extent that none of the exceptions set forth in clause (i) applies to such Person at such time. This paragraph shall not apply to Taxes other than any Taxes with respect to losses, claims or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.

(c) To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, and without limiting the Borrower’s obligation to do so, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such. For purposes hereof, a Lender’s “pro rata share” shall be determined based upon its share of the aggregate outstanding Loans and unused Commitments at the time. The obligations of the Lenders under this paragraph (c) are subject to the last sentence of Section 2.02 (which shall apply mutatis mutandis to the Lenders’ obligations under this paragraph (c)).

(d) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee (i) for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Platform or otherwise via the Internet), provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such damages are determined by a court of

 

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competent jurisdiction by final, non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of, or a material breach of the Letters of Credit, Issuer Documents or Loan Documents by, such Indemnitee or its Related Parties, or (ii) on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, any Letters of Credit, Issuer Document, Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

(e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than 10 Business Days after written demand therefor; provided , however , that any Indemnitee shall promptly refund an indemnification payment received hereunder to the extent that there is a final judicial determination that such Indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification with respect to such payment pursuant to this Section 9.03.

SECTION 9.04 Successors and Assigns .

(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraphs (b)(ii) and (f) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it under the Facility) with the prior written consent (such consent (except with respect to assignments to competitors of the Borrower) not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of (A) the Borrower, provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required (x) if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing or (y) for assignments to existing Revolving Lenders; and provided , further , that the Borrower shall have the right to withhold its consent to any assignment if, in order for such assignment to comply with applicable law, the Borrower would be required to obtain the consent of, or make any filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority, (B) the Administrative Agent, and (C) the Swingline Lender, the Administrative Agent, and each Issuing Bank under the Facility. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9.04 to the contrary, if the consent of the Borrower is otherwise required by this paragraph with respect to any assignment of Loans, and the Borrower has not given the Administrative Agent written notice of its objection to such assignment within 15 Business Days after written notice to the Borrower, the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to such assignment.

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions: (A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate or branch of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the trade date specified in the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment or, if no trade date is so specified, as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than the Dollar Equivalent of $10,000,000 and integral multiples of the Dollar Equivalent

 

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of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, in each case unless the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing, (B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that this clause (B) shall not be construed to prohibit assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans, (C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 ( provided that (x) the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment and (y) such fee shall not apply in respect of assignments by any Person who was a Revolving Lender (or an Affiliate of a Person who was a Revolving Lender) on the Effective Date); provided that assignments made pursuant to Section 2.17(b) or Section 9.02(c) shall not require the signature of the assigning Lender to become effective and (D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent any tax forms required by Section 2.15(e) and shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower, the Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.

(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(v) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of (and subject to the obligations and limitations of) Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15 and 9.03 and to any fees payable hereunder that have accrued for such Lender’s account but have not yet been paid). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c)(i) of this Section.

(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it, and principal and interest amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. In addition, the Administrative Agent shall maintain on the Register information regarding the designation, and revocation of designation, of any Lender as a Defaulting Lender. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

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(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire and any tax forms required by Section 2.15(e) (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

(vi) The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

(c) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other Persons (other than to a Person that is not an Eligible Assignee; provided that for the purposes of this provision, Disqualified Lenders shall be deemed to be Eligible Assignees unless a list of Disqualified Lenders has been made available to all Lenders by the Borrower) (a “ Participant ”), provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents, provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that directly and adversely affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of (and subject to the obligations and limitations of) Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender.

(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.13 or Section 2.15 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

(iii) Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “ Participant Register ”), provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans or its other obligations under any Loan

 

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Document) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary in connection with a Tax audit or other proceeding to establish that such Commitment, Loan, or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive (absent manifest error), and each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register pursuant to the terms hereof shall be treated as a Participant for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.

(d) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or other central bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest, provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “ Granting Lender ”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an “ SPV ”), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the option to provide to the Borrower all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPV to make any Loan and (ii) if an SPV elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof. The making of a Loan by an SPV hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPV shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender). In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPV, such party will not institute against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPV any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.04, any SPV may (i) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the Granting Lender or to any financial institutions (consented to by the Borrower and Administrative Agent) providing liquidity or credit support to or for the account of such SPV to support the funding or maintenance of Loans and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPV.

(f) No Lender may assign any portion of its Commitments or Loans hereunder to any Disqualified Lender or to the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower.

(g) Notwithstanding anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not (i) except to the extent of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct in taking or failing to take any action, be responsible for, have any liability with respect to, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce, compliance with the provisions of this Agreement relating to Disqualified Lenders or have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans or Commitments to any Disqualified Lender and (ii) except to the extent arising out of its or its Related Parties’ gross negligence or willful misconduct, have any liability with respect to any disclosure of confidential information to any Disqualified Lender.

 

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SECTION 9.05 Survival . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to any Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, in the event that, in connection with the refinancing or repayment in full of the credit facilities provided for herein, an Issuing Bank shall have provided to the Administrative Agent a written consent to the release of the Revolving Lenders from their obligations hereunder with respect to any Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank (whether as a result of the obligations of the Borrower (and any other account party) in respect of such Letter of Credit having been collateralized in full by a deposit of cash with such Issuing Bank or being supported by a letter of credit that names such Issuing Bank as the beneficiary thereunder, or otherwise), then from and after such time such Letter of Credit shall cease to be a “Letter of Credit” outstanding hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the Revolving Lenders shall be deemed to have no participations in such Letter of Credit, and no obligations with respect thereto, under Section 2.05(e) or (f).

SECTION 9.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent or the syndication of the Loans and Commitments constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 9.07 Severability . Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 9.08 Right of Setoff . If an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each Issuing Bank is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender or Issuing Bank to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower then due and owing

 

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under this Agreement held by such Lender or Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or Issuing Bank different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such Indebtedness. The applicable Lender or Issuing Bank shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of such setoff and application, provided that any failure to give or any delay in giving such notice shall not affect the validity of any such setoff and application under this Section. The rights of each Lender and each Issuing Bank under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender or Issuing Bank may have. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amount set off from any Guarantor shall be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligation of such Guarantor.

SECTION 9.09 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Process Agent .

(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

(b) Each of parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in any Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to any Loan Document against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) Each of parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in any Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

SECTION 9.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

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SECTION 9.11 Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 9.12 Confidentiality .

(a) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees, trustees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other agents and advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential and any failure of such Persons to comply with this Section 9.12 shall constitute a breach of this Section 9.12 by the relevant Administrative Agent or the relevant Lender, as applicable), (b) (x) to the extent requested by any governmental or regulatory (including self-regulatory) authority, required by applicable law or by any subpoena or similar legal process or (y) necessary in connection with the exercise of remedies; provided that, (i) in each case, unless prohibited by applicable law or court order, each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any request by any governmental or regulatory (including self-regulatory) agency or representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with an examination of the financial condition of such Lender by such governmental or regulatory (including self-regulatory) agency or other examinations of such Lender by such governmental regulatory (including self-regulatory) agency) for disclosure of any such non-public information prior to disclosure of such information and (ii) in the case of clause (y) only, each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall use reasonable best efforts to ensure that such Information is kept confidential in connection with the exercise of such remedies, and provided, further, that in no event shall any Lender or the Administrative Agent be obligated or required to return any materials furnished by the Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries, (c) to any other party to this Agreement, (d) subject to an agreement containing confidentiality undertakings substantially similar to those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any Swap Agreement relating to any Loan Party or their Subsidiaries and its obligations under the Loan Documents, (e) with the consent of the Borrower, in the case of Information provided by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (f) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower, (g) to any ratings agency or the CUSIP Service Bureau on a confidential basis, (h) to the extent that such information is independently developed by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or (i) for purposes of establishing a “due diligence” defense. In addition, the Agents and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and publicly available information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry, and service providers to the Agents and the Lenders in connection with the administration and management of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Commitments and the Borrowings hereunder. For the purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from the Borrower relating to the Borrower, any Subsidiary or their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

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(b) EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 9.12(a) FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BORROWER, THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

(c) ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS FURNISHED BY THE BORROWER OR THE APPLICABLE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT, WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE BORROWER, THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWER AND THE APPLICABLE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

SECTION 9.13 Patriot Act . Each Lender, each Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of Title III of the USA Patriot Act; the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, and other applicable anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist financing, economic or trade sanctions and “know your client” policies, regulations, laws or rules (collectively, including any guidelines or orders thereunder, “ AML Legislation ”) it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the legal name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender, Issuing Bank or Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the Title III of the USA Patriot Act; the Beneficial Ownership Regulation and/or the AML Legislation.

SECTION 9.14 Judgment Currency .

(a) If, for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum owing hereunder in one currency into another currency, each party hereto agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction the first currency could be purchased with such other currency on the Business Day immediately preceding the day on which final judgment is given.

(b) The obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of any sum due to any party hereto or any holder of any obligation owing hereunder (the “ Applicable Creditor ”) shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “ Judgment Currency ”) other than the currency in which such sum is stated to be due hereunder (the “ Agreement Currency ”), be discharged only to the extent that, on the Business Day following receipt by the Applicable Creditor of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Applicable Creditor may in accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency; if the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Applicable Creditor in the Agreement Currency, the applicable Loan Parties agree, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Applicable Creditor against such loss. The obligations of the Borrower under this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of all other amounts owing hereunder.

 

157


SECTION 9.15 Release of Liens and Guarantees . A Loan Party shall automatically be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents, and all security interests created by the Security Documents in Collateral owned by such Subsidiary Loan Party shall be automatically released, (1) upon the consummation of any transaction permitted by this Agreement as a result of which such Subsidiary Loan Party ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary (including pursuant to a merger with a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party or a designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) or (2) upon the request of the Borrower, in connection with a transaction permitted under this Agreement, as a result of which such Subsidiary Loan party ceases to be a wholly-owned Subsidiary; provided that, in either case, if ABL Priority Collateral with a value in excess of $30,000,000 is owned by such subsidiary, the Borrower shall deliver an updated Borrowing Base Certificate giving pro forma effect thereto. Upon (i) any sale or other transfer by any Loan Party (other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Loan Party) of any Collateral in a transaction permitted under this Agreement or (ii) the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest created under any Security Document in any Collateral or the release of any Loan Party from its Guarantee under the Guarantee Agreement pursuant to Section 9.02, the security interests in such Collateral created by the Security Documents or such guarantee shall be automatically released. Upon termination of the aggregate Commitments and payment in full of all Loan Document Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations), all obligations under the Loan Documents and all security interests created by the Security Documents shall be automatically released. In connection with any termination or release pursuant to this Section, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to any Loan Party, at such Loan Party’s expense, all documents that such Loan Party shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent. The Lenders irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to release or subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 6.02(iv) or (xii) to the extent required by the terms of the obligations secured by such Liens pursuant to documents reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent).

SECTION 9.16 No Fiduciary Relationship . The Borrower and each Loan Party, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, agrees that in connection with all aspects of the transactions contemplated hereby and any communications in connection therewith, the Borrower, each Loan Party, the other Subsidiaries and their Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and their respective Affiliates and branches, on the other hand, will have a business relationship that does not create, by implication or otherwise, any fiduciary duty on the part of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or any of their respective Affiliates or branches, and no such duty will be deemed to have arisen in connection with any such transactions or communications.

SECTION 9.17 Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Bank Product Obligations and Secured Swap Obligations . Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein or in any Guarantee or any Security Document, no party to any Secured Cash Management Obligation, Secured Bank Product Obligation or Secured Swap Obligation that obtains the benefits of Section 7.02, any Guarantee or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or of any Guarantee or any Security Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article IX to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Bank Product Obligations and Secured Swap Obligations unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Bank Product Obligations or Secured Swap Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Agent, Lender or Affiliate of an Agent or Lender party thereto.

 

158


SECTION 9.18 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by: (a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and (b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable: (i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability; (ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or (iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

SECTION 9.19 Certain ERISA Matters

(i) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender under the Agreement and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender under the Agreement to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party to the Agreement, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(1) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3- 101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments or this Agreement,

(2) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time (“ PTEs ”), such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and the Agreement,

(3) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PT E 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and the Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and the Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and the Agreement, or

 

159


(4) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, and such Lender.

(ii) In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (1) in the immediately preceding clause (i) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (4) in the immediately preceding clause (i), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).

SECTION 9.20 Intercreditor Agreements .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the ABL Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to be reasonable and acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be deemed to have consented to the use of such intercreditor agreement (and to the Administrative Agent’s execution thereof) in connection with any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred, issued and/or assumed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 6.01 and expressly contemplated as being subject to the ABL Intercreditor Agreement.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, to the extent the Administrative Agent enters into an ABL Intercreditor Agreement or any other intercreditor agreement in accordance with the terms hereof, this Agreement will be subject to the terms and provisions of such ABL Intercreditor Agreement or other intercreditor agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and any such ABL Intercreditor Agreement or other Intercreditor Agreement, the provisions of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement or such other intercreditor agreement govern and control. The Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Administrative Agent is authorized to, and the Administrative Agent agrees that with respect to any applicable secured Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Agreement and expressly contemplated as being subject to such ABL Intercreditor Agreement or such other intercreditor agreement, upon request by the Borrower, it shall, enter into an ABL Intercreditor Agreement or any other intercreditor agreement, as applicable, in accordance with the terms hereof. The Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to (a) enter into any such ABL Intercreditor Agreement or any such other intercreditor agreement, (b) bind the Lenders on the terms set forth in such ABL Intercreditor Agreement or any such other intercreditor agreement and (c) perform and observe its obligations under such ABL Intercreditor Agreement or any such other intercreditor agreement.

SECTION 9.21 Acknowledgement Regarding any Supported OFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Swap Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “ QFC Credit Support ” and each such QFC a “ Supported QFC ”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “ U.S. Special Resolution Regimes ”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

 

160


(a) In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “ Covered Party ”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

(b) As used in this Section 9.21, the following terms have the following meanings:

BHC Act Affiliate ” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

Covered Entity ” means any of the following:

 

  (i)

a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);

 

  (ii)

a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

 

  (iii)

a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

Default Right ” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

QFC ” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

[ Signature pages follow. ]

 

161


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

CHEWY, INC. ,

as the Borrower

By:  

/s/ Mario Marte                

Name:   Mario Marte
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to ABL Credit Agreement]


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent, an Issuing Bank and a Revolving Lender
By:  

/s/ Jai Alexander

Name:   Jai Alexander
Title:   Director

 

[Signature Page to ABL Credit Agreement]


JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as an Issuing Bank and a Revolving Lender
By:  

/s/ John Kushnerick

  Name: John Kushnerick
  Title: Executive Director

 

[Signature Page to ABL Credit Agreement]


Bank of America, N.A., as an Issuing Bank and a Revolving Lender
By:  

/s/ Peter M. Walther

  Name: Peter M. Walther
  Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

[Signature Page to ABL Credit Agreement]


UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as Revolving Lender
By:  

/s/ Darlene Arias

  Name: Darlene Arias
  Title: Director
By:  

/s/ Houssem Daly

  Name: Houssem Daly
  Title: Associate Director

 

 

[Signature Page to ABL Credit Agreement]


MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as a Revolving Lender
By:  

/s/ Michael King

  Name: Michael King
  Title: Vice President

 

 

[Signature Page to ABL Credit Agreement]


Royal Bank of Canada as a Revolving Lender
By:  

/s/ Pierre Noriega

  Name: Pierre Noriega
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to ABL Credit Agreement]


Barclays Bank PLC, as a Revolving Lender
By:  

/s/ Christopher Aitkin

  Name: Christopher Aitkin
  Title: Vice President

 

[Signature Page to ABL Credit Agreement]

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

Chewy Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering

DANIA BEACH, Fla., June 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Chewy, Inc. today announced the pricing of the initial public offering of 46,500,000 shares of its Class A common stock at a price to the public of $22.00 per share. The offering consists of 5,600,000 shares of Class A common stock being sold by Chewy and 40,900,000 shares of Class A common stock being sold by a wholly-owned subsidiary of PetSmart, Inc. (the “Selling Stockholder”). In addition, the Selling Stockholder granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to 6,975,000 additional shares of Class A common stock at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. Chewy will not receive any proceeds from any sale of shares by the Selling Stockholder. The shares of Class A common stock are expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on June 14, 2019 under the symbol “CHWY.” The offering is expected to close on June 18, 2019, subject to customary closing conditions.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Allen & Company LLC are acting as joint lead bookrunning managers for the offering. BofA Merrill Lynch, Barclays Capital Inc., BC Partners Securities LLC, Jefferies LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, UBS Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are also acting as joint bookrunning managers. Nomura Securities International, Inc., Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and William Blair & Company, L.L.C. are acting as co-managers.

A registration statement relating to this offering was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 13, 2019. This offering is being made only by means of a prospectus, copies of which may be obtained, when available, from:

 

   

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014;

 

   

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by telephone at (866) 803-9204 or by email at  prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com ; or

 

   

Allen & Company LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 711 Fifth Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (212) 339-2220 or by email at  allenprospectus@allenco.com .

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward looking information,” including with respect to the initial public offering. These statements are made through the use of words or phrases such as “will” or “expect” and similar words and expressions of the future. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks outlined under “Risk Factors” in the preliminary prospectus and elsewhere in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which may cause actual results to differ materially from any results expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results. The Company has no obligation, and does not undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statement made in this press release to reflect changes since the date of this press release, except as required by law.


LOGO

 

About Chewy

Our mission is to be the most trusted and convenient online destination for pet parents everywhere. We believe that we are the preeminent online source for pet products, supplies and prescriptions as a result of our broad selection of high-quality products which we offer at competitive prices and deliver with an exceptional level of care and a personal touch. We continually develop innovative ways for our customers to engage with us and partner with more than 1,600 of the best and most trusted brands in the pet industry to bring a high-bar, customer-centric experience to our customers.

Media Contacts:

Evan Goetz

Evan.goetz@teneo.com

(917) 853-8199

Bethany Sherman

Bethany.sherman@teneo.com

(917) 373-6465

Andrea Duffy

Andrea.duffy@teneo.com

(646) 984-0240

Investor Contact:

ir@chewy.com