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): May 13, 2020

 

 

ARCONIC CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-39162   84-2745636

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

201 Isabella Street, Suite 400

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  15212
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(412) 992-2500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

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

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share   ARNC   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 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2).

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.

On May 13, 2020, Arconic Corporation (the “Company”) completed the issuance and sale of $700 million aggregate principal amount of 6.000% First Lien Notes due 2025 (the “Notes”). The offering and sale of the Notes was made through a private placement to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes were issued pursuant to the Indenture (as defined below).

On May 13, 2020, in connection with the offering of the Notes, the Company also replaced its cash flow revolver with a new senior secured asset-based credit facility with aggregate commitments of $800 million, pursuant to a credit agreement (the “ABL Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of lenders named therein and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “ABL Administrative Agent”). Availability under the ABL Facility is subject to a borrowing base calculation generally based upon a set percentage of eligible accounts receivable and inventory, less customary reserves.

The Company estimates that the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes are approximately $689,000,000, after deducting discounts and commissions to the initial purchasers and estimated expenses of the offering. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering, together with cash on hand, (i) to prepay in full the $600 million of obligations outstanding under its senior secured first-lien term loan B facility, and (ii) to prepay in full the approximately $500 million of obligations outstanding under its revolving credit facility and terminate in full the commitments thereunder.

Indenture

The Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated May 13, 2020 (the “Indenture”), among the Company, the guarantors party thereto, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), U.S. Bank National Association, as notes collateral agent (the “Notes Collateral Agent”), and U.S. Bank National Association, as registrar, paying agent and authenticating agent.

The Notes mature on May 15, 2025. Interest on the Notes accrues at 6.000% per annum and will be paid semi-annually, in arrears, on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2020.

The Notes are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by each of the Company’s wholly owned domestic subsidiaries that are guarantors (the “Guarantors”) under the ABL Credit Agreement. Subject to certain limitations, the Notes are secured on a first priority basis by the notes priority collateral (generally consisting of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ equipment, material owned U.S. real property, intellectual property, certain stock, and other tangible and intangible personal property, in each case, subject to certain exceptions) (the “Notes Priority Collateral”) and on a second-priority basis by the ABL priority collateral (generally consisting of substantially all of the accounts receivable, inventory, deposit accounts, securities accounts, commodities accounts and cash assets of the Company and the Guarantors, and the proceeds thereof) (the “ABL Priority Collateral”), subject to the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement (as defined below) and certain permitted liens. The Company and the Guarantors entered into certain collateral agreements concurrently with the effectiveness of the Indenture. Each of the Guarantors will be released from their Note guarantees upon the occurrence of certain events, including the release of such Guarantor from its obligations as Guarantor under the ABL Credit Agreement.

On and after May 15, 2022, the Company may redeem all or a portion of the Notes at the redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount on the redemption date) set forth under the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption. At any time prior to such date, the Company may redeem all or a portion of the Notes at the “make-whole” redemption prices set forth under the Indenture. Additionally, at any time prior to May 15, 2022, the Company may, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 106.000% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings.

The Indenture limits the Company’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things, make investments, loans, advances, guarantees and acquisitions; incur or guarantee additional debt and issue certain disqualified equity interests; make certain restricted payments, including a limit on dividends on equity securities or


payments to redeem, repurchase or retire equity securities or other indebtedness; dispose of assets; create liens on assets to secure debt; engage in transactions with affiliates; enter into certain restrictive agreements; and consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of their assets. These covenants are subject to a number of limitations and exceptions.

Additionally, upon certain events constituting a change of control under the Indenture, the Company will be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of purchase.

Further, if the Company or its restricted subsidiaries sell assets, under certain circumstances and subject to certain conditions, the Company will be required to use any excess net proceeds of such sale above $100 million to offer to purchase outstanding Notes at a purchase price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture or the agreements governing such first priority obligations or other second priority obligations.

The Indenture also provides for customary events of default, which may cause the principal of, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to become, or to be declared, due and payable. Events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods) include, among others, default in payment of principal or premium on the Notes, default for 30 days or more in the payment of interest on the Notes, failure to perform or comply with certain obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Indenture or the Notes, default under certain other indebtedness, failure to pay certain final judgments, failure of certain guarantees to be enforceable, certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency and failure of certain security interests to be valid, subject to certain limitations and exceptions.

The foregoing description of the Indenture set forth under this Item 1.01 does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the full text of the Indenture which is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ABL Credit Agreement

On May 13, 2020, in connection with the offering of the Notes, the Company entered into the ABL Credit Agreement. The ABL Credit Agreement includes an accordion feature allowing the Company to request one or more increases to the revolving commitments in an aggregate principal amount of up to $350 million. Availability under the ABL Credit Agreement is subject to a borrowing base calculation generally based upon a set percentage of eligible accounts receivable and inventory, less customary reserves (provided that for a period ending on the earlier of (a) the date of receipt by the administrative agent of the initial inventory appraisal and field examination and (b) 90 days following the date of entry into the ABL Credit Agreement, the borrowing base will be deemed to be equal to $500 million).

The ABL Credit Agreement will mature on May 13, 2025, subject to certain extension rights in the discretion of each lender.

All obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by substantially all of the direct and indirect wholly-owned material subsidiaries of the Company that are organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, subject to certain exceptions. The Company and the Guarantors entered into a guarantee under the ABL Credit Agreement concurrently with the effectiveness of the ABL Credit Agreement. Subject to certain limitations, the ABL Credit Facility is secured on a first priority basis by the ABL Priority Collateral and on a second-priority basis by the Notes Priority Collateral. The Company and the Guarantors entered into certain collateral agreements concurrently with the effectiveness of the ABL Credit Agreement.

The ABL Credit Agreement is subject to an interest rate for U.S. dollar borrowings, at the Company’s option, of either (a) base rate (“ABR”) determined by reference to the highest of (1) Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch’s “prime rate”, (2) the greater of the federal funds effective rate and the overnight bank funding rate, plus 0.5% and (3) the one month adjusted LIBO Rate, plus 1% per annum or (b) an adjusted LIBO Rate (which shall not


be less than 0.75% per annum) (“LIBOR”). The applicable margin for the ABL Credit Agreement through June 30, 2021 is expected to be (a) 2.25% for LIBOR loans and (b) 1.25% for ABR loans. Thereafter, the applicable margin for the ABL Credit Agreement varies from 1.75% per annum to 2.25% per annum (for LIBOR loans) and 0.75% to 1.25% per annum (for ABR loans) based on the average daily excess availability (as defined under the ABL Credit Agreement). Accordingly, the interest rates for the ABL Credit Agreement fluctuate based on changes in the ABR, LIBOR or future changes in the average daily excess availability. In addition to paying interest on outstanding borrowings under the ABL Credit Agreement, the Company is required to pay a quarterly commitment fee based on the unused portion of the ABL Credit Agreement, which will be determined based on the Company’s average daily utilization and will range from 0.25% to 0.375% per annum.

The ABL Credit Agreement includes voluntary prepayment provisions, which allow the Company to voluntarily prepay borrowings thereunder without premium or penalty, subject to customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR based loans. The ABL Credit Agreement also permits the Company to reduce the commitments thereunder, in whole or in part, subject to certain minimum amounts and increments. In addition, the ABL Credit Agreement requires mandatory prepayments of borrowings and/or cash collateralization of outstanding letters of credit in the event that usage of the ABL Credit Agreement exceeds availability.

The ABL Credit Agreement contains certain representations and warranties (subject to certain agreed qualifications), including, among others, legal existence, organization and powers, authorization and enforceability, governmental approvals, absence of conflicts, financial statements, no material adverse change, litigation and environmental matters, compliance with laws, anti-corruption laws and sanctions, investment company status, margin regulations, payment of taxes, insurance, solvency as of the closing date, accuracy of disclosure as of the closing date, and security interests in Collateral.

The ABL Credit Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants customary for financings of this type that, among other things, limit the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness or liens, to dispose of assets, to make certain fundamental changes, to enter into restrictive agreements, to make certain investments, loans, advances, guarantees and acquisitions, to prepay certain indebtedness and to pay dividends, to make other distributions or redemptions/repurchases, in respect of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ equity interests, to engage in transactions with affiliates and to amend certain material documents. In addition, the ABL Credit Agreement contains a financial maintenance covenant applicable to any fiscal quarter in which the excess availability is less than the greater of (a) 10% of the lesser of (x) the aggregate amount of the commitments under the ABL Credit Agreement and (y) the borrowing base and (b) $50 million. In such circumstances, until such time as excess availability shall have exceeded such threshold for at least 30 consecutive days, the Company would be required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00. The ABL Credit Agreement also requires the Company and its subsidiaries to maintain substantially all of their cash in accounts that are subject to the control of the agent, which control becomes applicable when (a) an event of default under the facility occurs and is continuing until the first day thereafter on which no event of default shall exist or (b) excess availability is less than the greater of (i) 12.5% of the lesser of (x) the aggregate amount of the commitments under the ABL Credit Agreement and (y) the borrowing base or (ii) $62.5 million for five consecutive business days until the first day thereafter on which excess availability shall have exceeded such threshold for at least 30 consecutive days.

The ABL Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including with respect to a failure to make payments thereunder, cross-default and cross-acceleration, certain bankruptcy and insolvency events and customary change of control events.

The foregoing description of the ABL Credit Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the full text of the ABL Credit Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 1.02

Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement

On May 13, 2020, the Company prepaid in full the obligations outstanding under its term loan B facility (the “Term Loan”) and prepaid in full the obligations outstanding under its revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) and terminated in full the commitments under the credit agreement among the Company, the designated borrowers from time to time party thereto, the lenders and issuing banks party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, dated as of March 25, 2020.


Item 2.03

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

The information set forth under Item 1.01 above is incorporated into this Item 2.03 by reference.

 

Item 8.01

Other Events.

On May 13, 2020, the Company issued a press release announcing the closing of the issuance and sale of the Notes and the entry into the ABL Credit Agreement. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

  

Exhibit

4.1    Indenture, dated May 13, 2020, among Arconic Corporation, the guarantors party thereto, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, notes collateral agent, registrar, paying agent and authenticating agent (including Form of Note due 2025)
10.1    ABL Credit Agreement, dated May 13, 2020, among Arconic Corporation, a syndicate of lenders named therein and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent
99.1    Press Release of Arconic Corporation, issued May 13, 2020


SIGNATURES

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.

Date: May 13, 2020

 

ARCONIC CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Erick R. Asmussen

Name:   Erick R. Asmussen
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

ARCONIC CORPORATION,

as Issuer

THE GUARANTORS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,

as Guarantors

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Notes Collateral Agent

AND

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Registrar, Paying Agent

and Authenticating Agent

6.000% FIRST LIEN NOTES DUE 2025

INDENTURE DATED AS OF

May 13, 2020

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  
ARTICLE I       
ESTABLISHMENT; DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE       

SECTION 1.01.

 

Definitions

     1  

SECTION 1.02.

 

Other Definitions

     49  

SECTION 1.03.

 

U.S. Dollar Equivalents

     49  

SECTION 1.04.

 

Rules of Construction

     50  

SECTION 1.05.

 

Limited Condition Transactions

     50  
ARTICLE II       
THE NOTES       

SECTION 2.01.

 

Form and Dating

     51  

SECTION 2.02.

 

Execution and Authentication

     52  

SECTION 2.03.

 

Registrar and Paying Agent

     52  

SECTION 2.04.

 

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

     53  

SECTION 2.05.

 

Holder Lists

     53  

SECTION 2.06.

 

Transfer and Exchange

     54  

SECTION 2.07.

 

Replacement Notes

     65  

SECTION 2.08.

 

Outstanding Notes

     65  

SECTION 2.09.

 

Treasury Notes

     66  

SECTION 2.10.

 

Temporary Notes

     66  

SECTION 2.11.

 

Cancellation

     66  

SECTION 2.12.

 

Defaulted Interest

     66  

SECTION 2.13.

 

CUSIP or ISIN Numbers

     67  

SECTION 2.14.

 

Additional Notes

     67  
ARTICLE III       
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT       

SECTION 3.01.

 

Notices to Trustee

     68  

SECTION 3.02.

 

Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed

     68  

SECTION 3.03.

 

Notice of Redemption

     68  

SECTION 3.04.

 

Effect of Notice Upon Redemption

     70  

SECTION 3.05.

 

Deposit of Redemption Price

     70  

SECTION 3.06.

 

Notes Redeemed in Part

     70  

SECTION 3.07.

 

Optional Redemption

     71  

SECTION 3.08.

 

[Reserved.]

     71  

SECTION 3.09.

 

[Reserved.]

     71  

SECTION 3.10.

 

Mandatory Redemption

     71  

 

i


ARTICLE IV   
COVENANTS   

SECTION 4.01.

  Payment of Notes      72  

SECTION 4.02.

  Maintenance of Office or Agency      72  

SECTION 4.03.

  Reports      72  

SECTION 4.04.

  Compliance Certificate      73  

SECTION 4.05.

 

[Reserved.]

     74  

SECTION 4.06.

 

[Reserved.]

     74  

SECTION 4.07.

 

Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock

     74  

SECTION 4.08.

 

Limitation on Incurrence of Layered Indebtedness

     80  

SECTION 4.09.

 

Limitation on Restricted Payments

     81  

SECTION 4.10.

 

Liens

     88  

SECTION 4.11.

 

Change of Control

     89  

SECTION 4.12.

 

Company Existence

     91  

SECTION 4.13.

 

Future Guarantors

     92  

SECTION 4.14.

 

Limitations on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

     92  

SECTION 4.15.

 

Asset Sales

     94  

SECTION 4.16.

 

[Reserved.]

     98  

SECTION 4.17.

 

Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates

     98  

SECTION 4.18.

 

Suspension of Covenants

     100  
ARTICLE V       
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF ALL OR SUBSTANTIALLY ALL ASSETS       

SECTION 5.01.

 

The Issuer May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms

     102  

SECTION 5.02.

 

Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms

     104  
ARTICLE VI       
REMEDIES       

SECTION 6.01.

 

Events of Default

     105  

SECTION 6.02.

 

Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment

     107  

SECTION 6.03.

 

Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee

     108  

SECTION 6.04.

 

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     109  

SECTION 6.05.

 

Application of Money Collected

     109  

SECTION 6.06.

 

Limitation on Suits

     110  

SECTION 6.07.

 

Control by Holders

     110  

SECTION 6.08.

 

Waiver of Past Defaults

     110  

SECTION 6.09.

 

Undertaking for Costs

     110  

SECTION 6.10.

 

Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws

     111  

 

ii


ARTICLE VII       
TRUSTEE       

SECTION 7.01.

 

Duties of Trustee

     111  

SECTION 7.02.

 

Rights of the Trustee

     112  

SECTION 7.03.

 

Individual Rights of Trustee

     115  

SECTION 7.04.

 

Trustee’s Disclaimer

     115  

SECTION 7.05.

 

Notice of Defaults

     115  

SECTION 7.06.

 

[Reserved.]

     115  

SECTION 7.07.

 

Compensation and Indemnity

     115  

SECTION 7.08.

 

Replacement of Trustee

     117  

SECTION 7.09.

 

Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.

     118  

SECTION 7.10.

 

Eligibility; Disqualification

     118  
ARTICLE VIII       
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE       

SECTION 8.01.

 

Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     118  

SECTION 8.02.

 

Legal Defeasance and Discharge

     118  

SECTION 8.03.

 

Covenant Defeasance

     119  

SECTION 8.04.

 

Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

     119  

SECTION 8.05.

 

Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

     120  

SECTION 8.06.

 

Satisfaction and Discharge

     121  

SECTION 8.07.

 

Repayment to Issuer

     122  

SECTION 8.08.

 

Reinstatement

     122  

SECTION 8.09.

 

Survival

     122  
ARTICLE IX       
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER       

SECTION 9.01.

 

Without Consent of Holder

     123  

SECTION 9.02.

 

With Consent of Holders of Notes

     125  

SECTION 9.03.

 

Payments for Consent

     126  

SECTION 9.04.

 

Revocation and Effect of Consents

     127  

SECTION 9.05.

 

Trustee and Agents to Sign Amendments

     127  
ARTICLE X       
GUARANTEES       

SECTION 10.01.

 

Guarantees

     127  

SECTION 10.02.

 

Limitation on Liability

     128  

SECTION 10.03.

 

Successors and Assigns

     129  

SECTION 10.04.

 

No Waiver

     129  

SECTION 10.05.

 

Release of Guarantor

     129  

SECTION 10.06.

 

Contribution

     130  

 

iii


ARTICLE XI       
MISCELLANEOUS       

SECTION 11.01.

 

[Reserved.]

     130  

SECTION 11.02.

 

Notices

     130  

SECTION 11.03.

 

[Reserved.]

     132  

SECTION 11.04.

 

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

     132  

SECTION 11.05.

 

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

     132  

SECTION 11.06.

 

Rules by Trustee and Agents

     132  

SECTION 11.07.

 

Business Days

     132  

SECTION 11.08.

 

No Personal Liability of Directors, Managers, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

     133  

SECTION 11.09.

 

Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial

     133  

SECTION 11.10.

 

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

     133  

SECTION 11.11.

 

Successors

     133  

SECTION 11.12.

 

Severability

     133  

SECTION 11.13.

 

Counterpart Originals

     133  

SECTION 11.14.

 

Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

     134  

SECTION 11.15.

 

Force Majeure

     134  

SECTION 11.16.

 

Patriot Act Compliance

     134  
ARTICLE XII       
[Reserved.]       
ARTICLE XIII       
COLLATERAL AND SECURITY       

SECTION 13.01.

 

Collateral and Notes Collateral Documents

     134  

SECTION 13.02.

 

Further Assurances

     135  

SECTION 13.03.

 

After Acquired Property

     135  

SECTION 13.04.

 

Release

     136  

SECTION 13.05.

 

Notes Collateral Agent

     137  

SECTION 13.06.

 

Intercreditor Agreements

     141  

 

iv


EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A    Form of Note
Exhibit B    Form of Certificate of Transfer Exhibit
Exhibit C    Form of Certificate of Exchange Exhibit
Exhibit D    Form of Supplemental Indenture to Be Delivered by Subsequent Guarantors
Exhibit E    Form of Collateral Agreement
Exhibit F    Form of ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement

 

v


This INDENTURE, dated as of May 13, 2020 (this “Indenture”), is by and among Arconic Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors from time to time party hereto, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral agent (the “Notes Collateral Agent”), registrar (“Registrar”), paying agent (“Paying Agent”) and authenticating agent (“Authenticating Agent”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Issuer is entering into this Indenture to establish the form and terms of its 6.000% First Lien Notes due 2025 (the “Notes”); and

WHEREAS, all conditions necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Indenture and to make it a valid and binding obligation of the Issuer have been done or performed.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.

ARTICLE I

ESTABLISHMENT; DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01. Definitions.

(a) The following are definitions used in this Indenture.

144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement” means the intercreditor agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, by and among Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent pursuant to the ABL Credit Agreement, the holders of any Additional Notes Priority Obligations from time to time (or any agent or representative on their behalf), the Trustee, the Notes Collateral Agent, the Issuer and the Guarantors, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

ABL Collateral Agent” means Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, in its capacity as the administrative agent, collateral agent, security trustee or similar role under the ABL Credit Agreement and the ABL Collateral Documents, together with its successors.

ABL Collateral Agreement” means that certain collateral agreement to be entered into among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the ABL Collateral Agent, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, replacements, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof.


ABL Collateral Documents” means the ABL Collateral Agreement, the intellectual property security agreements, the mortgages and each other agreement, instrument or other document entered into in favor of the ABL Collateral Agent or any other holders of ABL Obligations, for purposes of securing the ABL Obligations (including any guarantees thereof), as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

ABL Credit Agreement” means that Credit Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, by and among the Issuer, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto from time to time in their capacities as lenders thereunder, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, replacements, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof.

ABL Credit Facility” means the credit facility provided under the ABL Credit Agreement, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, replacements, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof and any one or more indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that extend, replace, refund, refinance, renew or defease any part of the loans, notes, or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

ABL Documents” means the credit, guaranty and security documents governing the ABL Obligations, including, without limitation, the ABL Credit Agreement, and the ABL Collateral Documents, hedging agreements related to secured hedging obligations and documentation entered into by any Grantor relating to secured bank product obligations, as each may be amended, restated, supplemented, modified, renewed, extended or refinanced from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

ABL Obligations” means all Credit Facility Obligations outstanding under the ABL Credit Agreement and the other ABL Documents, including any secured bank product obligations and any secured hedging obligations.

ABL Priority Collateral” has the meaning assigned to that term in the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

Acceptable Commitment” has the meaning specified in Section 4.15.

Acquired Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, including Indebtedness incurred by such other Person in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person. Such Indebtedness shall be deemed to have been incurred at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

2


Additional Assets” means (i) any property or assets (other than current assets (as determined in accordance with GAAP), Indebtedness and Capital Stock) to be used by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in a Similar Business; (ii) the Capital Stock of a Person that is engaged in a Similar Business and becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; or (iii) Capital Stock of any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary acquired from a third party.

Additional Notes” means 6.000% First Lien Notes due 2025 issued from time to time after the Issue Date pursuant to Section 2.14 of this Indenture, and any Notes issued in exchange or replacement therefor.

Additional Notes Priority Collateral Agents” means the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under any instrument governing Additional Notes Priority Obligations that is named as the representative in respect of such instrument under the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

Additional Notes Priority Obligations” means any Obligations of the Issuer or any Guarantor that are pari passu in right of payment to the Notes or any Guarantee, as the case may be, and are secured by a Lien on the Collateral that has the same priority as the Lien securing the Notes and the Guarantees and that is designated in writing as such by the Issuer to the Trustee, the Notes Collateral Agent and the other representatives party to the First Lien-Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement. “Additional Notes Priority Obligations” do not include the Notes and the Guarantees issued on the Issue Date, but includes any Additional Notes and related Guarantees.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.

Affiliate Transaction has the meaning specified in Section 4.17.

Agent means any Collateral Agent, Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent or other agent appointed in accordance with this Indenture to perform any function that this Indenture authorized such agent to perform.

Applicable Measurement Period means the most recently ended four fiscal quarters immediately preceding the applicable date of determination for which internal financial statements are available.

Applicable Premium means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date, the greater of:

(1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note; and

 

3


(2) the excess, if any, of:

(a) the present value at such Redemption Date of (i) the redemption price (such redemption price being set forth in the table in Section 3.07(b)) of such Note at May 15, 2022, plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such Note (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date) through May 15, 2022, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points; over

(b) the principal amount of such Note.

Calculation of the Applicable Premium shall be made by the Issuer or on behalf of the Issuer by such Person as the Issuer shall designate; provided that such calculation or the correctness thereof shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee.

Applicable Premium Deficit has the meaning set forth in Section 8.04.

Applicable Procedures means, with respect to any transfer, redemption or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary that apply to such transfer, redemption or exchange.

Asset Sale” means:

(1) the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of property or assets (including by way of a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction) other than Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition”), or

(2) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than preferred stock of Restricted Subsidiaries issued in compliance with Section 4.07), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, in each case, other than:

(A) any disposition of (i) Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities, (ii) property or other assets no longer used or useful, or economically practicable to maintain, in the conduct of the business of the Issuer (including allowing any intellectual property that is no longer used or useful, or economically practicable to maintain, to lapse, go abandoned, or be invalidated), (iii) inventory or other assets in the ordinary course of business or (iv) charitable donations or contributions in the ordinary course of business;

(B) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer in a manner permitted pursuant to Section 5.01 or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control pursuant to this Indenture for which a Change of Control Offer is made;

(C) the making of any Restricted Payment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 4.09 or any Permitted Investment;

 

4


(D) any disposition of assets or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary in any transaction or series of related transactions with an aggregate Fair Market Value of less than $40 million;

(E) any disposition of property or assets or issuance of securities to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(F) any exchange of like property under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any comparable or successor provision, or any exchange of equipment to be used in a Similar Business;

(G) the lease, assignment, sub-lease, license or sub-license of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

(H) any issuance, sale or pledge of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(I) foreclosures, condemnation, eminent domain or any similar action on assets;

(J) (i) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, and related assets in connection with any Receivables Facility or in factoring or similar transactions and (ii) any other dispositions of accounts receivable and related assets in connection with a Receivables Facility (it being understood that for the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture, the Issuer and any Restricted Subsidiary may participate in any customer supply chain financing programs in the ordinary course of business and shall not constitute an Asset Sale);

(K) any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including Sale and Lease-Back Transactions;

(L) any surrender or waiver of contractual rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contractual rights or other litigation claims in the ordinary course of business;

(M) the sale, lease, assignment, license, sublease or discount of inventory, equipment, accounts receivable, notes receivable or other current assets in the ordinary course of business or the conversion of accounts receivable to notes receivable or other dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof;

(N) the licensing, sub-licensing or similar grants of rights of intellectual property or other general intangibles in the ordinary course of business;

(O) the unwinding of any Hedging Obligations;

 

5


(P) sales, transfers and other 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;

(Q) the lapse or abandonment of intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business;

(R) the issuance of directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals or other third parties as required by applicable law;

(S) a disposition of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement or other obligation with or to a Person (other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) from whom such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired, or from whom such Restricted Subsidiary acquired its business and assets (having been newly formed in connection with such acquisition), entered into in connection with such acquisition;

(T) to the extent constituting a disposition, the unwinding or early termination or settlement of any hedging agreement or any bond hedge transaction or other option, forward or other derivative contract; and

(V) any other disposition pursuant to the Spin-Off Documents on substantially the terms described in the Form 10.

Asset Sale Offer has the meaning specified in Section 4.15(c).

Asset Sale Proceeds Application Period has the meaning specified in Section 4.15(b).

Bankruptcy Law means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar United States federal or state law for the relief of debtors, or the law of any other jurisdiction relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or the relief of debtors or any amendment to, succession to or change in any law.

Board of Directors means, for any Person, the Board of Directors or other governing body of such Person or, if such Person does not have such a Board of Directors or other governing body and is owned or managed by a single entity, the Board of Directors or other governing body of such entity, or, in any such case, any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board of Directors or other governing body. Unless otherwise provided, “Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Issuer.

Board Resolution means with respect to the Issuer, a duly adopted resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any committee thereof.

Business Day means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.

Capital Stock” means:

 

6


(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock,

(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock,

(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited), and

(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

Capitalized Lease Obligation means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital or finance lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP.

Cash Equivalents” means:

(1) United States dollars,

(2) Canadian dollars,

(3) (A) euro, pounds sterling or any national currency of any participating member state in the European Union or (B) local currencies held from time to time in the ordinary course of business,

(4) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by (a) the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof, (b) any country that is a member state of the European Union or any agency or instrumentality thereof or (c) any foreign country recognized by the United States of America rated at least “A” by S&P or “A-1” by Moody’s (or, in either case, the equivalent of such rating by such organization or, if no rating of S&P or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization), the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government,

(5) certificates of deposit, time deposits and dollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year, overnight bank deposits and money market deposits (or, with respect to foreign banks, similar instruments), in each case with (i) any lender under the ABL Credit Facility or (ii) any commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $500.0 million in the case of U.S. banks and $100.0 million (or the U.S. Dollar Equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of foreign banks,

 

7


(6) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (4) and (5) above, entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (5) above,

(7) commercial paper rated at least P-2 by Moody’s or at least A-2 by S&P and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof,

(8) marketable short-term money market and similar securities having a rating of at least P-2 or A-2 from either Moody’s or S&P, respectively (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating organization) and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof,

(9) (a) investment funds investing 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (8) above and (10) through (12) below and (b) “money market funds” that invest 90% or more of their assets in instruments of the type specified in clauses (10) through (12) below or that are rated AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody’s or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, if both of the two named nationally recognized statistical rating organizations above cease publishing ratings of such investments,

(10) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s or BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, and in each such case with a “stable” or better outlook with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition,

(11) Indebtedness or preferred stock issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A2” or higher from Moody’s with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition,

(12) Investments with average maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, and

(13) in the case of Investments by any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary, Investments of comparable tenor and credit quality to those described in the foregoing clauses (1) through (12) customarily utilized in countries in which such Foreign Subsidiary operates for cash management purposes.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clauses (1) through (3) and (13) above; provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clauses (1) through (3) or (13) above, as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days following the receipt of such amounts.

Cash Management Services means any of the following: ACH transactions, treasury or cash management services, including, without limitation, controlled disbursement services,

 

8


overdraft facilities, employee credit card programs, netting services, automated clearing house arrangements, foreign exchange facilities, deposit and other accounts and merchant services.

Certificated Note means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Article 2 hereof, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Increases or Decreases in the Global Note” attached thereto.

Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following after the Issue Date:

(1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation) in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d) and Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than to the Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries;

(2) the consummation of any transaction (including any merger or consolidation or purchase of Capital Stock) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d) and Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Issuer, or other Voting Stock into which the Voting Stock of the Issuer is reclassified, consolidated, exchanged or changed, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, provided, however, that this clause (2) shall not include any transaction where (x) the Issuer becomes a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company, and (y) the direct or indirect holders of a majority of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of the Issuer’s Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction; or

(3) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Issuer.

For purposes of this definition, a Person shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities subject to a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement until the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such agreement.

Change of Control Offer has the meaning specified in Section 4.11.

Change of Control Payment has the meaning specified in Section 4.11.

Change of Control Payment Date has the meaning specified in Section 4.11.

Collateral” means all assets and properties subject to Liens purported to be granted pursuant to any Notes Collateral Document to secure the Obligations in respect of the Notes (including the Guarantees), the Notes Collateral Documents and this Indenture.

Collateral Agreement” means the Collateral Agreement (substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto) to be dated as of the Issue Date, by and between the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Notes Collateral Agent, together with the documents related thereto (including the supplements thereto and any certificates delivered thereunder designating indebtedness and other

 

9


obligations as “Notes Priority Obligations” thereunder), as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Notes Collateral Documents, the Second Lien Collateral Documents, the ABL Collateral Documents and any collateral documents entered into with respect to the Additional Notes Priority Obligations, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Commercial Agreement” means any commodity prepayment contract, contract with payment or performance delays or any other equivalent agreement, in each case, relating to a commodity transaction that does not constitute a Hedging Obligation, resulting in a performance risk or credit exposure, as applicable.

Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.) and any successor statute.

consolidated or “Consolidated means, unless otherwise specifically indicated, with respect to any Person, such Person on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, but excluding from such consolidation any Unrestricted Subsidiary as if such Unrestricted Subsidiary were not a Subsidiary of, an Affiliate of, or otherwise owned by, such Person.

Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense means with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense, including the amortization or write-off of financing costs and expenses and capitalized expenditures of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Interest Expense means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(1) consolidated cash interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including all cash dividends paid or payable during such period in respect of Disqualified Stock of the Issuer, and excluding (i) any one-time cash costs associated with breakage in respect of interest rate Hedging Obligations with respect to Indebtedness, (ii) penalties and interest relating to Taxes, (iii) accretion or accrual of discounted liabilities not constituting Indebtedness, (iv) any expense resulting from the discounting of Indebtedness in connection with the application of recapitalization or purchase accounting, (v) amortization or “write-off” of financing costs and expenses, (vi) any expensing of bridge, commitment and other financing fees, (vii) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense related to any Receivables Facility), (viii) premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses incurred in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of asset and (ix) payments under the Tax Matters Agreement; less

(2) cash interest income for such period.

 

10


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

Consolidated Net Income means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the net income (loss), of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP as set forth on the consolidated financial statements of such Person for such period but (x) excluding (other than for purposes of calculating the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (C)(i) of Section 4.09(a)) any impact of costs and expenses (including legal fees) or gain or loss (including as the result of insurance recoveries received directly from an insurance company or indirectly from Howmet Aerospace Inc.) in each case arising from or attributable to the Grenfell Tower Fire and (y) reduced (other than for purposes of calculating the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (C)(i) of Section 4.09(a) for any cash payments made during such period, whether or not such cash payments would be required to reduce net income in accordance with GAAP, resulting from costs and expenses (including legal fees) arising from or attributable to the Grenfell Tower Fire except to the extent such payments either (i) have been reimbursed in cash directly from an insurance provider or indirectly from Howmet Aerospace Inc. or (ii) are expected to be covered and reimbursed (A) in cash within 365 days directly by an insurance provider that is financially sound and reputable and has not disputed coverage or (B) indirectly by Howmet Aerospace Inc. (in each case of (A) and (B), as determined by the Issuer in good faith); provided that to the extent such amounts are not so reimbursed within such 365 day period or are no longer expected to be covered and reimbursed or are disputed, then such unreimbursed amount shall reduce net income for such period); provided that, without duplication,

(1) any after-tax effect of extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses (including relating to the Spin-Off and the Transactions), severance, relocation costs, curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefits plans, start-up, transition, integration and other restructuring and business optimization costs, charges, reserves or expenses (including related to acquisitions after the Issue Date and to the start-up, closure or consolidation of facilities), new product introductions, and one-time compensation charges shall be excluded,

(2) the net income (loss) for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period,

(3) any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations shall be excluded,

(4) any after-tax effect of gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) attributable to asset dispositions or abandonments other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined in good faith by the Issuer, shall be excluded,

 

11


(5) the net income (loss) for such period of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash or Cash Equivalents) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period,

(6) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (C)(i) of Section 4.09(a), the net income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of its net income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived; provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer shall be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) or Cash Equivalents to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein,

(7) effects of adjustments in any line item in such Person’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP resulting from the application of purchase accounting, including in relation to the Spin-Off, or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of Taxes, shall be excluded,

(8) (i) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment of Indebtedness or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments (including deferred financing costs written off and premiums paid), (ii) any non-cash income (or loss) related to currency gains or losses related to Indebtedness, intercompany balances and other balance sheet items and to Hedging Obligations pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Codification No. 815-Derivatives and Hedging (formerly Financing Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 133) and its related pronouncements and interpretations (or any successor provision) and (iii) any non-cash expense, income or loss attributable to the movement in mark-to-market valuation of foreign currencies, Indebtedness or derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded,

(9) any impairment charge, asset write-off or write-down pursuant to ASC 350 and ASC 360 (formerly Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement Nos. 142 and 144, respectively) and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to ASC 805 (formerly Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 141) shall be excluded,

(10) (i) any non-cash compensation expense recorded from grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, phantom equity, stock options, restricted stock, units or other rights to officers, directors, managers or employees and (ii) non-cash income (loss) attributable to deferred compensation plans or trusts, shall be excluded,

 

12


(11) any fees, costs and expenses incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, Investment, recapitalization, Asset Sale, issuance or repayment of Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to the Issue Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed), including all fees, costs and expenses incurred or payable by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Spin-Off, the Transactions and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction shall be excluded,

(12) accruals and reserves, contingent liabilities and any gains or losses on the settlement of any pre-existing contractual or non-contractual relationships that are established or adjusted within twelve months after the Distribution Date that are so required to be established as a result of the Spin-Off in accordance with GAAP, shall be excluded,

(13) to the extent covered by insurance or indemnification and actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Issuer has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount shall in fact be reimbursed by the insurer or indemnifying party and only to the extent that such amount is (a) not denied by the applicable carrier or indemnifying party in writing within 180 days and (b) in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within 365 days), losses and expenses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded, and

(14) any unrealized or realized gain or loss due solely to fluctuations in currency values and the related tax effects, determined in accordance with GAAP shall be excluded.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.09 only (other than clause (C)(iv) of Section 4.09(a)), there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from any sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, any repurchases and redemptions of Restricted Investments from the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, any repayments of loans and advances which constitute Restricted Investments by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, and any dividends, distributions, interest payments, return of capital, repayments or other transfers of assets to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from any Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case only to the extent such amounts increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under such covenant pursuant to clause (C)(iv) of Section 4.09(a).

Consolidated Total Assets means the total assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer.

Consolidated Total Debt Ratio means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (1) the sum of (x) Consolidated Total Indebtedness as of the end of the most recent fiscal period for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of

 

13


determination and (y) the Reserved Indebtedness Amount minus (b) the aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents included in the consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date (excluding the amounts of cash and Cash Equivalents which are listed as “Restricted” on such balance sheet or which consisted of the proceeds of Indebtedness, the incurrence of which the Consolidated Total Debt Ratio is being determined) to (2) EBITDA of the Issuer for the Applicable Measurement Period, with such pro forma adjustments to Consolidated Total Indebtedness, Cash Equivalents and EBITDA as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

Consolidated Total Indebtedness means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (1) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, obligations in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations and debt obligations evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (and excluding Hedging Obligations) and (2) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries and (without double-counting) all preferred stock of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and preferred stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences and their Maximum Fixed Repurchase Prices, in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. For purposes hereof, the “Maximum Fixed Repurchase Price” of any Disqualified Stock or preferred stock means the maximum price, if any, at which such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock may be required to be redeemed or repurchased by the issuer thereof in accordance with its terms.

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 11.02 hereof, or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Issuer.

Covenant Defeasance has the meaning specified in Section 8.03.

Covenant Suspension Event has the meaning specified in Section 4.18(a).

Credit Facilities means, with respect to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more debt facilities, including the ABL Credit Facility, or other financing arrangements (including, without limitation, commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors or indentures and secured supply chain financing facilities) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other indebtedness, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that Refinance any part of the loans, notes or other securities, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such Refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.07) or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

 

14


Credit Facility Obligations” means the indebtedness outstanding under Credit Facilities that is secured by a Permitted Lien described in clause (1) of the definition thereof, and all other obligations of the Issuer or any Guarantor under such Credit Facilities and all Hedging Obligations permitted by this Indenture and secured by the collateral securing any Obligations under any of the Credit Facilities.

Custodian means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03(c) as Custodian with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as custodian hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

Default means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

Depositary means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03(b) hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

Designated Non-cash Consideration means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of or collection on such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

Disqualified Stock means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is putable or exchangeable, or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, other than as a result of a change of control, asset sale or casualty or condemnation event, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, other than as a result of a change of control, asset sale or casualty or condemnation event, in whole or in part, in each case prior to the date 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided that if such Capital Stock is issued to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

Distribution Date means April 1, 2020.

Distribution Date Payment means the payment, on or about the Distribution Date, of a cash dividend or other cash transfer or debt repayment by the Issuer to Howmet or one of its subsidiaries.

Division” means the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the “Dividing Person”) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a “plan of division” or

 

15


similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.

EBITDA means, with respect to any Person for any period, (1) the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, increased (without duplication) by:

(A) provision for Taxes based on income or profits or capital gains, including, without limitation, U.S. federal, state, non-U.S., franchise, excise, value added and similar Taxes and foreign withholding Taxes of such Person paid or accrued during such period, including any penalties and interest relating to such Taxes or arising from any Tax examinations deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus

(B) Fixed Charges of such Person for such period (including (x) net losses on Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk and (y) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, in each case, to the extent included in Fixed Charges), together with items excluded from the definition of “Consolidated Interest Expense” pursuant to clauses 1(ii) through 1(viii) thereof, to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income, plus

(C) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus

(D) any fees, expenses, charges or losses (other than depreciation or amortization expense) related to any Equity Offering or other capital markets transaction, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by this Indenture (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including such fees, expenses, charges or losses related to (i) the Transactions and any transactions pursuant to the Spin-Off Documents, including but not limited to severance, relocation costs, integration and facilities’ opening costs and other business optimization expenses and operating improvements and establishment costs, recruiting fees, signing costs, retention or completion bonuses, transition costs, costs related to closure/consolidation of facilities, internal costs in respect of Spin-Off related initiatives and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans (including any settlement of pension liabilities), contract terminations and professional and consulting fees incurred in connection with any of the foregoing (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any costs or expenses arising out of or relating to the Grenfell Tower Fire), (ii) the offering of the Notes and the ABL Credit Facility and (iii) any amendment or other modification of the Spin-Off Documents, the Notes, the ABL Credit Facility or other Indebtedness and, in each case, deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income, plus

 

16


(E) any other non-cash charges, including any write-offs, write-downs, expenses, losses or items, including any non-cash loss attributable to the mark to market movement in the valuation of any Equity Interests, and hedging obligations or other derivative instruments, to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (provided that if any such 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 deducted from EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period), plus

(F) the amount of any minority interest expense deducted (and not added back) in such period in calculating Consolidated Net Income, plus

(G) litigation costs and expenses for non-ordinary course litigation; plus

(H) the (i) amount of cost savings, operating expense reductions, synergies and other operating improvements projected by the Issuer in good faith to be realized as a result of Permitted Investments, acquisitions, operational changes, business realignment projects or initiatives, restructurings, reorganizations or similar actions reasonably expected to be realized within 18 months of the date the applicable event is consummated (which cost savings, expense reductions, synergies or operating improvements shall be subject only to certification by management of the Issuer and shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, expense reductions, synergies or improvements had been realized on the first day of such period); provided that such cost savings, expense reductions, synergies or improvements (A) are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable, net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions, (B) shall not exceed 20.0% of EBITDA (calculated based on EBITDA prior to giving effect to such cost savings, operating expense reductions, synergies and improvements) and (C) shall not be added pursuant to this subsection (H) to the extent duplicative of any cost savings, expenses reductions, synergies or improvements otherwise added to EBITDA; (ii) business optimization expenses (including consolidation initiatives, severance costs and other costs relating to initiatives aimed at profitability improvement); and (iii) restructuring charges or reserves (including restructuring costs related to acquisitions after the Issue Date and to closure and/or consolidation of facilities and to exiting lines of business), plus

(I) non-cash, non-service pension expenses;

less,

(2) (a) without duplication and to the extent included in determining such Consolidated Net Income, any non-cash gains for such period (other than any such non-cash gains (i) in respect of which cash was received in a prior period or shall be received in a future period and (ii) that represent the reversal of any accrual in a prior period for,

 

17


or the reversal of any cash reserves established in a prior period for, anticipated cash charges), plus

(b) without duplication and to the extent included in determining such Consolidated Net Income, any losses and expenses (to the extent not covered by insurance or indemnification and not reimbursed) with respect to liability or casualty events in connection with or relating to the Grenfell Tower Fire.

Calculations of EBITDA shall include such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

Employee Matters Agreement means the Employee Matters Agreement between the Issuer and Howmet, dated the Distribution Date.

Equity Interest means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock, but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock.

Equity Offering means any public or private sale of common equity or preferred stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer (excluding Disqualified Stock), other than:

(1) public offerings with respect to the Issuer’s or any of its direct or indirect parent company’s common equity registered on Form S-8; and

(2) issuances to any Subsidiary of the Issuer or any employee benefit plan of the Issuer.

euro means the single currency of participating member states of the Economic and Monetary Union.

Event of Default has the meaning specified in Section 6.01.

Excess Proceeds has the meaning specified in Section 4.15(c).

Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Excluded Contribution means any net cash proceeds and marketable securities (valued at their Fair Market Value as determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of the Issuer) received by the Issuer from:

(1) contributions to its common equity capital; or

(2) the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer or to any Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee

 

18


benefit plan or agreement) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer,

in each case designated as an Excluded Contribution pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate on or promptly after the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interests are sold, as the case may be, and which are excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 4.09(a)(3) and are not applied pursuant to Section 4.09(b) (2), (4) or (19).

Excluded Property has the meaning specified in the Collateral Agreement.

Existing Indebtedness means Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in existence on the Issue Date, plus interest accruing (or the accretion of discount) thereon.

Existing Revolving Credit Facility” means the Senior Secured First-Lien Revolving Credit Facility provided for in the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2020, by and among the Issuer, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto from time to time in their capacities as lenders thereunder and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent.

Existing Term Loan” means the Senior Secured First-Lien Term Loan B Facility provided for in the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2020, by and among the Issuer, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto from time to time in their capacities as lenders thereunder and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent.

Fair Market Value means, with respect to any Investment, asset or property, the fair market value of such Investment, asset or property, determined in good faith by senior management or the Board of Directors of the Issuer, whose determination shall be conclusive for all purposes under this Indenture and the Notes.

First Lien Agent” means (i) the Notes Collateral Agent, (ii) the ABL Collateral Agent and (iii) in the case of any additional First Priority Obligations and the additional holders of such First Priority Obligations with respect thereto, the additional First Lien Agent in respect thereof.

First Lien Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement” means an intercreditor agreement entered into by the Notes Collateral Agent, the ABL Collateral Agent and the representative of the holders of any additional First Priority Obligations, in substantially the form agreed and authorized by the First Priority Secured Parties, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, replacements, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof.

First Lien-Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement” means the amended and restated intercreditor agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, by and among Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent pursuant to the ABL Credit Agreement, any Additional Notes Priority Collateral Agents from time to time, the Second Lien Agent, the Notes Collateral Agent, the Issuer and the Guarantors, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, replacements, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof.

 

19


First Priority Documents” means this Indenture, the Collateral Agreement, the ABL Credit Agreement, the ABL Collateral Agreement and all other agreements or instruments evidencing or creating any security interest or Lien in favor of any First Lien Agent, each guarantee by any Grantor of any or all of the First Priority Obligations, the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien-Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any First Lien Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, as each may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with their respective terms.

First Priority Obligations” means (1) all Notes Priority Obligations, (2) all Obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under the ABL Credit Facility and the ABL Collateral Documents and (3) any other Senior Indebtedness and related Obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors incurred subsequent to the Issue Date and outstanding from time to time that is designated as First Priority Obligations in writing by the Issuer in accordance with the terms of the First Priority Documents and that by its terms is secured (and is permitted by this Indenture, the ABL Credit Facility and the First Priority Documents to be secured) by a Permitted Lien on any or all of the Collateral having first priority.

First Priority Secured Parties” means each Person holding First Priority Obligations.

Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Ltd. and any successor to its rating agency business.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio means, with respect to any Person as of any applicable date of determination, the ratio of (1) EBITDA of such Person for the Applicable Measurement Period to (2) the Fixed Charges of such Person for such Applicable Measurement Period. In the event that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs, assumes, guarantees, redeems, retires or extinguishes any Indebtedness or issues or redeems Disqualified Stock subsequent to the commencement of the Applicable Measurement Period but on or prior to the applicable date of determination, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, redemption, retirement or extinguishment of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Disqualified Stock (in each case, including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the Applicable Measurement Period; provided, however, that, for purposes of the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, in connection with the incurrence of any Ratio Indebtedness, the Issuer may elect, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee, to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness which is to be incurred, as being incurred as of the applicable date of determination and any subsequent incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment that was so treated shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an incurrence of additional Indebtedness.

For purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, consolidations and disposed or discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP), and any operational changes, business alignment projects or initiatives, restructurings, reorganizations or similar actions that the Issuer has determined to make and/or have been made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary during the Applicable Measurement Period or subsequent to such Applicable Measurement Period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the applicable date of determination shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, consolidations and

 

20


disposed or discontinued operations and other operational changes, business realignment projects or initiatives, restructurings, reorganizations or similar action (and the change in any associated Fixed Charges and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the Applicable Measurement Period. If since the beginning of such period any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period) shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation or disposed or discontinued operation, operational change, business realignment project or initiative, restructuring, reorganization or similar action that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such Applicable Measurement Period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation or disposed operation had occurred at the beginning of the Applicable Measurement Period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of the Issuer as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, to reflect operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies reasonably expected to result from the applicable event within 18 months of the date the applicable event is consummated and which are expected to have a continuing impact and are factually supportable.

If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the applicable date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account for such entire period, any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness with a remaining term of 12 months or longer, and in the case of any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness with a remaining term of less than 12 months, taking into account such Hedging Obligation to the extent of its remaining term). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon (A) the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period or (B) if such facility was created after the end of the applicable period, the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the period from the date of creation of such facility to the date of determination; or, if lower, the maximum commitments under such revolving credit facility as of the applicable date of determination. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Issuer may designate.

Fixed Charges means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of

(1) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period, and

 

21


(2) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Disqualified Stock of the Issuer held by Persons other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary made during such period.

Foreign Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person that is not organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and any Subsidiary of such Foreign Subsidiary.

Foreign Subsidiary Holding Company” means any Subsidiary (other than a Foreign Subsidiary) that has no material assets other than 65% or more of the Equity Interests (or Equity Interests and/or debt) of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries or other Foreign Subsidiary Holding Companies.

Form 10 means the registration statement on Form 10, originally filed publicly by the Issuer with the SEC on December 17, 2019, as declared effective on February 13, 2020.

GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time, provided, however, that the Issuer may with notice to the Trustee elect to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Issue Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision, 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 by notice to the Trustee. At any time after the Issue Date, the Issuer may elect to apply International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS”) accounting principles as in effect on the date of such election in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such election, references herein to GAAP and GAAP concepts shall thereafter be construed to refer to IFRS and corresponding IFRS concepts as of such date (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture); provided that any such election, once made, shall be irrevocable; provided further, any calculation or determination in this Indenture that requires the application of GAAP for periods that include fiscal quarters ended prior to the Issuer’s election to apply IFRS shall remain as previously calculated or determined in accordance with GAAP. The Issuer shall give written notice of any such election made in accordance with this definition to the Trustee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, solely making the IFRS election (without any other action) referred to in this definition shall not be treated as an incurrence of Indebtedness. 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 Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, or any successor thereto (including pursuant to Accounting Standard Codifications), to value any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries at “fair value”, as defined therein and (b) all obligations of any person that are or would have been treated as operating leases for purposes of GAAP prior to the issuance by the Financial Accounting Standards Board on February 25, 2016 of an Accounting Standards Update (the “ASU”) shall continue to be accounted for as operating leases for any determinations under this Indenture other than Section 4.03 (whether or not such operating lease obligations were in effect on such date) notwithstanding the fact that such obligations are required in accordance with the ASU (on

 

22


a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) to be treated as capitalized lease obligations in the Issuer’s financial statements.

Global Note Legend means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(ii) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

Global Notes means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, in the form of Exhibit A hereto issued in accordance with Article 2 hereof.

Government Securities means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such Government Securities or a specific payment of principal or interest on any such Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Government Securities evidenced by such depositary receipt.

Grantor” means the Issuer and the Guarantors.

Grenfell Tower Fire” means the June 2017 fire at the Grenfell Tower in London, England.

guarantee means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.

Guarantee means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Issuer’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes pursuant to Article 10.

Guarantor means each Restricted Subsidiary that guarantees the Notes under this Indenture.

Hedging Obligations means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, commodity swap agreement, commodity cap agreement, commodity collar agreement, foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or similar agreement providing for the transfer or mitigation of interest rate, commodity price or currency risks either generally or under specific contingencies.

Holder means a registered holder of the Notes.

Howmet” means Howmet Aerospace Inc., a Delaware corporation, formerly known as Arconic Inc.

 

23


incur has the meaning specified in Section 4.07.

incurrence has the meaning specified in Section 4.07.

Indebtedness means, with respect to any Person:

(1) any indebtedness (including principal and premium) of such Person, whether or not contingent,

(A) in respect of borrowed money,

(B) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without double counting, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof),

(C) representing the balance, deferred and unpaid, of the purchase price of any property or services, except (i) any such balance that constitutes a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor, in each case accrued in the ordinary course of business and (ii) any earn-out obligation until such obligation, after 60 days of becoming due and payable, has not been paid and is reflected as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP,

(D) representing Capitalized Lease Obligations, or

(E) representing any Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent that any of the foregoing Indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP,

(2) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, on the obligations of the type referred to in clause (1) of another Person (whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of such obligor or guarantor), other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business; and

(3) to the extent not otherwise included, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (1) of another Person secured by a Lien on any assets owned by such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person provided, however, that the amount of such Indebtedness shall be the lesser of: (a) the Fair Market Value of such assets at such date of determination, and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person;

provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall not include:

(a) obligations under or in respect of Receivables Facilities;

(b) deferred or prepaid revenue;

 

24


(c) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty, indemnity or other unperformed obligations of the seller,

(d) 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;

(e) obligations in respect of any residual value guarantees on equipment leases;

(f) any take-or-pay or similar obligation to the extent such obligation is not shown as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP; and

(g) asset retirement obligations and obligations in respect of reclamation and workers’ compensation (including pensions and retiree medical care).

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed (including the appendices and exhibits) and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof.

Independent Financial Advisor means an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, not an Affiliate of the Issuer and qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

Indirect Participant means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

Initial Notes means $700,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date.

Initial Purchasers” means the several initial purchasers listed in Schedule I to the Purchase Agreement dated April 29, 2020 between Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, as representative of the Initial Purchasers, the Issuer and the Guarantors listed in Schedule IV thereto.

Intercreditor Agreements” means the First Lien-Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement and any other intercreditor agreement entered into by the Notes Collateral Agent from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, each as amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.

interest means, with respect to the Notes, interest on the Notes.

Interest Payment Date has the meaning set forth in paragraph 1 of the applicable Notes.

 

25


inventory means goods held for sale or lease by a Person in the ordinary course of business, net of any reserve for goods that have been segregated by such Person to be returned to the applicable vendor for credit, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Investment Grade Rating means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

Investment Grade Securities” means:

(1) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents),

(2) debt securities or debt instruments with an Investment Grade Rating, but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Issuer and its Subsidiaries,

(3) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) above, which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment or distribution, and

(4) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments.

Investments means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit, advances to customers, commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees, in each case made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes) of the Issuer in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 4.09,

(1) “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of a Subsidiary of the Issuer at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Issuer shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to:

(A) the Issuer’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less

 

26


(B) the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and

(2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such transfer.

The amount of any Investment outstanding at any time shall be the original cost of such Investment, reduced by any dividend, distribution, interest payment, return of capital, repayment or other amount received in cash by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such Investment.

Issue Date means May 13, 2020.

Legal Holiday means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions are not required or authorized by law to be open in the State of New York.

Lien means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof); provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

Limited Condition Transaction means (i) any acquisition or other similar investment, including by means of a merger, amalgamation, consolidation, Division or similar transaction, by the Issuer or one or more of its Subsidiaries, the consummation of which is not conditioned upon the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing or in connection with which any fee or expense would be payable by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries to the seller or target in the event financing to consummate the acquisition is not obtained as contemplated by the definitive acquisition agreement or (ii) any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness requiring irrevocable notice in advance of such redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment.

Moody’s means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

Net Proceeds means the aggregate cash proceeds and Fair Market Value of any Cash Equivalents received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Asset Sale (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received), net of (i) the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including legal, accounting, consultant and investment banking fees and discounts, brokerage and sales commissions, any relocation expenses and other fees, expenses and charges incurred as a result thereof, Taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (including in connection with any repatriation of funds and after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), (ii) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on Senior Indebtedness or Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor required (other than pursuant to Section 4.15 (b)) to be paid as a result of such transaction, (iii) any costs associated with unwinding any related Hedging Obligations in connection with such transaction, (iv) all

 

27


distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Sale, or to any other Person (other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) owning a beneficial interest in the assets disposed of in such Asset Sale and (v) any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after such sale or other disposition thereof, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction, as determined in good faith by the Issuer.

Notes Collateral Agent” means U.S. Bank National Association, in its capacity as the Notes Collateral Agent under this Indenture and the Notes Collateral Documents, and any successor thereto in such capacity.

Notes Collateral Documents” means the Collateral Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreements, the intellectual property security agreements, the mortgages and each other agreement, instrument or other document entered into in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent or any other holders of Obligations in respect of the Notes, including the Guarantees (and the successors and assigns of each of the Notes and the Guarantees), for purposes of securing the Obligations in respect of the Notes (including the Guarantees) and this Indenture, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Notes Obligations” means the Indebtedness incurred and Obligations outstanding under this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees and the Collateral Agreement.

Notes Priority Collateral” has the meaning set forth in the Collateral Agreement.

Notes Priority Obligations” means the Notes Obligations and all Additional Notes Priority Obligations.

Obligations means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and banker’s acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

Offering Memorandum means the offering memorandum dated April 29, 2020 relating to the Initial Notes.

Officer means, with respect to the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Notes, the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Controller, the Treasurer or the Secretary (a) of such Person or (b) if such Person is owned or managed by a single entity, of such entity, or any other individual designated as an “Officer” for the purposes of this Indenture by the Board of Directors of the Issuer.

Officer’s Certificate means, with respect to the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Notes, a certificate signed by one Officer of such Person and delivered to the Trustee.

 

28


Opinion of Counsel means a written opinion reasonably acceptable to the Trustee from legal counsel (which may be subject to customary assumptions, exclusions, limitations and exceptions). The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer or other counsel.

Outstanding, when used with respect to Notes, means, as of the date of determination, all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(1) Notes theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(2) Notes, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Paying Agent (other than the Issuer) or set aside and segregated in trust by the Issuer (if the Issuer shall act as their own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Notes in accordance with any applicable provisions of this Indenture; provided that, if such Notes are to be redeemed, written notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Paying Agent has been made;

(3) Notes, except to the extent provided in Sections 8.02 and 8.03, with respect to which the Issuer has effected Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance as provided in Article 8; and

(4) Notes which have been paid pursuant to Section 2.07 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Notes have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Notes in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate that such Notes are held by a Protected Purchaser in whose hands the Notes are valid obligations of the Issuer; provided that, in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Notes have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, consent, notice or waiver hereunder, Notes owned by the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of the Issuer or any such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Notes which a Trust Officer of the Trustee has received written notice at its address specified herein of being so owned shall be so disregarded.

Participant means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary.

Permitted Asset Swap means the concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets and cash or Cash Equivalents between the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary and another Person; provided that any cash or Cash Equivalents received must be applied in accordance with Section 4.15.

Permitted Investments” means:

(1) any Investment in the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

29


(2) any Investment in cash, Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

(3) any Investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person that is engaged in a Similar Business if as a result of such Investment

(A) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or

(B) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, divided from in a Division or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, and, in each case, any Investment held by such Person; provided that such Investment was not acquired by such Person in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, consolidation or transfer;

(4) any Investment in securities or other property or assets received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to Section 4.15, or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

(5) any Investment existing on the Issue Date and any modification, replacement, renewal, reinvestment or extension thereof (including any capitalization of intercompany loans to equity), and any Investment made pursuant to the Spin-Off Documents on substantially the terms described in the Offering Memorandum;

(6) any Investment acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary:

(A) (i) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable or (ii) in settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with customers and suppliers in the ordinary course of business, or

(B) as a result of a foreclosure by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(7) Hedging Obligations and Commercial Agreements permitted under Section 4.07(b)(10);

(8) [reserved.];

(9) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests of the Issuer (exclusive of Disqualified Stock); provided that such Equity Interests shall not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (C) of Section 4.09(a);

(10) (i) guarantees of Indebtedness permitted under Section 4.07 and (ii) guarantees of leases (other than Capitalized Lease Obligations) or of other obligations

 

30


that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(11) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted and made in accordance with Section 4.17(b) (except transactions described in Section 4.17(b)(2), (4), (7) and (12));

(12) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material or equipment or other similar assets in the ordinary course of business, or the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

(13) additional Investments having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (13) that are at that time outstanding (without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash or marketable securities), not to exceed the greater of (x) $450 million and (y) 57.5% of EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (13) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (13) for so long as such Person continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary;

(14) customary Investments in connection with Receivables Facilities or any repurchases in connection therewith;

(15) loans or advances to, or guarantees of Indebtedness of, directors, officers, consultants or employees in the aggregate not to exceed at any one time outstanding the greater of (x) $20 million and (y) 2.5% of EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period at the time of such advance or guarantee;

(16) loans and advances to officers, directors, managers and employees for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses, payroll expenses and other similar expenses, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices or to fund such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer;

(17) advances, loans, extensions of trade credit, secured deposits or prepaid expenses in the ordinary course of business by the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(18) intercompany current liabilities owed by Unrestricted Subsidiaries or joint ventures incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management operations of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries;

 

31


(19) Investments made in connection with the funding of contributions under any non-qualified retirement plan or similar employee compensation plan in an amount not to exceed the amount of compensation expense recognized by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such plans;

(20) Investments of any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or consolidates or merges with the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary so long as such Investments were not made in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or of such consolidation or merger;

(21) Investments resulting from pledges or deposits described in clause (2) of the definition of the term “Permitted Liens”;

(22) Investments that result solely from the receipt by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from any of its Subsidiaries of a dividend or other Restricted Payment in the form of Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities;

(23) Investments in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice consisting of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices;

(24) non-cash Investments in connection with tax planning and reorganization activities;

(25) Investments made in the form of loans or advances made to distributors in the ordinary course of business;

(26) to the extent they constitute Investments, guarantees in the ordinary course of business of the obligations of suppliers, customers, franchisees, lessors and licensees of the Issuer and any Restricted Subsidiary;

(27) any Investment so long as immediately after giving effect to the making thereof, the Consolidated Total Debt Ratio of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or less than 1.25 to 1.00; and

(28) loans and advances to customers; provided that the aggregate principal amount of loans and advances outstanding under this clause (28) at any time shall not exceed the greater of (x) $15 million and (y) 2.0% of EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period at the time of the making of such loans or advances.

Permitted Liens means, with respect to any Person:

(1) Liens:

(a) on property (including Collateral) securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(1) (and any related guarantee incurred pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(17)) (including, in each case, Liens securing Hedging Obligations, Commercial Agreements,

 

32


Supply Chain Financing (or analogous terms) and banking services or cash management and credit card obligations and related guarantees thereof to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness and other obligations incurred pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(1) permit such Hedging Obligations, Commercial Agreements, Supply Chain Financing (or analogous terms) and banking services or cash management and credit card obligations to be so secured); provided, however, that in the case of Liens on any or all of the Collateral securing Indebtedness constituting First Priority Obligations or Second Priority Obligations, the holders of such Indebtedness, or their duly appointed agent, are or shall become party to the First Lien-Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, a First Lien Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or a Second Lien Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable;

(b) on Collateral securing Indebtedness incurred as Ratio Indebtedness (and any related guarantee incurred pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(17)); provided, however, that such Indebtedness constitutes Second Priority Obligations and the holders of such Indebtedness, or their duly appointed agent, are or shall become party to the First Lien-Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and, if applicable, a Second Lien Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement;

(c) on Collateral securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(2) (and any related Guarantee);

(d) on property securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(4); provided, however, that such Lien may not extend to any assets other than the assets acquired, leased, constructed, installed, repaired, replaced or improved with the Indebtedness incurred pursuant to such Section 4.07(b)(4) or the proceeds thereof and, in each case, not constituting Collateral;

(e) on property securing Indebtedness incurred by any Foreign Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Lien may not extend to any assets other than the assets of Foreign Subsidiaries;

(f) on property (including Collateral) securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(12) (and any related guarantee incurred pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(17)); provided, however, that in the case of Liens on Collateral, the holders of such Indebtedness, or their duly appointed agent, are or shall become party to the First Lien-Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and, if applicable, a Second Lien Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement; and

(g) on property securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clauses (10), (15), (16) and (18) of Section 4.07(b);

(2) pledges, deposits or security by such Person (i) under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance, employers’ health Tax, and other social security laws or similar legislation or other insurance related obligations (including, but not limited to, in respect of deductibles, self-insured retention amounts and premiums and adjustments thereto) or indemnification obligations of insurance carriers providing

 

33


property, casualty or liability insurance, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety, stay, customs or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested Taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations) and (ii) in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments issued for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of business supporting obligations of such type, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(3) Liens imposed by law or regulation, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, mechanics’, contractors’, landlords’, architects’ and other similar Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

(4) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP, or for property Taxes on property such Person or one of its Subsidiaries has determined to abandon if the sole recourse for such Tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim is to such property;

(5) Liens in favor of issuers of performance, surety, bid, indemnity, warranty, release, appeal or similar bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued, and completion guarantees provided for, in each case pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

(6) survey exceptions, encumbrances, ground leases, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, servitudes, sewers, electric lines, drains, telegraph and telephone and cable television lines, gas and oil pipelines and other similar purposes, or zoning, building codes or other restrictions (including, without limitation, defects or irregularities in title and similar encumbrances) as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental, to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(7) Liens existing on the Issue Date or under the Spin-Off Documents (other than Liens securing or to secure obligations in respect of the Notes, the Second Lien Notes or the ABL Credit Facility);

 

34


(8) Liens on property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming a Subsidiary; provided further, however, that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any Guarantor (other than after-acquired property that is (a) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (b) subject to a Lien securing such Indebtedness, the terms of which Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after-acquired property and (c) the proceeds and products thereof);

(9) Liens on property at the time the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired, constructed, repaired or improved the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition, merger or consolidation; provided further that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(10) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor permitted to be incurred in accordance with Section 4.07;

(11) Liens securing Hedging Obligations and Cash Management Services incurred in compliance with Section 4.07;

(12) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or trade letters of credit issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(13) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses (including of intellectual property and other similar grants of intellectual property) to or from third parties granted in the ordinary course of business;

(14) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statute) financing statement filings regarding operating leases or consignments entered into by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(15) Liens in favor of the Issuer or any Guarantor;

(16) Liens on equipment of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary granted in the ordinary course of business to the Issuer’s or such Restricted Subsidiaries’ client at which such equipment is located;

(17) Liens on accounts receivable and related assets incurred pursuant to a Receivables Facility or other receivables financing (provided that, in the case of such other receivables financing, the Obligations secured by such Lien are non-recourse to the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Receivables Subsidiaries) other than pursuant to standard securitization undertakings);

 

35


(18) Liens to secure any Refinancing of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in clause (1)(a), (1)(b), 1(c), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (18) and (21) of this definition of “Permitted Liens”; provided that

(X) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus accessions, additions and improvements on such property and after-acquired property that is (a) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (b) subject to a Lien securing such Indebtedness, the terms of which Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after-acquired property and (c) the proceeds and products thereof),

(Y) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, Reserved Indebtedness Amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(c), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (18) and (21) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and (ii) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, and accrued and unpaid interest related to such Refinancing; and

(Z) such new Lien shall have no greater priority relative to the Notes and the Guarantees and the holders of the Indebtedness secured by such Lien shall have no greater intercreditor rights relative to the Notes and the Guarantees and the holders thereof than the original Liens and the related Indebtedness;

(19) deposits made or other security provided to secure liabilities to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

(20) [reserved.];

(21) Liens securing Indebtedness at any one time outstanding not to exceed (together with any Liens securing any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof incurred pursuant to clause (18) of this definition of “Permitted Liens”) the greater of (x) $100 million and (y) 12.5% of EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period at the time of incurrence;

(22) Liens arising out of judgments, decrees, orders or awards in respect of which the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary shall in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review, which appeal or proceedings shall not have been finally terminated, or if the period within which such appeal or proceedings may be initiated shall not have expired;

(23) 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 in the ordinary course of business;

(24) Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4- 208 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in New York, or Section 4-210 of the Uniform

 

36


Commercial Code as in effect in another jurisdiction other than New York or any comparable or successor provision on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to pooling, commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in favor of banking or other financial institutions or electronic payment service providers arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking or finance industry;

(25) Liens deemed to exist in connection with repurchase agreements permitted under Section 4.07; provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets other than those that are the subject of such repurchase agreement;

(26) 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;

(27) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(28) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted under this Indenture;

(29) the rights reserved or vested in any Person by the terms of any lease, license, franchise, grant or permit held by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or by a statutory provision, to terminate any such lease, license, franchise, grant or permit, or to require annual or periodic payments as a condition to the continuance thereof;

(30) restrictive covenants affecting the use to which real property may be put; provided that the covenants are complied with;

(31) security given to a public utility or any municipality or governmental authority when required by such utility or authority in connection with the operations of that Person in the ordinary course of business;

(32) zoning by-laws and other land use restrictions, including, without limitation, site plan agreements, development agreements and contract zoning agreements;

(33) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

37


(34) any Lien granted pursuant to a security agreement between the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and a licensee of their intellectual property to secure the damages, if any, of such licensee resulting from the rejection by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary of such licensee in a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding with respect to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such Liens do not cover any assets other than the intellectual property subject to such license;

(35) Liens on the Equity Interests and Indebtedness of Persons that are (i) joint ventures or (ii) not Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the Obligations secured by such Lien are non-recourse to the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(36) in the case of (A) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or (B) the Equity Interests in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, any encumbrance or restriction, including any put and call arrangements, related to Equity Interests in such Restricted Subsidiary or such other Person set forth in the organizational documents of such Restricted Subsidiary or such other Person or any related joint venture, shareholders’ or similar agreement;

(37) Liens on property or assets used to defease or to irrevocably satisfy and discharge Indebtedness; provided that such defeasance or satisfaction and discharge is not prohibited by this Indenture;

(38) [reserved.];

(39) Sale and Lease-Back Transactions (i) to the extent the proceeds thereof are used by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries to permanently repay outstanding Indebtedness of the Issuer or the Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) with a term of not more than three years or (iii) incurred pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(4);

(40) Liens on property of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in favor of the United States of America or any State thereof or the jurisdiction of organization of such Restricted Subsidiary, or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States of America or any State thereof or the jurisdiction of organization of such Restricted Subsidiary, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute;

(41) banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with depository institutions and securities accounts and other financial assets maintained with a securities intermediary; provided that such deposit accounts or funds and securities accounts or other financial assets are not established or deposited for the purpose of providing collateral for any Indebtedness;

(42) in connection with the sale or transfer of any Equity Interests or other assets in a transaction permitted under this Indenture, customary rights and restrictions contained in agreements relating to such sale or transfer pending the completion thereof;

(43) Liens on cash or Cash Equivalents securing (i) letters of credit and other credit support obligations in the ordinary course of business and (ii) letters of credit of the

 

38


Issuer or any Guarantor that are cash collateralized on the Issue Date or the Distribution Date in an amount of cash or Cash Equivalents with a fair market value of up to 105% of the face amount of such letters of credit being secured;

(44) any Liens arising by operation of law;

(45) [reserved.];

(46) Liens on the Collateral in favor of any Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Holders relating to such Collateral Agent’s administrative expenses with respect to the Collateral;

(47) deposits made or other security provided in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance brokers, carriers, underwriters or under self-insurance arrangements in respect of such obligations;

(48) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto or on funds received from insurance companies on account of third party claims handlers and managers;

(49) Liens arising pursuant to Section 107(l) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act or similar lien provision of any other environmental statute; and

(50) rights of recapture of unused real property (other than any real property constituting “Material Real Property” (as defined under the ABL Credit Facility) of the Issuer or the Guarantors pursuant to the ABL Credit Facility) in favor of the seller of such property set forth in customary purchase agreements and related arrangements with any governmental authority.

Person means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

preferred stock means any Equity Interest with preferential rights of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

principal of a Note means the principal of the Note plus the premium, if any, payable on the Note which is due or overdue or is to become due at the relevant time.

Private Placement Legend means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(i) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture, except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

Protected Purchaser has the definition provided in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

QIB means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

 

39


Rating Agencies means (a) so long as one or both of Moody’s and S&P shall make a rating on the Notes publicly available, Moody’s, S&P and Fitch (or, if Fitch shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Issuer which shall be substituted for Fitch) or (b) if neither Moody’s nor S&P (or none of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch) shall make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Issuer which shall be substituted for any of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch or all of them, as the case may be.

Receivables Facility means any of one or more receivables financing facilities, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, renewed, restated or refunded from time to time, the obligations of which are non-recourse (except for customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities made in connection with such facilities) to the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) pursuant to which the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary factors, sells or pledges its accounts receivable or loans secured by accounts receivable to either (a) a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) a Receivables Subsidiary that in turn funds such purchase by purporting to sell or pledge its accounts receivable or such loans to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or by borrowing from such a Person or from another Receivables Subsidiary that in turn funds itself by borrowing from such a Person.

Receivables Fee means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any accounts receivable or participation interest issued or sold in connection with, and other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Receivables Facility.

Receivables Subsidiary means any Subsidiary formed for the purpose of facilitating or entering into one or more Receivables Facilities, and in each case engages only in activities reasonably related or incidental thereto.

Refinance means, in respect of any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, purchase, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock, in whole or in part. “Refinanced and “Refinancing shall have correlative meanings.

Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock incurred or issued by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary that serves to Refinance within 120 days following the date of the incurrence or issuance thereof any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock incurred as permitted under this Indenture or any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock issued to so Refinance such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock prior to its maturity, provided that:

(1) such Refinancing Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred which is not less than the shorter of (x) the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced and (y) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity that would result if all payments of principal on the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or

 

40


preferred stock being Refinanced that were due on or after the date that is one year following the maturity date of the Notes then outstanding were instead due on such date; provided that this subclause (1) shall not apply to any refunding or refinancing of any Secured Indebtedness incurred and outstanding under Section 4.07(b)(1);

(2) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness Refinances (i) Indebtedness subordinated to the Notes or any Guarantee, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or such Guarantee at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being Refinanced or (ii) Disqualified Stock or preferred stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness must be Disqualified Stock or preferred stock, respectively;

(3) such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include (i) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock of a Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Guarantor that Refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock of a Guarantor or (ii) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and

(4) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced except by an amount no greater than accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock and any reasonable fees, premium and expenses relating to such Refinancing.

Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date means the applicable date specified as a “Record Date” on the face of the Note.

Regulation S means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

Regulation S Global Note means a Global Note in the form of Exhibit A hereto, bearing the Global Note Legend, the Private Placement Legend and the Regulation S Global Note Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903.

Regulation S Global Note Legend means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(iii) hereof.

Related Business Assets means assets (other than cash or Cash Equivalents) used or useful in a Similar Business; provided that any assets received by the Issuer or the Restricted Subsidiaries in exchange for assets transferred by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed to be Related Business Assets if they consist of Capital Stock of a Person, unless upon receipt of the Capital Stock of such Person, such Person would become a Restricted Subsidiary.

Restricted Certificated Note means a Certificated Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

 

41


Restricted Global Note means a Global Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Investment means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

Restricted Period means, in respect of any Note issued pursuant to Regulation S, the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S applicable to such Note.

Restricted Subsidiary means, at any time, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any Foreign Subsidiary) that is not then an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that upon the occurrence of an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceasing to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with this Indenture, such Subsidiary shall be included in the definition of “Restricted Subsidiary.”

Rule 144 means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 144A means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

S&P means S&P Ratings Services, a division of S&P Global Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

Sale and Lease-Back Transaction means any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of any real or tangible personal property, which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person in contemplation of such leasing.

SEC means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Second Lien Agent” means (i) U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral agent for the holders of the Second Lien Notes and (ii) in the case of any additional Second Priority Obligations and the additional holders of such Second Priority Obligations with respect thereto, the additional Second Lien Agent in respect thereof.

Second Lien Collateral Agreement” means that certain Notes Collateral Agreement dated as of March 30, 2020 among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Second Lien Agent, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Second Lien Collateral Documents” means the Second Lien Collateral Agreement, the intellectual property security agreements, the mortgages and each other agreement, instrument or other document entered into in favor of the Second Lien Agent or any other holders of Second Priority Obligations, for purposes of securing the Second Priority Obligations (including any guarantees thereof), as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Second Lien Indenture” means that certain indenture, dated as of February 7, 2020, governing the Second Lien Notes and “Additional Notes” (as defined in the Second Lien Indenture) subsequently issued thereunder, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

42


Second Lien Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement” means an intercreditor agreement entered into by the Second Lien Agent and the representative of the holders of any additional Second Priority Obligations, which will define the rights of the Second Priority Secured Parties in relationship to one another with respect to the Collateral, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Second Priority Documents” means the Second Lien Indenture, the Second Lien Collateral Documents and all other agreements or instruments evidencing or creating any security interest or Lien in favor of the Second Lien Agent for the Second Lien Notes, the Second Lien Notes, each guarantee by any grantor in respect thereof of any or all of the Second Priority Obligations, the First Lien-Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any Second Lien Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, as amended from time to time in accordance with their respective terms.

Second Priority Secured Parties” means each Person holding Second Priority Obligations.

Second Priority Obligations” means (1) the Second Lien Notes and all other Obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors issued or arising under the Second Lien Indenture and (2) any other Indebtedness and related obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors incurred subsequent to the Issue Date and outstanding from time to time that is designated as Second Priority Obligations in writing by the Issuer in accordance with the terms of the Second Priority Documents and that by its terms is secured (and is permitted by this Indenture and the First Priority Documents to be secured) by a Permitted Lien on any or all of the Collateral that has equal priority to the Liens securing the Second Lien Notes.

Secured Cash Management Obligations” means the due and punctual payment of any and all obligations of (x) the Issuer and each Guarantor and (y) each Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, in each case whether absolute or contingent and however and whenever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) arising in respect of Cash Management Services or in the case of clause (y) above only, local working capital and/or bilateral credit facilities (such local working capital and/or bilateral credit facilities, the “Cash Management Financing Facilities”).

Secured Commercial Obligations” shall mean the due and punctual payment and performance of any and all obligations of the Issuer and each Restricted Subsidiary arising under each Commercial Agreement.

Secured Hedging Obligations” means the due and punctual payment of any and all Hedging Obligations of the Issuer and each Restricted Subsidiary.

Secured Indebtedness means any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries secured by a Lien.

Secured Supply Chain Financing” means any Supply Chain Financing that is entered into by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, including any such Supply Chain Financing that is in effect on the Issue Date.

 

43


Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations” means all obligations of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Secured Supply Chain Financing.

Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Senior Indebtedness means with respect to any Person:

(1) Indebtedness of such Person, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter incurred; and

(2) all other Obligations of such Person (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to such Person whether or not post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding) in respect of Indebtedness described in clause (1) above in the case of both clauses (1) and (2), to the extent permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, unless, in the case of clauses (1) and (2), in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such Indebtedness or other Obligations are subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Guarantee of such Person, as the case may be;

provided that Senior Indebtedness shall not include:

(1) any obligation of such Person to the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer other than loans of proceeds from Indebtedness constituting Senior Indebtedness securing Senior Indebtedness;

(2) any liability for Federal, state, local or other Taxes owed or owing by such Person;

(3) any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business;

(4) any Capital Stock;

(5) Subordinated Indebtedness; or

(6) that portion of any Indebtedness which at the time of incurrence is incurred in violation of this Indenture.

Separation and Distribution Agreement means the Separation and Distribution Agreement between Howmet and the Issuer, dated the Distribution Date.

Significant Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.

 

44


Similar Business means any business conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Distribution Date or any business that is similar, reasonably related, incidental or ancillary thereto or extensions, developments or expansions thereof.

Specified Cash Equivalents” means (a) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided, that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having repricings or maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit and time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any United States commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million; (c) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 14 days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (a) and (b) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (b) above; and (d) money market funds that invest solely in Specified Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (a) through (c) above.

Spin-Off means the spin-off of the Issuer from Howmet, as more fully described in the Form 10, together with the reorganization and all other transactions pursuant to, and the performance of all other obligations under, the Spin-Off Documents.

Spin-Off Documents means the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement, the Intellectual Property Agreements, the Master Agreement for Product Supply by and between Arconic Massena LLC, Arconic Lafayette LLC, Arconic Davenport LLC and Howmet, the Metal Supply & Tolling Agreement by and between Arconic-Köfém Mill Products Hungary Kft and Arconic-Köfém Kft, the Use Agreement by and between Arconic-Köfém Székesfehérvári Könnyűfémmű Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság and Arconic-Köfém Mill Products Hungary Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság, the Land Use Right Agreement by and between Arconic-Köfém Mill Products Hungary Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság and Arconic-Köfém Székesfehérvári Könnyűfémmű Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság, the Service Level Agreement for Central Engineering and Maintenance by and between Arconic-Köfém Kft and Arconic-Köfém Mill Products Hungary Kft, the Service Level Agreement for Energy, Steam and Water by and between Arconic-Köfém Kft and Arconic-Köfém Mill Products Hungary Kft, the Land Use Right Agreement by and between Arconic-Köfém Székesfehérvári Könnyűfémmű Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság and Arconic-Köfém Mill Products Hungary Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság, the Second Supplemental Tax and Project Certificate and Agreement by and among Howmet, Arconic Davenport LLC and Arconic Corporation, the Lease and Property Management Agreement by and between Howmet and Arconic Massena LLC and the documents evidencing Indebtedness in respect of the Distribution Date Payment together with any other agreements, instruments or other documents entered into in connection with any of the foregoing, each as amended from time to time.

Stated Maturity means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the

 

45


happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).

Subordinated Indebtedness” means:

(1) with respect to the Issuer, any Indebtedness of the Issuer that is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and

(2) with respect to any Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such Guarantor under this Indenture.

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 (unless parent does not control such entity), 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; provided, however, that a joint venture shall not be deemed to be a subsidiary solely as a result of this clause (b). For purposes of this definition, 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.

Successor Issuer has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.

Suspended Covenants has the meaning specified in Section 4.18.

Suspension Date has the meaning specified in Section 4.18.

Suspension Period has the meaning specified in Section 4.18.

Supply Chain Financing” means any agreement under which any bank, financial institution or other Person may from time to time provide any financial accommodation to any of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with trade payables of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case issued for the benefit of any such bank, financial institution or such other person that has acquired such trade payables pursuant to “supply chain” or other similar financing for vendors and suppliers of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiaries.

Swap Obligations” means, with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor, an obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of §1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

46


Tax means any tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment, fee or other governmental charge, in each case in the nature of a tax (including penalties, interest and any additions thereto, and, for the avoidance of doubt, including any withholding or reduction for or on account thereof).

Tax Matters Agreement means the Tax Matters Agreement between Howmet and the Issuer, dated the Distribution Date.

Test Period” means at date of determination, the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Issuer then last ended as of such time for which financial statements are internally available.

Transactions means the issuance of the Notes, the prepayment in full of the Obligations outstanding under the Existing Term Loan and the prepayment in full of the Obligations outstanding under the Existing Revolving Credit Facility and the termination in full of the commitments thereunder.

Treasury Rate means, as of any redemption date, the yield to maturity of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the date of the applicable redemption notice (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to May 15, 2022; provided that if the period from the redemption date to May 15, 2022 is not equal to the constant maturity of the United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of the United States Treasury securities for which such yield are given, except that if the period from the redemption date to May 15, 2022 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

Trust Officer means any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Trustee means U.S. Bank National Association until a successor or assignee replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor or assignee.

Uniform Commercial Code or “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York; provided that, in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of, or remedies with respect to, any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the terms “Uniform Commercial Code” and “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in such other jurisdiction solely for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, priority or remedies.

Unrestricted Certificated Note means one or more Certificated Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

47


Unrestricted Global Note means a permanent Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

(1) any Subsidiary of the Issuer which at the time of determination is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by the Board of Directors of the Issuer, as provided below) and

(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

The Board of Directors of the Issuer may designate any Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any existing Subsidiary and any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on, any property of, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated); provided that such designation would be permitted by Section 4.09 and the definition of “Investments”;

The Board of Directors of the Issuer may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, immediately after giving effect to such designation no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and either:

(1) the Issuer could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test in Section 4.07(a), or

(2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries would be equal to or greater than such ratio for the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such designation,

in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation.

Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Issuer shall be notified by the Issuer to the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

U.S. Dollar Equivalent” means, with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars, at any time for determination thereof, the amount of U.S. dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into U.S. dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars with the applicable foreign currency as published in The Wall Street Journal in the “Exchange Rates” column under the heading “Currency Trading” on the date two Business Days prior to such determination.

Voting Stock of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is normally entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

 

48


Weighted Average Life to Maturity means, when applied to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing

(1) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock multiplied by the amount of such payment, by

(2) the sum of all such payments.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions.

 

    Term    Defined in Section     
 

Authenticating Agent

   Preamble   
 

Authentication Order

   2.02(d)   
 

DTC

   2.03(b)   
 

Eligible Collateral Agent

   13.05(e)   
 

Fixed Amounts

   4.07(f)   
 

Incurrence-Based Amounts

   4.07(f)   
 

Indenture

   Preamble   
 

Initial Lien

   4.10   
 

Issuer

   Preamble   
 

LCT Election

   1.05(a)   
 

LCT Test Date

   1.05(a)   
 

Legal Defeasance

   8.02   
 

Notes

   Recitals   
 

Note Register

   2.03(a)   
 

Paying Agent

   2.03(a)   
 

Ratio Indebtedness

   4.07(a)   
 

Redemption Date

   2.08(d)   
 

Registrar

   2.03(a)   
 

Reserved Indebtedness Amount

   4.07(c)(4)   

SECTION 1.03. U.S. Dollar Equivalents.

Except as otherwise set forth in Section 4.07(e), whenever it is necessary to determine whether the Issuer has complied with any covenant in this Indenture or a Default has occurred and an amount is expressed in a currency other than U.S. dollars, such amount shall be treated as the U.S. Dollar Equivalent determined as of the date such amount is initially determined in such currency.

 

49


SECTION 1.04. Rules of Construction.

(a) Unless the context otherwise requires:

(i) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(ii) an accounting term not otherwise defined herein has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(iii) “or” is not exclusive;

(iv) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(v) all references in this instrument to “Articles,” “Sections” and other subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections and subdivisions of this instrument as originally executed;

(vi) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;

(vii) “including” means “including without limitation”;

(viii) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

(ix) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time thereunder.

(b) Unless otherwise expressly specified, references in this Indenture to specific Article numbers or Section numbers refer to Articles and Sections contained in this Indenture and not to any other document.

SECTION 1.05. Limited Condition Transactions.

(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, when calculating any applicable financial ratio or test or determining other compliance with this Indenture or the Notes (including the determination of compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes which requires that no Default or Event of Default has occurred, is continuing or would result therefrom) in connection with the consummation of a Limited Condition Transaction, the date of determination of such ratio or test and determination of whether any Default or Event of Default has occurred, is continuing or would result therefrom or other applicable covenant shall, at the option of the Issuer (the Issuer’s election to exercise such option in connection with any Limited Condition Transaction, an “LCT Election”), be deemed to be the date the definitive agreements for such Limited Condition Transaction are entered into (the “LCT Test Date”) and if, after such financial ratios and tests and other provisions are measured on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Limited Condition Transaction and the other transactions to be entered into in

 

50


connection therewith (including any incurrence of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) as if they occurred at the beginning of the relevant test period being used to calculate such financial ratio ending prior to the LCT Test Date, the Issuer could have taken such action on the relevant LCT Test Date in compliance with such ratios and provisions, such provisions shall be deemed to have been complied with; provided that, at the option of the Issuer, the relevant ratios and baskets may be recalculated at the time of consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, (x) if any of such financial ratios or tests are exceeded as a result of fluctuations in such ratio or test (including due to fluctuations in EBITDA of the Issuer) at or prior to the consummation of the relevant Limited Condition Transaction, such financial ratios and tests and other provisions shall not be deemed to have been exceeded as a result of such fluctuations solely for purposes of determining whether the Limited Condition Transaction is permitted under this Indenture and the Notes and (y) such financial ratios and tests and other provisions shall not be tested at the time of consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction or related transactions.

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, if the Issuer has made an LCT Election for any Limited Condition Transaction, then in connection with any subsequent calculation of any financial ratio or test or basket availability with respect to any other transaction on or following the relevant LCT Test Date and prior to the earlier of the date on which such Limited Condition Transaction is consummated or the date that the definitive agreement for such Limited Condition Transaction is terminated or expires without consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, for purposes of determining whether such subsequent transaction is permitted under this Indenture or the Notes, any such ratio, test or basket shall be required to comply with any such ratio, test or basket on a pro forma basis assuming such Limited Condition Transaction and any other transactions in connection therewith (including any incurrence of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) have been consummated.

ARTICLE II

THE NOTES

SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating.

(a) General. The Authenticating Agent shall initially authenticate the Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in an aggregate principal amount of $700,000,000, upon a written order of the Issuer (other than as provided in Section 2.07 hereof). The Notes and the Authenticating Agent’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication and shall bear interest from the date of original issuance thereof or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for. The Notes shall be issued initially in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.

(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in certificated form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each

 

51


Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges, repurchases and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Registrar or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

(c) Regulation S Global Note and 144A Global Note. Notes offered and sold in reliance on (i) Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of the Regulation S Global Note and (ii) Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the form of the 144A Global Note; each such Global Note shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Custodian and registered in the name of the Depositary, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Authenticating Agent as hereinafter provided.

The aggregate principal amount of a Regulation S Global Note or 144A Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Registrar and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication.

(a) One Officer shall sign the Notes for the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

(b) If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

(c) A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

(d) The Trustee or the Authenticating Agent shall, upon a written order of the Issuer signed by one Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes.

(e) The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Notes. Unless otherwise provided in the appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Issuer or any of their respective Subsidiaries. The Trustee hereby appoints U.S. Bank National Association as Authenticating Agent and U.S. Bank National Association hereby accepts such appointment.

SECTION 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent.

(a) The Issuer shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may

 

52


be presented for payment (Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (Note Register) and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuer fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

(b) The Issuer initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

(c) The Issuer initially appoints U.S. Bank National Association to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes, and U.S. Bank National Association hereby initially agrees so to act. The Registrar and Paying Agent have engaged, currently are engaged, and may in the future engage in financial or other transactions with the Issuer and the other Guarantors and their and our affiliates in the ordinary course of their respective businesses.

SECTION 2.04. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee or U.S. Bank National Association, in its capacity as Paying Agent (which by its execution of this Indenture hereby agrees) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.

Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuer, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

SECTION 2.05. Holder Lists.

The Trustee shall preserve, or shall cause the Registrar to preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders. If the Paying Agent is not the same entity as the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish or cause the Registrar to furnish, to the Paying Agent, at least seven Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Paying Agent may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date or such shorter time as the Registrar may allow, as the Paying Agent may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders.

 

53


SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.06, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor thereto or a nominee of such successor thereto. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Certificated Note of the same series unless (A) the Depositary (x) notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 120 days or (B) upon the request of a Holder if there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (A) above, Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note of the same series or beneficial interests therein shall be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note of the same series or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Certificated Notes issued subsequent to any of the preceding events in (A) or (B) above and pursuant to Section 2.06(c) hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); provided, however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b) or (c) hereof.

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided that prior to the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person other than pursuant to Rule 144A; provided that such interest is then transferred to the 144A Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).

(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not

 

54


subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) hereof, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A)(1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant or Indirect Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B)(1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Certificated Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Certificated Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above; provided that in no event shall Certificated Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Note prior to the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period therefor. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Registrar shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; or

(2) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

 

55


(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(iv) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(iv).

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Certificated Notes.

(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Certificated Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Certificated Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Certificated Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (A) or (B) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Certificated Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(2) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(3) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Person that is not a U.S. Person (as defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S) in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(4) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance

 

56


with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof; or

(5) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of this Section 2.06(c)(i), the Registrar shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer shall execute and the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Certificated Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Certificated Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Registrar shall mail such Certificated Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Certificated Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(ii) Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Global Note to Certificated Notes. Notwithstanding Sections 2.06(c)(i)(1) and (3) hereof, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note may not be exchanged for a Certificated Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Certificated Note prior to the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period therefor, except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S.

(iii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Certificated Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Certificated Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Certificated Note only upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (A) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and if the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Certificated Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Certificated Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

57


and, in each such case, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iv) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Certificated Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Certificated Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Certificated Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (A) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Registrar shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer shall execute and the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Certificated Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Certificated Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Registrar shall mail such Certificated Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Certificated Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(i) Restricted Certificated Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Certificated Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Certificated Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Certificated Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(2) if such Restricted Certificated Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(3) if such Restricted Certificated Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

58


(4) if such Restricted Certificated Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof; or

(5) if such Restricted Certificated Note is being transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of this Section 2.06(d)(i) the Registrar shall cancel the Restricted Certificated Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (1), (4), or (5) above, the applicable Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (2) above, the applicable 144A Global Note, and in the case of clause (3) above, the applicable Regulation S Global Note.

(ii) Restricted Certificated Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Certificated Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Certificated Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Certificated Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Certificated Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Registrar shall cancel the Restricted Certificated Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(iii) Unrestricted Certificated Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Certificated Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Certificated Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the

 

59


Registrar shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Certificated Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Certificated Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraph (ii) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Certificated Notes so transferred.

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Notes for Certificated Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Certificated Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Certificated Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Certificated Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e):

(i) Restricted Certificated Notes to Restricted Certificated Notes. Any Restricted Certificated Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Certificated Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(2) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; or

(3) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(ii) Restricted Certificated Notes to Unrestricted Certificated Notes. Any Restricted Certificated Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Certificated Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Certificated Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Certificated Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Certificated Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

 

60


(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Certificated Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Certificated Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case, if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iii) Unrestricted Certificated Notes to Unrestricted Certificated Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Certificated Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Certificated Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Certificated Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f) [Reserved.]

(g) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Certificated Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture:

(i) Private Placement Legend.

(1) Except as permitted by subparagraph (2) below, each Global Note and each Certificated Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (the “Private Placement Legend):

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN

 

61


COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF SO REQUEST), OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Certificated Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(iii), (c) (iv), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii) or (e)(iii) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend. In addition, the Issuer may remove the Private Placement Legend from any Note if it determines that such legend is no longer required to comply with the securities laws of the United States.

(ii) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (with appropriate changes in the last sentence if DTC is not the Depositary) (the “Global Note Legend”):

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE REGISTRAR MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE REGISTRAR FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN CERTIFICATED FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR

 

62


DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

(iii) Regulation S Global Note Legend. The Regulation S Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (the “Regulation S Global Note Legend”):

“BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON, AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Certificated Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or cancelled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Registrar in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Certificated Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Registrar or by the Depositary at the direction of the Registrar to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Registrar or by the Depositary at the direction of the Registrar to reflect such increase.

(i) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes.

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall execute and the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate Certificated Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar’s request.

(ii) No service charge shall be made to Holders of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Certificated Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

63


(iii) The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of (a) any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article 3, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, or (b) any Note for a period beginning 15 days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem Notes or 15 days before an Interest Payment Date (whether or not an Interest Payment Date or other date determined for the payment of interest), and ending on such mailing date or Interest Payment Date, as the case may be.

(iv) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Issuer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(v) All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

(j) No Obligation of the Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent.

(i) The Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depositary or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note in global form shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent may rely and shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

(ii) The Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including without limitation any transfers between or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture,

 

64


and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

SECTION 2.07. Replacement Notes.

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or the Issuer and the Registrar receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuer shall issue and the Authenticating Agent, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Registrar’s requirements are met. If required by the Registrar or the Issuer, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Registrar and the Issuer to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuer may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note had become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuer, in its discretion, may, instead of issuing a new Note, pay such Note, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the preceding paragraph.

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Issuer and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section 2.07 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies of any Holder with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note.

SECTION 2.08. Outstanding Notes.

(a) The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Authenticating Agent except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Registrar in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. A Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 2.09 hereof.

(b) If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Registrar receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a “protected purchaser” as defined in the UCC.

(c) If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

(d) If the Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary thereof) segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a date of redemption (a “Redemption Date) or maturity date, money sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

 

65


SECTION 2.09. Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, only Notes that the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

SECTION 2.10. Temporary Notes.

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Authenticating Agent, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of Certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate Certificated Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

SECTION 2.11. Cancellation.

The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Registrar for cancellation. The Trustee and Paying Agent shall forward to the Registrar any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Registrar, upon written direction by the Issuer and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Issuer from time to time upon written request. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Registrar for cancellation.

SECTION 2.12. Defaulted Interest.

If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuer may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee and Paying Agent in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee and Paying Agent for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.12. The Trustee shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer of any such special record date. At least 15 days before any such special record

 

66


date, the Issuer (or, upon the written request of the Issuer, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) shall mail or cause to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice at his or her address as it appears in the Note Register that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.

SECTION 2.13. CUSIP or ISIN Numbers.

The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee and Registrar, as applicable, shall use “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee and Registrar of any change in the “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers.

SECTION 2.14. Additional Notes.

Subject to compliance with Sections 4.07 and 4.10, the Issuer shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes under this Indenture in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, each of which shall have identical terms as the Initial Notes, respectively, other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price and first payment of interest (and, if such Additional Notes shall be issued in the form of Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Certificated Notes, other than with respect to transfer restrictions with respect thereto). The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class, in each case for all purposes under this Indenture, including without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided, however, that Additional Notes shall be issued under a separate CUSIP and ISIN unless the Additional Notes are issued pursuant to a “qualified reopening” of the Initial Notes, are otherwise treated as part of the same “issue” of debt instruments as the Initial Notes or are issued with less than a de minimis amount of original issue discount, in each case for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Holders of Additional Notes actually issued shall share equally and ratably in the Collateral with the Holders of the Notes issued on the Issue Date. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Notes” for all purposes of this Indenture include any Additional Notes that are actually issued.

With respect to any Additional Notes, the Issuer shall set forth in a resolution of its Board of Directors and an Officer’s Certificate, a copy of each which shall be delivered to the Trustee and the Agent, the following information:

(a) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture; and

 

67


(b) the issue price, the issue date and the CUSIP and/or ISIN number(s) (if then generally in use) of such Additional Notes.

ARTICLE III

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee.

If the Issuer elects to redeem any Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07, it shall furnish to the Trustee and the applicable Agent an Officer’s Certificate (with no requirement for delivery of an Opinion of Counsel) setting forth (i) the Redemption Date, (ii) the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, and (iii) the redemption price. The Issuer shall furnish such Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee and the applicable Agent at least three (3) days prior to the delivery of a notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee). Any such notice may be cancelled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to any Holder and shall, therefore, be void and of no effect.

SECTION 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.

If less than all of any series of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Paying Agent or Registrar shall select the Notes for redemption, on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable or such other method that the Trustee deems fair and appropriate and is in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary, if applicable, subject to adjustments so that no Note in an unauthorized denomination remains outstanding after such redemption; provided, however, that no Note of $2,000 in aggregate principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part and only Notes in integral multiples of $1,000 shall be redeemed. The Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar shall not be liable for selections made under this Section 3.02.

The Trustee or the Registrar shall promptly notify the Issuer of, in the case of any Notes selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in minimum amounts of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, except that if all the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000 (in excess of $2,000) shall be redeemed or purchased. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.

SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption.

At least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Issuer shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed (with a copy to the Trustee) at its registered address or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary except that a notice of redemption may be mailed or sent more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

68


The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including the CUSIP or ISIN number) and shall state:

(a) the Redemption Date;

(b) the redemption price;

(c) any condition to such redemption;

(d) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;

(e) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(f) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(g) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment and subject to satisfaction of any conditions specified therein, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

(h) the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and

(i) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

At the Issuer’s request, the Registrar shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at its expense, provided, however, that the Issuer gives the Registrar at least three Business Days’ (or such shorter period reasonably agreed to by the Registrar) prior notice of such request and provision of the notice information.

Any redemption may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, which shall be set forth in the related notice of redemption, including, but not limited to, completion of an Equity Offering, other offering or financing or other transaction or event. In addition, if such redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the Redemption Date may be delayed until such time (provided, however, that any redemption date shall not be more than 60 days after the date of the notice of redemption) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the Redemption Date, or by the Redemption Date as so delayed.

If any such condition precedent has not been satisfied, the Issuer shall provide written notice to the Trustee prior to the close of business one Business Day prior to the Redemption Date. Upon receipt of such notice, the notice of redemption shall be rescinded or delayed, and

 

69


the redemption of the Notes shall be rescinded or delayed as provided in such notice. Upon receipt, the Trustee shall provide such notice to each Holder of the Notes in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.

The Issuer and its Affiliates may acquire the Notes by means other than a redemption pursuant to this Article 3, whether by tender offer, open market purchases, negotiated transactions or otherwise, in accordance with applicable securities laws, so long as such acquisition does not otherwise violate the terms of this Indenture.

SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice Upon Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date at the redemption price stated in the notice except that any redemption and notice thereof may, in the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent in accordance with Section 3.03. Subject to the foregoing, upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the related Interest Payment Date). Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.

SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or before 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on any Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions of Notes) to be redeemed on that date. Upon written instructions of the Issuer, the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

If the Issuer complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption, whether or not such Notes are presented for payment. If a Note is redeemed on or after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Regular Record Date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal from the Redemption Date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

SECTION 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part.

In the case of Certificated Notes, any Note which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article) shall be surrendered at an office or agency of the Issuer maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 4.02 (with, if the Issuer or the Trustee so require, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), and

 

70


the Issuer shall execute, and the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Note at the expense of the Issuer, a new Note or Notes, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Note so surrendered.

SECTION 3.07. Optional Redemption.

(a) At any time prior to May 15, 2022, the Issuer may redeem all or a portion of the Notes, upon notice as set forth in Section 3.03, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the rights of Holders of record of Notes on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

(b) On and after May 15, 2022, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice as set forth in Section 3.03, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record of Notes on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on May 15 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2022

     103.000

2023

     101.500

2024 and thereafter

     100.000

(c) In addition, until May 15, 2022, the Issuer may, at its option, upon notice as set forth in Section 3.03, on one or more occasions redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price equal to 106.000% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record of Notes on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings to the extent such net cash proceeds are received by or contributed to the Issuer; provided that at least 60% of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under this Indenture (including any Additional Notes issued under this Indenture after the Issue Date) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption; provided, further, that each such redemption occurs within 120 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering.

SECTION 3.08. [Reserved.]

SECTION 3.09. [Reserved.]

SECTION 3.10. Mandatory Redemption.

Except as set forth in Section 4.11 hereof, the Issuer shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

71


ARTICLE IV

COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes.

The Issuer shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Issuer in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due and the Paying Agent is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

SECTION 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

(a) The Issuer shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee or Registrar) where Notes may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Issuer hereby appoints U.S. Bank National Association as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

(b) The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

(c) The Issuer hereby designates the address of U.S. Bank National Association set forth in Exhibits B and C as one such office or agency of the Issuer in accordance with Section 4.02(a).

SECTION 4.03. Reports.

(a) The Issuer shall file with the SEC or post on a website (which may be nonpublic and may be maintained by the Issuer or a third party) to which access shall be given to the Trustee and Holders, the annual reports, information, documents and other reports that the Issuer is required to file with the SEC pursuant to such Section 13(a) or 15(d) within the time periods applicable to non-accelerated filers or would be so required to file if the Issuer were so subject (giving effect to any applicable extensions or grace periods, including as provided by Rule 12b-15 under the Exchange Act); provided that the Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to determine whether such filing has occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this covenant does not require any such reports to include information required under Rule 3-09, 3-10 or 3-16 of

 

72


Regulation S-X (or any equivalent or successor provisions), Items 2.02 or 2.03 or Sections 3, 5 (except Item 5.01 and 5.02(b) and (c)) or 9 of Form 8-K (or any equivalent or successor provisions) or separate financial statements of Guarantors or the filing or provision of proxy statements or exhibits.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer becomes a Guarantor, the Issuer may satisfy its obligations pursuant to this Section 4.03 by furnishing or filing the financial information specified in paragraph (a) of this Section 4.03 relating to such direct or indirect parent company.

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuer shall not be deemed to have failed to comply with any of its obligations hereunder for purposes of Section 6.01(4) until 90 days after the date any report hereunder is due.

(d) Delivery of such statements, reports, notices and other information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 4.03 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive notice or knowledge of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

SECTION 4.04. Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020), an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether each of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to the Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge each of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, during such preceding fiscal year, has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action each of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action each of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. For the purposes of this paragraph, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any grace period or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture.

(b) The Issuer shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee within ten Business days upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default or an event which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of

 

73


Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action each of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

SECTION 4.05. [Reserved.]

SECTION 4.06. [Reserved.]

SECTION 4.07. Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise (collectively, “incur and collectively, an “incurrence) with respect to any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Issuer shall not issue any shares of Disqualified Stock and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any shares of Disqualified Stock; provided that the Issuer may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any Restricted Subsidiary may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock (any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock incurred pursuant to this paragraph, “Ratio Indebtedness”) if, after giving effect thereto, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries would be at least 2.00 to 1.00; provided, further, that the amount of Indebtedness and Disqualified Stock that may be incurred pursuant to the foregoing, together with (i) any amounts incurred and outstanding pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(14)(x) and (ii) any amounts incurred and outstanding pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(13) (but solely to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness is in respect of (x) Ratio Indebtedness or (y) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(14)(x)) by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors shall not exceed the greater of (x) $200 million and (y) 25.0% of EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period at any one time outstanding.

(b) The foregoing limitations shall not apply to:

(1) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Credit Facilities by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that immediately after giving effect to any such incurrence, the sum of (x) the then-outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (1) (taken together with the principal amount of any outstanding Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (13) below with respect to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (1)) and (y) the then-outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (2(a)) below (taken together with the principal amount of any outstanding Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (13) below with respect to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to such clause (2)(a)) does not exceed at any one time the sum of (A) $2,000 million and (B) an amount equal to the greater of (x) $400 million and (y) 50.0% of EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period at the time of the incurrence;

(2) Indebtedness represented by (a) the Notes (including any Guarantee thereof, but excluding Indebtedness represented by Additional Notes, if any, or guarantees thereof) and (b) the Second Lien Notes (including any Guarantee thereof) outstanding on the Issue Date;

 

74


(3) Existing Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) of this paragraph, and after giving effect to the prepayment in full of the Obligations outstanding under the Existing Term Loan and the prepayment in full of the Obligations outstanding under the Existing Revolving Credit Facility and the termination in full of the commitments thereunder);

(4) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations), Disqualified Stock and preferred stock incurred by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, to finance the purchase, lease, construction, installation, repair, replacement or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment that is used or useful in a Similar Business, including through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets, and outstanding Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and preferred stock incurred pursuant to this clause (4), in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference which, when aggregated with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and preferred stock then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this clause (4), does not exceed the greater of (x) $125 million and (y) 17.5% of EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period at the time of incurrence; provided that such Indebtedness (other than Refinancing Indebtedness) exists at the date of such purchase, lease, construction, installation, repair, replacement or improvement or is created prior to or within 270 days of the completion thereof; provided, further that Capitalized Lease Obligations incurred by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to this clause (4) in connection with a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction shall not be subject to the foregoing limitation so long as the proceeds of such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction are used by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary to permanently repay outstanding Indebtedness of the Issuer or the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(5) (A) Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, bank guarantees, warehouse receipts or similar facilities issued or entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices, including letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, performance or surety bonds, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement or indemnification obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims, performance or surety bonds, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, or other reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims;

(B) (x) Indebtedness in respect of obligations of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay the deferred purchase price of goods or services or progress payments in connection with such goods and services; provided that such obligations are incurred in connection with open accounts extended by suppliers on customary trade terms in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money and (y) Indebtedness in respect of intercompany obligations of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of accounts payable incurred in connection with goods sold or services rendered in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money;

 

75


(C) Indebtedness to a customer to finance the acquisition of any equipment necessary to perform services for such customer; provided that the terms of such Indebtedness are consistent with those entered into with respect to similar Indebtedness prior to the Distribution Date, including that (x) the repayment of such Indebtedness is conditional upon such customer ordering a specific volume of goods and (y) such Indebtedness does not bear interest or provide for scheduled amortization or maturity;

(D) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, guaranties in the ordinary course of business of the obligations of suppliers, customers, franchisees, lessors and licensees of the Issuer and any Restricted Subsidiary; or

(E) Indebtedness in connection with bankers’ acceptances, discounted bills of exchange or the discounting or factoring of receivables for credit management purposes, in each case incurred or undertaken in the ordinary course of business on arm’s length commercial terms.

(6) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earnout or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

(7) Indebtedness (i) of the Issuer to a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred by the Issuer or a Guarantor owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not the Issuer or a Guarantor, such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the relevant Guarantee; provided further that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary to which such indebtedness is owed ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause;

(8) Indebtedness of any Foreign Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not exceeding the greater of (x) $100 million and (y) 12.5% of EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period at the time of incurrence;

(9) shares of preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of preferred stock (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed in each case to be an issuance of such shares of preferred stock not permitted by this clause;

(10) Hedging Obligations (excluding Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes) for the purpose of limiting interest rate risk, exchange rate risk or commodity

 

76


pricing risk, Commercial Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes and Supply Chain Financings;

(11) Obligations in respect of self-insurance, performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments related thereto, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(12) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, which, when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and preferred stock then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this clause (12), does not at any one time outstanding exceed the greater of (x) $250 million and (y) 32.5% of EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period at the time of incurrence;

(13) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock incurred as Ratio Indebtedness or pursuant to clauses (1), (2), (3), (13) or (14) of this Section 4.07(b);

(14) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock of (x) the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred or issued to finance an acquisition (in aggregate principal amount not to exceed the purchase price of such acquisition) or (y) Persons that are acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into or consolidated with the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (including designating an Unrestricted Subsidiary a Restricted Subsidiary); provided that after giving effect to such acquisition, merger or consolidation, either:

(1) the Issuer would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.07(a); or

(2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or greater than immediately prior to such acquisition, merger or consolidation;

(15) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business;

(16) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary supported by a letter of credit issued pursuant to any Credit Facility, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;

(17) (1) any guarantee by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of a guarantee by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, such Indebtedness could have been incurred directly by the Restricted Subsidiary providing such guarantee, or

 

77


(2) any guarantee by a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Issuer; provided that such guarantee is incurred in accordance with Section 4.13;

(18) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take or pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(19) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries undertaken in connection with Cash Management Services and related activities for the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any joint venture to which they are a party in the ordinary course of business;

(20) Indebtedness issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to future, current or former officers, directors, managers, consultants and employees thereof, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent described in Section 4.09(b)(4);

(21) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries representing deferred compensation to officers, directors, managers, consultants and employees thereof incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(22) Indebtedness consisting of Permitted Liens incurred pursuant to clause (35) of the definition thereof; and

(23) Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any Receivables Facilities.

(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.07,

(1) in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock described in clauses (1) through (23) of Section 4.07(b) or is entitled to be incurred as Ratio Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.07(a), the Issuer, in its sole discretion, may divide, classify or later reclassify (based on circumstances existing on the date of such reclassification) such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock (or any portion thereof) and shall only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock in one of the above clauses of Section 4.07(a) or Section 4.07(b); provided that all Indebtedness outstanding under the ABL Credit Facility on the Issue Date shall be deemed to have been incurred pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(1) and may not be reclassified; provided further that the Issuer shall not be permitted to reclassify all or any portion of any Secured Indebtedness unless the Lien is also permitted to be incurred, and is incurred, with respect to such Secured Indebtedness as so reclassified;

(2) at the time of incurrence, the Issuer shall be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Sections 4.07(a) and 4.07(b) above;

(3) if obligations in respect of letters of credit are incurred pursuant to a credit agreement and are being treated as incurred pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(1) and the letters of

 

78


credit relate to other Indebtedness, then the corresponding amount of such other Indebtedness shall not be included; and

(4) in the event that the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary enters into or increases commitments under a revolving credit facility, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for borrowings and reborrowings thereunder (and including issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder) shall, at the Issuer’s option as elected on the date the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, enters into or increases such commitments, either (i) be determined on the date such revolving credit facility or such increase in commitments first becomes effective (assuming that the full amount thereof has been borrowed as of such date), and, if such Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test is satisfied with respect thereto at such time, any borrowing or reborrowing thereunder (and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder) shall be permitted under this Section 4.07 irrespective of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio at the time of any borrowing or reborrowing (or issuance or creation of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances thereunder) (the committed amount permitted to be borrowed or reborrowed (and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances) on a date pursuant to the operation of this clause (i) shall be the “Reserved Indebtedness Amount” as of such date for purposes of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or (ii) be determined on the date such amount is actually borrowed pursuant to any such facility or increased commitment.

(d) Accrual of interest or dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock shall not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock for purposes of this Section 4.07. Any Refinancing Indebtedness and any Indebtedness incurred to refinance Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clauses (1), (2), (3), (8) and (12) of Section 4.07(b) above shall be permitted to include additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock incurred to pay premiums (including reasonable tender premiums), defeasance costs, accrued and unpaid interest, fees and expenses in connection with such refinancing. In the case of any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock incurred to refinance Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock initially incurred in reliance on the proviso in Section 4.07(a) or clauses (1), (4), (8) or (12) of Section 4.07(b), measured by reference to a percentage of EBITDA, at the time of incurrence, where such refinancing would cause such percentage of EBITDA restriction to be exceeded if calculated based on the percentage of EBITDA on the date of such refinancing, such percentage of EBITDA restriction shall not be deemed to be exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced, plus any additional amounts permitted pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence in connection with such refinancing.

(e) For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness or Liens or the making of any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investments, the U.S. dollar equivalent principal amount of the relevant Indebtedness, Restricted Payment or Investment denominated in another currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness or Lien was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit debt or such Restricted Payment or Investment was made; provided that if such Indebtedness is

 

79


incurred to Refinance other Indebtedness denominated in another currency, and such Refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such Refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed (i) the principal amount of such Indebtedness being Refinanced plus (ii) the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with such Refinancing.

(f) The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred to Refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being Refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such Refinancing.

(g) With respect to any Indebtedness, Liens, Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments incurred or made in reliance on a provision that does not require compliance with a financial ratio or test (including, without limitation, any tests based on the Consolidated Total Debt Ratio or the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio) (any such amounts, the “Fixed Amounts”) substantially concurrently with any Indebtedness, Liens, or Restricted Payments or Investments incurred or made in reliance on a provision under this Indenture that requires compliance with a financial ratio or test (any such amounts, the “Incurrence-Based Amounts”), the Fixed Amounts shall be disregarded in the calculation of the financial ratio or test applicable to the incurrence of the Incurrence-Based Amounts. This Indenture shall not treat (1) unsecured Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured or (2) Senior Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to any other Senior Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral or is secured by different collateral.

SECTION 4.08. Limitation on Incurrence of Layered Indebtedness.

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness that is or purports to be by its terms (or by the terms of any agreement governing such Indebtedness) subordinated in right of payment to any other Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer or of such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is also by its terms (or by the terms of any agreement governing such Indebtedness) made expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Guarantee of such Guarantor, to the same extent and in the same manner as such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to such other Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be.

For purposes of the foregoing, this Indenture will not treat (1) unsecured Indebtedness as subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured, (2) Senior Indebtedness as subordinated in right of payment to any other Senior Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral or is secured by different collateral or (3) Indebtedness as subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness merely because the holders of such Indebtedness have entered into intercreditor agreements (including the First Lien-Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement) or other arrangements giving one or more of such holders priority over the other holders in the collateral held by them.

 

80


SECTION 4.09. Limitation on Restricted Payments.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:

(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any payment or distribution on account of the Issuer’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Equity Interests other than:

(A) dividends or distributions by the Issuer payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer, or

(B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Subsidiary other than a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities;

(2) purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, including in connection with any merger or consolidation, in each case held by a Person other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(3) make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value in each case, prior to any scheduled repayment, sinking fund payment or maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than:

(A) Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clauses (7) and (8) of Section 4.07(b); or

(B) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Indebtedness purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase or acquisition; or

(4) make any Restricted Investment.

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (1) through (4) above (other than any exception thereto) being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

(A) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

(B) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Issuer could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.07(a); and

 

81


(C) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (1), (2) (with respect to the payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below) pursuant to clause (B) thereof only) and (6) of Section 4.09(b), but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.09(b)), is less than the sum of (without duplication):

(i) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer for the period (taken as one accounting period) from January 1, 2020 to the end of the Issuer’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment, or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit; plus

(ii) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the Fair Market Value of marketable securities or other property received by the Issuer, including in connection with any merger or consolidation, since immediately after the Issue Date (other than in connection with the Transactions) from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Issuer, but excluding (x) cash proceeds and the Fair Market Value of marketable securities or other property received from the sale of Equity Interests to any employee, director, manager or consultant of the Issuer, any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer and the Issuer’s Subsidiaries after the Issue Date to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with Section 4.09(b)(4), (y) net cash proceeds received from any public offering of common stock or contributed to the Issuer by any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer from any public offering of common stock that occurs following the Issue Date to the extent such amounts have been used for the payment of dividends on the Issuer’s common stock (or the payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to fund the payment by any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer of dividends on such entity’s common stock) made in accordance with Section 4.09(b)(19), and, (z) to the extent such net cash proceeds are actually contributed to the Issuer, Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer (excluding contributions to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with Section 4.09(b)(4)); provided that this clause (ii) shall not include the proceeds from (a) Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below), (b) Equity Interests (or Indebtedness that has been converted or exchanged for Equity Interests) of the Issuer sold to a Restricted Subsidiary, the Issuer or any employee plan of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, (c) Disqualified Stock (or Indebtedness that has been converted or exchanged into Disqualified Stock) or (d) Excluded Contributions; plus

 

82


(iii) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Issuer or the Restricted Subsidiaries is reduced on the Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange subsequent to the Issue Date of any Indebtedness of the Issuer or the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness held by the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer) convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer (less the amount of any cash, or the Fair Market Value of any other property, distributed by the Issuer upon such conversion or exchange); plus

(iv) the aggregate amount equal to the net reduction in Investments resulting from (x) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries and repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries and repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, which constitute Restricted Investments made by the Issuer or the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, after the Issue Date, not to exceed in any such case the aggregate amount of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date or (y) dividends, distributions, interest payments, return of capital, repayments of Investments or other transfers of assets to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from any Unrestricted Subsidiary, or the redesignation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary (valued in each case as provided in the definition of “Investment”), not to exceed in the case of any such Unrestricted Subsidiary the aggregate amount of Investments made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date; plus

(v) $75 million; provided, however, that the calculation pursuant to the immediately preceding clauses (i) through (iv) shall not include any amounts attributable to, or arising in connection with, the Transactions.

(b) The foregoing provisions shall not prohibit:

(1) the payment of any dividend or distribution or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption 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 Indenture;

(2) (A) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (Retired Capital Stock”) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of a sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) made within 120 days of, Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent

 

83


contributed to the Issuer (in each case, other than any Disqualified Stock) (Refunding Capital Stock”) and

(B) if immediately prior to the retirement of Retired Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted pursuant to clause (6) of this Section 4.09(b), the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that was declarable and payable on such Retired Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;

(3) the prepayment, exchange, redemption, defeasance, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary made in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of a sale made within 120 days of, new Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary that is incurred in compliance with Section 4.07 so long as:

(A) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest on the Subordinated Indebtedness being so prepaid, exchanged, redeemed, defeased, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired for value, plus the amount of any premium (including reasonable tender premiums), defeasance costs and any reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness,

(B) such new Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the applicable Guarantee at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so prepaid, exchanged, redeemed, defeased, repurchased, acquired or retired for value,

(C) such new Indebtedness has a final scheduled maturity date, or mandatory redemption date, as applicable, equal to or later than the final scheduled maturity date, or mandatory redemption date, of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so prepaid, exchanged, redeemed, defeased, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired, and

(D) such new Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, defeased, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired;

(4) a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, retirement, cancellation or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer, any Subsidiary of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer held by any future, present or former employee, director, manager, officer or consultant of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer pursuant to any equity plan or stock option plan or any other benefit plan or agreement, any stock based compensation plan or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement (including any principal and interest

 

84


payable on any notes issued by the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer in connection with such repurchase, retirement or other acquisition), including any Equity Interests rolled over by management of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer in connection with the Spin-Off; provided, that the aggregate Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (4) do not exceed in any calendar year the greater of (x) $30 million and (y) 4.0 % of EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period (with unused amounts being carried over to the succeeding fiscal years); provided further that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

(A) the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer and, to the extent contributed to the Issuer, the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, in each case to any future, present or former employees, directors, managers or consultants of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer that occurs after the Issue Date, to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clause (C) of Section 4.09(a); plus

(B) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date, less

(C) the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made pursuant to clauses (A) and (B) of this Section 4.09(b)(4);

provided that the Issuer may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by clauses (A) and (B) of this Section 4.09(b)(4) in any calendar year;

and provided further that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from any future, present or former employees, directors, managers or consultants of the Issuer (or any permitted transferee thereof), any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer shall not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this covenant or any other provision of this Indenture;

(5) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or any class or series of preferred stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case, issued in accordance with Section 4.07 to the extent such dividends are included in the definition of Fixed Charges;

(6) the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is preferred stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(2); provided that, for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of the declaration of such dividends on Refunding Capital Stock, after giving effect to such issuance or declaration on a

 

85


pro forma basis, the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis would have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 2.00 to 1.00;

(7) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries and joint ventures having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (7) that are at the time outstanding (the amount at the time outstanding calculated without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash, Cash Equivalents or marketable securities), not to exceed the greater of (x) $45 million and (y) 5.75% of EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period at the time of such Investment (with the Fair Market Value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(8) payments made or expected to be made by the Issuer 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, manager or consultant and 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;

(9) [reserved.];

(10) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (10) not to exceed the greater of (x) $75 million and (y) 10.0% of the EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period;

(11) distributions or payments of Receivables Fees;

(12) (x) repurchases of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of stock options, warrants, other rights to acquire Capital Stock or other convertible or exchangeable securities if such Capital Stock represents all or portion of the exercise price thereof or withholding Taxes payable with respect thereto, (y) cash payments in connection with any conversion or exchange of convertible indebtedness in amount equal to the sum of (i) the principal amount of such convertible indebtedness and (ii) the proceeds of any payments received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the exercise, settlement or termination of any related bond hedge transaction or (z) payments in connection with a permitted bond hedge transaction (i) by delivery of shares of the Issuer’s Equity Interests upon net share settlement thereof or (ii) by (A) set-off against the related bond hedge transaction and (B) payment of an early termination amount thereof in common Equity Interests of the Issuer upon any early termination thereof;

(13) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition for value of Equity Interests of the Issuer deemed to occur in connection with paying cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests in connection with a share dividend, distribution, share split, reverse share split, merger, consolidation, amalgamation or other business combination of the Issuer, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of any stock options, warrants, other rights to purchase Capital Stock or other convertible or exchangeable securities, in each case, permitted under this Indenture;

 

86


(14) the distribution, by dividend or otherwise, of shares of Capital Stock or other securities of, or Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries, the primary assets of which are cash or Cash Equivalents);

(15) [reserved.];

(16) payments or distributions to satisfy dissenters’ rights, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of assets that complies with Article 5 hereof;

(17) any Restricted Payments attributable to, or arising in connection with, (i) the Transactions or the Spin-Off, and (ii) any other transactions pursuant to agreements or arrangements in effect on the Issue Date on substantially the terms described in the Offering Memorandum or any amendment, modification or supplement thereto or replacement thereof, as long as the terms of such agreement or arrangement, as so amended, modified, supplemented or replaced is not materially more disadvantageous to the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, than the terms of such agreement or arrangement described in the Offering Memorandum;

(18) [reserved.];

(19) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Issuer’s common stock (or the payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer to fund the payment by any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer of dividends on such entity’s common stock) of up to 6.0% per annum of the net cash proceeds received by the Issuer from any public offering of common stock or contributed to the Issuer by any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer from any public offering of common stock that occurs following the Issue Date, other than public offerings with respect to the Issuer’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor form thereto and other than any public sale constituting Excluded Contributions;

(20) Restricted Payments that are made with Excluded Contributions;

(21) any Restricted Payment so long as immediately after giving effect to the making thereof, the Consolidated Total Debt Ratio of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or less than 1.00 to 1.00; and

(22) the declaration and payment of dividends with respect to the Issuer’s common shares and/or any share repurchase with respect to the Issuer’s common shares after the Distribution Date, not to exceed an amount equal to the greater of (x) $140 million and (y) 18.0% of the EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period as of the date of such declaration or payment per fiscal year of the Issuer (with unused amounts being carried over solely to the immediately succeeding fiscal year);

provided that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to clauses (6), (10) and (14) of this Section 4.09(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

87


(c) If any Restricted Payment or Investment (or a portion thereof) would be permitted pursuant to one or more provisions of Section 4.09 and/or one or more of the exceptions contained in the definition of “Permitted Investments,” the Issuer may divide and classify such Investment or Restricted Payment (or a portion thereof) in any manner that complies with Section 4.09 and may later divide and reclassify any such Investment or Restricted Payment so long as the Investment or Restricted Payment (as so divided and/or reclassified) would be permitted to be made in reliance on the applicable exception as of the date of such reclassification.

(d) As of the Issue Date, all of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries shall be Restricted Subsidiaries. The Issuer shall not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated shall be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the definition of “Investment.” Such designation shall be permitted only if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time, whether pursuant to this Section 4.09 or the definition of “Permitted Investments”, and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall not be subject to any of the restrictive covenants set forth in this Indenture.

SECTION 4.10. Liens.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien (the “Initial Lien”) on any of its assets or property, in each case whether owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, securing any Indebtedness, other than:

(i) in the case of any Initial Lien on any Collateral, such Initial Lien if such Initial Lien is a Permitted Lien; and

(ii) in the case of any Initial Lien on any asset or property not constituting or required to become Collateral, such Initial Lien if (A) the Notes and the Guarantees are equally and ratably secured with (or on a senior basis to, in the case such Initial Lien secures any Subordinated Indebtedness) the Obligations secured by such Initial Lien, or (B) such Initial Lien is a Permitted Lien.

(b) Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(ii) shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the Initial Lien, which release and discharge, in the case of any sale of such asset or property, shall not affect any Lien that the Notes Collateral Agent, Trustee or any other authorized representative may have on the proceeds from such sale.

(c) Except to the extent expressly set forth in specific clauses of the definition of “Permitted Liens,” any Initial Lien on Collateral constituting a Permitted Lien that is created, incurred or permitted to exist by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 4.10(a)(i) may, at the Issuer’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s election, have a lien priority that is

 

88


senior to, junior to or equal with the lien priority for the Liens on such Collateral securing the Notes and the Guarantees.

(d) If the Issuer or any Guarantor creates any Lien upon any property or assets to secure any other Notes Priority Obligations, it must substantially concurrently grant a Lien upon such property or assets as security for the Notes or the applicable Guarantee such that the property or assets subject to such Lien becomes Collateral subject to a first priority lien, in the case of property or assets that would comprise Notes Priority Collateral, or a second priority lien, in the case of property or assets that would comprise ABL Priority Collateral, except to the extent such property or assets constitutes cash or cash equivalents required to secure only letter of credit obligations under the ABL Credit Facility.

SECTION 4.11. Change of Control.

(a) If a Change of Control occurs after the Issue Date, unless the Issuer has, prior to or concurrently with the time the Issuer is required to make a Change of Control Offer (as defined below), delivered electronically or mailed a redemption notice that is or has become unconditional with respect to all the Outstanding Notes pursuant to Article 3 or Section 8.06, the Issuer shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at a price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date. No later than 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuer shall send notice of such Change of Control Offer electronically or by first class mail or overnight mail, with a copy to the Trustee sent in the same manner, to each Holder of Notes to the address of such Holder appearing in the security register or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary, with the following information:

(1) that a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.11 and that all Notes properly tendered pursuant to such Change of Control Offer shall be accepted for payment by the Issuer;

(2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed or sent (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

(3) that any Note not properly tendered shall remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

(4) that, unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer shall be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes completed, to the paying agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

89


(6) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Issuer to purchase such Notes; provided that the paying agent receives, not later than the expiration time of the Change of Control Offer, electronic transmission (in PDF), facsimile transmission or letter (sent in the same manner provided in the Change of Control Offer) setting forth the name of the Holder of the Notes, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes and its election to have such Notes purchased;

(7) that if the Issuer is purchasing less than all of the Notes, the Holders of the remaining Notes shall be issued new Notes and such new Notes shall be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered. The unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;

(8) if such notice is delivered prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control and, if applicable, shall state that, in the Issuer’s discretion, the Change of Control Payment Date may be delayed until such time as the Change of Control shall occur or that such repurchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that the Issuer shall determine that such Change of Control shall not occur by the Change of Control Payment Date, or by the Change of Control Payment Date as so delayed; and

(9) the other instructions, as determined by the Issuer, consistent with this Section 4.11, that a Holder must follow.

(b) While the Notes are in the form of Global Notes and the Issuer makes an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, a Holder shall exercise its option to elect for the purchase of the Notes through the facilities of the Depositary subject to its rules and regulations.

(c) The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

(d) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer shall, to the extent permitted by law,

(1) accept for payment all Notes issued by it or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(2) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered; and

 

90


(3) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes so accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating that all Notes or portions thereof have been tendered to and purchased by the Issuer.

(e) In the event that the Issuer makes a Change of Control Payment, the paying agent shall promptly mail or pay by wire transfer to each Holder of the Notes the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate a new Note (or cause to be transferred by book entry) equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Note shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Issuer shall publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

(f) The Issuer shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements of this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all such Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of the making of such Change of Control Offer.

(g) If Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in a Change of Control Offer and the Issuer, or any third party making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Issuer as described above, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Issuer or such third party shall have the right, upon not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, provided that such notice is given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase on a date (the “Second Change of Control Payment Date”) at a price in cash equal to the applicable Change of Control Payment in respect of the Second Change of Control Payment Date plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

(h) The provisions under this Indenture related to the Issuer’s obligations to make an offer to repurchase the Notes as a result of a Change of Control and the definition of “Change of Control” may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes outstanding.

SECTION 4.12. Company Existence.

Except as otherwise permitted by Article 5 hereof, the Issuer shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its company existence.

 

91


SECTION 4.13. Future Guarantors.

(a) The Issuer shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries that incurs any Indebtedness, or guarantees the payment of any Indebtedness incurred, pursuant to the ABL Credit Facility or the Second Lien Notes to, within 30 days of such incurrence or guarantee:

(1) execute and deliver a supplemental indenture, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto, to this Indenture providing for a Guarantee by such Subsidiary; and

(2) to the extent required by the Notes Collateral Documents, take all actions required to grant a security interest in the Collateral owned by such Subsidiary to the Notes Collateral Agent in the manner and to the extent provided in this Indenture and the Notes Collateral Documents, including, without limitation, by entering into joinders, amendments, supplements or other instruments with respect to the Collateral Agreement and each other Notes Collateral Document (as applicable) and executing, filing and recording such instruments in such jurisdictions as may be required by applicable law to preserve and protect the Liens on such Collateral, together with such financing statements or comparable documents as may be required to perfect any security interests in such Collateral that may be perfected by the filing of a financing statement or similar document under the Uniform Commercial Code or other similar statute or regulation of the relevant states or jurisdictions; and

(3) deliver an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent.

(b) Further, the Issuer may cause any Restricted Subsidiary to become a Guarantor at its election.

(c) Any such Guarantee shall be released in accordance with Article 10.

SECTION 4.14. Limitations on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any such Restricted Subsidiary to:

(a) (1) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary on its Capital Stock or (2) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(b) make loans or advances to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary; or

(c) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary,

except (in each case) for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

 

92


(1) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, if on substantially the terms described in the Offering Memorandum, including those arising under the ABL Credit Facility, the Second Lien Indenture, this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees and the Collateral Documents;

(2) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capitalized Lease Obligations that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (c) above on the property so acquired;

(3) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;

(4) any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by or merged or consolidated with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, or that is assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case that is in existence at the time of such transaction (but not created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired or designated;

(5) contracts for the sale of assets, including customary restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary of the Issuer pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary;

(6) Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to Sections 4.07 and 4.10 that apply only to the assets securing such Indebtedness;

(7) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(8) other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock of Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.07;

(9) customary provisions in joint venture agreements or arrangements and other similar agreements or arrangements relating solely to such joint venture;

(10) customary provisions contained in agreements and instruments, including but not limited to leases, subleases, licenses, sublicenses or similar agreements, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(11) customary provisions that arise or are agreed to in the ordinary course of business and do not detract from the value of property or assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner material to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary;

(12) Hedging Obligations;

 

93


(13) restrictions created in connection with any Receivables Facility that, in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, are necessary or advisable to effect in connection with such Receivables Facility; and

(14) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (13) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing (or restrictions otherwise customary for the relevant type of Indebtedness (which may be in the form of “high-yield-style” notes or term loans)).

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.14: (i) the priority of any preferred stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common equity shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock and (ii) the subordination of loans or advances made to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances.

SECTION 4.15. Asset Sales.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, consummate, directly or indirectly, an Asset Sale, unless:

(1) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration (including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise) at least equal to the Fair Market Value (as determined by the Issuer at the time of contractually agreeing to such Asset Sale) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of; and

(2) except in the case of a Permitted Asset Swap, at least 75% of the consideration from such Asset Sale and all other Asset Sales since the Issue Date, on a cumulative basis received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; provided that the amount of:

(A) any liabilities (as reflected on the Issuer’s most recent consolidated balance sheet, or if incurred or accrued subsequent to the date of such balance sheet, such liabilities that would have been reflected on the Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet if such incurrence or accrual had taken place on or prior to the date of such balance sheet, as determined in good faith by the Issuer) of the Issuer, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes, that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets (or are otherwise extinguished in connection with the transactions relating to such Asset Sale) and for which the

 

94


Issuer and all such Restricted Subsidiaries have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing,

(B) any securities, notes or other obligations or assets received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash Equivalents, or by their terms are required to be satisfied for cash or Cash Equivalents (to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents received), in each case, within 180 days following the closing of such Asset Sale, and

(C) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) not to exceed the greater of $75 million and 1.5% of Consolidated Total Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, 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 for purposes of this provision and for no other purpose.

(b) Within 450 days after the Issuer’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s receipt of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale (the “Asset Sale Proceeds Application Period”), the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary may, at its option, apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale:

(1) if assets subject to such Asset Sale constitute Collateral, to repay, prepay, purchase, repurchase or redeem (a) Notes Priority Obligations or (b) if the assets subject to such Asset Sale were ABL Priority Collateral, ABL Obligations; provided, however, that (x) the Obligations in respect of the Notes shall be reduced on no less than a pro rata basis along with any such reduction of other Notes Priority Obligations and (y) all reductions of Obligations in respect of the Notes shall be made as provided under Section 3.07, through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 4.15 for an Asset Sale Offer) to all Holders to purchase their Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on such Notes;

(2) if assets subject to such Asset Sale do not constitute Collateral, to repay, prepay, purchase, repurchase or redeem any Indebtedness that is secured by the assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale, any Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor or any Indebtedness that would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor (in each case other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary); provided, however, that in connection with any repayment, prepayment, purchase, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness pursuant to this clause (2), the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary shall retire such Indebtedness and shall cause the related loan commitment (if any) to be permanently reduced in an amount equal to the principal amount so repaid, prepaid, purchased, repurchased or redeemed;

 

95


(3) to reinvest in Additional Assets (including by means of an investment in Additional Assets by a Restricted Subsidiary with Net Proceeds received by the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary) or make capital expenditures in or that are used or useful in the Issuer’s business within 450 days from the later of the date of such Asset Sale and the date of receipt of such Net Proceeds; provided that, the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be deemed to have complied with this clause (3) if, within 450 days after the Asset Sale that generated the Net Proceeds, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary has entered into a binding agreement to consummate any such investment described in this clause (3) with the good faith expectation that such Net Proceeds shall be applied to satisfy such commitment within 180 days of such commitment (an “Acceptable Commitment”) and, in the event any Acceptable Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before the Net Proceeds are applied in connection therewith, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another Acceptable Commitment (a “Second Commitment”) within 180 days of such cancellation or termination; provided further that if any Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds (as defined below); or

(4) any combination of the foregoing.

(c) Within ten Business Days after the end of an Asset Sale Proceeds Application Period with respect to an Asset Sale, if the aggregate balance of any Net Proceeds not invested or applied in the timeframe and as permitted by clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) of Section 4.15(b) (any such Net Proceeds, whether from one or more Asset Sales, “Excess Proceeds”) exceeds $100.0 million, the Issuer shall make an offer (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to all holders of the Notes, and, if the Issuer or any Guarantor elects, to the holders of any other Notes Priority Obligations, to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of Notes and such other Notes Priority Obligations (with respect to the Notes only, in denominations of $2,000 initial principal amount and multiples of $1,000 thereafter), that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes and such other Notes Priority Obligations, in each case, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture or the agreements governing such other Notes Priority Obligations. In the event that the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary prepays any ABL Obligations or Notes Priority Obligations other than the Notes that are outstanding under a revolving credit or other committed loan facility pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary shall cause the related loan commitment to be permanently reduced in an amount equal to the principal amount so prepaid.

The Issuer shall commence an Asset Sale Offer for the Notes by transmitting electronically or by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes and, if applicable, other Notes Priority Obligations tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds (or, in the case of an Asset Sale Offer being effected in advance of being required to do so by this Indenture, the amount of Net Proceeds to be applied in such Asset Sale Offer), the Issuer may use any remaining Excess Proceeds (or such amount offered) in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and, if applicable, other Notes Priority Obligations surrendered in an Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess

 

96


Proceeds, the Issuer shall determine the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be purchased or repaid on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes or such other Notes Priority Obligations tendered, and the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased or repaid on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes tendered or by lot or such similar method in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary; provided that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be repurchased in part. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero, and in the case of an Asset Sale Offer being effected in advance of being required to do so by this Indenture, the amount of Net Proceeds to be applied in such Asset Sale Offer shall be excluded in subsequent calculations of Excess Proceeds.

(d) Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds pursuant to this Section 4.15, the Issuer or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary may apply such Net Proceeds temporarily to reduce Indebtedness outstanding under a revolving credit facility or otherwise use such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture.

(e) The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Indenture by virtue thereof.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any of or all the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sales by a Subsidiary (x) are prohibited or delayed by applicable local law from being repatriated to the Issuer or (y) would have a material adverse Tax consequence (taking into account any foreign tax credit or other net benefit actually realized in connection with such repatriation that would not otherwise be realized), as determined by the Issuer in its sole discretion, the portion of such Net Proceeds so affected shall not be required to be applied in compliance with this Section 4.15, and such amounts may be retained by the applicable Subsidiary; provided that, clause (x) of this paragraph shall apply to such amounts so long, but only so long, as the applicable local law shall not permit repatriation to the Issuer, and if such repatriation of any of such affected Net Proceeds is permitted under the applicable local law and is not subject to clause (y) of this paragraph, then such repatriation shall be promptly effected and such repatriated Net Proceeds shall be applied (whether or not repatriation actually occurs) in compliance with this Section 4.15; provided, further, that the aggregate amount of Net Proceeds retained pursuant to clause (y) of this paragraph shall not exceed $250 million at any one time outstanding. The time periods set forth in this Section 4.15 shall not start with respect to such Net Proceeds until such time as the Net Proceeds may be repatriated (whether or not such repatriation actually occurs).

 

97


SECTION 4.16. [Reserved.]

SECTION 4.17. Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates.

The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Issuer (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $30 million, unless:

(1) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Issuer or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arm’s-length basis; and

(2) in the case of an Affiliate Transaction including aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $60 million, the Issuer delivers to the Trustee a resolution adopted by the majority of the Board of Directors of the Issuer approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (1) above.

(b) The foregoing provisions shall not apply to the following:

(1) (i) transactions between or among the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or any entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction and (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer; provided that such parent company shall have no material liabilities and no material assets other than cash, Cash Equivalents and the Capital Stock of the Issuer and such merger or consolidation is otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture and effected for a bona fide business purpose;

(2) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.09 and the definition of “Permitted Investments”;

(3) the payment of reasonable and customary fees and compensation paid to, and indemnities and reimbursements and employment and severance arrangements provided on behalf of, or for the benefit of, former, current or future officers, directors, managers, employees or consultants of the Issuer, any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(4) transactions in which the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or stating that the terms are not materially less favorable to the Issuer or its relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arm’s-length basis;

 

98


(5) transactions pursuant to agreements or arrangements in effect on the Issue Date and on substantially the terms described in the Offering Memorandum or pursuant to the Spin-Off Documents (including the Spin-Off, all transactions in connection therewith (including but not limited to the financing thereof) and all fees and expenses paid or payable in connection with the Spin-Off) or any amendment, modification or supplement thereto or replacement thereof, as long as such agreement or arrangement, as so amended, modified, supplemented or replaced is not materially more disadvantageous to the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, than the agreement or arrangement in existence on the Issue Date or pursuant to the Spin-Off Documents;

(6) the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of its obligations under the terms of, any stockholders agreement or the equivalent (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Issue Date (on substantially the terms described in the Offering Memorandum) and any similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided that the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the Issue Date shall only be permitted by this clause (6) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise disadvantageous to the Holders in any material respect when taken as a whole;

(7) any transaction in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture that is fair to the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the majority of the Board of Directors of the Issuer or the senior management thereof, or is on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;

(8) the issuance or transfer of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer and the granting and performance of customary registration rights;

(9) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein or other transactions, in connection with any Receivables Facility;

(10) payments, loans, advances or guarantees (or cancellation of loans, advances or guarantees) to employees, directors, managers or consultants of the Issuer, any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and employment agreements, stock option plans and other similar arrangements with such employees, directors, managers or consultants which, in each case, are approved by the Issuer in good faith;

(11) payments to any future, current or former employee, director, manager, officer, manager or consultant of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement; and any employment and severance arrangements, stock option plans and other compensatory arrangements (and any successor plans thereto) and any supplemental executive retirement benefit plans or arrangements with any such employees, directors, officers, managers or consultants that are, in each case, approved by the Issuer in good faith;

 

99


(12) any transaction with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) which would constitute an Affiliate Transaction solely because the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary owns an Equity Interest in or otherwise controls such Person;

(13) any lease entered into between the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as lessee, and any Affiliate of the Issuer, as lessor, in the ordinary course of business;

(14) intellectual property licenses in the ordinary course of business;

(15) transactions between the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Person that would constitute an Affiliate Transaction solely because a director of such Person is also a director of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer; provided, however, that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Issuer or such direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person;

(16) pledges of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(17) transactions with joint ventures entered into in the ordinary course of business, or approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Issuer;

(18) payments made pursuant to any customary tax consolidation and grouping arrangements; and

(19) transactions contemplated by Section 4.07(b)(19).

SECTION 4.18. Suspension of Covenants.

(a) Following the earliest date following the Issue Date on which: (1) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from at least two Rating Agencies and (2) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (1) and (2) being collectively referred to as a “Covenant Suspension Event”) until the Reversion Date, the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be subject to the following provisions of this Indenture:

(A) Section 4.07;

(B) Section 4.09;

(C) Section 4.13;

(D) Section 4.14;

(E) Section 4.15;

(F) Section 4.17; and

(G) clause (a)(4) of Section 5.01.

 

100


(collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”). Solely for the purpose of determining the amount of Permitted Liens under Section 4.10 during any Suspension Period (as defined below) and without limiting the Issuer’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s ability to incur Indebtedness during any Suspension Period, to the extent that calculations in Section 4.10 (including the definition of “Permitted Liens”) refer to Section 4.07, such calculations shall be made as though Section 4.07 remains in effect during the Suspension Period. Upon the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event (the date of such occurrence, the “Suspension Date”), the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be set at zero. In the event that the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraws its Investment Grade Rating or downgrades the rating assigned to the Notes below an Investment Grade Rating, then the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants with respect to future events (subject to re-suspension upon the occurrence of a subsequent Covenant Suspension Event). The period of time between the Suspension Date and the Reversion Date is referred to in this description as the “Suspension Period.” Notwithstanding that the Suspended Covenants may be reinstated, no Default or breach of any kind shall be deemed to exist under this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees with respect to the Suspended Covenants, and none of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall bear any liability for any actions taken or events occurring during the Suspension Period, or any actions taken at any time pursuant to any contractual obligation arising during the Suspension Period, as a result of a failure to comply with the Suspended Covenants during the Suspension Period (or upon termination of the Suspension Period or after that time based solely on events that occurred during the Suspension Period). The Issuer shall provide an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee indicating the occurrence of any Suspension Date or Reversion Date. The Trustee shall have no obligation to independently determine or verify if such events have occurred or notify the Holders of any Suspension Date or Reversion Date. The Trustee may provide a copy of such Officer’s Certificate to any Holder of Notes upon request.

(b) On the Reversion Date, all Indebtedness incurred, or Disqualified Stock issued, during the Suspension Period shall be deemed to have been incurred or issued on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as permitted pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(3). Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.09 shall be made as though Section 4.09 had been in effect since the Issue Date and throughout the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period shall reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.09(a) and the items specified in Section 4.09(a)(C)(i) through (C)(iv) if occurring during the Suspension Period shall increase the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under such section. No Subsidiaries shall be designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries during any Suspension Period. Any Affiliate Transaction entered into after the Reversion Date pursuant to an agreement entered into during any Suspension Period shall be deemed to be permitted pursuant Section 4.17(b)(6). Any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to take any action described in Section 4.14(a) through (c) that becomes effective during any Suspension Period shall be deemed to be permitted pursuant to the exception contained in clause (1) of Section 4.14 relating to existing encumbrances and restrictions.

(c) The Issuer shall give the Trustee prompt (and in any event not later than five Business Days after a Covenant Suspension Event) written notice of any Covenant Suspension

 

101


Event. In the absence of such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume the Suspended Covenants apply and are in full force and effect. The Issuer shall give the Trustee prompt (and in any event not later than five Business Days after a Covenant Suspension Event) written notice of any occurrence of a Reversion Date. After any such notice of the occurrence of a Reversion Date, the Trustee may conclusively assume the Suspended Covenants apply and are in full force and effect.

ARTICLE V

MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF ALL OR SUBSTANTIALLY ALL ASSETS

SECTION 5.01. The Issuer May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

(a) The Issuer shall not consolidate or merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into or wind up into, consummate a Division as the Dividing Person with (whether or not the Issuer is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:

(1) (i) the Issuer is the surviving Person, or (ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, winding up or Division (if other than the Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia (in each of (i) and (ii), such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Issuer”);

(2) the Successor Issuer, if other than the Issuer, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Issuer under (i) this Indenture and the Notes pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent and (ii) the applicable Collateral Documents and causes such amendments, supplements and other instruments to be executed, filed and recorded in such jurisdictions as may be required by applicable law to preserve and protect the Liens on the Collateral owned by or transferred to the Successor Issuer, together with such financing statements or comparable documents as may be required to perfect any security interests in such Collateral that may be perfected by the filing of a financing statement or similar document under the Uniform Commercial Code or other similar statute or regulation of the relevant states or jurisdictions;

(3) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists;

(4) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and any related financing transactions, as if such transactions had occurred at the beginning of the Applicable Measurement Period,

(A) the Issuer would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.07(a) or

 

102


(B) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries would be equal to or greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;

(5) in the case of Section 5.01(a)(1)(ii), each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that

(A) its Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; and

(B) the grant of a security interest in all properties and assets owned by such Guarantor constituting Collateral in respect of its Guarantee of such Person’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall remain valid following such transactions; and

(6) in the case of Section 5.01(a)(1)(ii), the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, winding up, Division, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or disposition, and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture and the applicable Collateral Documents and an Opinion of Counsel stating that this Indenture and the applicable Collateral Documents constitute the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Issuer or Successor Issuer, as applicable, and each of the Guarantors party thereto.

(b) The Successor Issuer shall succeed to, and be substituted for, the Issuer under this Indenture, the Notes and the applicable Collateral Documents, and the Issuer shall automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the applicable Collateral Documents; provided that, in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets, the Issuer shall not be released from its obligations under this Indenture, the Notes or the applicable Collateral Documents.

(c) Notwithstanding clauses (3) and (4) of Section 5.01(a):

(1) any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into, wind up into or consummate a Division as the Dividing Person with or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or part of its properties and assets to the Issuer or any Guarantor or, in the case of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, any Restricted Subsidiary; and

(2) the Issuer may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into, wind up into or consummate a Division as the Dividing Person with or transfer all or substantially all its properties and assets to an Affiliate incorporated or organized solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing the Issuer in another jurisdiction within the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

103


SECTION 5.02. Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms. Subject to Section 10.05, no Guarantor shall, and the Issuer shall not permit any such Guarantor to, consolidate or merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into or wind up into, consummate a Division as the Dividing Person with (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:

(1) (A) (i) such Guarantor is the surviving Person or (ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, winding up or Division (if other than such Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia (in each of (i) and (ii), such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Person”);

(B) the Successor Person, if other than such Guarantor, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Guarantor under (i) this Indenture and such Guarantor’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent and (ii) the applicable Collateral Documents and causes such amendments, supplements and other instruments to be executed, filed and recorded in such jurisdictions as may be required by applicable law to preserve and protect the Liens on the Collateral owned by or transferred to the Successor Person, together with such financing statements or comparable documents as may be required to perfect any security interests in such Collateral that may be perfected by the filing of a financing statement or similar document under the Uniform Commercial Code or other similar statute or regulation of the relevant states or jurisdictions;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) except in the case of Section 5.02(1)(A)(i), the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture and the applicable Collateral Documents and an Opinion of Counsel stating that this Indenture, Guarantees and the applicable Collateral Documents, as applicable, constitute legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the applicable Guarantor, subject to customary exceptions; or

(2) the transaction is an Asset Sale that is made in compliance with Section 4.15.

Subject to Section 10.05, the Successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under this Indenture, such Guarantor’s Guarantee and the applicable Collateral Documents and such Guarantor shall automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture, such Guarantor’s Guarantee and the applicable Collateral Documents; provided that, in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets, the Guarantor

 

104


shall not be released from its obligations under this Indenture, such Guarantor’s Guarantee or the applicable Collateral Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Guarantor may (i) merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into or wind up into, consummate a Division as the Dividing Person with or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guarantor or the Issuer, (ii) merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into or wind up into, or consummate a Division as the Dividing Person with an Affiliate of the Issuer solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing the Guarantor under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby or (iii) convert into a Person organized or existing under the laws of a jurisdiction in the United States.

ARTICLE VI

REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. “Event of Default, wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(1) default in payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes issued under this Indenture;

(2) default for 30 days or more in the payment when due of interest on or with respect to the Notes issued under this Indenture;

(3) the failure to perform or comply with any of the provisions described under Article 5 hereof;

(4) the failure by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary for 60 days after the receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (with a copy to the Trustee) to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3) above) contained in this Indenture, the Notes or the Notes Collateral Documents;

(5) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the issuance of the Notes, if both:

(A) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity and

 

105


(B) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal at stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate $150 million or more at any one time outstanding;

(6) the failure by the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary to pay final non-appealable judgments aggregating in excess of $150 million (net of amounts covered by insurance policies issued by reputable insurance companies), which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed;

(7) any of the following events with respect to the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary:

(A) the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences a voluntary case;

(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

(iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

(iv) takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency; or

(B) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

(ii) appoints a custodian of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary or all or substantially all of its property; or

(iii) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;

(8) the Guarantee of any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary shall for any reason cease to be in full force (except as contemplated by the terms thereof or hereof) and effect or be declared null and void or any responsible officer of any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary denies that it has any further liability under its Guarantee or gives notice

 

106


to such effect, other than by reason of the termination of the related Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture; or

(9) (A) any Lien created by the Notes Collateral Documents relating to the Notes and/or the Guarantees does not constitute a valid and perfected Lien on any material portion of the Collateral (to the extent perfection is required by this Indenture or the Notes Collateral Documents), except as otherwise permitted by the terms of this Indenture or the relevant Notes Collateral Documents and other than the satisfaction in full of all Obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Indenture or the release or amendment of any such Lien in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Notes Collateral Documents;

(B) except for amendment, modification, waiver, termination or release in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Notes Collateral Documents, any material Notes Collateral Document (including the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement and the First Lien-Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement) is for whatever reason terminated or ceases to be in full force and effect; or

(C) the enforceability of any Notes Collateral Document is contested by the Issuer or any Guarantor;

except in each case to the extent that (x) any such invalidity or loss of perfection or termination results from the failure of the administrative agent under the ABL Credit Facility or other Credit Facilities to make filings, renewals and continuations (or other equivalent filings) or take other appropriate action or the failure of such administrative agent to maintain possession of certificates, instruments or other documents actually delivered to it representing securities pledged or other possessory collateral pledged under the applicable Collateral Documents or (y) as to Collateral consisting of mortgaged real property, to the extent such losses are covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and such insurer has not denied coverage.

SECTION 6.02. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

(a) If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) with respect to the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes issued under this Indenture may, and the Trustee at the request of such Holders of the Notes shall (subject to receiving indemnity, prefunding and/or security to its satisfaction), declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the Outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately.

(b) Upon the effectiveness of a declaration under Section 6.02, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under Section 6.01(7) above with respect to the Issuer, all Outstanding Notes shall become due and payable without further action or notice. The Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default, except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.

 

107


(c) At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter provided in this Article, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, by notice to the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences with respect to the Notes, so long as such recission and annulment would not conflict with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction and all amounts owing to the Trustee have been repaid, if

(1) The Issuer has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

(A) all overdue interest on all Outstanding Notes,

(B) all unpaid principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Outstanding Notes which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, and interest on such unpaid principal at the rate borne by the Notes,

(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue interest at the rate borne by the Notes, and

(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the compensation and properly incurred expenses, disbursements and advances (including any indemnity payments) of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

(2) Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of amounts of principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest on Notes, which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.08;

provided that no such recission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

(d) Notwithstanding Section 6.02(c) the preceding paragraph, in the event of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5), such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of the Notes) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose,

(1) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged, or

(2) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default, or

(3) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.

SECTION 6.03. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest

 

108


remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

SECTION 6.04. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

SECTION 6.05. Application of Money Collected. If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall pay out the money in the following order.

First: to the Trustee, the Agents, their respective agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

Third: to the Issuer or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.05.

 

109


SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, a Holder of a Note may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:

(a) the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;

(b) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(c) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes offer to the Trustee security, prefunding and/or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security, prefunding and/or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense; and

(e) within such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a written direction inconsistent with the request.

SECTION 6.07. Control by Holders. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Notes. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of a Note or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

SECTION 6.08. Waiver of Past Defaults. Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium and interest on the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase) (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 6.09. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note

 

110


pursuant to Section 6.06 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

SECTION 6.10. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. Each of the Issuer, the Guarantors and any other obligor on the Notes covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and each of the Issuer, the Guarantors and any other obligor on the Notes (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

ARTICLE VII

TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and Notes Collateral Documents and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon resolutions, statements, instruments, notices, directions certificates and/or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming on their face to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of certificates or opinions specifically required by any provision hereof to be furnished to it, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform on their face to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this Section 7.01(c) does not limit the effect of Section 7.01(b);

 

111


(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to Section 7.01(a), (b) and (c).

(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any Holders, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee as set forth in Section 6.01 and such notice references this Indenture.

(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(i) The Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of, or otherwise monitor compliance with, the Issuer’s covenants herein.

(j) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.

SECTION 7.02. Rights of the Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document, resolution, statement, notice, direction, certificate and/or opinion believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in any such document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the advice of such

 

112


counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or gross negligence.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuer shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuer.

(f) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(g) The Trustee shall not be bound to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any covenants, conditions, or agreements on the part of the Issuer, make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its reasonable discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall reasonably determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer during normal business hours and upon reasonable notice, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuer and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(h) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it under this Indenture.

(i) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its power and duties hereunder.

(j) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee under this Article 7, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, U.S. Bank National Association in each of its capacities hereunder as an Agent, and to each agent, Custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(k) The permissive right of the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any actions enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty.

 

113


(l) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, accidents; nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other civil or military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes, strikes or work stoppages; acts of civil or military authority and governmental action.

(m) Anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit), even if the Trustee has been advised as to the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action

(n) No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Trustee to take or omit to take any action, or suffer any action to be taken or omitted, in the performance of its duties or obligations under this Indenture, or to exercise any right or power thereunder, to the extent that taking or omitting to take such action or suffering such action to be taken or omitted would violate applicable law binding upon it.

(o) Other than any information set forth in a notice to the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture or any Notes Collateral Documents, the delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants under this Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

(p) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

(q) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder (including but not limited to as Registrar and Paying Agent), and each agent, custodian and other person employed to act hereunder.

(r) The right of the Trustee to perform any discretionary act enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty, and the Trustee shall not be answerable for other than its own negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of such act.

(s) Trustee entitled to assume without enquiry, that the Issuer has performed in accordance with all of the provisions in this Indenture, unless notified to the contrary.

 

114


SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest, as such term is used in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee shall also be subject to Sections 7.10 hereof.

SECTION 7.04. Trustees Disclaimer.

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuer or upon the Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults.

(a) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default with respect to Notes unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by a Trust Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee from the Issuer or the Holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, and such notice references the specific Default or Event of Default, the Notes and this Indenture.

(b) If a Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall deliver to Holders of the Notes, notice of the Default within the later of 90 days after the occurrence of a Default or 30 days after it is actually known to a Trust Officer or written notice of it is received by the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note (including payments pursuant to the redemption provisions of the Notes), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

SECTION 7.06. [Reserved.]

SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity.

The Issuer and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall pay to U.S. Bank National Association, in each of its capacities as Trustee and Agent, from time to time reasonable compensation for Agent’s and Trustee’s services hereunder, as agreed from time to time with U.S. Bank National Association. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall, jointly and severally, reimburse the Trustee and the Agents promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made, including costs of collection, by such

 

115


party in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements, advances and expenses of the Trustee’s and Agents’ respective agents, counsel, accountants and experts.

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall, jointly and severally, indemnify the Trustee, each Agent and each of their respective agents, representatives, officers, directors, and employees against any and all losses, liabilities, damages or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by them arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, Notes Collateral Documents, First Priority Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuer and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer and the Guarantors or any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with the enforcement of any rights hereunder, or arising out of or in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its rights, powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Issuer and the Guarantors promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer or the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Issuer shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuer shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuer and the Guarantors need not pay for any settlement made without their consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

The obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee or the Agents, as applicable, the satisfaction and discharge and the termination of this Indenture.

To secure the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, the satisfaction and discharge and the termination of this Indenture.

In addition, and without prejudice to the rights provided to the Trustee under any of the provisions of this Indenture, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Trustee for purposes of this Section shall include any predecessor Trustee and the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other person employed to act hereunder; provided, however, that the negligence or willful misconduct of any predecessor Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder (other than a successor Trustee that is successor by merger or consolidation to such predecessor Trustee).

 

116


SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee.

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.

The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of Notes of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuer in writing. The Issuer may remove the Trustee if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuer, or the Holders of Notes of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes or the Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder of a Note who has been a Holder of a Note for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder of a Note may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of the Notes. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided that all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

117


SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or banking association, the successor corporation or banking association without any further act shall, if such successor corporation or banking association is otherwise eligible hereunder, be the successor Trustee.

Subject to Section 7.10, any business entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.

SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

ARTICLE VIII

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

SECTION 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Issuer may, at its option, at any time, with respect to the Notes, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof applied to all Outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

SECTION 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all Outstanding Notes (including the Guarantees and the Liens securing the Notes and the Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture insofar as such Notes are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest on such Notes when such payments are due, solely out of the trust described in Section 8.04, (b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof, (c) the

 

118


rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee and Agents hereunder and the obligations of each of the Guarantors and the Issuer in connection therewith and (d) this Article 8. Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 with respect to the Notes.

SECTION 8.03. Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be released from their obligations under Sections 5.01(a)(4) and (5), 5.02 and the covenants set forth in Sections 4.03 and 4.07 through 4.18 hereof with respect to the Outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not to be “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Notes, the Issuer or any Guarantor may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Sections 6.01(3) (solely with respect to such defeased covenant), (5) and (6) and, with respect to only any Significant Subsidiary and not the Issuer, Section 6.01(7), but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby.

SECTION 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 to the Outstanding Notes:

(a) the Issuer shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.08 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article 8 applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Notes; (A) cash in U.S. dollars, or (B) Government Securities, or (C) a combination thereof, in such amounts as shall be sufficient, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Outstanding Notes at the Stated Maturity (or Redemption Date, if applicable and so indicated to the Trustee in writing); provided that, upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of deposit, with any deficit as of the date of redemption (any such amount, the “Applicable Premium Deficit”) required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such cash or the proceeds of such Government Securities or combination thereof to said

 

119


payments with respect to the Notes. Before such a deposit, the Issuer may give to the Trustee, in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, a notice of its election to redeem all of the Outstanding Notes at a future date in accordance with Article 3 hereof, which notice shall be irrevocable. Such irrevocable redemption notice, if given, shall be given effect in applying the foregoing; in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, (A) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the issuance of the Notes, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel in the United States shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Notes shall not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and shall be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(b) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Notes shall not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and shall be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred; and

(c) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

SECTION 8.05. Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

All cash and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Paying Agent (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of the Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such cash and securities need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee and Paying Agent, as applicable, against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

 

120


Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Paying Agent shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

SECTION 8.06. Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect (except as set forth in the last paragraph of this Section 8.06 and as to surviving rights registration of transfer or exchange of the Notes expressly provided for herein or pursuant hereto) and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture when either:

(a) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.07 and (ii) Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or segregated and held on their behalf by the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 2.04) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) (1) all such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,

(i) have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.03 or otherwise,

(ii) shall become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer,

and the Issuer or any Guarantor, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar-denominated Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as shall be sufficient, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal, premium, if any and accrued interest to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited therefor shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any Applicable Premium Deficit required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption;

 

121


(1) the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture;

(2) the Issuer has delivered irrevocable written instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of such Notes at the Stated Maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be; and

(3) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein to the satisfaction and discharge under this Indenture have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Issuer to the Trustee and the Agents under Section 7.07, the obligations of the Issuer to any Authenticating Agent under Article 2 and, if money or Government Securities shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to this Article, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 7.01 and the last paragraph of Section 2.04 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

SECTION 8.07. Repayment to Issuer.

Any cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its request or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder shall thereafter, as an unsecured creditor, look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such cash and securities, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

SECTION 8.08. Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any cash or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such cash and securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders to receive such payment from the cash and securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

SECTION 8.09. Survival.

The Trustee’s rights under this Article 8 shall survive termination of this Indenture or the resignation of the Trustee.

 

122


ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holder.

Without the consent of any Holder, the Issuer, any Guarantor (with respect to any amendment relating to its Guarantee), the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent (with respect to the Notes Collateral Documents), at any time and from time to time, may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes, any related Guarantee and the Notes Collateral Documents, in each case, for any of the following purposes:

(a) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency or make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture as the Issuer may deem necessary or desirable and that would provide additional rights or benefits to the Holders, in each case as determined by the Issuer in good faith and certified in an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee;

(b) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(c) to comply with Article 5;

(d) to provide for the assumption of the Issuer’s or any Guarantor’s obligations to Holders;

(e) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders (including the addition of collateral to secure the Notes and/or additional Guarantees) or that does not materially adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder,

(f) to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders of Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer or any Guarantor;

(g) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under this Indenture or the Notes Collateral Documents, as applicable, of (i) a successor Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Sections 7.08 and 7.09 or (ii) a successor Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to the requirements of Section 13.05 and the applicable Notes Collateral Documents;

(h) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes, in accordance with this Indenture;

(i) to add a Guarantor or a parent guarantor under this Indenture; provided that only the Issuer, the Trustee and the Guarantor or parent guarantor being added need to sign any such supplement or amendment, or release a Guarantor in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(j) to conform the text of this Indenture, Guarantees, the Notes or the Notes Collateral Documents to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum; or

 

123


(k) to amend the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by this Indenture, including without limitation, to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes; provided, that:

(i) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law; and

(ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes; or

(l) to add additional assets as Collateral or to release any Collateral from the Liens securing the Notes or to subordinate such Lien (or conform the subordination of such Lien), in each case pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and the Notes Collateral Documents, as and when permitted or required by this Indenture and the Notes Collateral Documents.

In addition, (i) the intercreditor provisions of the Notes Collateral Documents and any other applicable Intercreditor Agreement may be amended, waived or otherwise modified from time to time with the consent of the parties thereto and (ii) the Issuer may, without the consent of any other party thereto, amend the Notes Collateral Documents and any other applicable Intercreditor Agreement to provide for the accession or succession of any parties in connection with an amendment, renewal, extension, substitution, refinancing, restructuring, replacement, supplementing or other modification from time to time of the ABL Credit Facility, other Credit Facilities, the Notes, any Additional Notes Priority Obligations, the Second Lien Notes or any other Indebtedness that, in each case, is secured by the Collateral (and is permitted to be incurred and so secured under this Indenture) with a Lien priority that is senior, equal or junior to the Notes Priority Obligations as specified in such amendment (to the extent such priority is permitted under this Indenture). In addition, the Issuer and the Trustee may, without the consent of any other party thereto, amend the Notes Collateral Documents and/or enter into additional arrangements such as additional Intercreditor Agreements or collateral trust agreements in order to permit any Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Hedging Obligations, Secured Commercial Obligations and Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries to be secured equally and ratably on a pari passu basis with the Notes Obligations, including entering into First Lien Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreements with respect to such obligations (in each case, to the extent such obligations are permitted to be incurred under this Indenture). The Trustee shall enter into any of the foregoing arrangements upon written request of the Issuer, provided that the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate certifying that the applicable secured obligations to be subject to such Intercreditor Agreement or collateral trust agreement are permitted under this Indenture to be so secured by the Collateral with the Lien priority so designated by the Issuer. Each Holder, by its acceptance of the Notes, shall be deemed to have consented and agreed to the terms of each Notes Collateral Document, as originally in effect and as amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time in accordance with its terms or the terms of this Indenture; and authorizes, directs and empowers the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent (including through the Intercreditor Agreements) to bind the Holders of the Notes as set forth in the applicable Notes Collateral Documents to which they are a party and to perform its obligations and exercise its rights and powers thereunder.

 

124


Upon the request of the Issuer, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.05 hereof, the Trustee and the Agents shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but neither the Trustee nor the Agents shall be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.01 becomes effective, the Issuer shall deliver (by means of electronic transmission in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC) to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuer to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.

SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes.

(a) With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, by act of said Holders delivered to the Issuer and the Trustee, the Issuer, any Guarantor (with respect to any Guarantee to which it is a party or this Indenture) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, any Guarantee and the Notes, and the Notes Collateral Agent may amend the Notes Collateral Documents, in each case for the purpose of adding any provisions hereto or thereto, changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders hereunder or thereunder (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes) and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees or the Notes Collateral Documents may be waived with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, other than Notes beneficially owned by the Issuer or its Affiliates (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for Notes); provided that, without consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Note affected thereby, no such amendment, supplement or waiver shall, with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder:

(1) reduce the principal amount of the Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any such Note or reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which any Note may be redeemed pursuant to Section 3.07;

(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;

(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes issued under this Indenture, except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration, or in respect

 

125


of a covenant or provision contained in this Indenture or any guarantee which cannot be amended or modified without the consent of all Holders of the Notes;

(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

(6) make any change in Section 6.08 or the rights of Holders of the Notes to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes;

(7) make any changes to this Section 9.02;

(8) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or interest on such Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes; or

(9) make any change to or modify the ranking of any Note or related Guarantee that would adversely affect the Holders of the Notes.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.02(a), without the consent of the Holders of at least two-thirds in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange for, Notes) an amendment, supplement or waiver may not:

(i) release all or substantially all of the Collateral (including any and all Guarantees), except as otherwise permitted by this Indenture or the Notes Collateral Documents; or

(ii) modify the Intercreditor Agreements or the provisions in this Indenture dealing with the Notes Collateral Documents in any manner materially adverse to the Holders, except as otherwise permitted by this Indenture or the Notes Collateral Documents.

(c) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.01 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. A consent to any amendment or waiver under either this Indenture, the Notes, as applicable, or any Guarantee, by any Holder given in connection with a tender or exchange of such Holder’s Notes shall not be rendered invalid by such tender or exchange.

SECTION 9.03. Payments for Consent.

Neither the Issuer nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders (or in the case of an exchange offer, exchanged with all Holders) that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or amendment; provided that if consents, waivers or amendments are sought in connection with an exchange offer where participation in such exchange offer is limited to Holders who are “qualified

 

126


institutional buyers” within the meaning of Rule 144A, or “non-U.S. persons” within the meaning of Regulation S, then such consideration need only be offered to all such Holders and paid to all such Holders that consent, waive or agree to amend in the applicable time frame.

SECTION 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion thereof that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Note or portion thereof if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver shall become effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter shall bind every Holder.

SECTION 9.05. Trustee and Agents to Sign Amendments.

The Trustee and Agents shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee and Agents, as applicable. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee and Agents shall be provided with and (subject to Sections 7.01 and 13.05) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amended or supplemental indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuer enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions and that such amended or supplemental indenture complies with the provisions hereof.

ARTICLE X

GUARANTEES

SECTION 10.01. Guarantees.

Any Guarantor that is a party hereto on the Issue Date or that executes a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit D hereto, shall hereby fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee on a senior secured basis, jointly and severally, to each Holder and to the Trustee, the Agents and their respective successors and assigns (a) the full and punctual payment of principal of and interest on the Notes when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes and (b) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other monetary obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes (all such obligations set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from such Guarantor and that such Guarantor shall remain bound under this Article 10 notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.

Each Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of, payment from and protest to the Issuer of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment.

 

127


Each Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of any Holder, the Trustee, or Agents to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Issuer, any other Guarantor or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any obligation of the Issuer under this Indenture or any Note, by operation of law or otherwise; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; or (d) except as set forth in Section 10.05, any change in the ownership of such Guarantor.

Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee shall constitute a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder, the Trustee or Agents to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.

Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder, the Trustee or Agents upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer or otherwise.

Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders, the Trustee and the Agents, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of such Guarantor’s Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article 6, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Guarantor for the purposes of this Section.

Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or the Agents in enforcing any rights under this Section.

SECTION 10.02. Limitation on Liability.

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance hereof each Holder, confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the guarantee by each such Guarantor pursuant to its Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent conveyance or transfer, or being voidable, for purposes of the Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law or the provisions of its local law relating to fraudulent transfer or conveyance. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders and each such Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount that shall not, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to this Section 10.02, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee constituting such fraudulent conveyance or transfer, or being avoidable.

 

128


SECTION 10.03. Successors and Assigns.

This Article 10 shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee, the Agents and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder, the Trustee or the Agents, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.

SECTION 10.04. No Waiver.

Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee, the Agents or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article 10 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee, the Agents and the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article 10 at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

SECTION 10.05. Release of Guarantor.

Any Guarantee by a Guarantor of the Notes shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged:

(1) (A) upon any sale, exchange or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of (i) the Capital Stock of such Guarantor (including any sale, exchange or transfer) after which the applicable Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) all or substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor, which sale, exchange or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture (including pursuant to an enforcement action in accordance with the terms of an Intercreditor Agreement);

(B) if such Guarantor no longer guarantees or is otherwise obligated under the ABL Credit Facility or the Second Lien Notes, other than any release or discharge resulting from the payment or redemption in full of the ABL Credit Facility and the Second Lien Notes;

(C) upon the designation of any such Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

(D) upon the exercise of the Legal Defeasance of the Notes under Section 8.02 hereof, and the Covenant Defeasance of the Notes under Section 8.03 hereof, or if the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture are discharged in accordance with Section 8.06 of this Indenture;

(E) upon the merger or consolidation of such Guarantor with and into the Issuer or another Guarantor that is the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation, or upon the liquidation of such Guarantor following the transfer of all of its assets to the Issuer or another Guarantor;

 

129


(F) as described under Section 9.01 or 9.02; and

(2) upon the Issuer and such Guarantor delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate (with no requirement for delivery of an Opinion of Counsel) stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such release have been complied with.

SECTION 10.06. Contribution.

Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations to contribution from each Guarantor, as applicable, in an amount equal to such Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP. Calculation of each Guarantor’s pro rata portion of any payment shall be made by the Issuer or on behalf of the Issuer by such Person as the Issuer shall designate; provided that such calculation or the correctness thereof shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 11.01. [Reserved.]

SECTION 11.02. Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Issuer, the Trustee or an Agent to the other parties is duly given if in writing in English that is signed manually or by way of a digital signature provided by a digital signature provider (as specified in writing to the Trustee by an Officer) and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile or electronic transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery, to the other’s address:

If to the Issuer:

Arconic Corporation

201 Isabella Street

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212

Attn: Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer

with copies to:

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

125 Broad Street

New York, NY 10004

Attn: Ari Blaut

If to the Trustee, Notes Collateral Agent, Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent:

U.S. Bank National Association

 

130


Two Liberty Place

50 South 16th Street, Suite 2000

Mail Station: EX-PA-WBSP

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Attention: Michael Judge

Telephone: (215) 761-9326

Facsimile: (215) 761-9412

Email: Michael.Judge@usbank.com

The Issuer agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of using digital signatures and electronic methods to submit communications to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

The Issuer, the Trustee or the Agents, by notice to the other, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

The Trustee and the Agents, as applicable, agree to accept and act upon email with portable document format (PDF) attached or facsimile transmission of written instructions pursuant to this Indenture; provided, however, that (a) the party providing such written instructions, subsequent to such transmission of written instructions, shall provide the originally executed instructions in a timely manner and (b) such originally executed instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such instructions or directions.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to the Trustee, Agents or Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if sent by facsimile transmission; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery. All notices and communications to the Trustee, Agents or Holders shall be deemed duly given and effective only upon receipt. Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the security register for the Notes. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Issuer mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

131


SECTION 11.03. [Reserved.]

SECTION 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Issuer to the Trustee or an Agent to take any action under any provision of this Indenture (except for authentication of the Notes by the Trustee on the Issue Date or entry into any supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 4.13, which shall not require an Opinion of Counsel, or unless otherwise specified in this Indenture), the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee and/or Agent, as applicable:

(a) an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and/or Agent, as applicable, (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and/or Agent, as applicable, (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with.

SECTION 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof) and shall include:

(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, such Person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

SECTION 11.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

SECTION 11.07. Business Days.

If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding

 

132


day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a Regular Record Date is not a Business Day, the record date shall not be affected.

SECTION 11.08. No Personal Liability of Directors, Managers, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

No past, present or future director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or of the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

SECTION 11.09. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.

THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES.

EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE (AND EACH HOLDER AND OWNER OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF A NOTE OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST THEREIN, WILL BE DEEMED TO) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

SECTION 11.10. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

SECTION 11.11. Successors.

All covenants and agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All covenants and agreements of the Trustee and the Agents in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors.

SECTION 11.12. Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 11.13. Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of

 

133


this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of all the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes other than the Trustee’s signature on the certificate of authentication on each Note.

SECTION 11.14. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

The table of contents, cross-reference table and headings in this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

SECTION 11.15. Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee or the Agents be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services or the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or facsimile or other wire or communication facility; it being understood that the Trustee and the Agents, as applicable, shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

SECTION 11.16. Patriot Act Compliance.

In order to comply with the laws, rules, regulations and executive orders in effect from time to time applicable to banking institutions, including, without limitation, those relating to the funding of terrorist activities and money laundering, including Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act of the United States (“Applicable AML Law”), the Trustee and Agent are required to obtain, verify, record and update certain information relating to individuals and entities which maintain a business relationship with the Trustee and Agent. Accordingly, each of the parties agree to provide to the Trustee and Agent, upon their reasonable request from time to time such identifying information and documentation as may be reasonably available for such party in order to enable the Trustee and Agent to comply with Applicable AML Law.

ARTICLE XII

[Reserved.]

ARTICLE XIII

COLLATERAL AND SECURITY

SECTION 13.01. Collateral and Notes Collateral Documents.

(a) On the Issue Date, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Notes Collateral Agent shall enter into the Collateral Agreement and one or more other Notes Collateral Documents defining the terms of the security interests that will secure the Notes and the Guarantees as contemplated therein. The Issuer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to complete or cause to be

 

134


completed on or prior to the Issue Date all filings and other similar actions required on its part under the Notes Collateral Documents in connection with the perfection of such security interests; provided, however, that the Issuer shall use its reasonable best efforts to complete or cause to be completed those actions required on its part under the Notes Collateral Documents to perfect such security interests within 120 days of the Issue Date (provided that the Issuer will have the right to a 90 day extension if it delivers an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that it is impracticable to meet the foregoing deadline in light of restrictions related to COVID-19).

(b) The Trustee and each Holder, by accepting any Notes and the Guarantees, acknowledges that, as more fully set forth in the Notes Collateral Documents, the Collateral as now or hereafter constituted shall be for the benefit of all the Holders, the Collateral Agent, the Trustee and the other holders of Notes Priority Obligations, and that the Lien granted in the Notes Collateral Documents relating to the Notes in respect of the Trustee, the Notes Collateral Agent, the Holders and the other holders of Notes Priority Obligations is subject to and qualified and limited in all respects by the Notes Collateral Documents and actions that may be taken thereunder. In the event of conflict between an Intercreditor Agreement, on the one hand, and any of the other Notes Collateral Documents and this Indenture, on the other, the applicable Intercreditor Agreement shall control.

SECTION 13.02. Further Assurances.

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall, at their sole expense, duly execute and deliver, or cause to be duly executed and delivered, such further agreements, documents, instruments, financing and continuation statements and amendments thereto as may be necessary to confirm that the Notes Collateral Agent holds, for the benefit of itself, the Holders and the Trustee, duly created, enforceable and perfected (to the extent required by the Notes Collateral Documents) Liens in the Collateral, subject only to Permitted Liens. As necessary, or upon request of the Notes Collateral Agent, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall, at their sole expense, execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all further action (including filing Uniform Commercial Code and other financing statements, mortgages and deeds of trust) as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions and purposes of the Notes Collateral Documents, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

SECTION 13.03. After Acquired Property.

From and after the Issue Date, subject to the exceptions and limitations in the Notes Collateral Documents, if the Issuer or any Guarantor acquires any property of the type that would constitute Collateral (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Excluded Property) and that is not automatically subject to a perfected security interest or Lien under the Notes Collateral Documents, then the Issuer or such Guarantor will provide security interests in and Liens on such property in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Holders and in favor of the Additional Notes Priority Collateral Agents for the benefit of the holders of any Additional Notes Priority Obligations and deliver certain joinder agreements and certificates in respect thereof as required by this Indenture and the Notes Collateral Documents, and thereupon all provisions of this Indenture relating to the Collateral shall be deemed to relate to such after-acquired property to the same extent and with the same force and effect.

 

135


SECTION 13.04. Release.

(a) The Liens on the Collateral shall be automatically released (and such assets shall no longer be Collateral) with respect to the Notes and the Guarantees:

(i) in part, as to any property or asset constituting Collateral (A) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or deemed disposed of by the Issuer or any of the Guarantors (other than to the Issuer or a Guarantor) in a transaction not prohibited by this Indenture (whether or not an “event of default” under this Indenture has occurred and is continuing) if all other Liens on that asset securing the ABL Obligations, other Credit Facility Obligations, Second Priority Obligations and any other Additional Notes Priority Obligations then secured by that asset are released, (B) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or deemed disposed of by the Issuer or any of the Guarantors (other than to the Issuer or a Guarantor) in a transaction permitted under Section 4.15, (C) that is owned by a Guarantor to the extent such Guarantor has been released from its Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture, the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien-Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement or (D) otherwise in accordance with, and as expressly provided for under, this Indenture and the Notes Collateral Documents;

(ii) as to any asset constituting ABL Priority Collateral, subject to the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement, to the extent the corresponding ABL Liens securing obligations under the ABL Credit Facility are released;

(iii) in whole, upon a legal defeasance or covenant defeasance as described under Section 8.02 and 8.03;

(iv) in whole, upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as described under Section 8.06;

(v) in whole, upon payment in full of the principal of, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and premium, if any, on the Notes;

(vi) as described under Article 9;

(vii) in whole or in part, as applicable, as to all or any portion of property subject to such Liens which has been taken by eminent domain, condemnation or other similar circumstances;

(viii) to the extent any particular item of Collateral becomes Excluded Property; or

(ix) in whole, at the Issuer’s option (by written notice to the Trustee), in the event that (x) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from at least two Rating Agencies, (y) the ABL Credit Facility (including any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) is, or substantially concurrently with the release of the Liens on the Collateral securing the Notes will become, unsecured and (z) the Second Lien Notes (including any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) are, or substantially

 

136


concurrently with the release of the Liens on the Collateral securing the Notes will become, unsecured.

Upon any sale or disposition of Collateral in compliance with this Indenture and the Notes Collateral Documents (other than to the Issuer or a Guarantor), the Liens in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent on such Collateral shall automatically terminate and be released and the Notes Collateral Agent shall execute and deliver such documents and instruments as the Issuer and the Guarantors may reasonably request, at their cost and expense, to evidence such termination and release (without recourse or warranty) without the consent of the Holders.

SECTION 13.05. Notes Collateral Agent.

(a) By accepting a Note, each Holder thereof shall be deemed to have irrevocably appointed U.S. Bank National Association (and its successors) to act on its behalf as the Notes Collateral Agent under each of the Notes Collateral Documents and authorized the Notes Collateral Agent to (i) take such actions on its behalf and to exercise the rights and powers that are delegated to it by the terms of the Notes Collateral Documents or other documents to which it is a party, and (ii) execute each document expressed or permitted to be executed by the Notes Collateral Agent on its behalf. The Holders may not, individually or collectively, take any direct action to enforce any rights in their favor under the Notes Collateral Documents. The Holders of the Notes may only act through instruction to the Trustee, which, in turn, shall instruct the Notes Collateral Agent. The Notes Collateral Agent shall have no duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Notes Collateral Documents to which it is party. The Notes Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Notes Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Notes Collateral Agent may also rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Notes Collateral Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Issuer), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in reliance on the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Notes Collateral Agent:

(i) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether an event of default has occurred and is continuing;

(ii) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the Notes Collateral Documents that the Notes Collateral Agent is required to exercise; provided that the Notes Collateral Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Notes Collateral Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Notes Collateral Document or applicable law;

(iii) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the Notes Collateral Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose,

 

137


any information relating to the Issuer or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Notes Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity;

(iv) shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (a) with the consent or at the request of the Trustee or (b) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct or (c) in reliance on a certificate of an authorized officer of the Issuer stating that such action is permitted by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements;

(v) shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (a) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with the Intercreditor Agreements or any other Notes Collateral Document, (b) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (c) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any event of default, (d) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of the Intercreditor Agreements, any other Notes Collateral Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Notes Collateral Documents, (e) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (f) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in any Notes Collateral Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Notes Collateral Agent; and

(vi) shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any event of default under any Obligations other than Notes Obligations unless and until written notice describing such event of default is given to the Notes Collateral Agent by the representative of such Obligations or the Issuer; for the avoidance of doubt, the Notes Collateral Agent shall only have knowledge of any event of default under any Notes Obligations in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

The use of the term “agent” herein with reference to the Notes Collateral Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law other than as a “representative” as such term is used in Section 9-102(a)(73)(E) of the Uniform Commercial Code.

BY ACCEPTING A NOTE EACH HOLDER SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE IRREVOCABLY AGREED TO THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 13.05(A) AND SHALL BE BOUND BY THOSE AGREEMENTS TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

(b) Without limiting the Intercreditor Agreements, the Notes Collateral Agent shall be subject to such directions as may be properly given it by the Trustee and/or other Agents, as applicable, from time to time in accordance with this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements and the other Notes Collateral Documents. Except as directed by the Trustee and/or other Agents, as applicable, and as expressly required by this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements and the other Notes Collateral Documents, and in each case subject to the Intercreditor Agreements, the Notes Collateral Agent shall not be obligated:

 

138


(i) to act upon directions purported to be delivered to it by any other Person;

(ii) to foreclose upon or otherwise enforce any Lien securing the Notes or any of the Guarantees; or

(iii) to take any other action whatsoever with regard to any or all of the Liens securing the Notes, the Guarantees or the Notes Collateral Documents or with regard to the Collateral.

(c) The Notes Collateral Agent is authorized and empowered to appoint one or more co-agents or sub-agents or attorneys-in-fact as it deems necessary or appropriate in connection herewith and shall not be liable for the negligence or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it in good faith.

(d) The Notes Collateral Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by it. The Notes Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Affiliates. The exculpatory provisions of this Article 13 shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Affiliates of the Notes Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent.

(e) A resignation or removal of the Notes Collateral Agent and appointment of a successor Notes Collateral Agent shall become effective only upon the successor Notes Collateral Agent’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.

(i) The Notes Collateral Agent may resign in writing at any time by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of Notes of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Notes Collateral Agent by so notifying the Notes Collateral Agent and the Issuer in writing. The Issuer may remove the Notes Collateral Agent if:

(1) the Notes Collateral Agent ceases to be a Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition (an “Eligible Collateral Agent”);

(2) the Notes Collateral Agent is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Notes Collateral Agent under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Notes Collateral Agent or its property; or

(4) the Notes Collateral Agent becomes incapable of acting.

(ii) If the Notes Collateral Agent resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Notes Collateral Agent for any reason, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a

 

139


successor Notes Collateral Agent. Within one year after the successor Notes Collateral Agent takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Notes Collateral Agent to replace the successor Notes Collateral Agent appointed by the Issuer.

(iii) If a successor Notes Collateral Agent does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Notes Collateral Agent resigns or is removed, the retiring Notes Collateral Agent, the Issuer, or the Holders of Notes of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes or the Notes Collateral Agent may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Notes Collateral Agent.

(iv) If the Notes Collateral Agent, after written request by any Holder of a Note who has been a Holder of a Note for at least six months, fails to be an Eligible Collateral Agent, such Holder of a Note may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Notes Collateral Agent and the appointment of a successor Notes Collateral Agent.

(v) A successor Notes Collateral Agent shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Notes Collateral Agent and to the Issuer. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Notes Collateral Agent shall become effective, and the successor Notes Collateral Agent shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Notes Collateral Agent under this Indenture. The successor Notes Collateral Agent shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of the Notes. The retiring Notes Collateral Agent shall promptly transfer all Collateral held by it as Notes Collateral Agent to the successor Notes Collateral Agent, provided that all sums owing to the Notes Collateral Agent hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 13.05(e), the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Notes Collateral Agent.

(f) Each Holder, by its acceptance of the Notes, shall be deemed to have consented and agreed to the terms of each Notes Collateral Document, as originally in effect and as amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time in accordance with its terms or the terms of this Indenture; and authorizes and empowers the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent (including through the Intercreditor Agreements) to bind the Holders as set forth in the applicable Notes Collateral Documents to which they are a party and to perform its obligations and exercise its rights and powers thereunder.

(g) Except as contemplated by the Notes Collateral Documents, neither the Trustee nor the Notes Collateral Agent shall be responsible (1) for the existence, genuineness or value of any of the Collateral, (2) for filing any financing or continuation statements or recording any documents or instruments in any public office or otherwise perfecting or maintaining the perfection of any security interest in the Collateral, (3) for the validity, perfection, priority or enforceability of the Liens in any of the Collateral, (4) for the validity or sufficiency of the Collateral or any agreement or assignment contained therein, (5) for the validity of the title of the Issuer or any Grantor to the Collateral, for insuring the Collateral or (6) for the payment of taxes,

 

140


charges, assessments or Liens upon the Collateral or (7) otherwise as to the maintenance of the Collateral.

SECTION 13.06. Intercreditor Agreements. Each Holder of Notes, by its acceptance thereof, (a) acknowledges that it has received a copy of the ABL-Notes Lien Intercreditor Agreement, (b) consents to the subordination of Liens (as defined therein) provided for in the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement, (c) agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement and (d) authorizes and instructs each of the Notes Collateral Agent and the Trustee to (i) enter into the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement as the “Initial Notes Collateral Agent” and “Trustee”, respectively, and on behalf of such Holder, (ii) make any representations, warranties and covenants contained in the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement on behalf of such Holder and (iii) perform its obligation under the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement. The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to the lenders under the ABL Credit Facility to permit the incurrence of Indebtedness under this Indenture and to extend credit to the Issuer and such lenders are intended third party beneficiaries of such provisions.

[Signatures on following page]

 

141


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

  ISSUER:
  ARCONIC CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Jason Secore

  Name: Jason Secore
  Title: Vice President & Treasurer


  GUARANTORS:
 

ARCONIC AEROSPACE LAMINATES INC.

ARCONIC LANCASTER CORP.

ARCONIC PROPERTIES INC.

ARCONIC TUBE SPECIALTIES INC.

ARCONIC WIRELESS NETWORK SERVICES INC.

CARADCO, INC.

HALETHORPE EXTRUSIONS, INC.

HALETHORPE SERVICES, INC.

KAWNEER ALUMINIUM DEUTSCHLAND INC.

KAWNEER COMPANY, INC.

PLANT CITY EXTRUSIONS CORPORATION

PIMALCO, INC.

RMC TEXAS, INC.

By:  

/s/ Jason Secore

  Name: Jason Secore
  Title: Vice President & Treasurer
 

ARCONIC CORPORATION, as sole Member of each of:

 

ALUMAX LLC

ARCONIC ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTS LLC

ARCONIC DAVENPORT LLC

ARCONIC LAFAYETTE LLC

ARCONIC MASSENA LLC

ARCONIC TECHNOLOGIES LLC

ARCONIC TENNESSEE LLC

ARCONIC SERVICE LLC

KAWNEER COMMERCIAL WINDOWS LLC

By:  

/s/ Jason Secore

  Name: Jason Secore
  Title: Vice President & Treasurer


TRUSTEE: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

By:  

/s/ Michael Judge

  Name: Michael Judge
  Title:   Vice President


  REGISTRAR, PAYING AGENT AND AUTHENTICATING AGENT: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:  

/s/ Michael Judge

  Name: Michael Judge
  Title: Vice President

 

 

COLLATERAL AGENT,

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

By:  

/s/ Michael Judge

  Name: Michael Judge
  Title: Vice President


EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

[Global Note Legend]

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE REGISTRAR MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE REGISTRAR FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN CERTIFICATED FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

[Private Placement Legend]

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES

 

A-1


ACT) IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF SO REQUEST), OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

[Regulation S Global Note Legend]

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON, AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

A-2


CUSIP:                         ISIN:                             

[RULE 144A][REGULATION S] GLOBAL NOTE

6.000% First Lien Notes due 2025

 

No.                     

   $[            ]

ARCONIC CORPORATION

promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of              DOLLARS on May 15, 2025, as such amount may be changed from time to time pursuant to the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests attached hereto.

Interest Payment Dates: May 15 and November 15

Record Dates: May 1 and November 1

Dated: May 13, 2020

 

ARCONIC CORPORATION
By:                                                                                                    
  Name: [●]
  Title: [●]

 

A-3


This is one of the Notes referred to in the

within-mentioned Indenture:

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Authenticating Agent

Name:

Title:

By:                                                                          

 

A-4


[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

6.000% First Lien Notes due 2025

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1.    INTEREST. Arconic Corporation (the “Issuer”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at a rate per annum of 6.000% from May 13, 2020 until maturity or earlier redemption or repayment of the Note. The Issuer will pay interest on this Note semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2020, or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). The Issuer will make each interest payment to the Holder of record of this Note on the immediately preceding May 1 and November 1 (each, a “Regular Record Date”). Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including May 13, 2020. The Issuer will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

2.    METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuer will pay interest on this Note to the Person who is the registered Holder of this Note at the close of business on the Record Date (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if this Note is cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the Note Register of Holders, provided that (a) all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on, Notes represented by Global Notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holder or Holders thereof and (b) all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to certificated Notes will be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee or the Paying Agent may accept in its discretion). Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

3.    AUTHENTICATING AGENT, PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, U.S. Bank National Association will act as Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may change any Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

 

A-5


4.    INDENTURE. The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of May 13, 2020 (the “Indenture”), among the Issuer, the Guarantors party thereto, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral agent (the “Notes Collateral Agent”), as authenticating agent (“Authenticating Agent”), registrar (“Registrar”) and paying agent (“Paying Agent”). The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

5.    OPTIONAL REDEMPTION. At any time prior to May 15, 2022, the Issuer may redeem all or a portion of the Notes, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the rights of Holders of record of Notes on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

On and after May 15, 2022, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record of Notes on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on May 15 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2022

     103.000

2023

     101.500

2024 and thereafter

     100.000

In addition, until May 15, 2022, the Issuer may, at its option, on one or more occasions redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture at a redemption price equal to 106.000% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record of Notes on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings to the extent such net cash proceeds are received by or contributed to the Issuer; provided that at least 60% of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture (including any Additional Notes issued under the Indenture after the Issue Date) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption; provided, further, that each such redemption occurs within 120 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering.

Any redemption pursuant to this Section 5 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.07 of the Indenture.

6.    OFFERS TO REPURCHASE. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuer shall make a Change of Control Offer in accordance with Section 4.11 of the Indenture.

 

A-6


7.    MANDATORY REDEMPTION. Except as set forth in Section 4.11 of the Indenture, the Issuer shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

8.    NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. At least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Issuer shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Any redemption and notice thereof may, in the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent.

9.    DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuer may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of (a) any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article 3 of the Indenture, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, or (b) any Note for a period beginning 15 days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem Notes or 15 days before an Interest Payment Date (whether or not an Interest Payment Date or other date determined for the payment of interest), and ending on such mailing date or Interest Payment Date, as the case may be.

10.    PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

11.    AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

12.    DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) with respect to the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to the Issuer and the Trustee (if given by the Holders). If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) with respect to the Issuer occurs and is continuing, then all Outstanding Notes shall become due and payable without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.

13.    AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or Authenticating Agent.

 

A-7


14.    GOVERNING LAW. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES.

15.    CUSIP AND ISIN NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee or Registrar may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

16.    NOTES COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS; INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENTS. Each Holder, by accepting a Note, shall be deemed to have consented and agreed to the terms of the Notes Collateral Documents and the performance by the Notes Collateral Agent of its obligations and the exercise of its rights thereunder and in connection therewith.

 

A-8


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:   

                                                                                      

(Insert assignee’s legal name)                    

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 
 
 
 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

 

 

and irrevocably appoint

to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer.

The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                                                                      

 

Your Signature:                                                                           
  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                                              

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-9


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.11 of the Indenture, check the box below:

☐  Section 4.11

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.11 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$                    

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:                                                                         

  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Tax Identification No.:                                                               

Signature Guarantee*:                                              

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-10


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $        . The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Certificated Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Certificated Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

  

Amount of

decrease in

Principal

amount of this

Global Note

  

Amount of

increase in

Principal

amount of this

Global Note

  

Principal

amount of this

Global Note

following such

decrease or

increase

  

Signature of

authorized

officer of Trustee

or Custodian

 

 

*

This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-11


Exhibit B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Arconic Corporation

201 Isabella Street

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212

Attn: Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer

U.S. Bank National Association

Two Liberty Place

50 South 16th Street, Suite 2000

Mail Station: EX-PA-WBSP

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Attn: Michael Judge

Re:         6.000% First Lien Notes due 2025

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 13, 2020 (the “Indenture”), among Arconic Corporation, the Guarantors party thereto, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral agent, registrar, paying agent and authenticating agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

(the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $         in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1.    ☐  CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT CERTIFICATED NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Certificated Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Certificated Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2.    ☐  CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT CERTIFICATED NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and

 

B-1


believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Certificated Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3.    ☐  CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT CERTIFICATED NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Certificated Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a)    ☐  such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or

(b)    ☐  such Transfer is being effected to the Issuer or a subsidiary thereof.

4.    ☐  CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED CERTIFICATED NOTE.

(c)    ☐  CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Certificated Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Certificated Notes and in the Indenture.

(d)    ☐  CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the

 

B-2


terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Certificated Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Certificated Notes and in the Indenture.

(e)    ☐  CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Certificated Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Certificated Notes and in the Indenture.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer.

[Insert Name of Transferor]

 

By:  

                     

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                                         

 

B-3


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

(a)  ☐  a beneficial interest in the:

 

(i)  ☐  144A Global Note ([CUSIP:

 

(ii) ☐  Regulation S Global Note ([CUSIP:

 

(b)  ☐  a Restricted Certificated Note.

 

2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

  

]), or

 

]), or

 

 

 

 

[CHECK ONE]

(a)  ☐  a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i)      ☐  144A

Global Note ([CUSIP:                     ]), or

 

  (ii)     ☐  Regulation

S Global Note ([CUSIP:                     ])or

 

  (iii)    ☐  Unrestricted

Global Note ([                    ] [                    ]); or

(b)  ☐  a Restricted Certificated Note; or

(c)  ☐  an Unrestricted Certificated Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-4


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Arconic Corporation

201 Isabella Street

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212

Attn: Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer

U.S. Bank National Association

Two Liberty Place

50 South 16th Street, Suite 2000

Mail Station: EX-PA-WBSP

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Attn: Michael Judge

Re:         6.000% First Lien Notes due 2025

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 13, 2020 (the “Indenture”), among Arconic Corporation, the Guarantors party thereto, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral agent, registrar, paying agent and authenticating agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

(the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $         in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED CERTIFICATED NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED CERTIFICATED NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES

a)    ☐  CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

b)    ☐  CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED CERTIFICATED NOTE OF THE

 

C-1


SAME SERIES. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Certificated Note of the same series, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Certificated Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Certificated Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

c)    ☐  CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED CERTIFICATED NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Certificated Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Certificated Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

d)    ☐  CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED CERTIFICATED NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED CERTIFICATED NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Certificated Note for an Unrestricted Certificated Note of the same series, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Certificated Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Certificated Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Certificated Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED CERTIFICATED NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED CERTIFICATED NOTES OF THE SAME SERIES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES OF THE SAME SERIES

a)    ☐  CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED CERTIFICATED NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Certificated Note of the same series with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Certificated Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Certificated Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private

 

C-2


Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Certificated Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

b)    ☐  CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED CERTIFICATED NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Certificated Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ☐ 144A Global Note ☐ Regulation S Global Note of the same series, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer and are dated

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

                    

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

C-3


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

Supplemental Indenture (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of     , among (the “Guaranteeing Party”), U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral agent (“Notes Collateral Agent”) authenticating agent (“Authenticating Agent”), registrar (“Registrar”) and paying agent (“Paying Agent).

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, Arconic Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee that certain Indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of May 13, 2020, providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 6.000% First Lien Notes due 2025 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Party shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Party shall fully and unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture, jointly and severally with each other Guarantor, on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “Guarantee”); and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:

(1) Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(2) Agreement to Guarantee. The Guaranteeing Party hereby agrees as follows:

(a) Along with all other Guarantors named in the Indenture (including pursuant to any supplemental indentures), to fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee on a senior unsecured basis, jointly and severally, to each Holder and to the Trustee, the Agents and their respective successors and assigns (a) the full and punctual payment of principal of and interest on the Notes when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes and (b) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other monetary obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes (all such obligations set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Subject to the provisions of Article 10 of the Indenture, such Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations. The Guaranteeing Party further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from Guaranteeing Party and that Guaranteeing Party will remain bound under

 

D-1


Article 10 of the Indenture notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.

(b) The Guaranteeing Party waives presentation to, demand of, payment from and protest to the Issuer of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. The Guaranteeing Party waives notice of any default under the Notes or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of the Guaranteeing Party hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of any Holder, the Trustee or Agents to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Issuer or any other Person under this Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (d) the release of any security held by any Holder, the Trustee or Agents for the Guaranteed Obligations or any of them; (e) the failure of any Holder, the Trustee or Agents to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (f) except as set forth in Section 10.05 of the Indenture, any change in the ownership of such Guarantor.

(c) The Guaranteeing Party further agrees that its Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder, the Trustee or Agents to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.

(d) The Guaranteeing Party further agrees that its Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder, the Trustee or Agents upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer or otherwise.

(e) The Guaranteeing Party further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders, the Trustee and the Agents, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of the Guaranteeing Party’s Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guaranteeing Party for the purposes of Section 10.01 of the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture.

(f) The Guaranteeing Party also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or the Agents in enforcing any rights under Section 10.01 of the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture.

(3) Limitation on Liability. The limitations of Section 10.02 of the Indenture shall apply to Section 2 of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

D-2


(4) Successors and Assigns. This Supplemental Indenture and Article 10 of the Indenture shall be binding upon the Guaranteeing Party and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee, the Agents and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder, the Trustee or the Agents, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Supplemental Indenture, in the Indenture and in the Notes shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture.

(5) No Waiver. Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee, the Agents or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Supplemental Indenture or Article 10 of the Indenture shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee, the Agents and the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Supplemental Indenture and Article 10 of the Indenture at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

(6) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.

Section 5.02 of the Indenture shall apply to the Guaranteeing Party and such Guaranteeing Party shall be a Guarantor for such purpose.

(7) Releases.

Section 10.05 of the Indenture shall apply to the Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Party and such Guaranteeing Party shall be a Guarantor for such purpose.

(8) Contribution. If the Guaranteeing Party makes a payment under its Guarantee, it shall be entitled upon payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations to contribution from each other Guarantor, as applicable, in an amount equal to such Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP. Calculation of each Guarantor’s pro rata portion of any payment shall be made by the Issuer or on behalf of the Issuer by such Person as the Issuer shall designate; provided that such calculation or the correctness thereof shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee.

(9) No Recourse Against Others. No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Party shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Party) under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(10) Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

D-3


(11) Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

(12) Effect of Headings. The section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(13) The Trustee and the Agents. The Trustee and the Agents shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Party.

 

D-4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

[GUARANTEEING PARTY]
By:  

                    

  Name:
  Title:
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Paying Agent, Registrar and Authenticating Agent
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Notes Collateral Agent
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

D-5


EXHIBIT E

 

 

 

COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

dated as of

May 13, 2020

among

ARCONIC CORPORATION,

THE GUARANTORS

IDENTIFIED HEREIN

and

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Notes Collateral Agent

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I Definitions

     1

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms

     1

SECTION 1.02. Other Defined Terms

     1

ARTICLE II [RESERVED]

     7

ARTICLE III Pledge of Securities

     7

SECTION 3.01. Pledge

     7

SECTION 3.02. Delivery of the Pledged Collateral

     8

SECTION 3.03. Representations and Warranties

     8

SECTION 3.04. Certification of Limited Liability Company and Limited Partnership Interests

     10

SECTION 3.05. Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations

     10

SECTION 3.06. Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest

     10

ARTICLE IV Security Interests in Personal Property

     12

SECTION 4.01. Security Interest

     12

SECTION 4.02. Representations and Warranties

     14

SECTION 4.03. Covenants

     16

SECTION 4.04. Other Actions

     16

SECTION 4.05. Covenants Regarding Patent, Trademark and Copyright Collateral

     17

SECTION 4.06. COVID-19 Pandemic.

     18

ARTICLE V Remedies

     19

SECTION 5.01. Remedies Upon Default

     19

SECTION 5.02. Application of Proceeds

     20

SECTION 5.03. Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property

     21

SECTION 5.04. Securities Act

     21

ARTICLE VI [Reserved]

     22

ARTICLE VII Miscellaneous

     22

SECTION 7.01. Notices

     22

SECTION 7.02. Waivers; Amendment

     22

SECTION 7.03. Notes Collateral Agent’s Fees and Expenses

     23

SECTION 7.04. Survival of Agreement

     23

SECTION 7.05. Counterparts; Effectiveness, Successors and Assigns

     23

SECTION 7.06. Severability

     23


SECTION 7.07. [Reserved]

     23

SECTION 7.08. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

     24

SECTION 7.09. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     24

SECTION 7.10. Headings

     25

SECTION 7.11. Security Interest Absolute

     25

SECTION 7.12. Termination or Release

     25

SECTION 7.13. Additional Subsidiaries

     25

SECTION 7.14. Notes Collateral Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact

     26

SECTION 7.15. General Provisions Concerning the Notes Collateral Agent

     26

SECTION 7.16. Limitation on Duty in Respect of Collateral

     27

SECTION 7.17. Benefit of Agreement

     27

SECTION 7.18. Intercreditor Agreements

     28


Schedules  
Schedule I   Guarantor Parties
Schedule II   Pledged Equity Interests; Pledged Debt Securities
Schedule III   Intellectual Property
Schedule IV   Commercial Tort Claims
Exhibits  
Exhibit I   Form of Collateral Agreement Supplement
Exhibit II   Form of Notes Patent Security Agreement
Exhibit III   Form of Notes Trademark Security Agreement
Exhibit IV   Form of Notes Copyright Security Agreement


COLLATERAL AGREEMENT dated as of 13, 2020 (this “Agreement”), among ARCONIC CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors party hereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Notes Collateral Agent (the “Notes Collateral Agent”).

Reference is made to the Indenture dated as of 13, 2020 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among the Issuer, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (in such capacity and together with its successors and assigns, the “Trustee”), and U.S. Bank National Association, as Notes Collateral Agent, registrar, paying agent and authenticating agent pursuant to which the Issuer has issued on May 13, 2020, $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.000% First Lien Notes due 2025 (together with any Additional Notes (as defined in the Indenture), the “Notes”).

WHEREAS, the Guarantors are Affiliates of the Issuer, and will derive substantial benefits from the issuance of the Notes pursuant to the Indenture.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Article X of the Indenture, each Guarantor party thereto has agreed to unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee to each Holder (as defined in the Indenture) and the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Guaranteed Obligations (as defined in the Indenture) pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

WHEREAS, in connection with the Indenture, the Issuer and the other Grantors entered into that certain (i) Intercreditor Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement”), by and among the Issuer, the other Grantors party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Credit Agreement (as defined below), and the Notes Collateral Agent and (ii) Amended and Restated Intercreditor Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement” and, together with the ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement, the “Intercreditor Agreements”), by and among the Issuer, the other Grantors party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Credit Agreement, the Notes Collateral Agent and the Second Lien Agent (as defined in the Indenture).

Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

Definitions

Section 1.01Defined Terms. (a) Each capitalized term used but not defined herein shall have the meaning specified in the Indenture, provided that each term defined in the New York UCC (as defined herein) and not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning specified in the New York UCC. The term “instrument” shall have the meaning specified in Article 9 of the New York UCC.

(b) The rules of construction specified in Section 1.04 of the Indenture also apply to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

Section 1.02Other Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:


2

 

“ABL-Notes Intercreditor Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

Account Debtor” means any Person that is or may become obligated to any Grantor under, with respect to or on account of an Account.

Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

Article 9 Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01(a).

Collateral” means Article 9 Collateral and Pledged Collateral.

Copyright License” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Person any right under any Copyright owned by any Grantor or that such Grantor otherwise has the right to license, or granting any right to any Grantor under any Copyright owned by any other Person, or that any other Person now or hereafter otherwise has the right to license, and all rights of such Grantor under any such agreement.

Copyrights” means, with respect to any Person, all of such Person’s right, title and interest in and to the following throughout the world: (a) any and all copyrights, rights and interests in such copyrights, works protectable by copyright and copyright registrations, in each case whether as author, assignee, transferee or otherwise, (b) all extensions, renewals and restorations for any of the foregoing, (c) all income, royalties, damages, license fees and payments now or hereafter due and/or payable under any of the foregoing, including damages or payments for past or future infringements or other violations for any of the foregoing and (d) the right to sue for past, present, and future infringements or other violations of any of the foregoing.

Credit Agreement” means that Credit Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2020, by and among the Issuer, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto from time to time in their capacities as lenders thereunder, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, replacements, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof.

Effective Date” means the “Issue Date” as such term is defined in the Indenture.

Excluded Equity Interests” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

Excluded Personal Property” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01.

Excluded Property” means all the following assets and property of any Grantor:

(i) (A) all leasehold interests (other than any leasehold to the extent mortgaged under the Credit Agreement), (B) fee-owned real property with a value less than $30,000,000 and (C) any building, structure or improvement located in an area determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to have special flood hazards (other than any such property required to be pledged under the Credit Agreement);

(ii) aircraft, rolling stock, motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title, letter-of-credit rights (except to the extent perfection can be obtained by filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements) and commercial tort claims (x) for which a complaint or


3

 

counterclaim has not yet been filed in a court of competent jurisdiction or (y) reasonably expected to result in a judgment not in excess of $20,000,000;

(iii) “margin stock” (within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), and pledges and security interests prohibited by applicable law, rule or regulation;

(iv) equity interests in the following subsidiaries of the Issuer: (A) each subsidiary designated by the Issuer for the purpose of this clause (A) from time to time, for so long as any such subsidiary does not constitute a Material Subsidiary (as defined in the Credit Agreement) as of the most recently ended four fiscal quarters of the Issuer, (B) any Person that is not a wholly-owned subsidiary or otherwise constitutes a joint venture (to the extent (1) requiring the consent of one or more third parties (other than the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries or any director, officer or employee thereof), (2) triggering a right of first refusal or co-sale rights or similar rights of third parties or (3) prohibited by the terms of any applicable organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder’s agreement (provided that such requirement existed on the Effective Date or exists at the time of the acquisition of such equity interests and was not incurred in contemplation of the entry into the Indenture or the acquisition of such equity interests (it being understood that the foregoing shall not be construed to prohibit customary provisions in joint venture agreements))), (C) any special purpose entity or broker-dealer entity, (D) any non-profit entity, (E) any subsidiary designated an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” (as defined in the Indenture) and (F) any Excluded Equity Interests (as defined in Section 3.01 hereof);

(v) assets to the extent a security interest in such assets would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries (as reasonably determined in good faith by the Issuer);

(vi) any lease, license, sublicense or other agreement or any property subject to a purchase money security interest, capitalized lease obligation or similar arrangement to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license, sublicense or agreement, purchase money arrangement, capitalized lease obligation or similar arrangement or require the consent of any Person or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law, other than proceeds and receivables thereof, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law notwithstanding such prohibition;

(vii) assets a pledge of which is (x) legally prohibited or requires governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization or (y) contractually prohibited on the Effective Date or the date of acquisition of such asset (or on the date a Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Guarantor becomes a Guarantor), so long as such prohibition is not created in contemplation of such transaction or of becoming a Guarantor, and unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received, in each case, after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code and other applicable requirements of law;

(viii) any (x) intent-to-use trademark application filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 1051, prior to the accepted filing of a “Statement of Use” and issuance of a “Certificate of Registration” pursuant to Section 1(d) of the Lanham Act or an accepted filing of an “Amendment to Allege Use” whereby such intent-touse trademark application is converted to a “use in commerce” application pursuant to Section 1(c) of the Lanham Act and (y) any other Intellectual Property in any


4

 

jurisdiction where such pledge or security interest would cause the invalidation or abandonment of such Intellectual Property under applicable law;

(ix) accounts primarily holding funds received from insurance companies in connection with the third party claims of management and handling business of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries (together with the funds held in such accounts);

(x) (a) any deposit account the funds in which are used solely for the payment of salaries and wages, workers’ compensation and similar expenses in the ordinary course of business, (b) any deposit account that is a zero-balance disbursement account, (c) any deposit account the funds in which consist solely of (i) funds held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in trust for any director, officer or employee of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or any employee benefit plan maintained by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) funds representing deferred compensation for the directors and employees of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (iii) funds held as part of escrow arrangements permitted under the terms of the Credit Agreement and the Indenture, (d) any securities account the funds in which are used solely for the payment of salaries and wages, workers’ compensation and similar expenses in the ordinary course of business and (e) any securities account the funds or assets in which consist solely of (i) funds or assets held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in trust for any director, officer or employee of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or any employee benefit plan maintained by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) funds or assets representing deferred compensation for the directors and employees of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (iii) funds held as part of escrow arrangements to the extent permitted under the terms of the Credit Agreement and the Indenture;

(xi) any governmental licenses or state or local franchises, charters and authorizations, to the extent security interests in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent in such licenses, franchises, charters or authorizations are prohibited or restricted thereby or under applicable law, after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code and other applicable requirements of law; provided that in the event of the termination or elimination of any such prohibition or restriction contained in any applicable license, franchise, charter or authorization or applicable law, a security interest in such licenses, franchises, charters or authorizations shall be automatically and simultaneously granted under the applicable Notes Documents and such license, franchise, charter or authorization shall be included as Collateral;

(xii) assets or rights (including Intellectual Property) located in, protected, registered, applied for or arising under the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States;

(xiii) (A) voting Equity Interests in excess of 65% of the issued and outstanding voting Equity Interests and (B) to the extent such pledge would result in material adverse tax consequences (as determined by the Issuer in its reasonable judgment), non-voting Equity Interests in excess of 65% of the issued and outstanding non-voting Equity Interests, in each case of any Foreign Subsidiary or any Foreign Subsidiary Holding Company; and

(xiv) cash and Permitted Investments (as defined in the Indenture) securing Hedging Obligations (as defined in the Indenture) in the ordinary course of business submitted for clearing in accordance with applicable requirements of law;

provided that no asset of the Issuer or any other Grantor that is subject (or purported to be subject) to a Lien securing any ABL Obligation or Second Priority Obligation shall constitute Excluded Property.


5

 

If the Credit Agreement is terminated and no longer outstanding, each reference to the Credit Agreement in this definition shall be deemed to refer to the Credit Agreement as if they had remained outstanding in the form most recently in effect prior to such termination.

Federal Securities Laws” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.04.

First Lien Credit Agreement Agent” means Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch in such capacity under the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, together with its permitted successors and assigns.

Global Intercompany Note” means the global intercompany note substantially in the form of Exhibit F to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which intercompany obligations and advances owed by any loan party are subordinated to the Secured Obligations.

Grantors” means the Issuer and each Guarantor.

Guarantors” means (a) the Restricted Subsidiaries identified on Schedule I and (b) each other Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a party to this Agreement after the Effective Date.

Intellectual Property” means any and all intellectual property and similar proprietary rights throughout the world, including such rights in any and all inventions, designs, Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Licenses, trade secrets, domain names, confidential or proprietary technical and business information, know-how, show-how or other proprietary data, software and databases and all embodiments or fixations thereof and related documentation and registrations, and all modifications of and improvements to any of the foregoing, and all rights to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement, dilution, misappropriation or other violation or impairment thereof, including the right to receive all income, payments, license fees, royalties, claims, damages and proceeds of suit now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto.

“Intellectual Property Security Agreements” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.02(b).

“Intercreditor Agreements” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

Issuer” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

License” means any Patent License, Trademark License, Copyright License or other written license or sublicense agreement to which any Person is a party, and including all income, royalties, damages, claims and payments now or hereafter due or payable under and with respect thereto, including damages and payments for past and future breaches thereof and all rights to sue for past, present and future breaches thereof.

Majority Holders” means Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes as determined in accordance with the Indenture.

New York UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.


6

 

Notes Documents” means the Indenture, this Collateral Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreements, the Intellectual Property Security Agreements, the mortgages and each other agreement, instrument or other document entered into in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent or any other holders of Obligations in respect of the Notes, including the Guarantees (and the successors and assigns of each of the Notes and the Guarantees), for purposes of securing the Obligations in respect of the Notes (including the Guarantees), as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Paid in Full” and “Payment in Full” means payment in full in cash of all of the Secured Obligations.

Patent License” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Person any right to make, use or sell any invention under a Patent owned by any Grantor, or that any Grantor otherwise has the right to license, or granting to any Grantor any right to make, use or sell any invention under a Patent owned by any other Person, or that any other Person otherwise has the right to license, and all rights of any Grantor under any such agreement.

Patents” means, with respect to any Person, all of such Person’s right, title and interest to the following throughout the world: (a) any and all patents and patent applications, (b) all inventions and improvements claimed therein, (c) all reissues, divisions, continuations, renewals, extensions, reexaminations and continuations-in-part thereof, (d) all income, royalties, damages, license fees and payments now or hereafter due and/or payable under any of the foregoing, including damages or payments for past or future infringements or other violations for any of the foregoing and (e) the right to sue for past, present, and future infringements or other violations of any of the foregoing.

Perfection Certificate” means the Perfection Certificate dated the Effective Date delivered by the Grantors to the Notes Collateral Agent.

Pledged Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

Pledged Debt Securities” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

Pledged Equity Interests” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

Pledged Securities” means any promissory notes, stock certificates, unit certificates, limited liability membership interest certificates and other certificated securities now or hereafter included in the Pledged Collateral, including all certificates, instruments or other documents representing or evidencing any Pledged Collateral.

“Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.

Second Lien Indenture Agent” means U.S. Bank in such capacity under the Intercreditor Agreement, together with its successors and assigns.

Secured Obligations” means the “Notes Obligations” as such term is defined in the Indenture.

Secured Parties” means the Trustee, the Notes Collateral Agent and the Holders of the Notes.


7

 

Security Interest” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01(a).

“Supplement” means an instrument in the form of Exhibit I hereto, or any other form approved by the Notes Collateral Agent, and in each case reasonably satisfactory to the Notes Collateral Agent.

Trademark License” means any written agreement, now or hereafter in effect, granting to any Person any right to use any Trademark owned by any Grantor or that any Grantor otherwise has the right to license, or granting to any Grantor any right to use any Trademark owned by any other Person or that any other Person otherwise has the right to license, and all rights of any Grantor under any such agreement.

Trademarks” means, with respect to any Person, all of such Person’s right, title and interest in and to the following throughout the world: (a) any and all trademarks, service marks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, domain names, fictitious business names, trade styles, trade dress, logos, other source or business identifiers and designs, all registrations, applications for registration and recordings thereof and all goodwill associated with or symbolize by any of the foregoing, (b) all extensions and renewals of the foregoing, (c) all income, royalties, damages, license fees and payments now or hereafter due and/or payable under any of the foregoing, including damages or payments for past or future infringements or other violations for any of the foregoing and (d) the right to sue for past, present, and future infringements or other violations of any of the foregoing.

UCC” means the New York UCC; provided that, in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of, or remedies with respect to, any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in such other jurisdiction solely for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, priority or remedies.

ARTICLE 2

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE 3

Pledge of Securities

Section 3.01Pledge. As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Secured Obligations, each Grantor hereby assigns and pledges to the Notes Collateral Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Notes Collateral Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under (a)(i) the shares of capital stock and other Equity Interests issued by any Grantor and any wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer (other than any Equity Interests constituting Excluded Property (the Equity Interests so excluded being collectively referred to herein as “Excluded Equity Interests”)) now directly owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor, including those set forth opposite the name of such Grantor (as the owner of such Equity Interest) on Schedule II, and (ii) all certificates and any other instruments representing all such Equity Interests (collectively, the “Pledged Equity Interests”); (b)(i) any debt securities now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor, including those listed opposite the name of such Grantor on Schedule II, and


8

 

(ii) all promissory notes and any other instruments evidencing all such debt securities (collectively, the “Pledged Debt Securities”); (c) subject to Section 3.06, all payments of principal or interest, dividends, cash, instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of, in exchange for or upon the conversion of, and all other Proceeds received in respect of, the securities and instruments referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above; (d) subject to Section 3.06, all rights and privileges of such Grantor with respect to the securities, instruments and other property referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above; and (e) all Proceeds of any and all of the foregoing (the items referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above being collectively referred to as the “Pledged Collateral”).

Section 3.02Delivery of the Pledged Collateral. (a)Each Grantor agrees that it shall use its reasonable best efforts to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Notes Collateral Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to an applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements) any and all Pledged Securities (i) within 120 days after the Effective Date, in the case of any such Pledged Securities owned by such Grantor on the Effective Date, and (ii) within 60 days following the acquisition thereof by such Grantor, in the case of any such Pledged Securities acquired by such Grantor after the Effective Date.

(b)    Each Grantor (i) will cause all Indebtedness of the Issuer and each Subsidiary that, in each case, is owing to such Grantor, to be evidenced by, at Grantor’s option, the Global Intercompany Note or one or more standalone promissory notes, (ii) will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Global Intercompany Note to be delivered within 120 days after the Effective Date to the Notes Collateral Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to an applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements) pursuant to the terms hereof and (iii) will use its reasonable best efforts to cause any intercompany Indebtedness not evidenced by the Global Intercompany Note but instead evidenced by a separate intercompany promissory note having a principal amount exceeding $25,000,000 that is owing to a Grantor to be delivered to the Notes Collateral Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to an applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements) within 120 days after the Effective Date pursuant to the terms hereof along with proper powers and instruments of transfer pursuant to the terms hereof.

(c)    Upon delivery to the Notes Collateral Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to an applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements), (i) any Pledged Securities shall be accompanied by undated stock powers duly executed by the applicable Grantor in blank or other undated instruments of transfer and (ii) all other tangible property comprising part of the Pledged Collateral to be delivered pursuant to this Section 3.02 shall be accompanied by proper undated instruments of assignment duly executed by the applicable Grantor in blank. Each delivery of Pledged Securities after the date hereof shall be accompanied by a schedule describing the Pledged Securities so delivered, which schedule shall be deemed to supplement Schedule II and to be attached and made a part hereof, provided that failure to provide any such schedule or any error therein shall not affect the validity of the pledge of any Pledged Securities.

Section 3.03Representations and Warranties. The Grantors jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Notes Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:

(a)    Schedule II sets forth, as of the Effective Date, a true and complete list, with respect to each Grantor, of (i) all Pledged Equity Interests owned by such Grantor and the


9

 

percentage of the issued and outstanding units of each class of the Equity Interests of the issuer thereof represented by such Pledged Equity Interests owned by such Grantor and (ii) all Pledged Debt Securities owned by such Grantor and all promissory notes and other instruments evidencing such Pledged Debt Securities, other than any Pledged Debt Security, or promissory note or other instrument evidencing any Pledged Debt Security, evidencing a Permitted Investment or Indebtedness of any Person (other than the Issuer or any Subsidiary) in a principal amount not in excess of $25,000,000;

(b)    the Pledged Equity Interests and Pledged Debt Securities have been issued by the issuers thereof and, in the case of such Pledged Equity Interests and Pledged Debt Securities issued by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, have been duly and validly authorized and (i) in the case of such Pledged Equity Interests issued by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, are fully paid and nonassessable and (ii) in the case of such Pledged Debt Securities issued by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, are legal, valid and binding obligations of the issuers thereof, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law;

(c)    except for the security interests granted hereunder, each of the Grantors (i) is and, subject to any transfers made in compliance with the Indenture, will continue to be the direct owner, beneficially and of record, of the Pledged Securities indicated on Schedule II as owned by such Grantor (it being understood that this clause shall not affect a Grantor’s ability to sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of the Pledged Securities in accordance with Section 4.15 of the Indenture), (ii) holds the same free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens created or permitted under the Notes Documents and Permitted Liens), (iii) will make no assignment, pledge, hypothecation or transfer of, or create or permit to exist any security interest in or other Lien on, the Pledged Collateral (other than Liens created or permitted under the Notes Documents, Permitted Liens and transfers made in compliance with the Indenture) and (iv) will defend its title or interest thereto or therein against any and all Liens (other than Liens created or permitted under the Notes Documents and Permitted Liens), however arising, of all Persons whomsoever;

(d)    except as disclosed on Schedule II or any supplemental schedule furnished pursuant to Section 3.02(c), and except for restrictions and limitations imposed by the Notes Documents or securities laws generally, and, in the case of clause (ii) below, except for limitations existing as of the Effective Date in the articles or certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents of any Restricted Subsidiary, (i) the Pledged Collateral is and will continue to be freely transferable and assignable, and (ii) none of the Pledged Collateral is or will be subject to any option, right of first refusal, shareholders agreement, charter or bylaw provisions or contractual restriction of any nature that might prohibit, impair, delay or otherwise affect the pledge of such Pledged Collateral hereunder, the sale or disposition thereof pursuant hereto or the exercise by the Notes Collateral Agent of rights and remedies hereunder;

(e)    each of the Grantors has the power and authority to pledge the Pledged Collateral pledged by it hereunder in the manner hereby done or contemplated; and

(f)    by virtue of the execution and delivery by the Grantors of this Agreement, the Notes Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, has a legal and valid security interest in the Pledged Securities securing the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations and when any Pledged Securities are delivered to and subject to continued possession by the Notes Collateral Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to an applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements) in the


10

 

State of New York in accordance with this Agreement, the Notes Collateral Agent will obtain a legal, valid and perfected lien upon and security interest in such Pledged Securities, under the New York UCC to the extent such lien and security interest may be created and perfected under the New York UCC, as security for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, subject to no prior Lien (other than Liens created under the Notes Documents and Permitted Liens).

Section 3.04Certification of Limited Liability Company and Limited Partnership Interests. Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that (i) to the extent any interest in any limited liability company or unlimited liability company or limited partnership controlled now or in the future by any Grantor and pledged hereunder is a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York UCC and is governed by Article 8 of the UCC, such interest shall be at all times hereafter represented by a certificate and shall be at all times hereafter a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York UCC and governed by Article 8 of the UCC and (ii) to the extent any interest in any limited liability company or unlimited liability company or limited partnership controlled now or in the future by any Grantor and pledged hereunder is not a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York UCC, such Grantor shall at no time elect to treat any such interest as a “security” within the meaning of Article 8 of the New York UCC, nor shall such interest be represented by a certificate, unless such Grantor provides prior written notification to the Notes Collateral Agent of such election and such interest is thereafter represented by a certificate that is delivered to the Notes Collateral Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to an applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements) pursuant to Section 3.02.

Section 3.05Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations. The Notes Collateral Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to an applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements), on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall hold the Pledged Securities in the name of the applicable Grantor, endorsed or assigned in blank or in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to an applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements). Subject to the provisions of any applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements, following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Notes Collateral Agent may (and to the extent that action by it is required, the relevant Grantor, if directed to do so by the Notes Collateral Agent, will as promptly as practicable) cause each of the Pledged Securities (or any portion thereof specified in such direction) to be transferred of record into the name of the Notes Collateral Agent or its nominee. Following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Grantor will promptly give to the Notes Collateral Agent copies of any notices or other communications received by it with respect to Pledged Securities registered in the name of such Grantor. Subject to the provisions of any applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements, following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and after prior written notice to the applicable Grantor, the Notes Collateral Agent shall at all times have the right to exchange the certificates representing Pledged Securities for certificates of smaller or larger denominations for any purpose consistent with this Agreement.

Section 3.06Voting Rights; Dividends and Interest. (a)Unless and until an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Notes Collateral Agent shall have notified the Grantors that their rights under this Section 3.06 are being suspended:

(i)    each Grantor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or other rights and powers inuring to an owner of Pledged Collateral or any part thereof for any purpose; provided that such rights and powers shall not be exercised in any manner that would reasonably


11

 

be expected to materially and adversely affect the rights and remedies of the Notes Collateral Agent in respect of the Pledged Collateral;

(ii)    the Notes Collateral Agent shall execute and deliver to each Grantor, or cause to be executed and delivered to such Grantor, all such proxies, powers of attorney and other instruments as such Grantor may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Grantor to exercise the voting and/or other rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 3.06; and

(iii)    each Grantor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Collateral, but only to the extent that such dividends, interest, principal and other distributions are permitted by, and otherwise paid or distributed in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Indenture, the other Notes Documents and applicable laws, provided that any noncash dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that would constitute Pledged Equity Interests or Pledged Debt Securities, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Equity Interests of the issuer of any Pledged Securities or received in exchange for Pledged Securities or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall be and become part of the Pledged Collateral and, if received by any Grantor, and required to be delivered to the Notes Collateral Agent hereunder, shall not be commingled by such Grantor with any of its other funds or property but shall be held separate and apart therefrom, shall be held in trust for the benefit of, or for and on behalf of, the Notes Collateral Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to an applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements), for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and shall be forthwith delivered to the Notes Collateral Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to an applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements) in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsements, stock powers or other instruments of transfer).

(b)    Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, after the Notes Collateral Agent shall have notified the Grantors of the suspension of their rights under paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 3.06, all rights of any Grantor to dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Grantor is authorized to receive pursuant to paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 3.06, shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Notes Collateral Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to an applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements), which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to receive and retain such dividends, interest, principal or other distributions. All dividends, interest, principal or other distributions received by any Grantor contrary to the provisions of this Section 3.06 shall be held in trust for the benefit of, or for and on behalf of, the Notes Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, shall be segregated from other property or funds of such Grantor and shall be forthwith delivered to the Notes Collateral Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to an applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements) upon demand in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsements, stock or note powers or other instruments of transfer). Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall be retained by the Notes Collateral Agent in an account to be established by the Notes Collateral Agent upon receipt of such money or other property shall be held as security for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.02. After all Events of Default have been cured or waived and the Issuer


12

 

has delivered to the Notes Collateral Agent a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer or other Officer of the Issuer to that effect, the Notes Collateral Agent shall promptly repay to each Grantor (without interest) all dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that such Grantor would otherwise have been permitted to retain pursuant to the terms of paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 3.06 and that remain in such account.

(c)    Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, after the Notes Collateral Agent shall have notified the Grantors of the suspension of their rights under paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 3.06, all rights of any Grantor to exercise the voting and other rights and powers it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 3.06, and the obligations of the Notes Collateral Agent under paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 3.06, shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Notes Collateral Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to an applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements), which shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to exercise such voting and other rights and powers, provided, that, unless otherwise directed by the Majority Holders, the Notes Collateral Agent shall have the right from time to time following and during the continuance of an Event of Default to permit the Grantors to exercise such rights.

(d)    Any notice given by the Notes Collateral Agent to the Grantors suspending their rights under paragraph (a) of this Section 3.06 (i) shall be given in writing, (ii) may be given to one or more of the Grantors at the same or different times and (iii) may suspend the rights and powers of the Grantors under paragraph (a)(i) or paragraph (a)(iii) in part without suspending all such rights or powers (as specified by the Notes Collateral Agent in its sole and absolute discretion) and without waiving or otherwise affecting the Notes Collateral Agent’s right to give additional notices from time to time suspending other rights and powers so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

ARTICLE 4

Security Interests in Personal Property

Section 4.01Security Interest. (a)As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Secured Obligations and subject to Section 4.01(d), each Grantor hereby grants to the Notes Collateral Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest (the “Security Interest”) in all right, title and interest in, to and under any and all of the following assets now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in, to or under which such Grantor now has or at any time hereafter may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the Article 9 Collateral”):

(i)    all Accounts;

(ii)    all Chattel Paper;

(iii)    all cash, cash equivalents, Deposit Accounts, Securities Accounts and Commodities Accounts;

(iv)    all Documents;

(v)    all Equipment;


13

 

(vi)    all General Intangibles, (including (x) any Equity Interests in other Persons that do not constitute Investment Property and (y) any Intellectual Property);

(vii)    all Instruments;

(viii)    all Inventory;

(ix)    all other Goods;

(x)    all Investment Property;

(xi)    all Letter-of-Credit Rights;

(xii)    all Commercial Tort Claims specifically described on Schedule IV, as such Schedule may be supplemented from time to time pursuant to Section 4.04(e);

(xiii) all Fixtures;

(xiv)    all books and records pertaining to the Article 9 Collateral; and

(xv)    to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds and products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing.

(b)    Each Grantor agrees that it will file in any relevant jurisdiction any initial financing statements (including fixture filings) with respect to the Article 9 Collateral or any part thereof and amendments thereto that (i) indicate the Collateral as all assets, whether now owned or at any time hereafter acquired, of such Grantor or words of similar effect as being of an equal or lesser scope or with greater detail, and (ii) contain the information required by Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code of each applicable jurisdiction for the filing of any financing statement or amendment, including (A) whether such Grantor is an organization, the type of organization and any organizational identification number, if any, issued to such Grantor and (B) in the case of a financing statement filed as a fixture filing, a sufficient description of the real property to which such Article 9 Collateral relates. Each Grantor will file with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office (or any successor office) such documents as may be necessary or advisable for the purpose of perfecting, confirming, continuing, enforcing or protecting the Security Interest granted by such Grantor and naming any Grantor or the Grantors as debtors and the Notes Collateral Agent as secured party.

(c)    The Security Interest and the security interest granted pursuant to Article III are granted as security only and shall not subject the Notes Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to, or in any way alter or modify, any obligation or liability of any Grantor with respect to or arising out of the Collateral.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Article 9 Collateral include or security interest granted hereunder attach to (i) any Excluded Property, (ii) any assets if, to the extent and for so long as the grant of a Lien thereon to secure the Secured Obligations is prohibited by any requirements of law or contract (so long as any contractual restriction is not incurred in contemplation of such entity becoming a subsidiary of the Issuer) (other than to the extent that any such prohibition would be rendered ineffective pursuant to any other applicable requirements of law, including pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the New York UCC); provided that such security interest shall attach immediately at such time as the condition causing such prohibition shall no longer exist and, to the extent severable, shall attach


14

 

immediately to any portion of such asset that does not result in such prohibition, (iii) any Excluded Equity Interests, (iv) any (A) intent-to-use trademark application filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 1051, solely during the period prior to the accepted filing of a “Statement of Use” and issuance of a “Certificate of Registration” pursuant to Section 1(d) of the Lanham Act or an accepted filing of an “Amendment to Allege Use” whereby such intent-to-use trademark application is converted to a “use in commerce” application pursuant to Section 1(c) of the Lanham Act (it being understood that, following such period, such trademark registration or application, as applicable, shall be deemed automatically subject to the security interest granted herein and included in the Article 9 Collateral) and (B) other Intellectual Property in any jurisdiction in all cases to the extent, if any, that, and solely during the period, if any, where, such pledge or security interest would cause the invalidation or abandonment of such Intellectual Property under applicable law, (v) Commercial Tort Claims for which a complaint has not yet been filed in a court of competent jurisdiction and Commercial Tort Claims with a value, as reasonably determined by the Issuer, of less than $20,000,000 and (vi) any assets as to which the Issuer reasonably determines that the costs of obtaining such security interests in such assets or perfection thereof are excessive in relation to the benefit to the Holders (or, in the case of ABL Priority Collateral, the lenders under the Credit Agreement) of the security to be afforded thereby (the items referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) above being collectively referred to as the “Excluded Personal Property”); provided that Excluded Personal Property shall not include any Proceeds, substitutions or replacements of any Excluded Personal Property (unless such Proceeds, substitutions or replacements would constitute Excluded Personal Property).

Section 4.02Representations and Warranties. The Grantors jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Notes Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties that:

(a)    Each Grantor has good and valid rights in all its Article 9 Collateral with respect to which it has purported to grant the Security Interest.

(b)    The Perfection Certificate has been duly prepared, completed and executed and the information set forth therein, including the exact legal name, jurisdiction of organization and chief executive office of each Grantor, is correct and complete as of the Effective Date. The Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (including fixture filings, as applicable) or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations as described in the Perfection Certificate to be filed in each governmental, municipal or other office specified in Schedules 2(a) and 2(b) to the Perfection Certificate (or specified by notice from the Issuer to the Notes Collateral Agent after the Effective Date in the case of filings, recordings or registrations required by Section 4.13, 13.02 or 13.03 of the Indenture), are all the filings, recordings and registrations (other than filings required to be made in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office in order to perfect the Security Interest in Article 9 Collateral consisting of all United States registered or applied for Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights and exclusive Copyright Licenses for which the applicable Grantor is the licensee and the licensed work is registered at the United States Copyright Office) that are necessary to publish notice of and protect the validity of and to establish a legal, valid and perfected security interest in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) in respect of all Article 9 Collateral in which the Security Interest may be perfected by such filing, recording or registration of such documents in the United States of America (or any political subdivision thereof) and its territories and possessions, and no further or subsequent filing, refiling, recording, rerecording, registration


15

 

or reregistration is necessary in any such jurisdiction, except as provided under applicable law with respect to the filing of continuation statements. A Patent Security Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit II hereto, a Trademark Security Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit III hereto and a Copyright Security Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit IV hereto (such agreements, collectively, the “Intellectual Property Security Agreements”), in each case containing a description of the Article 9 Collateral consisting of all United States registered or applied for Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights or exclusive Copyright Licenses, as applicable, for which the applicable Grantor is the licensee and the licensed work is registered at the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, and executed by each Grantor owning any such Article 9 Collateral, shall be recorded by the applicable Grantor with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 261, 15 U.S.C. § 1060 or 17 U.S.C. § 205 and the regulations thereunder, as applicable, to establish a perfected security interest in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) in respect of all Article 9 Collateral consisting of registered or applied-for United States Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and exclusive Copyright Licenses for which the applicable Grantor is the licensee and the licensed work is registered at the United States Copyright Office in which a security interest may be perfected by such filing, recording or registration of such documents in the above-referenced offices. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, other than the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, the Intellectual Property Security Agreements, filings pursuant to Section 4.05(e) and, as applicable, Supplements, no Grantor shall be obligated to take any other steps or actions in connection with the grant or perfection of the security interest of the Notes Collateral Agent in any Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property.

(c)    The Article 9 Collateral is owned by the Grantors, or the Grantors have rights in such Article 9 Collateral, free and clear of any Lien, except for the Liens permitted under Section 4.10 of the Indenture.

(d)    Schedule III hereto sets forth, as of the Effective Date, a true and complete list of substantially all (i) registered and applied for United States Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights owned by any Grantor and (ii) exclusive Copyright Licenses for which a Grantor is the licensee and the licensed work is registered at the United States Copyright Office, in each case of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), that are included in the Article 9 Collateral. As of the Effective Date, all material registrations of Intellectual Property listed in Schedule III are unexpired, subsisting and have not been canceled, and to the knowledge of the Grantors, are valid. Schedule III, together with the supplement to Schedule III hereto required by Section 4.05(e), will set forth, as of the date such supplement is delivered pursuant to Section 4.05(e), a true and complete list of all (x) registered and applied for United States Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights owned by any Grantor and (y) exclusive Copyright Licenses for which a Grantor is the licensee and the licensed work is registered at the United States Copyright Office, in each case of the foregoing clauses (x) and (y), that are included in the Article 9 Collateral. As of the date such supplement is delivered pursuant to Section 4.05(e), all material registrations of Intellectual Property included in such supplement will be unexpired, subsisting and not canceled, and to the knowledge of the Grantors, valid.

(e)    The Liens on all Article 9 Collateral owned by each Grantor (i) have been validly created hereunder, (ii) will attach to each item of such Article 9 Collateral on the Effective Date (or, if such Grantor first obtains rights thereto on a later date, on such later date) and (iii) when so attached, will secure all the Secured Obligations.

The Notes Collateral Agent shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon the information provided in this Section 4.02 and elsewhere in this Agreement as a full and


16

 

exhaustive list of all actions required in order to perfect the Collateral, and shall have no obligation to independently determine or verify the adequacy of such actions.

Section 4.03Covenants. (a) Each Grantor agrees to promptly notify the Notes Collateral Agent in writing of any change (i) in its legal name, (ii) in the location of its chief executive office or its principal place of business, (iii) in its identity or type of organization or corporate form, (iv) in its federal taxpayer identification number or organizational identification number or (v) in its jurisdiction of organization. Each Grantor agrees to promptly provide the Notes Collateral Agent with certified organizational documents reflecting any of the changes described in the first sentence of this paragraph. Each Grantor agrees to make any and all filings under the UCC or otherwise that are required in order for the Notes Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest, having the priority required by this Agreement in all the Article 9 Collateral.

(b)    Each Grantor shall, at its own expense, take any and all actions necessary to defend title to the Article 9 Collateral against all Persons and to defend the Security Interest of the Notes Collateral Agent in the Article 9 Collateral and the priority thereof against any Lien not permitted pursuant to Section 4.10 of the Indenture.

(c)    Each Grantor shall remain liable to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it under each contract, agreement or instrument relating to the Article 9 Collateral, all in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof.

(d)    None of the Grantors shall make or permit to be made any transfer of the Article 9 Collateral except as permitted by the Indenture or this Agreement, and except that the Grantors may use, license and dispose of the Article 9 Collateral in any lawful manner not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, the Indenture or any other Notes Document unless and until the Trustee shall notify the Grantors that an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and that during the continuance thereof the Grantors shall not sell, convey, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Article 9 Collateral (which notice may be given by telephone if promptly confirmed in writing).

(e)    The Grantors, at their own expense, shall maintain or cause to be maintained insurance (which may be self-insurance) with risk retentions in such amounts and against such risks as are consistent with the past practices of the Grantors or otherwise as is customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. Each Grantor irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Notes Collateral Agent (and all officers, employees or agents designated by the Notes Collateral Agent) as such Grantor’s true and lawful agent (and attorney-in-fact) for the purpose, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, of endorsing the name of such Grantor on any check, draft, instrument or other item of payment for the proceeds of such policies of insurance and for making all determinations and decisions with respect thereto. All sums disbursed by the Notes Collateral Agent in connection with this paragraph, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs, expenses and other charges relating thereto, shall be payable, upon demand, by the Grantors to the Notes Collateral Agent and shall be additional Secured Obligations secured hereby.

Section 4.04Other Actions. In order to further ensure the attachment, perfection and priority of, and the ability of the Notes Collateral Agent to enforce, the Security Interest, each Grantor agrees, in each case at such Grantor’s own expense, to take the following actions with respect to the following Article 9 Collateral:


17

 

(A)    Instruments and Tangible Chattel Paper. If any Grantor shall at any time hold or acquire any Instruments required to be delivered hereunder (other than any instrument with a face amount of less than $25,000,000 and checks to be deposited in the ordinary course of business) or Tangible Chattel Paper, such Grantor shall forthwith endorse, assign and deliver the same to the Notes Collateral Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to an applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements), accompanied by such instruments of transfer or assignment duly executed in blank as the Notes Collateral Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

(B)    [Reserved.]

(C)    [Reserved.]

(D)    [Reserved.]

(E)    Commercial Tort Claims. If any Grantor shall at any time hold or acquire a Commercial Tort Claim (other than any Commercial Tort Claim for which a complaint has not yet been filed in a court of competent jurisdiction) in an amount reasonably estimated to exceed $20,000,000 (or its equivalent in U.S. Dollars), the Grantor shall promptly notify the Notes Collateral Agent thereof in a writing signed by such Grantor, including an amendment or supplement to Schedule IV, with a summary description of such claim, and grant to the Notes Collateral Agent a security interest therein and in the proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement.

(F)    No Grantor shall be required, nor shall the Notes Collateral Agent be authorized, (i) to perfect pledges, security interests or mortgages of Collateral of Grantors by any means other than by (A) filings pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code, in the office of the Secretary of State (or similar central filing office) of the relevant jurisdiction where the grantor is located (as determined pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code) and filings in the applicable real estate records with respect to real properties required to be mortgaged under the Senior Credit Facilities, (B) with respect to Intellectual Property, filings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office as expressly required in the Notes Documents, and (C) delivery to the Notes Collateral Agent, to be held in its possession, of the Global Intercompany Note and all Collateral consisting of intercompany notes in a principal amount of $25,000,000 or more, owed by a single obligor, stock certificates of Restricted Subsidiaries and instruments, in each case as expressly required in the Notes Documents or (ii) to enter into any control agreement with respect to any cash and Permitted Investments, other deposit accounts, securities accounts or commodities accounts. For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary, including the foregoing, (x) no actions (including filings or searches) shall be required in order to create or perfect any security interest in any assets held or located outside of the United States of the Grantors (including any Intellectual Property registered or applied-for in, or otherwise located in, protected or arising under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the United States) and (y) no foreign law security or pledge agreements or foreign law mortgages or deeds shall be required outside of the United States with respect to any Grantor.

Section 4.05Covenants Regarding Patent, Trademark and Copyright Collateral. (a)Each Grantor agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly, do any act or omit to do to any act whereby any material Intellectual Property included in the Article 9 Collateral may become invalidated or dedicated to the public.


18

 

(b)    Subject to Section 4.05(a), each Grantor shall notify the Notes Collateral Agent promptly if it knows or becomes aware that any material Intellectual Property included in the Article 9 Collateral may become abandoned, lost or dedicated to the public, or of any materially adverse determination or development (excluding routine office actions issued in the ordinary course of prosecution) regarding such Grantor’s ownership of such Intellectual Property, including, as applicable, its right to register the same, or its right to keep and maintain the same and shall take such actions as are appropriate under the circumstances in the reasonable business judgment of such Grantor to protect such Article 9 Collateral.

(c)    Each Grantor shall take all necessary steps that are consistent with such Grantor’s reasonable business judgment (including in any proceeding before the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office) to maintain any Intellectual Property included in the Article 9 Collateral that is material to the conduct of such Grantor’s business.

(d)    In the event that any Grantor has reason to believe that any material Intellectual Property owned by, or exclusively licensed to, such Grantor and included in the Article 9 Collateral has been or may become materially infringed, misappropriated or diluted by a third party, such Grantor promptly shall notify the Notes Collateral Agent and shall take such actions as are appropriate under the circumstances in the reasonable business judgment of such Grantor to protect such Article 9 Collateral.

(e)    If any Grantor, either directly or through any agent, employee, licensee or designee, files an application for registration of any Patent, Trademark or Copyright with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office or otherwise becomes the owner of any Patent, Trademark or Copyright registered or applied for in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or United States Copyright Office or the exclusive licensee under a Copyright License for a Copyright registered at the United States Copyright Office, in each case, that would constitute Article 9 Collateral, such Grantor shall provide the Notes Collateral Agent with the information required by Schedule III hereto at the time of delivery of the annual reports pursuant to Section 4.03(a) of the Indenture, and, thereafter, upon request of the Notes Collateral Agent, such Grantor shall promptly execute and deliver any and all Intellectual Property Security Agreements or other instruments as the Notes Collateral Agent may reasonably request to evidence and perfect the Notes Collateral Agent’s security interest in such Intellectual Property.

(f)    Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent any Grantor from disposing of, discontinuing the use or maintenance of, failing to preserve, protect, pursue, renew, enforce, extend or keep in full force and effect, or otherwise allow to lapse, terminate, become invalid or unenforceable or dedicate to the public domain any of its Intellectual Property, to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement. For the purposes of this Section 4.05, the definition of “Intellectual Property” shall exclude Licenses.

Section 4.06COVID-19 Pandemic. The Issuer shall have the right to a 90 day extension to deliver any item or complete any action pursuant to this Agreement if it delivers an Officer’s Certificate to the Notes Collateral Agent stating that it is impracticable to meet the foregoing deadline in light of restrictions related to COVID-19.


19

 

ARTICLE 5

Remedies

Section 5.01Remedies Upon Default. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and following notice to the Issuer, each Grantor agrees to deliver each item of Collateral to the Notes Collateral Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to an applicable intercreditor agreement, including but not limited to the Intercreditor Agreements) on demand, and it is agreed that, subject to any applicable intercreditor agreement, the Notes Collateral Agent shall have the right to take any or all of the following actions at the same or different times: (a) with respect to any Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property, to license or sublicense (subject, in the case of Trademarks, to reasonable quality control obligations and, in the case of trade secrets, to standard confidentiality obligations), whether general, special or otherwise, and whether on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis, any such Article 9 Collateral throughout the world on such terms and conditions and in such manner as the Notes Collateral Agent shall determine (other than in violation of any then-existing licensing or other contractual arrangements to the extent that waivers cannot be obtained and subject to Section 5.03), and (b) with or without legal process and with or without prior notice or demand for performance, to take possession of the Article 9 Collateral and without liability for trespass to enter any premises where the Article 9 Collateral may be located for the purpose of taking possession of or removing the Article 9 Collateral and, generally, to exercise any and all rights afforded to a secured party under the UCC or other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor agrees that the Notes Collateral Agent shall have the right, subject to the mandatory requirements of applicable law, to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral at a public or private sale or at any broker’s board or on any securities exchange, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery as the Notes Collateral Agent shall deem appropriate. The Notes Collateral Agent shall be authorized at any such sale of securities (if it deems it advisable to do so) to restrict the prospective bidders or purchasers to Persons who will represent and agree that they are purchasing the Collateral for their own account for investment and not with a view to the distribution or sale thereof, and upon consummation of any such sale the Notes Collateral Agent shall have the right to assign, transfer and deliver to the purchaser or purchasers thereof the Collateral so sold. Each such purchaser at any sale of Collateral shall hold the property sold absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of any Grantor, and each Grantor hereby waives (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) all rights of redemption, stay and appraisal that such Grantor now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted.

The Notes Collateral Agent shall give the applicable Grantors no less than 10 days’ prior written notice (which each Grantor agrees is reasonable notice within the meaning of Section 9-611 of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions) of the Notes Collateral Agent’s intention to make any sale of Collateral. Such notice, in the case of a public sale, shall state the time and place for such sale and, in the case of a sale at a broker’s board or on a securities exchange, shall state the board or exchange at which such sale is to be made and the day on which the Collateral or portion thereof, will first be offered for sale at such board or exchange. Any such public sale shall be held at such time or times within ordinary business hours and at such place or places as the Notes Collateral Agent may fix and state in the notice (if any) of such sale. At any such sale, the Collateral, or portion thereof, to be sold may be sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Notes Collateral Agent may (in its sole and absolute discretion, acting at the direction of the Majority Holders) determine. The Notes Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of any Collateral if it shall determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that notice of sale of such Collateral shall have been given. The Notes Collateral Agent may, without notice


20

 

or publication, adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which the same was so adjourned. In case any sale of all or any part of the Collateral is made on credit or for future delivery, the Collateral so sold may be retained by the Notes Collateral Agent until the sale price is paid by the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but neither the Notes Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party shall incur any liability in case any such purchaser or purchasers shall fail to take up and pay for the Collateral so sold and, in case of any such failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon like notice. In the event of a foreclosure by the Notes Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition, the Notes Collateral Agent or any Holder of the Notes may be the purchaser or licensor of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other disposition, and the Notes Collateral Agent, at the direction of the Majority Holders, as agent for and representative of the Secured Parties (but not any Holder or Holders of Notes in its or their respective individual capacities unless the Majority Holders 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 Notes Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties at such sale or other disposition. For purposes hereof, a written agreement to purchase the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof; the Notes Collateral Agent shall be free to carry out such sale pursuant to such agreement and no Grantor shall be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any portion thereof subject thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Notes Collateral Agent shall have entered into such an agreement all Events of Default shall have been remedied and the Secured Obligations Paid in Full. As an alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Notes Collateral Agent may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Agreement and to sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a judgment or decree of a court or courts having competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a proceeding by a court-appointed receiver. Any sale pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.01 shall be deemed to conform to commercially reasonable standards as provided in Section 9-610(b) of the New York UCC or its equivalent in other jurisdictions.

Section 5.02Application of Proceeds. Subject to Section 7.18 hereof, the Notes Collateral Agent shall apply the proceeds of any collection, sale, foreclosure or other realization upon the Collateral, including any Collateral consisting of cash, as follows:

FIRST, to the payment of all costs and expenses incurred by, and all indemnity and fee obligations (other than contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement obligations for which no claim has been made) owed to, the Notes Collateral Agent in connection with such collection, sale, foreclosure or other realization or otherwise in connection with this Agreement, any other Notes Document or any of the Secured Obligations, including all court costs and the fees and expenses of its agents and legal counsel, the repayment of all advances made by the Notes Collateral Agent hereunder or under any other Notes Document on behalf of any Grantor and any other costs or expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or under any other Notes Document;

SECOND, to the payment in full of the Secured Obligations (the amounts so applied to be distributed among the Secured Parties pro rata in accordance with the amounts of the Secured Obligations owed to them on the date of any such distribution); and


21

 

THIRD, to whomever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same (including pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreements), to the Grantors, their successors or assigns, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.

The Notes Collateral Agent shall have absolute discretion as to the time of application of any such proceeds, moneys or balances in accordance with this Agreement and any applicable intercreditor agreement. Upon any sale of Collateral by the Notes Collateral Agent (including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial proceeding), the receipt of the Notes Collateral Agent or of the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the Grantors and the purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so sold and such Grantors, purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Notes Collateral Agent or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication thereof. The Grantors shall remain liable for any deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay all Secured Obligations, including any attorneys’ fees and other expenses incurred by the Notes Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to collect such deficiency.

Section 5.03Grant of License to Use Intellectual Property. Solely for the purpose of enabling the Notes Collateral Agent to exercise rights and remedies under this Agreement at such time as the Notes Collateral Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, each Grantor hereby grants to the Notes Collateral Agent an irrevocable (until terminated as provided below), nonexclusive, non-transferrable, limited license (exercisable without payment of royalty or other compensation to the Grantors and effective solely upon the occurrence and solely during the continuation of an Event of Default), subject, in the case of Trademarks, to reasonable quality control obligations and, in the case of trade secrets, to standard confidentiality obligations, to use, license or sublicense any of the Article 9 Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, and wherever the same may be located, and including in such license reasonable access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer software and programs used for the compilation or printout thereof, provided that such nonexclusive license and/or sublicense does not violate the express terms of any agreement between a Grantor and a third party, or gives such third party any right of acceleration, modification or cancellation therein. The use of such license by the Notes Collateral Agent may be exercised, at the option of the Notes Collateral Agent, solely upon the occurrence and solely during the continuation of an Event of Default, provided that any license, sublicense or other transaction entered into by the Notes Collateral Agent in accordance herewith shall be binding upon the Grantors notwithstanding any subsequent cure of an Event of Default. For the avoidance of doubt, at the time of the release of the Liens on any Collateral as set forth in Section 7.12, the license granted to the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 5.03 with respect to such Collateral shall automatically and immediately terminate.

Section 5.04Securities Act. In view of the position of the Grantors in relation to the Pledged Collateral, or because of other current or future circumstances, a question may arise under the Securities Act, as now or hereafter in effect, or any similar statute hereafter enacted analogous in purpose or effect (such Act and any such similar statute as from time to time in effect, the “Federal Securities Laws”) with respect to any disposition of the Pledged Collateral permitted hereunder. Each Grantor understands that compliance with the Federal Securities Laws might very strictly limit the course of conduct of the Notes Collateral Agent if the Notes Collateral Agent were to attempt to dispose of all or any part of the Pledged Collateral, and might also limit the extent to which or the manner in which any subsequent transferee of any Pledged Collateral could dispose of the same. Similarly, there may be other legal restrictions or limitations affecting the Notes Collateral Agent in any attempt to dispose of all or part of the Pledged Collateral under applicable


22

 

Blue Sky or other state securities laws or similar laws analogous in purpose or effect. Each Grantor recognizes that in light of such restrictions and limitations the Notes Collateral Agent may, with respect to any sale of the Pledged Collateral, limit the purchasers to those who will agree, among other things, to acquire such Pledged Collateral for their own account, for investment, and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that in light of such restrictions and limitations, the Notes Collateral Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, (a) may proceed to make such a sale whether or not a registration statement for the purpose of registering such Pledged Collateral or part thereof shall have been filed under the Federal Securities Laws and (b) may approach and negotiate with a single potential purchaser to effect such sale. Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that any such sale might result in prices and other terms less favorable to the seller than if such sale were a public sale without such restrictions. In the event of any such sale, the Notes Collateral Agent shall incur no responsibility or liability for selling all or any part of the Pledged Collateral at a price that the Notes Collateral Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, may in good faith deem reasonable under the circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price might have been realized if the sale were deferred until after registration as aforesaid or if more than a single purchaser were approached. The provisions of this Section 5.04 will apply notwithstanding the existence of a public or private market upon which the quotations or sales prices may exceed substantially the price at which the Notes Collateral Agent sells.

ARTICLE 6

[Reserved]

ARTICLE 7

Miscellaneous

Section 7.01Notices. All communications and notices to the Issuer and the Notes Collateral Agent hereunder shall (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein) be given as provided in Section 11.02 of the Indenture. All communications and notices hereunder to any other Grantor shall be given to it in care of the Issuer as provided in Section 11.02 of the Indenture.

Section 7.02Waivers; Amendment. (a)No failure or delay by any Secured Party in exercising any right or power under any Notes 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 Secured Parties hereunder and under the other Notes Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Grantor therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 7.02, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any Grantor in any case shall entitle any Grantor to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b)    Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Notes Collateral Agent and the Grantors with respect to which such waiver, amendment or modification is applicable, subject to any consent required in accordance with Article 9 of the Indenture; provided that the Notes Collateral Agent may, without the consent of any Secured Party, consent


23

 

to a departure by any Grantor from any covenant of such Grantor set forth herein to the extent such departure is consistent with the terms of the Indenture.

(c)    This Agreement shall be construed as a separate agreement with respect to each Grantor and may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived or released with respect to any Grantor without the approval of any other Grantor and without affecting the obligations of any other Grantor hereunder.

Section 7.03Notes Collateral Agents Fees and Expenses. (a)The Grantors jointly and severally agree to reimburse the Notes Collateral Agent for its fees and expenses incurred hereunder as provided in Section 7.07 of the Indenture; provided that each reference therein to the “Issuer” shall be deemed to be a reference to the “Grantors.”

(b)    Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder shall be additional Secured Obligations secured hereby and by the other Notes Documents. The provisions of this Section 7.03 shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement or any other Notes Document, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, the repayment of any of the Secured Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Notes Document or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Notes Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party.

Section 7.04Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Grantors in the Notes Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Notes Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Secured Parties and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Notes Documents, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Secured Party or any other Person, and shall continue in full force and effect until all the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full.

Section 7.05Counterparts; Effectiveness, Successors and Assigns. 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 shall become effective as to any Grantor when a counterpart hereof executed on behalf of such Grantor shall have been delivered to the Notes Collateral Agent and a counterpart hereof shall have been executed on behalf of the Notes Collateral Agent, and thereafter shall be binding upon such Grantor and the Notes Collateral Agent and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of such Grantor, the Notes Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, except that no Grantor may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein or in the Collateral (and any such assignment or transfer shall be null and void), except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the Indenture. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic imaging shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

Section 7.06Severability. 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 7.07[Reserved]..


24

 

Section 7.08Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. (a)This Agreement and any claim, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) based upon, arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

(b)    Each Grantor 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 for the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action, litigation or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Notes Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action, litigation or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in such Federal court. Each Grantor agrees that a final judgment in any such action, litigation 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 this Agreement or any other Notes Document shall affect any right that the Notes Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party may otherwise have to bring any action, litigation or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Notes Document against any Grantor or any of its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c)    Each Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action, litigation or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Notes Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section 7.08. Each Grantor hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d)    Each Grantor irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 7.01. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Notes Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

(e)    Each Grantor hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers the Issuer as its designee, appointee and agent to receive, accept and acknowledge for and on its behalf, and in respect of its property, service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents that may be served in any such action or proceeding and the Issuer hereby accepts said designation and appointment.

Section 7.09WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY 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 THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER NOTES DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR 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 AND THE OTHER NOTES DOCUMENTS


25

 

BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 7.09.

Section 7.10Headings. 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 7.11Security Interest Absolute. All rights of the Notes Collateral Agent hereunder, the Security Interest, the grant of the security interest in the Pledged Collateral and all obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Indenture or any other Notes Document, any agreement with respect to any of the Secured Obligations or any other agreement or instrument relating to any of the foregoing, (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Secured Obligations, or any other amendment to or waiver of, or any consent to any departure from, the Indenture, any other Notes Document, any agreement with respect to any of the Secured Obligations or any other agreement or instrument relating to any of the foregoing (including any increase in the Secured Obligations resulting from the issuance of Additional Notes under the Indenture after the date hereof), (c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any Lien on other collateral securing, or any release or amendment to or waiver of, or any consent to any departure from, any guarantee of, all or any of the Secured Obligations, or (d) any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Grantor in respect of the Secured Obligations or this Agreement.

Section 7.12Termination or Release. (a)This Agreement, the Security Interest and all other security interests granted hereby shall terminate and be released when all the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full.

(b)    A Grantor shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and the Security Interest in the Collateral of such Grantor shall be automatically released at the time or times and in the manner set forth in Section 13.04 of the Indenture.

(c)    Upon any sale or other transfer by any Grantor of any Collateral that is permitted under the Indenture (other than a sale or other transfer to a Grantor), or upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest granted hereby in any Collateral pursuant to Section 13.04 of the Indenture, the security interest in such Collateral shall be automatically released.

(d)    In connection with any termination or release pursuant to paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 7.12, the Notes Collateral Agent shall execute and deliver to any Grantor, at such Grantor’s expense, all documents that such Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 7.12 shall be without warranty by the Notes Collateral Agent, and the Notes Collateral Agent shall have no liability whatsoever to any other Secured Party as a result of any release of Collateral by it in accordance with (or which the Notes Collateral Agent in good faith believes to be in accordance with) this Section 7.12.

Section 7.13Additional Subsidiaries. Pursuant to the Indenture, certain Restricted Subsidiaries not a party hereto on the Effective Date are required to enter into this Agreement. Upon the execution and delivery by the Notes Collateral Agent and any such Restricted Subsidiary of a Supplement, such Restricted Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor and a Grantor hereunder, with the same force and effect as if originally named as such herein. If at any time a Restricted


26

 

Subsidiary of the Issuer executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to become a Guarantor in accordance with Section 4.13(b) of the Indenture, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, such Restricted Subsidiary shall execute and deliver a Supplement. The execution and delivery of any Supplement shall not require the consent of any other Grantor hereunder. The rights and obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Guarantor as a party to this Agreement.

Section 7.14Notes Collateral Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact. Each Grantor hereby appoints the Notes Collateral Agent as the attorney-in-fact of such Grantor for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement and so long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing taking any action and executing any instrument that the Notes Collateral Agent may deem necessary for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Agreement, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Notes Collateral Agent shall have the right, solely upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, with full power of substitution either in the Notes Collateral Agent’s name or in the name of such Grantor (a) to receive, endorse, assign and/or deliver any and all notes, acceptances, checks, drafts, money orders or other evidences of payment relating to the Collateral or any part thereof; (b) to demand, collect, receive payment of, give receipt for and give discharges and releases of all or any of the Collateral; (c) to sign the name of any Grantor on any invoice or bill of lading relating to any of the Collateral; (d) to send verifications of Accounts Receivable to any Account Debtor; (e) to commence and prosecute any and all suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect or otherwise realize on all or any of the Collateral or to enforce any rights in respect of any Collateral; (f) to settle, compromise, compound, adjust or defend any actions, suits or proceedings relating to all or any of the Collateral; (g) to notify, or to require any Grantor to notify, Account Debtors to make payment directly to the Notes Collateral Agent; and (h) to use, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with all or any of the Collateral, and to do all other acts and things necessary, to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, as fully and completely as though the Notes Collateral Agent were the absolute owner of the Collateral for all purposes, provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed as requiring or obligating the Notes Collateral Agent to make any commitment or to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by the Notes Collateral Agent, or to present or file any claim or notice, or to take any action with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof or the moneys due or to become due in respect thereof or any property covered thereby. The Notes Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts actually received as a result of the exercise of the powers granted to them herein, and neither they nor their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment).

Section 7.15General Provisions Concerning the Notes Collateral Agent.

(a)    The provisions of Article VII of the Indenture concerning the Trustee shall inure to the benefit of the Notes Collateral Agent, and shall be binding upon all Grantors and all Secured Parties, in connection with this Agreement and the other Notes Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (i) the Notes Collateral Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (ii) the Notes Collateral Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Notes Documents that the Notes Collateral Agent is required in writing to exercise by the Majority Holders, and (iii) except as expressly set forth in the Notes Documents,


27

 

the Notes Collateral Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for any failure to disclose, any information relating to any Grantor that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Notes Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Notes Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for the existence, genuineness or value of any Collateral or for the validity, perfection, priority or enforceability of any Lien, whether impaired by operation of law or by reason of any action or omission to act on its part under the Notes Documents, or for filing any financing or continuation statements or recording any documents or instruments in any public office or otherwise perfecting or maintaining or the perfection of any security interest in, or insuring, any Collateral, provided that the Notes Collateral Agent will hold the possessory collateral in the event that the Notes Collateral Agent is the sole Secured Party. The Notes Collateral Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Notes Collateral Agent by the Issuer or a Secured Party. The permissive right of the Notes Collateral Agent to take or refrain from taking any actions enumerated in this Agreement shall not be construed as a duty, and the Notes Collateral Agent shall have no liability for any failure to exercise any such rights or take any such actions.

(b)    The Notes Collateral Agent may perform any of its duties and exercise any of its rights and powers through one or more sub-agents appointed by it. The Notes Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any of its duties and exercise any of its rights and powers through its Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of Section 7.16 and this Section 7.15 shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Notes Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent.

(c)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other Notes Document to the contrary, in the exercise of any power or discretion under this Agreement, the Notes Collateral Agent shall be entitled to seek the direction of the Trustee or the Majority Holders and shall be entitled to refrain from acting (and shall have no liability to any Person for doing so) until it has received such direction accompanied by, if requested, indemnity or security satisfactory to the Notes Collateral Agent.

Section 7.16Limitation on Duty in Respect of Collateral. Beyond the exercise of reasonable care in the custody and preservation thereof, the Notes Collateral Agent will have no duty as to any Collateral in its possession or control or in the possession or control of any sub-agent or bailee or any income therefrom or as to the preservation of rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining thereto. The Notes Collateral Agent will be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the Collateral in its possession or control if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which it accords its own property, and will not be liable or responsible for any loss or damage to any Collateral, or for any diminution in the value thereof, solely by reason of any act or omission of any sub-agent or bailee selected by the Notes Collateral Agent in good faith, except to the extent that such liability arises from the Notes Collateral Agent’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

Section 7.17Benefit of Agreement. No Secured Party that obtains the benefit of this Agreement shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including, without limitation, the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than in its capacity as the Trustee, Notes Collateral Agent or a Holder of Notes, as applicable, and, in any such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Notes Documents, including Articles VII and XIII of the Indenture. Each Secured Party not a party to the Indenture that obtains the benefit of this Agreement shall be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and the Notes, including under Article VII and XIII of the Indenture.


28

 

Section 7.18Intercreditor Agreements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any other Notes Document, (a) the liens and security interests granted to the Notes Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement and the exercise of any right or remedy with respect to any Collateral by the Notes Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties shall be subject, in each case, to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements and (b) in the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms and provisions of this Agreement and of the Intercreditor Agreements the terms and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreements shall control.

[Signature Pages Follow]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

ARCONIC CORPORATION

        by

 
 

                                                                                         

  Name:
  Title:

 

[Signature Page to the Collateral Agreement]


ARCONIC CORPORATION, as sole Member of
each of:
ALUMAX LLC
ARCONIC ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTS LLC
ARCONIC DAVENPORT LLC
ARCONIC LAFAYETTE LLC
ARCONIC MASSENA LLC
ARCONIC SERVICE LLC
ARCONIC TECHNOLOGIES LLC
ARCONIC TENNESSEE LLC
KAWNEER COMMERCIAL WINDOWS
LLC
        by  
                                                                                           
  Name:
  Title:
ARCONIC AEROSPACE LAMINATES INC.
ARCONIC LANCASTER CORP.
ARCONIC PROPERTIES INC.
ARCONIC TUBE SPECIALTIES INC.
ARCONIC WIRELESS NETWORK
SERVICES INC.
CARADCO, INC.
HALETHORPE EXTRUSIONS, INC.
HALETHORPE SERVICES, INC.
KAWNEER ALUMINIUM
DEUTSCHLAND, INC.
KAWNEER COMPANY, INC.
PLANT CITY EXTRUSIONS
CORPORATION
PIMALCO, INC.
RMC TEXAS, INC.
        by  
                                                                                           
  Name:
  Title:

 

[Signature Page to the Collateral Agreement]


U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
Notes Collateral Agent
        by  
                                                                                           
  Name:
  Title:

        by

 
                                                                                           
  Name:
  Title:

 

[Signature Page to the Collateral Agreement]


Schedule I to

the Collateral Agreement

GUARANTORS


Schedule II to

the Collateral Agreement

PLEDGED EQUITY INTERESTS

PLEDGED DEBT SECURITIES

Global Intercompany Note.


Schedule III to

the Collateral Agreement

U.S. COPYRIGHTS

COPYRIGHT REGISTRATIONS

COPYRIGHT APPLICATIONS

None.

EXCLUSIVE COPYRIGHT LICENSES

None.


U.S. PATENTS

PATENTS AND DESIGN PATENTS

PATENT APPLICATIONS


U.S. TRADEMARK/TRADE NAMES

U.S. TRADEMARK REGISTRATIONS


U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATIONS


Schedule IV to

the Collateral Agreement

Commercial Tort Claims


Exhibit I to

the Collateral Agreement

SUPPLEMENT NO.      dated as of [                    ] (this “Supplement”), to the Collateral Agreement dated as of May 13, 2020 (the “Collateral Agreement”), among ARCONIC CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors party hereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Notes Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “Notes Collateral Agent”).

A. Reference is made to the Indenture dated as of May 13, 2020 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among the Issuer, U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee and Notes Collateral Agent.

B. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture and the Collateral Agreement, as applicable.

C. Section 7.13 of the Collateral Agreement provides that additional Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer may become Guarantors under the Collateral Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Restricted Subsidiary (the “New Subsidiary”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Indenture to become a Guarantor under the Collateral Agreement.

Accordingly, the Notes Collateral Agent and the New Subsidiary agree as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 7.13 of the Collateral Agreement, the New Subsidiary by its signature below becomes a Guarantor and a Grantor under the Collateral Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Guarantor and a Grantor and the New Subsidiary hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Collateral Agreement applicable to it as a Guarantor and a Grantor thereunder and (b) represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a Grantor thereunder are true and correct on and as of the date hereof. In furtherance of the foregoing, the New Subsidiary, as security for the payment and performance in full of the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Collateral Agreement), does hereby create and grant to the Notes Collateral Agent, its successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, their successors and assigns, a security interest in all of the New Subsidiary’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Collateral (as defined in the Collateral Agreement) of the New Subsidiary. Each reference to a “Guarantor” or a “Grantor” in the Collateral Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Subsidiary. The Collateral Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. The New Subsidiary represents and warrants to the Notes Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

SECTION 3. This Supplement 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 Supplement shall become effective when the Notes Collateral Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Subsidiary and the Notes Collateral Agent has executed a


counterpart hereof. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Supplement by facsimile or other electronic imaging shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Supplement.

SECTION 4. The New Subsidiary hereby represents and warrants that (a) set forth on Schedule I attached hereto is a schedule with the true and correct legal name of the New Subsidiary, its jurisdiction of formation and the location of its chief executive office, (b) set forth on Schedule II attached hereto is a true and correct schedule of all the Pledged Securities of the New Subsidiary, (c) set forth on Schedule III attached hereto is a true and correct schedule of all (i) registered and applied for United States Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights owned by the New Subsidiary as of the Effective Date and (ii) exclusive Copyright Licenses for which the New Subsidiary is the licensee and the licensed work is registered at the United States Copyright Office and (d) set forth in Schedule IV attached hereto is a true and correct list of all Commercial Tort Claims in respect of which a complaint or counterclaim has been filed by the New Subsidiary seeking damages reasonably estimated to exceed $20,000,000, including a summary description of each such claim.

SECTION 5. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Collateral Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. THIS SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 7. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Collateral Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 8. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 7.01 of the Collateral Agreement.

SECTION 9. The New Subsidiary agrees to reimburse the Notes Collateral Agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Notes Collateral Agent, as provided in Section 7.07 of the Indenture; provided that each reference therein to the “Issuer” shall be deemed to be a reference to the New Subsidiary.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary and the Notes Collateral Agent have duly executed this Supplement to the Collateral Agreement as of the day and year first above written.


[NAME OF NEW SUBSIDIARY]

        by

 
 

                                                                                         

 

Name:

 

Title:

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Notes Collateral Agent

        by

 

                                                                                         

 

Name:

 

Title:


Schedule I

to Supplement No. __ to

the Collateral Agreement

NEW SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION

 

Name

   Jurisdiction of Formation    Chief Executive Office


Schedule II

to Supplement No.      to

the Collateral Agreement

PLEDGED SECURITIES

Equity Interests

 

Issuer

   Number of
Certificate
   Registered
Owner
   Number and
Class of
Equity Interests
   Percentage
of Equity Interests

Debt Securities

 

Issuer

   Principal
Amount
   Date of Note    Maturity Date


Schedule III

to Supplement No.      to

the Collateral Agreement

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY


Schedule IV

to Supplement No.      to

the Collateral Agreement

COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS


Exhibit II to

the Collateral Agreement

PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of [            ], 20[    ] (this “Agreement”), between [APPLICABLE GRANTOR(S)] (the “Grantors”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as Notes Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “Notes Collateral Agent”).

Reference is made to (a) the Indenture dated as of May 13, 2020 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among Arconic Corporation (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee and Notes Collateral Agent, and (b) the Collateral Agreement dated as of May 13, 2020 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Collateral Agreement”), among the Issuer, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Notes Collateral Agent. The parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Terms. Each capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning specified in the Indenture or the Collateral Agreement, as applicable. The rules of construction specified in Section 1.04 of the Indenture also apply to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest. As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Secured Obligations, each Grantor, pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, did and hereby does grant to the Notes Collateral Agent and its permitted successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the portion of the Article 9 Collateral constituting the Patents listed on Schedule I hereto, subject to the exclusions set forth in Section 4.01(d) of the Collateral Agreement (collectively, the “Patent Collateral”).

SECTION 3. Collateral Agreement. This Agreement has been executed and delivered by the Grantor for the purpose of recording the grant of security interest herein with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The security interest granted hereby has been granted to the Notes Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in connection with the Collateral Agreement and is expressly subject to the terms and conditions thereof. Each Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of the Notes Collateral Agent with respect to the Patent Collateral are more fully set forth in the Collateral Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Collateral Agreement, the terms of the Collateral Agreement shall govern.

SECTION 4. Counterparts. 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. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic imaging shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 5. CHOICE OF LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[                                         ],

as Grantor

By:  

                                                              

  Name:
  Title:

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Notes Collateral Agent

By:  

                                          

  Name:
  Title:

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT]


SCHEDULE I

Patents

 

Patent No.

   Owner      Title  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Patent Applications

 

Serial No.

   Owner      Application Date  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     


Exhibit III to

the Collateral Agreement

TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of [            ], 20[    ] (this “Agreement”), between [APPLICABLE GRANTOR(S)] (the “Grantors”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as Notes Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “Notes Collateral Agent”).

Reference is made to (a) the Indenture dated as of May 13, 2020 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among Arconic Corporation (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee and Notes Collateral Agent, and (b) the Collateral Agreement dated as of May 13, 2020 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Collateral Agreement”), among the Issuer, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Notes Collateral Agent. The parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Terms. Each capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning specified in the Indenture or the Collateral Agreement, as applicable. The rules of construction specified in Section 1.04 of the Indenture also apply to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest. As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Secured Obligations, each Grantor, pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, did and hereby does grant to the Notes Collateral Agent and its permitted successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the portion of the Article 9 Collateral constituting the Trademarks listed on Schedule I hereto but excluding any Trademarks that are Excluded Personal Property (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any intent-to-use trademark application filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 1051, solely during the period prior to the accepted filing of a “Statement of Use” and issuance of a “Certificate of Registration” pursuant to Section 1(d) of the Lanham Act or an accepted filing of an “Amendment to Allege Use” whereby such intent-to-use trademark application is converted to a “use in commerce” application pursuant to Section 1(c) of the Lanham Act; it being understood that, following such period, such trademark registration or application, as applicable, shall be deemed automatically subject to the security interest granted in the Collateral Agreement and included in the Article 9 Collateral) and subject to the exclusions set forth in Section 4.01(d) of the Collateral Agreement (collectively, the “Trademark Collateral”).

SECTION 3. Collateral Agreement. This Agreement has been executed and delivered by the Grantor for the purpose of recording the grant of security interest herein with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The security interest granted hereby has been granted to the Notes Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in connection with the Collateral Agreement and is expressly subject to the terms and conditions thereof. Each Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of the Notes Collateral Agent with respect to the Trademark Collateral are more fully set forth in the Collateral Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Collateral Agreement, the terms of the Collateral Agreement shall govern.


SECTION 4. Counterparts. 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. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic imaging shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 5. CHOICE OF LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[                                         ],

as Grantor

By:  

                                          

  Name:
  Title:

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Notes Collateral Agent

By:  

                                          

  Name:
  Title:

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT]


SCHEDULE I

Trademarks

 

Trademark

   Owner      Registration
No.
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Trademark Applications

 

Owner

   Mark      Application No.  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     


Exhibit IV to

the Collateral Agreement

COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of [            ], 20[    ] (this “Agreement”), between [APPLICABLE GRANTOR(S)] (the “Grantors”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as Notes Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “Notes Collateral Agent”).

Reference is made to (a) the Indenture dated as of May [●], 2020 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among Arconic Corporation (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee and Notes Collateral Agent, and (b) the Collateral Agreement dated as of May [●], 2020 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Collateral Agreement”), among the Issuer, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Notes Collateral Agent. The parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Terms. Each capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning specified in the Indenture or the Collateral Agreement, as applicable. The rules of construction specified in Section 1.04 of the Indenture also apply to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest. As security for the payment or performance, as the case may be, in full of the Secured Obligations, each Grantor, pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, did and hereby does grant to the Notes Collateral Agent and its permitted successors and assigns, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the portion of the Article 9 Collateral constituting the (i) Copyrights and (ii) Copyright Licenses for United States registered Copyrights under which Grantor is an exclusive licensee, in each case, that are listed on Schedule I hereto, subject to the exclusions set forth in Section 4.01(d) of the Collateral Agreement (collectively, the “Copyright Collateral”).

SECTION 3. Collateral Agreement. This Agreement has been executed and delivered by the Grantor for the purpose of recording the grant of security interest herein with the United States Copyright Office. The security interest granted hereby has been granted to the Notes Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in connection with the Collateral Agreement and is expressly subject to the terms and conditions thereof Each Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms that the rights and remedies of the Notes Collateral Agent with respect to the Copyright Collateral are more fully set forth in the Collateral Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Collateral Agreement, the terms of the Collateral Agreement shall govern.

SECTION 4. Counterparts. 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. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic imaging shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

SECTION 5. CHOICE OF LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS


AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[                                          ],

as Grantor

By:  

                                                              

  Name:
  Title:

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Notes Collateral Agent

By:  

                                                              

  Name:
  Title:

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT]


SCHEDULE I

Copyrights

 

Registered Owner

   Title      Registration Number  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Copyright Applications

 

Registered Owner

   Title      Application Number      Date Filed  
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        

Exclusive Copyright Licenses

 

Licensee

   Licensor      Title      Registration Number  
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        

 

E-1


EXHIBIT F

 

 

 

INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

dated as of

May 13, 2020

among

DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH,

as ABL Administrative Agent

and

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Trustee and Initial Notes Collateral Agent

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
SECTION 1. Definitions.    2  

1.1.

 

Defined Terms

     2  

1.2.

 

Terms Generally

     11  
SECTION 2. Lien Priorities.    12  

2.1.

 

Relative Priorities

     12  

2.2.

 

Prohibition on Contesting Liens

     12  

2.3.

 

No New Liens

     12  

2.4.

 

Similar Liens and Agreements

     13  

2.5.

 

Cash Collateral

     14  
SECTION 3. Enforcement.    14  

3.1.

 

Exercise of Remedies – Restrictions on Notes Collateral Agents

     14  

3.2.

 

Exercise of Remedies – Restrictions on ABL Administrative Agent

     17  

3.3.

 

Exercise of Remedies – Collateral Access Rights

     21  

3.4.

 

Exercise of Remedies – Intellectual Property Rights/Access to Information

     22  

3.5.

 

Exercise of Remedies – Set Off and Tracing of and Priorities in Proceeds

     23  
SECTION 4. Payments.    23  

4.1.

 

Application of Proceeds

     23  

4.2.

 

Payments Over in Violation of Agreement

     23  

4.3.

 

Application of Payments

     24  

4.4.

 

Reinstatement

     24  
SECTION 5. Other Agreements.    25  

5.1.

 

Releases

     25  

5.2.

 

Insurance

     26  

5.3.

 

Amendments to ABL Documents and Notes Documents; Refinancing

     27  

5.4.

 

Bailees for Perfection

     28  

5.5.

 

When Discharge of ABL Obligations and Discharge of Notes Obligations Deemed to Not Have Occurred

     30  

5.6.

 

[Reserved]

     31  

5.7.

 

Additional Notes Debt

     31  

 

-i-


SECTION 6. Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings.

     32  

6.1.

 

Finance Issues

     32  

6.2.

 

Relief from the Automatic Stay

     33  

6.3.

 

Adequate Protection

     34  

6.4.

 

Avoidance Issues

     36  

6.5.

 

Post-Petition Interest

     37  

6.6.

 

Waiver – 1111(b)(2) Issues

     37  

6.7.

 

Separate Grants of Security and Separate Classification

     37  

6.8.

 

Enforceability and Continuing Priority

     39  

6.9.

 

Sales

     39  

SECTION 7. Reliance; Waivers, Etc.

     40  

7.1.

 

Reliance

     40  

7.2.

 

No Warranties or Liability

     40  

7.3.

 

No Waiver of Lien Priorities

     41  

7.4.

 

Obligations Unconditional

     43  

SECTION 8. Miscellaneous.

     43  

8.1.

 

Conflicts

     43  

8.2.

 

Effectiveness; Continuing Nature of this Agreement; Severability

     43  

8.3.

 

Amendments; Waivers

     45  

8.4.

 

Information Concerning Financial Condition of the Grantors and their Subsidiaries

     45  

8.5.

 

Subrogation

     45  

8.6.

 

Special provisions relating to the Collateral Agents and the Trustee

     46  

8.7.

 

SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION, WAIVERS

     46  

8.8.

 

Notices

     47  

8.9.

 

Further Assurances

     48  

8.10.

 

APPLICABLE LAW

     48  

8.11.

 

Binding on Successors and Assigns

     48  

8.12.

 

Specific Performance

     48  

8.13.

 

Headings

     48  

8.14.

 

Counterparts

     48  

8.15.

 

Authorization

     49  

8.16.

 

No Third Party Beneficiaries

     49  

8.17.

 

Provisions to Define Relative Rights

     49  

 

-ii-


This INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT is dated as of May 13, 2020, and is entered into by and among ARCONIC CORPORATION (the “Borrower”), each of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower listed on the signature pages hereto, the certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower that become a party hereto from time to time, DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent for the holders of the ABL Obligations (as defined below) (together with its permitted successors and assigns, in such capacity, the “ABL Administrative Agent”) and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“U.S. Bank”), in its capacity as trustee for the holders of the Initial Notes Obligations (as defined below) (together with its permitted successors and assigns, in such capacity, the “Trustee”) and as collateral agent for the holders of the Initial Notes Obligations (together with its permitted successors and assigns, in such capacity, the “Initial Notes Collateral Agent”). Capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings assigned to them in Section 1 below or, if not otherwise defined, the ABL Credit Agreement (as defined below) and the First Lien Notes Indenture (as defined below), as the context requires.

RECITALS

The Borrower, the Designated Borrowers from time to time party thereto, the Lenders, Issuing Banks and Swingline Lenders party thereto and the ABL Administrative Agent have entered into that certain credit agreement dated as of May 13, 2020 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated, replaced, Refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time as permitted herein, the “ABL Credit Agreement”);

The Borrower, the Guarantors party thereto and the Trustee are party to that certain indenture dated as of May 13, 2020 (as amended, supplemented, restated, amended and restated, replaced, Refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time as permitted herein, the “First Lien Notes Indenture”), pursuant to which the Borrower issued $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.000% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2025;

The ABL Credit Agreement and the First Lien Notes Indenture permit the Borrower to incur additional indebtedness secured by a Lien on the Collateral ranking equal to the Lien securing the First Lien Notes Indenture;

In order to induce the ABL Administrative Agent and the holders of the ABL Obligations to enter into the ABL Credit Agreement and in order to induce the Trustee and the Initial Notes Collateral Agent to enter into the Indenture, the ABL Administrative Agent and the Initial Notes Collateral Agent have agreed to the relative priority of their respective Liens on the Collateral and certain other rights, priorities and interests as set forth in this Agreement.

AGREEMENT

In consideration of the foregoing, the mutual covenants and obligations herein set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:


SECTION 1.    Definitions.

1.1.    Defined Terms. As used in the Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

ABL Administrative Agent” has the meaning assigned to that term in the Preamble of this Agreement.

ABL Claimholders” means, at any relevant time, the holders of ABL Obligations at that time, including the “Secured Parties” as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement.

ABL Collateral” means any “Collateral” as defined in any ABL Document or other assets of any Guarantor with respect to which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted pursuant to any ABL Collateral Document as security for any ABL Obligations.

ABL Collateral Documents” means the “Security Documents” (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) and any other agreement, document or instrument pursuant to which a Lien is granted by any Grantor securing any ABL Obligations or under which rights or remedies with respect to such Liens are governed.

ABL Credit Agreement” has the meaning assigned to that term in the Recitals to this Agreement, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Refinancing of the ABL Credit Agreement.

ABL Default” means an “Event of Default” (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement).

ABL Documents” means the ABL Credit Agreement, the ABL Collateral Documents and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement), any agreement in respect of Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Commercial Obligations, Secured Hedging Obligations or Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations (each as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) and each of the other agreements, documents and instruments providing for or evidencing any other ABL Obligation, and any other document or instrument executed or delivered at any time in connection with any ABL Obligations, including any intercreditor or joinder agreement among holders of ABL Obligations to the extent such are effective at the relevant time, as each may be amended, restated, supplemented, modified, renewed or extended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

ABL Obligations” means all “Obligations” (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) and other obligations of every nature of each Grantor from time to time owed to any ABL Claimholder or any of their respective Affiliates under the ABL Documents, whether for principal, interest (including all Post-Petition Interest accrued or accruing (or which would, absent commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, accrue) after the commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in accordance with the rate specified in the relevant ABL Document, whether or not the claim for such Post-Petition Interest is allowed as a claim in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), reimbursement of amounts drawn under letters of credit, fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise.

ABL/Notes Documents” means the ABL Documents and the Notes Documents.

ABL Priority Collateral” means the following assets of the Borrower and the Guarantors: (a) all Accounts Receivable (except to the extent constituting proceeds of equipment, real property

 

-2-


or intellectual property and other intercompany loans); (b) all inventory; (c) all instruments, chattel paper and other contracts, in each case, evidencing, or substituted for, any accounts receivable referred to in clause (a) above; (d) all guarantees, letters of credit, security and other credit enhancements in each case for the Accounts Receivable; (e) all documents of title for any inventory referred to in clause (b) above; (f) all commercial tort claims and general intangibles in each case to the extent relating to any of the accounts receivable referred to in clause (a) above or inventory referred to in clause (b) above, but excluding intercompany debt, Capital Stock and Intellectual Property; (g) all deposit accounts, securities accounts, commodities accounts (including all cash, cash equivalents and other funds on deposit therein, except to the extent constituting identifiable proceeds of the Notes Priority Collateral or any such account which holds solely such identifiable proceeds of the Notes Priority Collateral) or investment property but excluding Excluded Deposit Accounts and Excluded Securities Accounts and any Capital Stock; (h) all tax refunds; (i) all supporting obligations, documents and books and records relating to any of the foregoing; and (j) all substitutions, replacements, accessions, products or proceeds (including, without limitation, insurance proceeds) of any of the foregoing, in each case, except to the extent constituting Excluded Property; provided, however, that to the extent that identifiable Proceeds of Notes Priority Collateral are deposited or held in any Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts that constitute ABL Priority Collateral after an Enforcement Notice, then (as provided in Section 3.5 below) such Collateral or other identifiable Proceeds shall be treated as Notes Priority Collateral for purposes of this Agreement. Terms used in this definition and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the UCC.

ABL Standstill Period” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 3.2(a)(1).

Access Acceptance Notice” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 3.3(b).

Access Period” means for each parcel of Mortgaged Property the period, after the commencement of an Enforcement Period, which begins on the day that the ABL Administrative Agent provides the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent with the notice of its election to request access to any Mortgaged Property pursuant to Section 3.3(b) below and ends on the earliest of (i) the 180th day after the ABL Administrative Agent obtains the ability to use, take physical possession of, remove or otherwise control the use or access to the Collateral located on such Mortgaged Property following a Collateral Enforcement Action plus such number of days, if any, after the ABL Administrative Agent obtains access to such Collateral that it is stayed or otherwise prohibited by law or court order from exercising remedies with respect to Collateral located on such Mortgaged Property, (ii) the date on which all or substantially all of the ABL Priority Collateral located on such Mortgaged Property is sold, collected or liquidated, (iii) the date on which the Discharge of ABL Obligations occurs and (iv) the date on which the ABL Default or the Notes Default that was the subject of the applicable Enforcement Notice relating to such Enforcement Period has been cured to the satisfaction of the ABL Administrative Agent or the Notes Collateral Agent, as applicable, or waived in writing in accordance with the requirements of the ABL Credit Agreement or First Lien Notes Indenture, as applicable.

Accounts Receivable” means (i) all “Accounts,” as such term is defined in the UCC and (ii) all other rights to payment of money or funds, whether or not earned by performance, and (iii) all other rights to payment or collection that are classified as “accounts receivable” in the financial statements of the relevant Person, (a) for Inventory that has been or is to be sold, leased,

 

-3-


licensed, assigned, or otherwise disposed of, (b) for services rendered or to be rendered, or (c) owed by a credit card issuer or by a credit card processor resulting from purchases by customers using credit or debit cards issued by such issuer in connection with the transactions described in clauses (a) and (b) above, whether such rights to payment constitute payment intangibles, letter-of-credit rights or any other classification of property, or are evidenced in whole or in part by instruments, chattel paper, general intangibles or documents. Terms used in this definition and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the UCC.

Additional Notes Claimholders” means, at any relevant time, holders of Additional Notes Obligations at that time.

Additional Notes Collateral Agent” means the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under any instrument governing Additional Notes Obligations that is named as the representative in respect of such Additional Notes Instrument hereunder or in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

Additional Notes Collateral Documents” means any security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, control agreements, guarantees, notes and any other documents or instruments now existing or entered into after the date hereof that create Liens on any assets or properties of any Grantor to secure any Additional Notes Obligations owed thereunder to any Additional Notes Claimholders or under which rights or remedies with respect to such Liens are governed.

Additional Notes Debt” means the principal amount of Indebtedness issued or incurred under any Additional Notes Instrument.

Additional Notes Documents” means any Additional Notes Instrument, Additional Notes Collateral Document and each of the other agreements, documents and instruments providing for or evidencing any other Additional Notes Obligation, including any document or instrument executed or delivered at any time in connection with any Additional Notes Obligations, including any intercreditor or joinder agreement among holders of Additional Notes Obligations, to the extent such are effective at the relevant time.

Additional Notes Instrument” means any (A) debt facilities, indentures or commercial paper facilities providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, notes, debentures, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, increased, replaced or refunded in whole or in part from time to time in accordance with each applicable Notes Document; provided that neither the ABL Credit Agreement, the First Lien Notes Indenture nor any Refinancing of any of the foregoing in this proviso shall constitute an Additional Notes Instrument at any time.

Additional Notes Obligations” means any Obligations of the Borrower or any Guarantor that are pari passu in right of payment to the Initial Notes Obligations and are secured by a Lien on the Collateral that has the same priority as the Lien securing the Initial Notes Obligations and that is designated in writing as such by the Borrower to the Trustee, the Notes Collateral Agent,

 

-4-


the ABL Administrative Agent and the other representatives party to the First Lien-Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and this Agreement. “Additional Notes Obligations” shall include all Post-Petition Interest accrued or accruing (or which would, absent commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, accrue) after the commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in accordance with the rate specified in the relevant Additional Notes Document, whether or not the claim for such Post-Petition Interest is allowed as a claim in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. For the avoidance of doubt, “Additional Notes Obligations” shall not include the Initial Notes Obligations issued on the date hereof, but includes any future notes issuances pursuant to the First Lien Indenture and related guarantees.

Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, that Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.

Agreement” means this Intercreditor Agreement, as amended, restated, renewed, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

Bankruptcy Court” means a court of competent jurisdiction presiding over an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

Bankruptcy Law” means each of the Bankruptcy Code, any federal, state or foreign laws, rules or regulations for the relief of debtors or any reorganization, insolvency, administration, liquidation, examinership, moratorium or assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of the assets and liabilities of any Person and any similar laws, rules or regulations relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

Borrower” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals to this Agreement.

Business Day” means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day which is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions located in such state are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.

Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation), including, without limitation, partnership interests and membership interests, and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase or other arrangements or rights to acquire any of the foregoing.

Claimholders” means, collectively, the ABL Claimholders and the Notes Claimholders.

Collateral” means all of the assets and property of any Grantor, whether real, personal or mixed, constituting either ABL Collateral or Notes Collateral.

Collateral Agents” means, collectively, (i) the ABL Administrative Agent, (ii) the Initial Notes Collateral Agent and (iii) each Additional Notes Collateral Agent.

Collateral Enforcement Action” means, collectively or individually for one or more of the

 

-5-


Collateral Agents, when an ABL Default or Notes Default, as the case may be, has occurred and is continuing, whether or not in consultation with any other Collateral Agent, any action by any Collateral Agent to repossess or join any Person in repossessing, or exercise or join any Person in exercising, or institute or maintain or participate in any action or proceeding with respect to, any remedies with respect to any Collateral or commence the judicial or other enforcement of any of the rights and remedies under the ABL Documents or under any applicable law, but in all cases (i) including, without limitation, (a) instituting or maintaining, or joining any Person in instituting or maintaining, any enforcement, receivership, action as mortgagee-in-possession, contest, protest, attachment, collection, execution, levy or foreclosure action or proceeding with respect to any Collateral, whether under any ABL Document or otherwise, (b) exercising any right of setoff or recoupment with respect to any Grantor or (c) exercising any remedy under any Control Agreement (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement), Collateral Access Agreement (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) or similar agreement or arrangement and (ii) excluding the imposition of a default rate or late fee; provided, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, the exercise of rights or remedies by the ABL Priority Collateral Agent under any Control Agreement during a Cash Dominion Period (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) shall not constitute a Collateral Enforcement Action under this Agreement.

Contingent Obligations” means at any time, any indemnification or other similar contingent obligations which are not then due and owing at the time of determination.

Controlling Notes Collateral Agent” means the Initial Notes Collateral Agent, or, to the extent that the Notes Collateral Agents have entered into a Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, the Notes Collateral Agent that controls pursuant to the terms thereof.

Deposit Account” as defined in the UCC.

DIP Financing” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.1.

Discharge of ABL Obligations” means, except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in Section 4.4(a), Section 5.5 and Section 6.4:

(a)    payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest (including Post-Petition Interest), on all Indebtedness outstanding under the ABL Documents and constituting ABL Obligations (other than Letters of Credit that are cash collateralized or backstopped, on terms reasonably satisfactory to the ABL Administrative Agent);

(b)    payment in full in cash of all other ABL Obligations that are due and payable or otherwise accrued and owing at or prior to the time such principal and interest are paid (other than (i) Contingent Obligations and Letters of Credit that are cash collateralized or backstopped, on terms reasonably satisfactory to the ABL Administrative Agent);

(c)    termination or expiration of all commitments, if any, to extend credit that would constitute ABL Obligations; and

(d)    termination of all letters of credit issued under the ABL Documents and constituting ABL Obligations or providing cash collateral or backstop letters of credit acceptable to the ABL Administrative Agent (in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the ABL Administrative Agent).

Discharge of Notes Obligations” means, except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in Section 4.4(b), Section 5.5 and Section 6.4:

(a)    payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest (including Post-Petition Interest), on all Indebtedness outstanding under the Notes Documents and constituting Notes Obligations;

 

-6-


(b)    payment in full in cash of all other Notes Obligations that are due and payable or otherwise accrued and owing at or prior to the time such principal and interest are paid (other than Contingent Obligations); and

(c)    termination or expiration of all commitments, if any, to extend credit that would constitute Notes Obligations.

Disposition” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.1(b).

Documents” as defined in the UCC.

Enforcement Notice” means a written notice delivered, at a time when an ABL Default or Notes Default has occurred and is continuing, by either (a) in the case of an ABL Default, the ABL Administrative Agent to the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent or (b) in the case of a Notes Default, the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent to the ABL Administrative Agent, in each case, stating that an Enforcement Period has commenced, specifying the relevant event of default, stating the current balance of the ABL Obligations or the Notes Obligations, as applicable, and requesting prompt notification of the current balance of the Notes Obligations or the ABL Obligations, as applicable, owing to the ABL Claimholders or the Notes Claimholders, as applicable.

Enforcement Period” means the period of time following the receipt by either the ABL Administrative Agent or the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent of an Enforcement Notice until the earliest of (i) in the case of an Enforcement Period commenced by the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent, the Discharge of Notes Obligations, (ii) in the case of an Enforcement Period commenced by the ABL Administrative Agent, the Discharge of ABL Obligations, (iii) the ABL Administrative Agent or the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent (as applicable) agrees in writing to terminate the Enforcement Period, or (iv) the date on which the ABL Default or the Notes Default that was the subject of the Enforcement Notice relating to such Enforcement Period has been cured to the satisfaction of the ABL Administrative Agent or the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent, as applicable, or waived in writing in accordance with the requirements of the applicable ABL Documents.

First Lien Notes Indenture” has the meaning assigned to that term in the Recitals to this Agreement.

First Lien-Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement” means the Intercreditor Agreement to be dated as of May 13, 2020, among the ABL Administrative Agent, the Trustee, the Initial Notes Collateral Agent, the Second Lien Indenture Agent (as defined therein), the Borrower and the Guarantors, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, replacements, renewals or restatements thereof.

Grantors” means the Borrower, each other Guarantor and each other Person that has or may from time to time hereafter execute and deliver a Notes Collateral Document or an ABL Collateral Document as a “grantor” or “pledgor” (or the equivalent thereof).

Guarantor” means, collectively, each “Guarantor” as defined in the First Lien Notes Indenture and the ABL Credit Agreement.

Indebtedness” means and includes all Obligations that constitute “Indebtedness” within the meaning of the First Lien Notes Indenture, the ABL Credit Agreement or any Additional Notes Instrument, as applicable.

 

-7-


Initial Notes Claimholders” means, at any relevant time, the holders of Initial Notes Obligations at that time including the “First Priority Secured Parties” in respect of “Notes Obligations”, each as defined in the First Lien Notes Indenture.

Initial Notes Collateral Agent” has the meaning assigned to that term in the Preamble of this Agreement.

Initial Notes Collateral Agreement” means the Collateral Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2020, among the Borrower, each of the other grantors from time to time party thereto and the Initial Notes Collateral Agent, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Initial Notes Collateral Documents” means the “Notes Collateral Documents” (as defined in the First Lien Notes Indenture) and any other agreement, document or instrument pursuant to which a Lien is granted securing any Initial Notes Obligations or under which rights or remedies with respect to such Liens are governed.

Initial Notes Documents” means the First Lien Notes Indenture, the Initial Notes Collateral Documents and each of the other agreements, documents and instruments providing for or evidencing any other Initial Notes Obligation, including, to the extent applicable, any other document or instrument executed or delivered at any time in connection with any Initial Notes Obligations, including any intercreditor or joinder agreement among holders of Initial Notes Obligations, to the extent such are effective at the relevant time.

Initial Notes Obligations” means all “Secured Obligations” (as defined in the Initial Notes Collateral Agreement) and all other obligations of every nature of each Grantor from time to time owed to any Initial Notes Claimholders under the Initial Notes Documents, whether for principal, interest, fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise and all guarantees of any of the foregoing. “Initial Notes Obligations” shall include all Post-Petition Interest accrued or accruing (or which would, absent commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, accrue) after the commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in accordance with the rate specified in the relevant Initial Notes Collateral Document, whether or not the claim for such Post-Petition Interest is allowed as a claim in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding” means:

(a)    any voluntary or involuntary case or proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law with respect to any Grantor;

(b)    any other voluntary or involuntary insolvency, reorganization, administration, examinership or winding-up or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding with respect to any Grantor or with respect to a material portion of their respective assets (other than any merger or consolidation, liquidation, windup or dissolution not involving bankruptcy that is expressly permitted pursuant to the terms of the ABL Credit Agreement and the First Lien Notes Indenture);

(c)    any liquidation, dissolution, reorganization, administration, examinership or winding up of any Grantor whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy (other than any merger or consolidation, liquidation, windup or dissolution not involving bankruptcy that is expressly permitted pursuant to the terms of the ABL Credit Agreement and the First Lien Notes Indenture);

 

-8-


(d)    any case or proceeding seeking arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief or composition of any debt or other property of any Grantor;

(e)    any case or proceeding seeking the entry of an order of relief or the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee, administrator, liquidator, examiner or other similar proceeding with respect to any Grantor or any property or Indebtedness of any Grantor; or

(f)    any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of assets and liabilities of any Grantor.

Intellectual Property” means any and all intellectual property and similar proprietary rights throughout the world, including such rights in any and all inventions, designs, Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Licenses, trade secrets, domain names, confidential or proprietary technical and business information, know-how, show-how or other proprietary data, software and databases and all embodiments or fixations thereof and related documentation and registrations, and all modifications of and improvements to any of the foregoing, and all rights to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement, dilution, misappropriation or other violation or impairment thereof, including the right to receive all income, payments, license fees, royalties, claims, damages and proceeds of suit now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto.

Joinder Agreement” means an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A, or in a form otherwise acceptable to each Collateral Agent, after giving effect to Sections 5.3 and 5.7, as applicable.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, lien, pledge, hypothecation, charge, security interest or other encumbrance in, on or of such asset or (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement or title retention agreement (or any capital lease or financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

New Agent” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.5.

New Debt Notice” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.5.

Non-Controlling Notes Collateral Agent” means each Notes Collateral Agent other than the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent.

Notes Claimholders” means, at any time, the Trustee, the Initial Notes Collateral Agent, the holders of the Initial Notes Obligations, the trustees, agents and other representatives of the holders of any Additional Notes Obligations, holders of any Additional Notes Obligations (including any holders of Notes Obligations pursuant to supplements executed in connection with the incurrence of additional Indebtedness under the First Lien Notes Indenture), the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Grantor under any Notes Collateral Document and each other holder of, or obligee in respect of, any holder or lender pursuant to any Notes Collateral Document outstanding at such time.

Notes Collateral” means any “Collateral” as defined in any Notes Document or any other assets of any Grantor with respect to which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted pursuant to any Notes Collateral Document as security for any Notes Obligation.

Notes Collateral Agents” means the Initial Notes Collateral Agent and each Additional Notes Collateral Agent.

 

-9-


Notes Collateral Documents” means the Initial Notes Collateral Documents and any Additional Notes Collateral Documents.

Notes Default” means an “Event of Default” or equivalent term (as defined in any of the Notes Documents).

Notes Documents” means the Initial Notes Documents and any Additional Notes Documents.

Notes Mortgage” means a collective reference to each mortgage, deed of trust and other document or instrument under which any Lien on real property owned or leased by any Grantor is granted to secure any Notes Obligations or (except for this Agreement) under which rights or remedies with respect to which any such Liens are governed.

Notes Obligations” means the Initial Notes Obligations and all Additional Notes Obligations.

Notes Priority Collateral” means all Notes Collateral other than ABL Priority Collateral.

Notes Standstill Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a)(1).

Notice of Occupancy” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 3.3(b).

Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and banker’s acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean a customary intercreditor agreement entered into among the Initial Notes Collateral Agent and one or more Additional Notes Collateral Agents with respect to the intercreditor arrangements among such parties and the applicable Notes Claimholders.

Person” means and includes natural persons, corporations, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, joint stock companies, joint ventures, associations, companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land trusts, business trusts or other organizations, whether or not legal entities, and Governmental Authorities.

Pledged Collateral” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4.

Post-Petition Interest” means interest, fees, expenses and other charges that, pursuant to the Notes Documents or the ABL Documents, continue to accrue after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not such interest, fees, expenses and other charges are allowed or allowable under the Bankruptcy Law or in any such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

Priority Collateral” means, with respect to the ABL Claimholders, all ABL Priority Collateral, and with respect to the Notes Claimholders, all Notes Priority Collateral.

Recovery” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.

Refinance” means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, defease, amend, modify, supplement, restructure, replace, refund or repay, or to issue other indebtedness, in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness in whole or in part. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

 

-10-


Securities” means any stock, shares, partnership interests, equity interests (partes sociales), voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

Securities Account” as defined in the UCC.

Series” means, with respect to any Notes Obligations, each of (i) the Initial Notes Obligations and (ii) the Additional Notes Obligations incurred pursuant to any Additional Notes Document, which pursuant to any Joinder Agreement, are to be represented hereunder by a common representative (in its capacity as such for such Additional Notes Obligations).

Supporting Obligations” as defined in the UCC.

Trustee” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals.

UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York; provided, however, that, in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any of the attachment, perfection or priority of any Collateral Agent’s or any secured party’s security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such attachment, perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions related to such provisions.

1.2.    Terms Generally. The definitions of terms in this Agreement 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:

(a)    any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented, modified, renewed or extended in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (including in connection with any Refinancing);

(b)    any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s permitted successors and assigns;

(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 Sections shall be construed to refer to Sections of this Agreement; and

 

-11-


(e)    all references to terms defined in the UCC in effect in the State of New York shall have the meaning ascribed to them therein (unless otherwise specifically defined herein); and

(f)    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 2.     Lien Priorities.

2.1.    Relative Priorities. Notwithstanding the date, time, method, manner or order of grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens securing or purporting to secure the Notes Obligations granted on the Collateral or of any Liens securing or purporting to secure the ABL Obligations granted on the Collateral and notwithstanding any provision of any UCC, or any other applicable law or the ABL Documents or the Notes Documents or any defect or deficiencies in, or failure to perfect, the Liens securing or purporting to secure the ABL Obligations or Notes Obligations or any other circumstance whatsoever, the ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders, and each Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the applicable Notes Claimholders, hereby each agrees that:

(a)    any Lien of the ABL Administrative Agent on the ABL Priority Collateral, whether now or hereafter held by or on behalf of the ABL Administrative Agent, or any ABL Claimholders or any agent or trustee therefor, regardless of how acquired, whether by grant, possession, statute, operation of law, subrogation or otherwise, shall be senior in all respects and prior to all Liens on the ABL Priority Collateral securing or purporting to secure any Notes Obligations; and

(b)    any Lien of any Notes Collateral Agent on the Notes Priority Collateral, whether now or hereafter held by or on behalf of such Notes Collateral Agent, any Notes Claimholder or any agent or trustee therefor regardless of how acquired, whether by grant, possession, statute, operation of law, subrogation or otherwise, shall be senior in all respects to all Liens on the Notes Priority Collateral securing or purporting to secure any ABL Obligations.

2.2.    Prohibition on Contesting Liens. Each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of each applicable Notes Claimholder, and the ABL Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of each ABL Claimholder, agrees that it will not (and hereby waives any right to) contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the perfection, priority, validity or enforceability of a Lien held, or the allowability of claims asserted, by or on behalf of any of the ABL Claimholders, any of the Notes Claimholders in the Collateral, or the provisions of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any Collateral Agent or any ABL Claimholder or Notes Claimholder to enforce this Agreement, including the provisions of this Agreement relating to the priority of the Liens securing the Obligations as provided in Sections 2.1, 3.1 and 3.2.

2.3.    No New Liens. Until the Discharge of ABL Obligations and the Discharge of Notes Obligations shall have occurred, whether or not any Insolvency or

 

-12-


Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by, against or in respect of one or more of the Borrower or any other Grantors, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that it is their intention that:

(a)    there shall be no Liens on any asset or property to secure any Notes Obligation unless a Lien on such asset or property also secures the ABL Obligations; and

(b)    there shall be no Liens on any asset or property of any Grantor to secure any ABL Obligations unless a Lien on such asset or property also secures the Notes Obligations.

To the extent any additional Liens are granted on any asset or property as described above, the priority of such additional Liens shall be determined in accordance with Sections 2.1, 3.1 and 3.2. In addition, to the extent that Liens are granted on any asset or property to secure any Notes Obligations or ABL Obligations, as applicable, and a corresponding Lien is not granted to secure the Notes Obligations or ABL Obligations, as applicable, without limiting any other rights and remedies available hereunder, the ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of the ABL Claimholders and each Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders, agree that any amounts received by or distributed to any of them pursuant to or as a result of Liens granted in contravention of this Section 2.3 shall be subject to Section 4.2.

2.4.    Similar Liens and Agreements. The parties hereto agree that it is their intention that the assets composing each of the ABL Collateral and the Notes Collateral be identical. In furtherance of the foregoing and of Section 8.8, the parties hereto agree, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement:

(a)    upon request by the ABL Administrative Agent or any Notes Collateral Agent, to cooperate in good faith (and to direct their counsel to cooperate in good faith) from time to time in order to determine the specific items included in the ABL Collateral and the Notes Collateral;

(b)    upon request by the ABL Administrative Agent or any Notes Collateral Agent, that the ABL Administrative Agent, the Notes Collateral Agents and the Borrower shall cooperate in good faith from time to time in order to determine the steps taken to perfect their respective Liens thereon and the identity of the respective parties obligated under the ABL Documents and the Notes Documents (it being understood that this Section 2.4(b) does not of itself create any responsibility or duty on the part of any Collateral Agent (which responsibilities and duties, if any, are limited to those expressly set forth in the applicable ABL/Notes Documents to which such Collateral Agent is a party) to take any such steps or ascertain such identities and that it is the responsibility of the Grantors to ensure compliance with the applicable perfection requirements under the ABL/Notes Documents); and

(c)    that the ABL Collateral Documents, taken as a whole, and the Notes Collateral Documents, taken as a whole, shall be in all material respects the same forms of documents other than with respect to differences to reflect the nature of the lending arrangements and the first and second lien nature of the Obligations thereunder with respect to the Notes Priority Collateral and the ABL Priority Collateral.

 

-13-


2.5.    Cash Collateral. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Sections 2.3 and 2.4 shall not apply to any cash or cash equivalents pledged to secure ABL Obligations consisting of reimbursement obligations in respect of Letters of Credit, Swingline Loans, Protective Advances or otherwise held by the ABL Administrative Agent or any other ABL Claimholder pursuant to the applicable provisions of the ABL Credit Agreement and any such cash and cash equivalents shall be applied as specified in the ABL Credit Agreement and will not constitute Collateral hereunder.

SECTION 3.     Enforcement.

3.1.    Exercise of Remedies – Restrictions on Notes Collateral Agents.

(a)    Until the Discharge of ABL Obligations has occurred, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by, against or in respect of any Grantor, the Notes Collateral Agents and the Notes Claimholders:

(1)    will not exercise or seek to exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any ABL Priority Collateral (including the exercise of any right of setoff or recoupment or any right under any lockbox agreement or any control agreement with respect to Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts) or institute any action or proceeding with respect to such rights or remedies (including any action of enforcement or foreclosure); provided, however, that the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent (or any Person authorized by it) may exercise any or all such rights or remedies after the passage of a period of at least 180 days has elapsed since the later of: (A) the date on which such Controlling Notes Collateral Agent declared the existence of a Notes Default and demanded the repayment of the principal amount of all Notes Obligations; and (B) the date on which the ABL Administrative Agent received notice from the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent of such declaration of a Notes Default (the “Notes Standstill Period”); provided, further, however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall any Notes Collateral Agent or any Notes Claimholder be permitted to exercise any rights or remedies with respect to the ABL Priority Collateral if, notwithstanding the expiration of the Notes Standstill Period, the ABL Administrative Agent or ABL Claimholders shall have commenced and be diligently pursuing the exercise of their rights or remedies with respect to all or any material portion of such Collateral (prompt written notice of such exercise to be given to the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent) or shall be stayed under applicable law from exercising such rights and remedies;

(2)    will not contest, protest or object to, or otherwise interfere with, any foreclosure proceeding or action brought by the ABL Administrative Agent or any ABL Claimholder or any other exercise by the ABL Administrative Agent or any ABL Claimholder of any rights and remedies relating to the ABL Priority Collateral, whether under the ABL Documents or otherwise; and

(3)    subject to their rights under clause (a)(1) above and except as may be permitted in Section 3.1(c), will not object to the forbearance by the ABL Administrative Agent or any of the ABL Claimholders from bringing or pursuing any Collateral Enforcement Action;

 

-14-


provided, however, that, in the case of (1), (2) and (3) above, the Liens granted to secure the Notes Obligations of the Notes Claimholders shall attach to the Proceeds thereof subject to the relative priorities described in Section 2.

(b)    Until the Discharge of ABL Obligations has occurred, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by, against or in respect of any Grantor, each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders, agrees that the ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders shall have the exclusive right to enforce rights, exercise remedies (including setoff, recoupment and the right to credit bid their debt) and, in connection therewith (including voluntary Dispositions of ABL Priority Collateral by the applicable Grantors after an ABL Default) make determinations regarding the release, disposition, or restrictions with respect to the ABL Priority Collateral (including, without limitation, exercising remedies under Control Agreements) without any consultation with or the consent of any Notes Collateral Agent or any Notes Claimholder; provided, however, that the Lien securing the Notes Obligations shall remain on the Proceeds (other than those properly applied to the ABL Obligations) of such Collateral released or disposed of subject to the relative priorities described in Section 2. Each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders, agrees that in exercising rights and remedies with respect to the ABL Priority Collateral, the ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders may enforce the provisions of the ABL Documents and exercise remedies thereunder, all in such order and in such manner as they may determine in the exercise of their sole discretion. Such exercise and enforcement shall include the rights of an agent or receiver appointed by them or other insolvency official appointed to sell or otherwise dispose of the ABL Priority Collateral upon foreclosure or enforcement, to incur expenses in connection with such sale or disposition, and to exercise all the rights and remedies of a secured creditor under the UCC and of a secured creditor under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction. Each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders, agrees that it will not seek, and hereby waives any right, to have any ABL Priority Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other disposition of such Collateral.

(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Notes Collateral Agent and any Notes Claimholder will be permitted to, but will have no obligation to, subject to the provisions of the relevant Notes Documents:

(1)    file a claim or statement of interest with respect to the Notes Obligations; provided that an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by, against or in respect of any Grantor;

(2)    take any action in order to create, perfect, preserve or protect its Lien on any of the Notes Collateral; provided that such action shall not be inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement and shall not be adverse to the priority status of the Liens of the ABL Administrative Agent on the ABL Priority Collateral, or the rights of the ABL Administrative Agent or the ABL Claimholders to exercise remedies in respect thereof;

(3)    file any necessary or appropriate responsive or defensive pleadings in opposition to any motion, claim, adversary proceeding or other pleading made by any Person objecting to or otherwise seeking the disallowance of the claims or Liens of the

 

-15-


Notes Claimholders, including any claims secured by the ABL Priority Collateral, if any, in each case in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

(4)    file any pleadings, objections, motions or agreements which assert rights or interests available to unsecured creditors of the Grantors arising under either any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or applicable non-bankruptcy law, in each case not inconsistent with or prohibited by the terms of this Agreement;

(5)    vote on any plan of reorganization or examinership or scheme of arrangement or similar dispositive restructuring plan, file any proof of claim, make other filings and make any arguments and motions that are, in each case, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, with respect to the Notes Obligations and the Notes Priority Collateral; and

(6)    exercise any of its rights or remedies with respect to any of the Collateral after the termination of the Notes Standstill Period to the extent permitted by Section 3.1(a)(1).

Each Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the applicable Notes Claimholders, agrees that it will not take or receive any ABL Priority Collateral or any Proceeds of such Collateral in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy (including setoff) with respect to any such Collateral in its capacity as a creditor in violation of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unless and until the Discharge of ABL Obligations has occurred, except as expressly provided in Sections 3.1(a), 6.3(c)(1) and this Section 3.1(c), the sole right of the Notes Collateral Agents and the Notes Claimholders with respect to the ABL Priority Collateral is to hold a Lien on such Collateral pursuant to the Notes Collateral Documents for the period and to the extent granted therein and to receive a share of the Proceeds thereof, if any, after the Discharge of ABL Obligations has occurred.

(d)    Subject to Sections 3.1(a) and (c) and Section 6.3(c)(1):

(1)    each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders, agrees that it will not, except as not prohibited herein, take any action that would hinder or delay any exercise of remedies under the ABL Documents or that is otherwise prohibited hereunder, including any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of the ABL Priority Collateral, whether by foreclosure or otherwise;

(2)    each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders, hereby waives any and all rights it or the applicable Notes Claimholders may have as a junior lien creditor with respect to the ABL Priority Collateral or otherwise to object to the manner in which the ABL Administrative Agent or the ABL Claimholders seek to enforce or collect the ABL Obligations or the Liens on the ABL Priority Collateral securing the ABL Obligations granted in any of the ABL Documents or undertaken in accordance with this Agreement, regardless of whether any action or failure to act by or on behalf of the ABL Administrative Agent or ABL Claimholders is adverse to the interest of the Notes Claimholders; and

 

-16-


(3)    each Notes Collateral Agent hereby acknowledges and agrees that no covenant, agreement or restriction contained in any of the Notes Collateral Documents or any other Notes Document to which such Notes Collateral Agent is a party (other than this Agreement) shall be deemed to restrict in any way the rights and remedies of the ABL Administrative Agent or the ABL Claimholders with respect to the ABL Priority Collateral as set forth in this Agreement and the ABL Documents.

(e)    Except as otherwise specifically set forth in Sections 3.1(a) and (d) and 3.5 or any other provision of this Agreement or as would otherwise be inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, the Notes Collateral Agents and the Notes Claimholders may exercise rights and remedies as unsecured creditors against any Grantor and may exercise rights and remedies with respect to the Notes Priority Collateral, in each case, in accordance with the terms of the applicable Notes Documents and applicable law; provided, however, that in the event that any Notes Claimholder becomes a judgment Lien creditor in respect of ABL Collateral as a result of its enforcement of its rights as an unsecured creditor with respect to the Notes Obligations, such judgment Lien shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement for all purposes (including in relation to the ABL Obligations) as the other Liens securing the Notes Obligations are subject to this Agreement.

(f)    Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the receipt by any Notes Collateral Agent or any Notes Claimholders of payments of interest, principal and other amounts owed in respect of the applicable Notes Obligations so long as such receipt is not the direct or indirect result of the exercise by such Notes Collateral Agent or any Notes Claimholders of rights or remedies (including setoff) or enforcement of any Lien held by any of them, in each case in contravention of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement impairs or otherwise adversely affects any rights or remedies the ABL Administrative Agent or the ABL Claimholders may have against the Grantors under the ABL Documents, other than with respect to the Notes Priority Collateral solely to the extent expressly provided herein.

3.2.    Exercise of Remedies – Restrictions on ABL Administrative Agent.

(a)    Until the Discharge of Notes Obligations has occurred, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by, against or in respect of any Grantor, the ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders:

(1)    will not exercise or seek to exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Notes Priority Collateral or institute any action or proceeding with respect to such rights or remedies (including any action of enforcement or foreclosure); provided, however, that the ABL Administrative Agent may exercise the rights provided for in Section 3.3 (with respect to any Access Period) and may exercise any or all such other rights or remedies after the passage of a period of at least 180 days has elapsed since the later of: (A) the date on which the ABL Administrative Agent declared the existence of any ABL Default and demanded the repayment of the principal amount of all ABL Obligations outstanding under the ABL Credit Agreement; and (B) the date on which the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent received notice from the ABL Administrative Agent of such declaration of an ABL Default (the “ABL Standstill Period”); provided, further, however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the ABL

 

-17-


Administrative Agent or any ABL Claimholder exercise any rights or remedies (other than those under Section 3.3) with respect to the Notes Priority Collateral if, notwithstanding the expiration of the ABL Standstill Period, the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent shall have commenced and be diligently pursuing the exercise of its rights or remedies with respect to all or any material portion of such Collateral (prompt notice of such exercise to be given to the ABL Administrative Agent) or shall be stayed under applicable law from exercising such rights and remedies;

(2)    will not contest, protest or object to, or otherwise interfere with, any foreclosure proceeding or action brought by any Notes Collateral Agent or any Notes Claimholder or any other exercise by a Notes Collateral Agent or any Notes Claimholder of any rights and remedies relating to the Notes Priority Collateral, whether under the Notes Documents or otherwise; and

(3)    subject to their rights under clause (a)(1) above and except as may be permitted in Section 3.2(c), will not object to the forbearance by any Notes Collateral Agent or Notes Claimholders from bringing or pursuing any Collateral Enforcement Action;

provided, however, that in the case of (1), (2) and (3) above, the Liens granted to secure the ABL Obligations of the ABL Claimholders shall attach to the Proceeds thereof subject to the relative priorities described in Section 2.

(b)    Until the Discharge of Notes Obligations has occurred, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by, against or in respect of any Grantor, the ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders, agrees that the Notes Collateral Agents and the Notes Claimholders shall have the right to enforce rights, exercise remedies (including setoff, recoupment and the right to credit bid their debt) and, in connection therewith (including voluntary Dispositions of Notes Priority Collateral by the applicable Grantors after a Notes Default) make determinations regarding the release, disposition, or restrictions with respect to the Notes Priority Collateral without any consultation with or the consent of the ABL Administrative Agent or any ABL Claimholder; provided, however, that the Lien securing the ABL Obligations shall remain on the Proceeds (other than those properly applied to the Notes Obligations) of such Collateral released or disposed of subject to the relative priorities described in Section 2. In exercising rights and remedies with respect to the Notes Priority Collateral, the ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders, agrees that the Notes Collateral Agents and the Notes Claimholders may enforce the provisions of the Notes Documents and exercise remedies thereunder, all in such order and in such manner as they may determine in the exercise of their sole discretion. Such exercise and enforcement shall include the rights of an agent or receiver appointed by them or another insolvency official appointed to sell or otherwise dispose of the Notes Priority Collateral upon foreclosure, to incur expenses in connection with such sale or disposition, and to exercise all the rights and remedies of a secured creditor under the UCC and of a secured creditor under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction. The ABL Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the ABL Claimholders, agrees that it will not seek, and hereby waives any right, to have any Notes Priority Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other disposition of such Collateral.

 

-18-


(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, the ABL Administrative Agent and any ABL Claimholder may:

(1)    file a claim or statement of interest with respect to the ABL Obligations; provided that an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by, against in respect of any Grantor;

(2)    take any action in order to create, perfect, preserve or protect its Lien on any of the Collateral; provided that such action shall not be inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement and shall not be adverse to the priority status of the Liens of any Notes Collateral Agent on the Notes Priority Collateral, or the rights of any Notes Collateral Agent or any of the Notes Claimholders to exercise remedies in respect thereof;

(3)    file any necessary or appropriate responsive or defensive pleadings in opposition to any motion, claim, adversary proceeding or other pleading made by any Person objecting to or otherwise seeking the disallowance of the claims or Liens of the ABL Claimholders, including any claims secured by the Notes Priority Collateral, if any, in each case in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

(4)    file any pleadings, objections, motions or agreements which assert rights or interests available to unsecured creditors of the Grantors arising under either any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or applicable non-bankruptcy law, in each case not inconsistent with or prohibited by the terms of this Agreement;

(5)    vote on any plan of reorganization or examinership or scheme of arrangement or similar dispositive restructuring plan, file any proof of claim, make other filings and make any arguments and motions that are, in each case, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, with respect to the ABL Obligations and the ABL Priority Collateral; and

(6)    exercise any of its rights or remedies with respect to any of the Collateral after the termination of the ABL Standstill Period to the extent permitted by Section 3.2(a)(1).

The ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders, agrees that it will not take or receive any Notes Priority Collateral or any Proceeds of such Collateral in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy (including setoff) with respect to any such Collateral in its capacity as a creditor in violation of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unless and until the Discharge of Notes Obligations has occurred, except as expressly provided in Sections 3.2(a), 3.3, 3.4, 6.3(c)(2) and this Section 3.2(c), the sole right of the ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders with respect to the Notes Priority Collateral is to hold a Lien on such Collateral pursuant to the ABL Collateral Documents for the period and to the extent granted therein and to receive a share of the Proceeds thereof, if any, after the Discharge of Notes Obligations has occurred.

 

-19-


(d)    Subject to Sections 3.2(a) and (c) and Sections 3.3 and 6.3(c)(2):

(1)    the ABL Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the ABL Claimholders, agrees that the ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders will not, except as not prohibited herein, take any action that would hinder or delay any exercise of remedies under the Notes Documents or that is otherwise prohibited hereunder, including any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of the Notes Priority Collateral, whether by foreclosure or otherwise;

(2)    the ABL Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the ABL Claimholders, hereby waives any and all rights it or the ABL Claimholders may have as a junior lien creditor with respect to the Notes Priority Collateral or otherwise to object to the manner in which the any Notes Collateral Agent or the Notes Claimholders seek to enforce or collect the Notes Obligations or the Liens on the Notes Priority Collateral securing the Notes Obligations granted in any of the Notes Documents or undertaken in accordance with this Agreement, regardless of whether any action or failure to act by or on behalf of any Notes Collateral Agent or the Notes Claimholders is adverse to the interest of the ABL Claimholders; and

(3)    the ABL Administrative Agent hereby acknowledges and agrees that no covenant, agreement or restriction contained in any of the ABL Collateral Documents or any other ABL Document (other than this Agreement) shall be deemed to restrict in any way the rights and remedies of the Notes Collateral Agents or the Notes Claimholders with respect to the Notes Priority Collateral as set forth in this Agreement and the Notes Documents.

(e)    Except as otherwise specifically set forth in Sections 3.2(a) and (d) and 3.5 or any other provision of this Agreement, the ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders may exercise rights and remedies as unsecured creditors against any Grantor and may exercise rights and remedies with respect to the ABL Priority Collateral, in each case, in accordance with the terms of the ABL Documents and applicable law; provided, however, that in the event that any ABL Claimholder becomes a judgment Lien creditor in respect of Notes Priority Collateral as a result of its enforcement of its rights as an unsecured creditor with respect to the ABL Obligations, such judgment Lien shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement for all purposes (including in relation to the Notes Obligations) as the other Liens securing the ABL Obligations are subject to this Agreement.

(f)    Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the receipt by the ABL Administrative Agent or any ABL Claimholders of payments of interest, principal and other amounts owed in respect of the ABL Obligations so long as such receipt is not the direct or indirect result of the exercise by the ABL Administrative Agent or any ABL Claimholders of rights or remedies (including setoff) or enforcement of any Lien held by any of them, in each case in contravention of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement impairs or otherwise adversely affects any rights or remedies the Notes Collateral Agents or the Notes Claimholders may have against the Grantors under the Notes Documents, other than with respect to the ABL Priority Collateral solely to the extent expressly provided herein.

 

-20-


3.3.    Exercise of Remedies – Collateral Access Rights.

(a)    The ABL Administrative Agent and the Notes Collateral Agents agree not to commence any Collateral Enforcement Action until an Enforcement Notice has been given to the other Collateral Agent. Subject to the provisions of Sections 3.1 and 3.2 above, any Collateral Agent may join in any judicial proceedings commenced by any other Collateral Agent to enforce Liens on the Collateral, provided that no Collateral Agent, nor the ABL Claimholders or the Notes Claimholders, as the case may be, shall interfere with the Collateral Enforcement Actions of the other with respect to the Priority Collateral of such other parties.

(b)    If any Notes Collateral Agent, or any agent or representative of any Notes Collateral Agent, or any receiver, shall obtain possession or physical control of any of the Mortgaged Properties, such Notes Collateral Agent shall promptly notify the ABL Administrative Agent of that fact (such notice, a “Notice of Occupancy”) and the ABL Administrative Agent shall, within ten (10) Business Days thereafter, notify the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent as to whether the ABL Administrative Agent desires to exercise access rights under this Agreement (such notice, an “Access Acceptance Notice”), at which time the parties shall confer in good faith to coordinate with respect to the ABL Administrative Agent’s exercise of such access rights; provided, that it is understood and agreed that the Notes Collateral Agents shall obtain possession or physical control of the Mortgaged Property in the manner provided in the applicable Notes Collateral Documents and in the manner provided herein. Access rights may apply to differing parcels of Mortgaged Property at differing times, in which case, a differing Access Period may apply to each such property. In the event that the ABL Administrative Agent elects to exercise its access rights as provided in this Agreement, each Notes Collateral Agent agrees, for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders, that in the event that any Notes Claimholder exercises its rights to sell or otherwise dispose of any Mortgaged Property, whether before or after the delivery of a Notice of Occupancy to the ABL Administrative Agent, the Notes Collateral Agents shall (i) provide access rights to the ABL Administrative Agent for the duration of the Access Period in accordance with this Agreement and (ii) if such a sale or other disposition occurs prior to the ABL Administrative Agent delivering an Access Acceptance Notice during the time period provided therefor, or if applicable, the expiration of the applicable Access Period, ensure that the purchaser or other transferee of such Mortgaged Property provides the ABL Administrative Agent the opportunity to exercise its access rights, and upon delivery of an Access Acceptance Notice to such purchaser or transferee, continued access rights to the ABL Administrative Agent for the duration of the applicable Access Period, in the manner and to the extent required by this Agreement.

(c)    Upon delivery of notice to the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent as provided in Section 3.3(b), the Access Period shall commence for the subject parcel of Mortgaged Property. During the Access Period, the ABL Administrative Agent and its agents, representatives and designees shall have a non-exclusive right to have access to, and a rent free right to use, the Notes Priority Collateral for the purpose of arranging for and effecting the sale or disposition of ABL Priority Collateral, including the production, completion, packaging and other preparation of such ABL Priority Collateral for sale or disposition. During any such Access Period, the ABL Administrative Agent and its agents, representatives and designees (and Persons employed on their respective behalves), may continue to operate, service, maintain,

 

-21-


process and sell the ABL Priority Collateral, as well as to engage in bulk sales of ABL Priority Collateral. The ABL Administrative Agent shall take proper care of any Notes Priority Collateral that is used by the ABL Administrative Agent during the Access Period and repair and replace any damage (ordinary wear-and-tear excepted) caused by the ABL Administrative Agent or its agents, representatives or designees and the ABL Administrative Agent shall comply with all applicable laws in connection with its use or occupancy of the Notes Priority Collateral. The ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders shall indemnify and hold harmless the Notes Collateral Agents and the Notes Claimholders for any injury or damage to Persons or property caused by the acts or omissions of Persons under its control. The ABL Administrative Agent and the Notes Collateral Agents shall cooperate and use reasonable efforts to ensure that their activities during the Access Period as described above do not interfere materially with the activities of the other as described above, including the right of the Notes Collateral Agents to show the Notes Priority Collateral to prospective purchasers and to ready the Notes Priority Collateral for sale.

(d)    If any order or injunction is issued or stay is granted which prohibits the ABL Administrative Agent from exercising any of its rights hereunder, then at the ABL Administrative Agent’s option, the Access Period granted to the ABL Administrative Agent under this Section 3.3 shall be stayed during the period of such prohibition and shall continue thereafter for the number of days remaining as required under this Section 3.3. If any Notes Collateral Agent shall foreclose or otherwise sell any of the Notes Priority Collateral, such Notes Collateral Agent will notify the buyer thereof of the existence of this Agreement and that the buyer is acquiring the Notes Priority Collateral subject to the terms of this Agreement.

(e)    The Grantors hereby agree with the Notes Collateral Agents that the ABL Administrative Agent shall have access, during the Access Period, as described herein and each such Grantor that owns any of the Mortgaged Properties grants a non-exclusive easement in gross over its property to permit the uses by the ABL Administrative Agent contemplated by this Section 3.3. Each Notes Collateral Agent consents to such easement and to the recordation of a collateral access easement agreement in the relevant real estate records with respect to each parcel of real property that is now or hereafter subject to a Notes Mortgage. The ABL Administrative Agent agrees that upon either a Discharge of ABL Obligations or the expiration of the final Access Period with respect to any parcel of property covered by a Notes Mortgage, it shall, upon request, execute and deliver to the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent, or if a Discharge of Notes Obligations has occurred, to the applicable Grantor, such documentation, in recordable form, as may reasonably be requested to terminate any and all rights with respect to such Access Periods.

3.4.    Exercise of Remedies – Intellectual Property Rights/Access to Information. Each Notes Collateral Agent and each Grantor hereby grants (to the full extent of their respective rights and interests) the ABL Administrative Agent and its agents, representatives and designees (a) a worldwide, royalty free (or any other obligation of payment), rent free non-exclusive license (and sublicense) and lease to use all of the Notes Priority Collateral consisting of Intellectual Property and technology rights, solely in connection with the sale of inventory (including manufacture of unfinished inventory) and (b) a royalty free non-exclusive license (which will be binding on any successor or assignee of the Intellectual

 

-22-


Property) to use any and all Intellectual Property, in each case, at any time in connection with its Collateral Enforcement Action; provided, however, the royalty free, rent free non-exclusive license and lease granted in clause (a) shall immediately expire upon the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of all such inventory.

3.5.    Exercise of Remedies – Set Off and Tracing of and Priorities in Proceeds. Each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders, also agrees that prior to an issuance of an Enforcement Notice, all funds deposited in an account subject to a Control Agreement that constitute ABL Priority Collateral and then applied to the ABL Obligations shall be treated as ABL Priority Collateral and, unless the ABL Administrative Agent has actual knowledge to the contrary, any claim that payments made to the ABL Administrative Agent through the Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts that are subject to such Control Agreements are Proceeds of or otherwise constitute Notes Priority Collateral are waived by the Notes Collateral Agents and the Notes Claimholders.

SECTION 4.     Payments.

4.1.    Application of Proceeds.

(a)    So long as the Discharge of ABL Obligations has not occurred, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by, against or in respect of any Grantor, all ABL Priority Collateral or Proceeds thereof received in connection with the sale or other disposition of, or collection on, such Collateral upon the exercise of remedies by the ABL Administrative Agent or any ABL Claimholder, shall be applied by the ABL Administrative Agent to the ABL Obligations in such order as specified in the relevant ABL Documents. Upon the Discharge of ABL Obligations, the ABL Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent any Collateral and Proceeds of Collateral held by it as a result of the exercise of remedies in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct to be applied by the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent to the Notes Obligations in such order as specified in Section 4.1(b); it being understood that any security interest in Deposit Accounts in favor of the Notes Obligations shall no longer exist upon Discharge of ABL Obligations.

(b)    So long as the Discharge of Notes Obligations has not occurred, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by, against or in respect of any Grantor, all Notes Priority Collateral or Proceeds thereof received in connection with the sale or other disposition of, or collection on, such Collateral upon the exercise of remedies by any Notes Collateral Agent or any Notes Claimholder, shall be applied by the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent to the Notes Obligations as specified in the relevant Notes Documents. Upon the Discharge of Notes Obligations, each Notes Collateral Agent shall deliver to the ABL Administrative Agent any Collateral and Proceeds of Collateral held by it as a result of the exercise of remedies in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct to be applied by the ABL Administrative Agent to the ABL Obligations in such order as specified in the ABL Collateral Documents.

4.2.    Payments Over in Violation of Agreement. So long as neither the Discharge of ABL Obligations nor the Discharge of Notes Obligations has occurred, whether or

 

-23-


not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by, against or in respect of any Grantor, any Collateral or Proceeds thereof (including assets or Proceeds subject to Liens referred to in the final sentence of Section 2.3) received by any Collateral Agent or any Notes Claimholders or ABL Claimholders in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy (including setoff) relating to the Collateral in contravention of this Agreement shall be segregated and held in trust (or, if the concept of trust is not recognized under any applicable law, by such Person as an agent) and forthwith paid over to the appropriate Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Notes Claimholders or the ABL Claimholders, as the case may be, in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. Each Collateral Agent is hereby authorized by the other Collateral Agent to make any such endorsements as agent for the other Collateral Agent or any Notes Claimholders or ABL Claimholders, as the case may be. This authorization is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable until the Discharge of ABL Obligations and Discharge of Notes Obligations.

4.3.    Application of Payments. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement, all payments received by (a) the ABL Administrative Agent or the ABL Claimholders may be applied, reversed and reapplied, in whole or in part, to the ABL Obligations to the extent provided for in the ABL Documents and (b) the Notes Collateral Agents or the Notes Claimholders may be applied, reversed and reapplied, in whole or in part, to the Notes Obligations in the order set forth in Section 4.1(b).

4.4.    Reinstatement.

(a)    To the extent any payment with respect to any ABL Obligation (whether by or on behalf of any Grantor, as Proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of setoff, recoupment or otherwise) is declared to be or is avoided as a fraudulent or improper conveyance, fraudulent or improper transfer or a preference in any respect, set aside or required to be paid to a debtor in possession, Grantor or trustee in bankruptcy, administrator, liquidator or examiner, any Notes Claimholders, receiver or similar Person, whether in connection with any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise, then the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall, for the purposes of this Agreement and the rights and obligations of the ABL Claimholders and the Notes Claimholders, be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred. To the extent that any interest, fees, expenses or other charges (including, without limitation, Post-Petition Interest) to be paid pursuant to the ABL Documents are disallowed by order of any court, including, without limitation, by order of a Bankruptcy Court in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, such interest, fees, expenses and charges (including, without limitation, Post-Petition Interest) shall, as between the ABL Claimholders and the Notes Claimholders, be deemed to continue to accrue and be added to the amount to be calculated as the “ABL Obligations.”

(b)    To the extent any payment with respect to any Notes Obligation (whether by or on behalf of any Grantor, as Proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of setoff, recoupment or otherwise) is declared to be or avoided as a fraudulent or improper conveyance, fraudulent or improper transfer or a preference in any respect, set aside or required to be paid to a debtor in possession, Grantor or trustee in bankruptcy, administrator, liquidator or examiner, any ABL Claimholders, receiver or similar Person, whether in connection with any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise, then the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be

 

-24-


satisfied shall, for the purposes of this Agreement and the rights and obligations of the Notes Claimholders and the ABL Claimholders, be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred. To the extent that any interest, fees, expenses or other charges (including, without limitation, Post-Petition Interest) to be paid pursuant to the Notes Documents are disallowed by order of any court, including, without limitation, by order of a Bankruptcy Court in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, such interest, fees, expenses and charges (including, without limitation, Post-Petition Interest) shall, as between the Notes Claimholders and the ABL Claimholders, be deemed to continue to accrue and be added to the amount to be calculated as the “Notes Obligations.”

SECTION 5.     Other Agreements.

5.1.    Releases.

(a)    (i) If in connection with the exercise of the ABL Administrative Agent’s remedies in respect of any Collateral as provided for in Section 3.1, the ABL Administrative Agent, for itself or on behalf of any of the ABL Claimholders, releases any of its Liens on any part of the ABL Priority Collateral, then the Liens, if any, of each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself or for the benefit of the Notes Claimholders, on the ABL Priority Collateral sold or disposed of in connection with such exercise, shall be automatically, unconditionally and simultaneously released. Each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself or on behalf of any such Notes Claimholders, promptly shall execute and deliver to the ABL Administrative Agent or such Grantor such termination statements, releases and other documents as the ABL Administrative Agent or such Grantor may reasonably request to effectively confirm such release.

(ii)    If in connection with the exercise of the Notes Collateral Agent’s remedies in respect of any Collateral as provided for in Section 3.2, the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent, for itself or on behalf of any of the Notes Claimholders, releases any of its Liens on any part of the Notes Priority Collateral, then the Liens, if any, of the ABL Administrative Agent, for itself or for the benefit of the ABL Claimholders, on the Notes Priority Collateral sold or disposed of in connection with such exercise, shall be automatically, unconditionally and simultaneously released. The ABL Administrative Agent, for itself or on behalf of any such ABL Claimholders, promptly shall execute and deliver to the Notes Collateral Agent or such Grantor such termination statements, releases and other documents as the Notes Collateral Agent or such Grantor may reasonably request to effectively confirm such release.

(b)    If in connection with any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of any Collateral (collectively, a “Disposition”) permitted under the terms of both the ABL Documents and the Notes Documents (other than in connection with the exercise of the respective Collateral Agent’s rights and remedies in respect of the Collateral as provided for in Sections 3.1 and 3.2), (i) the ABL Administrative Agent, for itself or on behalf of any of the ABL Claimholders, releases any of its Liens on any part of the ABL Priority Collateral, in each case other than (A) except with respect to Deposit Accounts, in connection with the Discharge of ABL Obligations or (B) after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Notes Default, then the Liens, if any, of each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself or for the benefit of the applicable Notes Claimholders, on such Collateral shall be automatically, unconditionally and simultaneously released, and (ii) the Notes Collateral Agent, for itself or on behalf of any of the

 

-25-


applicable Notes Claimholders, releases any of its Liens on any part of the Notes Priority Collateral, in each case other than (A) in connection with the Discharge of Notes Obligations or (B) after the occurrence and during the continuance of an ABL Default, then the Liens, if any, of the ABL Administrative Agent, for itself or for the benefit of the ABL Claimholders, on such Collateral (or, if such Collateral includes the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary, the Liens on Collateral owned by such Subsidiary) shall be automatically, unconditionally and simultaneously released. The ABL Administrative Agent and each Notes Collateral Agent, each for itself and on behalf of any such ABL Claimholders or Notes Claimholders, as the case may be, promptly shall execute and deliver to the other Collateral Agents or such Grantor such termination statements, releases and other documents as the other Collateral Agents or such Grantor may reasonably request to effectively confirm such release.

(c)    Until the Discharge of ABL Obligations and Discharge of Notes Obligations shall occur, the ABL Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the ABL Claimholders, and each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders, as the case may be, hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the other Collateral Agents and any officer or agent of the other Collateral Agent, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of the other Collateral Agent or such holder or in the Collateral Agent’s own name, from time to time in such Collateral Agent’s discretion, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Section 5.1, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Section 5.1, including any endorsements or other instruments of transfer or release.

(d)    Until the Discharge of ABL Obligations and Discharge of Notes Obligations shall occur, to the extent that the Collateral Agents or the ABL Claimholders or the Notes Claimholders (i) have released any Lien on Collateral and such Lien is later reinstated or (ii) obtain any new Liens from any Grantor, then each other Collateral Agent, for itself and for the ABL Claimholders or applicable Notes Claimholders, as the case may be, shall be granted a Lien on any such Collateral, subject to the lien priority provisions of this Agreement.

5.2.    Insurance.

(a)    Unless and until the Discharge of ABL Obligations has occurred, subject to the terms of, and the rights of the Grantors under, the ABL Documents, each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders agrees, that (i) the ABL Administrative Agent shall have the sole and exclusive right to adjust settlement for any insurance policy covering the ABL Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding (or any deed in lieu of condemnation) affecting such Collateral; (ii) all Proceeds of any such policy and any such award (or any payments with respect to a deed in lieu of condemnation) if in respect of such Collateral and to the extent required by the ABL Documents shall be paid to the ABL Administrative Agent for the benefit of the ABL Claimholders pursuant to the terms of the ABL Documents (including, without limitation, for purposes of cash collateralization of letters of credit) and thereafter, to the extent the Discharge of ABL Obligations has occurred, and subject to the rights of the Grantors under the Notes Documents, to the Notes Collateral Agents for the benefit of the Notes Claimholder to the extent required under the Notes Collateral Documents and then, to the extent

 

-26-


the Discharge of Notes Obligations has occurred, to the owner of the subject property, such other Person as may be entitled thereto or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct, and (iii) if any Notes Collateral Agent or any Notes Claimholder shall, at any time, receive any Proceeds of any such insurance policy or any such award or payment in contravention of this Agreement, it shall segregate and hold in trust (or, if the concept of trust is not recognized under any applicable law, as an agent) and forthwith pay such Proceeds over to the ABL Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms of Section 4.2.

(b)    Unless and until the Discharge of Notes Obligations has occurred, subject to the terms of, and the rights of the Grantors under, the Notes Documents, the ABL Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the ABL Claimholders, agrees that (i) in accordance with the terms of the applicable Notes Documents, the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the Notes Claimholders shall have the sole and exclusive right to adjust settlement for any insurance policy covering the Notes Priority Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding (or any deed in lieu of condemnation) affecting such Collateral; (ii) in accordance with the terms of the applicable Notes Documents, all Proceeds of any such policy and any such award (or any payments with respect to a deed in lieu of condemnation) if in respect of such Collateral and to the extent required by the Notes Documents shall be paid to the Notes Collateral Agents for the benefit of the Notes Claimholders pursuant to the terms of the Notes Documents and thereafter, to the extent the Discharge of Notes Obligations has occurred, and subject to the rights of the Grantors under the ABL Documents, to the ABL Administrative Agent for the benefit of the ABL Claimholders to the extent required under the ABL Collateral Documents and then, to the extent the Discharge of ABL Obligations has occurred, to the owner of the subject property, such other Person as may be entitled thereto or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct, and (iii) in accordance with the terms of the ABL Documents, if the ABL Administrative Agent or any ABL Claimholders shall, at any time, receive any Proceeds of any such insurance policy or any such award or payment in contravention of this Agreement, it shall segregate and hold in trust (or, if the concept of trust is not recognized under any applicable law, as an agent) and forthwith pay such Proceeds over to the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent in accordance with the terms of Section 4.2.

(c)    To effectuate the foregoing, the Collateral Agents shall each receive separate lender’s loss payable endorsements naming them as loss payee and additional insured, as their interests may appear, with respect to policies which insure Collateral. To the extent any Proceeds are received for business interruption or for any liability or indemnification and those Proceeds are not compensation for a casualty loss with respect to the Notes Priority Collateral, such Proceeds shall first be applied to repay the ABL Obligations (to the extent required pursuant to the ABL Credit Agreement) and then be applied, to the extent required by the Notes Documents, to the Notes Obligations.

5.3.    Amendments to ABL Documents and Notes Documents; Refinancing.

(a)    The Notes Documents may be amended, amended and restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with their terms and the Notes Obligations may be Refinanced, in each case, without notice to, or the consent of the ABL Administrative Agent or the ABL Claimholders, all without affecting the lien subordination or other provisions

 

-27-


of this Agreement; provided, however, (i) that the holders of such Refinancing debt, or their respective agent or representative on the behalf of such holders, bind themselves in a writing addressed to the ABL Administrative Agent and any other existing Collateral Agents to the terms of this Agreement and any such amendment, supplement, modification or Refinancing shall not contravene any provision of this Agreement, and (ii) the ABL Administrative Agent shall promptly enter into such amendments, supplements or documents relating to any agreement, document or instrument that jointly constitute ABL Collateral Documents and Notes Collateral Documents, as the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent or the Notes Collateral Agents, as the case may be, may reasonably request with respect to any such amendments to the Notes Documents or Refinancing of the Notes Obligations.

(b)    The ABL Documents may be amended, amended and restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with their terms and the ABL Credit Agreement may be Refinanced, in each case, without notice to, or the consent of any Notes Collateral Agent or the Notes Claimholders, all without affecting the lien subordination or other provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, (i) that the holders of such Refinancing debt, or their respective agent or representative on the behalf of such holders, bind themselves in a writing addressed to the Notes Collateral Agents to the terms of this Agreement and any such amendment, supplement, modification or Refinancing shall not contravene any provision of this Agreement, and (ii) the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent or the Notes Collateral Agents, as the case may be, shall promptly enter into such amendments, supplements or documents relating to any agreement, document or instrument that jointly constitute ABL Collateral Documents and Notes Collateral Documents, as the ABL Administrative Agent may reasonably request with respect to any such amendments to the ABL Documents or Refinancing of the ABL Credit Agreement.

(c)    On or after any Refinancing, and the receipt of notice thereof, which notice shall include the identity of an new or replacement Collateral Agent or other agent serving the same or similar function, each existing Collateral Agent shall promptly enter into such documents and agreements (including amendments or supplements to this Intercreditor Agreement) as the Borrower or such new or replacement Collateral Agent may reasonably request in order to provide to such new or replacement Collateral Agent the rights, remedies and powers and authorities contemplated hereby, in each case consistent in all respects with the terms of this Agreement.

(d)    The ABL Administrative Agent and each Notes Collateral Agent shall use good faith efforts to notify the other parties hereto of any written amendment or modification to any ABL Document or any applicable Notes Document, as applicable, but the failure to do so shall not create a cause of action against the party failing to give such notice or create any claim or right on behalf of any third party.

5.4.    Bailees for Perfection.

(a)    Each Collateral Agent agrees to hold that part of the Collateral that is in its possession or control (or in the possession or control of its agents or bailees) to the extent that possession or control thereof is taken to perfect a Lien thereon under the UCC (such Collateral being the “Pledged Collateral”) for the benefit of, on behalf of and as collateral agent for the

 

-28-


ABL Claimholders or the Notes Claimholders, as the case may be, and as bailee for the other Collateral Agents (such bailment being intended, among other things, to satisfy the requirements of Sections 8-106(d)(3), 8-301(a)(2), 9-104(5) and 9-313(c) of the UCC) and any assignee solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted under the ABL Documents and the Notes Documents, respectively, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 5.4.

(b)    No Collateral Agent shall have any obligation whatsoever to the other Collateral Agents, to any ABL Claimholder, to any Notes Claimholder or to any other Person to ensure that the Pledged Collateral is genuine or owned by any of the Grantors or to preserve rights or benefits of any Person except as expressly set forth in this Section 5.4. The duties or responsibilities of the respective Collateral Agents under this Section 5.4 shall be limited solely to holding the Pledged Collateral as bailee in accordance with this Section 5.4 and delivering the Pledged Collateral upon a Discharge of ABL Obligations or Discharge of Notes Obligations, as the case may be, as provided in paragraph (d) below.

(c)    No Collateral Agent acting pursuant to this Section 5.4 shall have by reason of the ABL Documents, the Notes Documents, this Agreement or any other document a fiduciary relationship in respect of the other Collateral Agents, or any ABL Claimholders or any Notes Claimholders. Each of the Notes Collateral Agents, for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders, hereby waives and releases the ABL Administrative Agent from all claims and liabilities arising pursuant to its role under this Section 5.4 as bailee and non-fiduciary agent with respect to the applicable Collateral. The ABL Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the ABL Claimholders, hereby waives and releases each of the Notes Collateral Agents from all claims and liabilities arising pursuant to its role under this Section 5.4 as bailee and non-fiduciary agent with respect to the applicable Collateral.

(d)    Upon the Discharge of ABL Obligations or the Discharge of Notes Obligations, as the case may be, the Collateral Agent under the debt facility which has been discharged shall deliver the remaining Pledged Collateral (if any) together with any necessary endorsements and without recourse or warranty, first, to the other Collateral Agent (for the avoidance of doubt, in the case of the Discharge of ABL Obligations, to the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent) to the extent the other Obligations (other than Contingent Obligations) remain outstanding, and second, to the applicable Grantor to the extent no ABL Obligations or Notes Obligations, as the case may be, remain outstanding (in each case, so as to allow such Person to obtain possession or control of such Pledged Collateral). Each Collateral Agent further agrees, to the extent that any other Obligations (other than applicable Contingent Obligations) remain outstanding, to take all other commercially reasonable action as shall be reasonably requested by the other Collateral Agent, at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors, to permit such other Collateral Agent to obtain, for the benefit of the ABL Claimholders or Notes Claimholders, as applicable, a first-priority interest in the Collateral or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.

(e)    Subject to the terms of this Agreement, (i) so long as the Discharge of ABL Obligations has not occurred, the ABL Administrative Agent shall be entitled to deal with the Pledged Collateral or Collateral within its “control” in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and other ABL Documents, but only to the extent that such Collateral constitutes ABL Priority Collateral, as if the Liens of the Notes Collateral Agents and Notes Claimholders

 

-29-


did not exist and (ii) so long as the Discharge of Notes Obligations has not occurred, the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent shall be entitled to deal with the Pledged Collateral or Collateral within its “control” in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and other Notes Documents, but only to the extent that such Collateral constitutes Notes Priority Collateral, as if the Liens of the ABL Administrative Agent and ABL Claimholders did not exist.

(f)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary:

(1)    each of the ABL Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the ABL Claimholders, agrees that any requirement under any ABL Collateral Document that any Grantor deliver any Collateral that constitutes Notes Priority Collateral to the ABL Administrative Agent, or that requires any Grantor to vest the ABL Administrative Agent with possession or “control” (as defined in the UCC) of any Collateral that constitutes Notes Priority Collateral, in each case, shall be deemed satisfied to the extent that, prior to the Discharge of Notes Obligations (other than Contingent Obligations), such Collateral is delivered to the Controlling Notes Collateral Agents, or the Controlling Notes Collateral Agents shall have been vested with such possession or (unless, pursuant to the UCC, control may be given concurrently to the ABL Administrative Agent and the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent) “control,” in each case, subject to the provisions of Section 5.4; and

(2)    each of the Notes Collateral Agents, for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders, agrees that any requirement under any Notes Collateral Document that any Grantor deliver any Collateral that constitutes ABL Priority Collateral to such Notes Collateral Agent, or that requires any Grantor to vest such Notes Collateral Agent with possession or “control” (as defined in the UCC) of any Collateral that constitutes ABL Priority Collateral, in each case, shall be deemed satisfied to the extent that, prior to the Discharge of ABL Obligations (other than Contingent Obligations), such Collateral is delivered to the ABL Administrative Agent, or the ABL Administrative Agent shall have been vested with such possession or (unless, pursuant to the UCC, control may be given concurrently to the Notes Collateral Agent and the ABL Administrative Agent) “control,” in each case, subject to the provisions of Section 5.4; provided that, with respect to accounts that constitute ABL Priority Collateral for which control agreements or similar arrangements are or are required to be obtained under the ABL Credit Agreement, the Grantors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to include the Initial Notes Collateral Agent as a secured party in respect of such control agreements or similar arrangements.

5.5.    When Discharge of ABL Obligations and Discharge of Notes Obligations Deemed to Not Have Occurred. If in connection with the Discharge of ABL Obligations or the Discharge of Notes Obligations, the Borrower substantially concurrently or subsequently enters into any Refinancing of any ABL Obligation or Notes Obligation, as the case may be, which Refinancing is permitted by both the then extant Notes Documents and the ABL Documents, in each case, to the extent such documents will remain in effect following such Refinancing, then such Discharge of ABL Obligations or the Discharge of Notes Obligations, as the case may be, shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement (other than with respect to any actions taken pursuant to this Agreement as a result of the occurrence of

 

-30-


such Discharge of ABL Obligations or Discharge of Notes Obligations, as applicable) and, from and after the date on which the New Debt Notice is delivered to the appropriate Collateral Agents in accordance with the next sentence, the obligations under such Refinancing shall automatically be treated as ABL Obligations or Notes Obligations, as applicable, for all purposes of this Agreement, including for purposes of the Lien priorities and rights in respect of Collateral set forth herein, and the ABL Administrative Agent or Notes Collateral Agent, as the case may be, under such new ABL Documents or new Notes Documents shall be the ABL Administrative Agent or a Notes Collateral Agent for all purposes of this Agreement. Upon receipt of a notice (the “New Debt Notice”) stating that the Borrower has entered into new ABL Documents or new Notes Documents (which notice shall include a complete copy of the relevant new documents and provide the identity of the new collateral agent (such agent, the “New Agent”)), the other Collateral Agents shall promptly (a) enter into such documents and agreements (including amendments or supplements to this Agreement) as the Borrower or such New Agent shall reasonably request in order to provide to the New Agent the rights contemplated hereby, in each case consistent in all material respects with the terms of this Agreement and (b) deliver to the New Agent any Pledged Collateral (that is Notes Priority Collateral, in the case of a New Agent that is the agent under any new Notes Documents (subject to the terms of any Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) or that is ABL Priority Collateral, in the case of a New Agent that is the agent under any new ABL Documents) held by it together with any necessary endorsements (or otherwise allow the New Agent to obtain control of such Pledged Collateral). The New Agent shall agree in a writing addressed to the other Collateral Agents for the benefit of the ABL Claimholders or the Notes Claimholders, as the case may be, to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. If the new ABL Obligations under the new ABL Documents or the new Notes Obligations under the new Notes Documents are secured by assets of the Grantors constituting Collateral that do not also secure the other Obligations, then the other Obligations shall be secured at such time by a Lien on such assets to the same extent provided in the ABL Documents, Notes Collateral Documents and this Agreement with the priority provided for under this Agreement.

5.6.    [Reserved].

5.7.    Additional Notes Debt. The Borrower and the other applicable Grantors will be permitted to designate as an additional holder of Notes Obligations hereunder each Person who is, or who becomes or who is to become, the registered holder of any Additional Notes Debt incurred by the Borrower or such Grantor after the date of this Agreement in accordance with the terms of all applicable ABL/Notes Documents. Upon the issuance or incurrence of any such Additional Notes Debt:

(a)    the Administrative Borrower shall deliver to the Notes Collateral Agents and the ABL Administrative Agent an Officers’ Certificate stating that the Borrower or such Grantor intends to enter into an Additional Notes Instrument and certifying that the issuance or incurrence of Additional Notes Debt under such Additional Notes Instrument is permitted by each applicable ABL/Notes Document;

(b)    the administrative agent or trustee and collateral agent for such Additional Notes Debt shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agents a Joinder Agreement;

 

-31-


(c)    the Notes Collateral Documents in respect of such Additional Notes Debt shall be subject to, and shall comply with, Sections 2.3 and 2.4 of this Agreement; and

(d)    each existing Collateral Agent shall promptly enter into such documents and agreements (including amendments or supplements to this Intercreditor Agreement) as the Borrower or the administrative agent or trustee and collateral agent for such Additional Notes Debt may reasonably request in order to provide to them the rights, remedies and powers and authorities contemplated hereby, in each consistent in all respects with the terms of this Intercreditor Agreement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement will be construed to allow the Borrower or any other Grantor to incur additional Indebtedness unless otherwise permitted by the terms of each applicable then extant ABL/Notes Document.

SECTION 6.    Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings.

6.1.    Finance Issues. (a) Until the Discharge of ABL Obligations has occurred, if any Grantor shall be subject to any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and the ABL Administrative Agent shall desire to permit the use of “Cash Collateral” (as such term is defined in Section 363(a) of the Bankruptcy Code) constituting ABL Priority Collateral on which the ABL Administrative Agent or any other creditor has a Lien or to permit any Grantor to obtain financing, whether from the ABL Claimholders or any other Person under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other applicable Bankruptcy Law (“DIP Financing”) that is secured at least in part by the ABL Priority Collateral, then each Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the applicable Notes Claimholders, agrees that it will raise no objection to such Cash Collateral use or DIP Financing so long as such Cash Collateral use or DIP Financing meet the following requirements: (i) Notes Collateral Agents and the Notes Claimholders retain the right to object to any ancillary agreements or arrangements regarding the Cash Collateral use or the DIP Financing that are materially prejudicial to their interests in the Notes Priority Collateral, and (ii) the terms of the DIP Financing (A) do not compel the applicable Grantor to seek confirmation of a specific plan of reorganization or examinership or scheme of arrangement or similar dispositive restructuring plan for which all or substantially all of the material terms are set forth in the DIP Financing documentation or a related document, (B) do not expressly require the liquidation of the Collateral prior to a default under the DIP Financing documentation or Cash Collateral order, and (C) do not require that any Lien of the Notes Collateral Agents on the Notes Priority Collateral be subordinated to or pari passu with the Lien on the Notes Priority Collateral securing such DIP Financing. To the extent the Liens securing the ABL Obligations are subordinated to or pari passu with the Liens securing such DIP Financing which meets the requirements of clauses (i) through (ii) above, each Notes Collateral Agent will subordinate its Liens in the ABL Priority Collateral to the Liens thereon securing such DIP Financing (and all Obligations relating thereto) and will not request adequate protection or any other relief in connection therewith (except as expressly agreed by the ABL Administrative Agent or to the extent permitted by Section 6.3).

(b)    Until the Discharge of Notes Obligations has occurred, if any Grantor shall be subject to any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent shall desire to permit the use of “Cash Collateral” (as such term is defined in Section 363(a) of the

 

-32-


Bankruptcy Code) constituting Notes Priority Collateral on which any of the Notes Collateral Agents or any other creditor has a Lien or to permit any Grantor to obtain DIP Financing, whether from the Notes Claimholders or any other Person, that is secured at least in part by the Notes Priority Collateral, then the ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders, agrees that it will raise no objection to such Cash Collateral use or DIP Financing so long as such Cash Collateral use or DIP Financing meet the following requirements: (i) the ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders retain the right to object to any ancillary agreements or arrangements regarding the Cash Collateral use or the DIP Financing that are materially prejudicial to their interests in the ABL Priority Collateral, and (ii) the terms of the DIP Financing (A) do not compel the applicable Grantor to seek confirmation of a specific plan of reorganization or examinership or scheme of arrangement or similar dispositive restructuring plan for which all or substantially all of the material terms are set forth in the DIP Financing documentation or a related document, (B) do not expressly require the liquidation of the Collateral prior to a default under the DIP Financing documentation or Cash Collateral order, and (C) do not require that any Lien of the ABL Administrative Agent on the ABL Priority Collateral be subordinated to or pari passu with the Lien on the ABL Priority Collateral securing such DIP Financing. To the extent the Liens securing the Notes Obligations are subordinated to or pari passu with the Liens securing such DIP Financing which meets the requirements of clauses (i) through (ii) above, the ABL Administrative Agent will subordinate its Liens in the Notes Priority Collateral to the Liens thereon securing such DIP Financing (and all Obligations relating thereto) and will not request adequate protection or any other relief in connection therewith (except as expressly agreed by the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent or to the extent permitted by Section 6.3).

6.2.    Relief from the Automatic Stay.

(a)    Until the Discharge of ABL Obligations has occurred, each Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the applicable Notes Claimholders, agrees that none of them shall seek (or support any other Person seeking) relief from the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of the ABL Priority Collateral, without the prior written consent of the ABL Administrative Agent, unless a motion for adequate protection permitted under Section 6.3 has been denied by the Bankruptcy Court.

(b)    Until the Discharge of Notes Obligations has occurred, the ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders, agrees that none of them shall seek (or support any other Person seeking) relief from the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of the Notes Priority Collateral (other than to the extent such relief is required to exercise its rights under Section 3.3), without the prior written consent of the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent (which consent shall bind each Notes Claimholder, and each Notes Collateral Agent agrees and acknowledges that: (i) such consent shall bind it and the Notes Claimholders that it represents, (ii) the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent owes no duty to any other Notes Collateral Agents or any Notes Claimholders other than those that it represents, and (iii) the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent is released and held harmless from any liability to such Notes Collateral Agent or the Notes Claimholders that it represents in connection with the granting or denial of such consent), unless a motion for adequate protection permitted under Section 6.3 has been denied by the Bankruptcy Court.

 

-33-


6.3.    Adequate Protection.

(a)    Each Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the applicable Notes Claimholders, agrees that none of them shall contest (or support any other Person contesting):

(1)    any request by the ABL Administrative Agent or the ABL Claimholders for adequate protection with respect to the ABL Priority Collateral; provided that (A) such adequate protection claim shall not seek the creation of any Lien over additional assets or property of any Grantor other than with respect to assets or property that constitute ABL Priority Collateral and (B) if such additional assets or property shall also constitute Notes Priority Collateral, (i) a Lien shall have been created in favor of the Notes Claimholders in respect of such Collateral and (ii) the Lien thereon in favor of the ABL Claimholders shall be subordinated to the extent set forth in this Agreement; or

(2)    any objection by the ABL Administrative Agent or the ABL Claimholders to any motion, relief, action or proceeding based on the ABL Administrative Agent or the ABL Claimholders claiming a lack of adequate protection; provided that if the ABL Administrative Agent is granted adequate protection in the form of a Lien on additional or replacement collateral, the Notes Collateral Agents and the Notes Claimholders may seek or request adequate protection in the form of a Lien on such additional or replacement collateral; it being understood and agreed that (1) if such additional or replacement collateral shall also constitute Notes Priority Collateral, the Lien on such additional or replacement collateral in favor of the ABL Administrative Agent shall be subordinate to all Liens on such additional or replacement collateral in favor of the Notes Collateral Agents and (2) if such additional or replacement collateral shall also constitute ABL Priority Collateral, the Lien on such additional or replacement collateral in favor of the ABL Administrative Agent shall be senior to all Liens on such additional or replacement collateral in favor of the Notes Collateral Agents, in each case with respect to the foregoing clauses (1) and (2), to the extent required by this Agreement.

(b)    The ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders, agrees that none of them shall contest (or support any other Person contesting):

(1)    any request by the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent for adequate protection with respect to the Notes Priority Collateral; provided that (A) such adequate protection claim shall not seek the creation of any Lien over additional assets or property of any Grantor other than with respect to assets or property that constitute Notes Priority Collateral or (B) if such additional assets or property shall also constitute ABL Priority Collateral, (i) a Lien shall have been created in favor of the ABL Claimholders in respect of such Collateral and (ii) the Lien thereon in favor of the Notes Claimholders shall be subordinated to the extent set forth in this Agreement; or

(2)    any objection by the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent to any motion, relief, action or proceeding based on the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent claiming a lack of adequate protection; provided that if the Notes Collateral Agents are granted adequate protection in the form of a Lien on additional or replacement collateral, the ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders may seek or request adequate

 

-34-


protection in the form of a Lien on such additional or replacement collateral; it being understood and agreed that (1) if such additional or replacement collateral shall also constitute ABL Priority Collateral, the Lien on such additional or replacement collateral in favor of the Notes Collateral Agents shall be subordinate to all Liens on such additional or replacement collateral in favor of the ABL Administrative Agent and (2) if such additional or replacement collateral shall also constitute Notes Priority Collateral, the Lien on such additional or replacement collateral in favor of the Notes Collateral Agents shall be senior to all Liens on such additional or replacement collateral in favor of the ABL Administrative Agent, in each case with respect to the foregoing clauses (1) and (2), to the extent required by this Agreement.

(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions in this Section 6.3, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding:

(1)    if the ABL Claimholders (or any subset thereof) are granted adequate protection with respect to the ABL Priority Collateral in the form of a Lien on additional or replacement collateral of the Grantors (even if such collateral is not of a type which would otherwise have constituted ABL Priority Collateral) in connection with any Cash Collateral use or DIP Financing, then any Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself or any of the Notes Claimholders, may seek or request adequate protection with respect to its interests in such Collateral in the form of a Lien on the same additional or replacement collateral, which Lien on ABL Priority Collateral will be subordinated to the Liens thereon securing and providing adequate protection for the ABL Obligations and such Cash Collateral use or DIP Financing (and all Obligations relating thereto) on the same basis as the other Liens of the Notes Collateral Agents on ABL Priority Collateral;

(2)    if the Notes Claimholders (or any subset thereof) are granted adequate protection with respect to the Notes Priority Collateral in the form of a Lien on additional or replacement collateral of the Grantors (even if such collateral is not of a type which would otherwise have constituted Notes Priority Collateral) in connection with any Cash Collateral use or DIP Financing, then the ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself or any of the ABL Claimholders, may seek or request adequate protection with respect to its interests in such Collateral in the form of a Lien on the same additional or replacement collateral, which Lien on Notes Priority Collateral will be subordinated to the Liens thereon securing and providing adequate protection for the Notes Obligations and such Cash Collateral use or DIP Financing (and all Obligations relating thereto) on the same basis as the other Liens of the ABL Administrative Agent on Notes Priority Collateral;

(3)    in the event the ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself or any of the ABL Claimholders, seeks or requests adequate protection in respect of ABL Priority Collateral and such adequate protection is granted in the form of a Lien on additional or replacement collateral of the Grantors (even if such collateral is not of a type which would otherwise have constituted ABL Priority Collateral), then the ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and any of the ABL Claimholders, agrees that the Notes Collateral Agents may also be granted a Lien on the same additional or replacement collateral as security and adequate protection for the Notes Obligations and for any Cash Collateral use or DIP Financing provided by the Notes Claimholders, and each Notes

 

-35-


Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and any of the applicable Notes Claimholders, agrees that any Lien on such additional or replacement collateral constituting ABL Priority Collateral securing or providing adequate protection for the Notes Obligations shall be subordinated to the Liens on such collateral securing or providing adequate protection for the ABL Obligations, any such use of Cash Collateral or any such DIP Financing provided by the ABL Claimholders (and all Obligations relating thereto), all on the same basis as the other Liens of the Notes Collateral Agents on ABL Priority Collateral; and

(4)    in the event any Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself or any of the Notes Claimholders, seeks or requests adequate protection in respect of Notes Priority Collateral and such adequate protection is granted in the form of a Lien on additional or replacement collateral of the Grantors (even if such collateral is not of a type which would otherwise have constituted Notes Priority Collateral), then each Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and any of the Notes Claimholders, agrees that the ABL Administrative Agent may also be granted a Lien on the same additional or replacement collateral as security and adequate protection for the ABL Obligations and for any Cash Collateral use or DIP Financing provided by the ABL Claimholders, and the ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and any of the ABL Claimholders, agrees that any Lien on such additional or replacement collateral constituting Notes Priority Collateral securing or providing adequate protection for the ABL Obligations shall be subordinated to the Liens on such collateral securing or providing adequate protection for the Notes Obligations, any such use of cash Collateral or any such DIP Financing provided by the Notes Claimholders (and all Obligations relating thereto), all on the same basis as the other Liens of the ABL Administrative Agent on Notes Priority Collateral.

(d)    Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Section 6 or in connection with the exercise of remedies with respect to (i) the ABL Priority Collateral, nothing herein shall limit the rights of the Notes Collateral Agents or the Notes Claimholders from seeking adequate protection with respect to their rights in the Notes Priority Collateral in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding (including adequate protection in the form of a cash payment, periodic cash payments or otherwise) or (ii) the Notes Priority Collateral, nothing herein shall limit the rights of the ABL Administrative Agent or the ABL Claimholders from seeking adequate protection with respect to their rights in the ABL Priority Collateral in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding (including adequate protection in the form of a cash payment, periodic cash payments or otherwise).

6.4.    Avoidance Issues. If any ABL Claimholder or Notes Claimholder is required in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise to turn over or otherwise pay to the estate of the applicable Grantor or to any Grantor, administrator, liquidator, examiner or any similar Person any amount paid in respect of ABL Obligations or the Notes Obligations, as the case may be (a “Recovery”), then such ABL Claimholders or Notes Claimholders shall be entitled to a reinstatement of ABL Obligations or the Notes Obligations, as the case may be, with respect to all such recovered amounts. If this Agreement shall have been terminated prior to such Recovery, this Agreement shall be reinstated in full force and effect, and such prior termination shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligations of the parties hereto from such date of reinstatement.

 

-36-


6.5.    Post-Petition Interest.

(a)    No Notes Collateral Agent nor any Notes Claimholder shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the ABL Administrative Agent or any ABL Claimholder for allowance in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of ABL Obligations consisting of Post-Petition Interest, fees or expenses to the extent of the value of the Lien securing any ABL Claimholder’s claim (after giving effect to the crossing nature of the Liens of the ABL Claimholders and Notes Claimholders, respectively), without regard to the existence of the Lien of the Notes Collateral Agent on behalf of the Notes Claimholders on the Collateral.

(b)    Neither the ABL Administrative Agent nor any other ABL Claimholder shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by any Notes Collateral Agent or any Notes Claimholder for allowance in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of Notes Obligations consisting of Post-Petition Interest, fees or expenses to the extent of the value of the Lien securing any Notes Claimholder’s claim (after giving effect to the crossing nature of the Liens of the ABL Claimholders and Notes Claimholders, respectively), without regard to the existence of the Lien of the ABL Administrative Agent on behalf of the ABL Claimholders on the Collateral.

6.6.    Waiver – 1111(b)(2) Issues.

(a)    Each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders, waives any claim it may hereafter have against any ABL Claimholder arising out of the election of any ABL Claimholder of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision of any other applicable Bankruptcy Law) or out of any grant of a security interest in connection with the ABL Priority Collateral in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

(b)    The ABL Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the ABL Claimholders, waives any claim it may hereafter have against any Notes Claimholder arising out of the election of any Notes Claimholder of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision of any other applicable Bankruptcy Law) or out of any grant of a security interest in connection with the Notes Priority Collateral in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

6.7.    Separate Grants of Security and Separate Classification.

(a)    Each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders, and the ABL Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the ABL Claimholders, acknowledges and agrees that the grants of Liens pursuant to the ABL Collateral Documents and the Notes Priority Collateral Documents constitute separate and distinct grants of Liens, and because of, among other things, their differing rights in the Collateral, the Notes Obligations are fundamentally different from the ABL Obligations and must be separately classified in any plan of reorganization or examinership or scheme of arrangement or similar dispositive restructuring plan proposed, confirmed or adopted in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Notes Collateral Agent, each for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders, and the ABL Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the ABL Claimholders, each agrees that the Notes Claimholders and the ABL

 

-37-


Claimholders will vote as separate classes in connection with any plan of reorganization or examinership or scheme of arrangement or similar dispositive restructuring in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and that no Collateral Agent nor any Claimholder will seek to vote with the other as a single class in connection with any plan of reorganization or examinership or scheme of arrangement or similar dispositive restructuring in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

(b)    To further effectuate the intent of the parties as provided in this Section 6.7, if it is held that the claims of the Notes Claimholders and the ABL Claimholders in respect of the Notes Priority Facility Collateral constitute only one secured claim (rather than separate classes of secured claims subject to the relative Lien priorities set forth in this Agreement), then each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders and the ABL Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the ABL Claimholders, hereby acknowledges and agrees that, subject to Sections 2.1 and 4.1, all distributions from the Notes Priority Collateral shall be made as if there were separate classes of senior and junior secured claims against the Grantors in respect of the Notes Priority Collateral (with the effect being that, to the extent that the aggregate value of the Notes Priority Collateral is sufficient (for this purpose ignoring all claims held by the ABL Claimholders), the Notes Claimholders shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts distributed to them in respect of principal, pre-petition interest and other claims, all amounts owing in respect of Post-Petition Interest, including any additional interest payable pursuant to the Notes Documents, arising from or related to a default, whether or not a claim therefor is allowed as a claim in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) before any distribution from the Notes Priority Collateral is made in respect of the claims held by the ABL Claimholders, with the ABL Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the ABL Claimholders, hereby acknowledging and agreeing to turn over to the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the Non-Controlling Notes Collateral Agent and the Notes Claimholders, amounts otherwise received or receivable by them from the Notes Priority Collateral to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of this sentence, even if such turnover has the effect of reducing the claim or recovery of the ABL Claimholders).

(c)    To further effectuate the intent of the parties as provided in this Section 6.7, if it is held that the claims of the Notes Claimholders and the ABL Claimholders in respect of the ABL Priority Collateral constitute only one secured claim (rather than separate classes of secured claims subject to the relative Lien priorities set forth in this Agreement), then each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders and the ABL Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the ABL Claimholders, hereby acknowledges and agrees that, subject to Sections 2.1 and 4.1, all distributions from the ABL Priority Collateral shall be made as if there were separate classes of senior and junior secured claims against the Grantors in respect of the ABL Priority Collateral (with the effect being that, to the extent that the aggregate value of the ABL Priority Collateral is sufficient (for this purpose ignoring all claims held by the Notes Claimholders), the ABL Claimholders shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts distributed to them in respect of principal, pre-petition interest and other claims, all amounts owing in respect of Post-Petition Interest, including any additional interest payable pursuant to the ABL Credit Agreement, arising from or related to a default, whether or not a claim therefor is allowed as a claim in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) before any distribution from the ABL Priority Collateral is made in respect of the

 

-38-


claims held by the Notes Claimholders, with each Notes Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the applicable Notes Claimholders, hereby acknowledging and agreeing to turn over to the ABL Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the ABL Claimholders, amounts otherwise received or receivable by them from the ABL Priority Collateral to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of this sentence, even if such turnover has the effect of reducing the claim or recovery of the Notes Claimholders).

(d)    Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, each Notes Collateral Agent and the Notes Claimholders, on the one hand, and the ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders, on the other hand, shall retain the right to vote and otherwise act in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding (including the right to vote to accept or reject any plan of reorganization or examinership or scheme of arrangement or similar dispositive restructuring plan) to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions hereof.

6.8.    Enforceability and Continuing Priority. This Agreement shall be applicable both before and after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and all converted or succeeding cases in respect thereof. The relative rights of Claimholders in or to any distributions from or in respect of any Collateral or proceeds of Collateral shall continue after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. Accordingly, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 2.1 hereof) are intended to be and shall be enforceable as a subordination agreement within the meaning of Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision of any other applicable law).

6.9.    Sales. Subject to Sections 3.1(c)(5) and 3.2(c)(5) and 3.3, each Collateral Agent agrees that it will consent, and will not object or oppose, or support any party in opposing, a motion to dispose of any Priority Collateral of the other party free and clear of any Liens or other claims under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision of any other applicable law) if the requisite ABL Claimholders under the ABL Credit Agreement or Notes Claimholders under the applicable Notes Documents, as the case may be, have consented to such disposition of their respective Priority Collateral, such motion does not impair, subject to the priorities set forth in this Agreement, the rights of such party under Section 363(k) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision of any other applicable law) (so long as the right of any Notes Priority Claimholder to offset its claim against the purchase price for any ABL Priority Collateral exists only after the ABL Obligations have been paid in full in cash, and so long as the right of any ABL Claimholder to offset its claim against the purchase price for any Notes Priority Collateral exists only after the Notes Obligations have been paid in full in cash), and the terms of any proposed order approving such transaction provide for the respective Liens to attach to the proceeds of the Priority Collateral that is the subject of such disposition, subject to the Lien priorities in Section 2.1 and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each Notes Collateral Agent and the ABL Administrative Agent further agrees that it will not oppose, or support any party in opposing, the right of the other party to credit bid under Section 363(k) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision of any other applicable law), subject to the provision of the immediately preceding sentence.

 

-39-


SECTION 7.    Reliance; Waivers, Etc.

7.1.    Reliance. Other than any reliance on the terms of this Agreement, the ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders under its ABL Documents, acknowledges that it and such ABL Claimholders have, independently and without reliance on any Notes Collateral Agent or any Notes Claimholders, and based on documents and information deemed by them appropriate, made their own credit analysis and decision to enter into such ABL Documents and be bound by the terms of this Agreement and they will continue to make their own credit decision in taking or not taking any action under the ABL Credit Agreement or this Agreement. Other than any reliance on the terms of this Agreement, each Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the applicable Notes Claimholders, acknowledges that it and the Notes Claimholders have, independently and without reliance on the ABL Administrative Agent or any ABL Claimholder, and based on documents and information deemed by them appropriate, made their own credit analysis and decision to enter into each of the Notes Documents and be bound by the terms of this Agreement and they will continue to make their own credit decision in taking or not taking any action under the Notes Documents or this Agreement.

7.2.    No Warranties or Liability. The ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders under the ABL Documents, acknowledges and agrees that no Notes Collateral Agent nor any Notes Priority Claimholder has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectibility or enforceability of any of the Notes Documents, the ownership of any Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Notes Collateral Agents and the Notes Claimholders will be entitled to manage and supervise their respective loans and extensions of credit under the Notes Documents in accordance with law and the Notes Documents, as they may, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate. Each Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the applicable Notes Claimholders, acknowledges and agrees that neither the ABL Administrative Agent nor any ABL Claimholder has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectibility or enforceability of any of the ABL Documents, the ownership of any Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders will be entitled to manage and supervise their respective loans and extensions of credit under their respective ABL Documents in accordance with law and the ABL Documents, as they may, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate. No Notes Collateral Agent nor any Notes Claimholders shall have any duty to the ABL Administrative Agent or any of the ABL Claimholders, and the ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders shall have no duty to any Notes Collateral Agent or any of the Notes Claimholders, to act or refrain from acting in a manner which allows, or results in, the occurrence or continuance of an event of default or default under any agreements with any Grantor (including the ABL Documents and the Notes Documents), regardless of any knowledge thereof which they may have or be charged with.

 

-40-


7.3.    No Waiver of Lien Priorities.

(a)    No right of the Collateral Agents, the ABL Claimholders or the Notes Claimholders to enforce any provision of this Agreement or any ABL Document or Notes Document shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of any Grantor or by any act or failure to act by such Collateral Agents, ABL Claimholders or Notes Claimholders or by any noncompliance by any Person with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Agreement, any of the ABL Documents or any of the Notes Documents, regardless of any knowledge thereof which the Collateral Agents or the ABL Claimholders or Notes Claimholders, or any of them, may have or be otherwise charged with.

(b)    Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph (but subject to the rights of the Grantors under the ABL Documents and Notes Documents and subject to the provisions of Sections 2.3, 2.4 and 5.3), the Collateral Agents, the ABL Claimholders and the Notes Claimholders may, at any time and from time to time in accordance with the ABL Documents and Notes Documents and/or applicable law, without the consent of, or notice to, the other Collateral Agent or the ABL Claimholders or the Notes Claimholders (as the case may be), without incurring any liabilities to such Persons and without impairing or releasing the Lien priorities and other benefits provided in this Agreement (even if any right of subrogation or other right or remedy is affected, impaired or extinguished thereby) do any one or more of the following:

(1)    change the manner, place or terms of payment or change or extend the time of payment of, or amend, renew, exchange, increase or alter, the terms of any of the Obligations or any Lien or guaranty thereof or any liability of any Grantor, or any liability incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof (including any increase in or extension of the Obligations, without any restriction as to the tenor or terms of any such increase or extension) or otherwise amend, renew, exchange, extend, modify or supplement in any manner any Liens held by the Collateral Agents or any rights or remedies under any of the ABL Documents or the Notes Documents;

(2)    sell, exchange, release, surrender, realize upon, enforce or otherwise deal with in any manner and in any order any part of the Collateral (except to the extent provided in this Agreement) or any liability of any Grantor or any liability incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof;

(3)    settle or compromise any Obligation or any other liability of any Grantor or any security therefor or any liability incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof and apply any sums by whomsoever paid and however realized to any liability in any manner or order that is not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement; and

(4)    exercise or delay in or refrain from exercising any right or remedy against any security or any Grantor or any other Person, elect any remedy and otherwise deal freely with any Grantor.

(c)    Except as otherwise provided herein, the ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders, also agrees that the Notes Claimholders and the Notes

 

-41-


Collateral Agents shall have no liability to the ABL Administrative Agent or any ABL Claimholders, and the ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders, hereby waives any claim against any Notes Priority Claimholder or any Notes Collateral Agent, arising out of any and all actions which the Notes Claimholders or any Notes Collateral Agent may take or permit or omit to take with respect to:

(1)    the Notes Documents;

(2)    the collection of the Notes Obligations; or

(3)    the foreclosure upon, or sale, liquidation or other disposition of, any Notes Priority Collateral.

The ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders, agrees that the Notes Claimholders and the Notes Collateral Agents have no duty to them in respect of the maintenance or preservation of the Notes Priority Collateral, the Notes Obligations or otherwise.

(d)    Except as otherwise provided herein, each Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the applicable Notes Claimholders, also agrees that the ABL Claimholders and the ABL Administrative Agent shall have no liability to the Notes Collateral Agents or any Notes Claimholders, and each Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the applicable Notes Claimholders, hereby waives any claim against any ABL Claimholder or the ABL Administrative Agent, arising out of any and all actions which the ABL Claimholders or the ABL Administrative Agent may take or permit or omit to take with respect to:

(1)    the ABL Documents;

(2)    the collection of the ABL Obligations; or

(3)    the foreclosure upon, or sale, liquidation or other disposition of, any ABL Priority Collateral.

Each Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the applicable Notes Claimholders, agrees that the ABL Claimholders and the ABL Administrative Agent have no duty to them in respect of the maintenance or preservation of the ABL Priority Collateral, the ABL Obligations or otherwise.

(e)    Until the Discharge of Notes Obligations, the ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders, agrees not to assert and hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any right to demand, request, plead or otherwise assert or otherwise claim the benefit of, any marshalling, appraisal, valuation or other similar right that may otherwise be available under applicable law with respect to the Notes Priority Collateral or any other similar rights a junior secured creditor may have under applicable law.

(f)    Until the Discharge of ABL Obligations, each Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the applicable Notes Claimholders, agrees not to assert and hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any right to demand, request, plead or otherwise assert or otherwise claim the benefit of, any marshalling, appraisal, valuation or other similar right that

 

-42-


may otherwise be available under applicable law with respect to the ABL Priority Collateral or any other similar rights a junior secured creditor may have under applicable law.

7.4.    Obligations Unconditional. All rights, interests, agreements and obligations of the ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders and the Notes Collateral Agents and the Notes Claimholders, respectively, hereunder shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:

(a)    any lack of validity or enforceability of any ABL Documents or any Notes Documents;

(b)    except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other terms of, all or any of the ABL Obligations or Notes Obligations, or any amendment or waiver or other modification, including any increase in the amount thereof, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, of the terms of any ABL Document or any Notes Document;

(c)    except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, any exchange of any security interest in any Collateral or any other collateral, or any amendment, waiver or other modification, whether in writing or by course of conduct or otherwise, of all or any of the ABL Obligations or Notes Obligations or any guaranty thereof;

(d)    the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of any Grantor; or

(e)    any other circumstances which otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Grantor in respect of the ABL Administrative Agent, the ABL Obligations, any ABL Claimholder, any Notes Collateral Agent, the Notes Obligations or any Notes Priority Claimholder in respect of this Agreement.

SECTION 8.    Miscellaneous.

8.1.    Conflicts. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any ABL Document or any Notes Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern and control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the relative rights and obligations of the Notes Claimholders (solely as amongst themselves) with respect to any Notes Priority Collateral shall be governed by the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and in the event of any conflict between the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and this Agreement, the provisions of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall control solely with respect to such rights and obligations.

8.2.    Effectiveness; Continuing Nature of this Agreement; Severability.

(a)    This Agreement shall become effective when executed and delivered by the parties hereto. This is a continuing agreement of lien subordination and the ABL Claimholders and Notes Claimholders may continue, at any time and without notice to any Collateral Agent, to extend credit and other financial accommodations and lend monies to or for

 

-43-


the benefit of any Grantor in reliance hereon. Each of the Collateral Agents, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders or the Notes Claimholders, as the case may be, hereby waives any right it may have under applicable law to revoke this Agreement or any of the provisions of this Agreement. The terms of this Agreement shall survive, and shall continue in full force and effect, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. Consistent with, but not in limitation of, the preceding sentence, each Collateral Agent, on behalf of the applicable Claimholders, irrevocably acknowledges that this Agreement constitutes a “subordination agreement” within the meaning of both New York law and Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision of any other applicable law). Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. All references to any Grantor shall include such Grantor as debtor and debtor-in-possession and any receiver or trustee, administrator, examiner or liquidator for or in respect of any Grantor (as the case may be) in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect:

(1)    with respect to the ABL Administrative Agent, the ABL Claimholders and the ABL Obligations, on the date of the Discharge of ABL Obligations, subject to the rights of the ABL Claimholders under Section 4.4(a), Section 5.5 and Section 6.4; and

(2)    with respect to the Notes Collateral Agents, the Notes Claimholders and the Notes Obligations, on the date of the Discharge of Notes Obligations, subject to the rights of the Notes Claimholders under Section 4.4(b), Section 5.5 and Section 6.4.

(b)    The words “execution”, “signed”, “signature”, “delivery” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries 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, physical delivery thereof 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. Each of the parties hereto represents and warrants to each other party that it has the corporate capacity and authority to execute this Agreement through electronic means and there are no restrictions for doing so in that party’s constitutive documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby (i) agrees that, for all purposes, including in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the ABL Administrative Agent, ABL Claimholders, Notes Collateral Agents, Notes Claimholders or Grantors, electronic images of this Agreement or any other ABL Documents or Notes Documents (in each case, including with respect to any signature pages thereto) shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, and (ii) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the validity or enforceability of this Agreement, the ABL Documents or Notes Documents based solely on the lack of paper original copies of this Agreement, any ABL Documents or any Notes Documents, including with respect to any signature pages thereto.

 

-44-


8.3.    Amendments; Waivers. No amendment, modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement by any Notes Collateral Agent or the ABL Administrative Agent shall be deemed to be made unless the same shall be in writing signed on behalf of each party hereto or its authorized agent and each waiver, if any, shall be a waiver only with respect to the specific instance involved and shall in no way impair the rights of the parties making such waiver or the obligations of the other parties to such party in any other respect or at any other time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Grantor shall have any right to consent to or approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement except to the extent that such amendment, modification or waiver (i) adversely affects or impairs its rights hereunder, under the Notes Documents or under the ABL Documents or (ii) imposes any additional obligation or liability upon it.

8.4.    Information Concerning Financial Condition of the Grantors and their Subsidiaries. The ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders shall not rely on the Notes Collateral Agents or the Notes Claimholders, and the Notes Collateral Agents and the Notes Claimholders shall not rely on the ABL Administrative Agent or the ABL Claimholders for information with respect to (a) the financial condition of the Grantors and their Subsidiaries and all endorsers and/or guarantors of the ABL Obligations or the Notes Obligations and (b) all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the ABL Obligations or the Notes Obligations. Neither the ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders, on the one hand, nor the Notes Collateral Agents and the Notes Claimholders, on the other hand, shall have any duty to advise the other of information known to it or them regarding such condition or any such circumstances or otherwise. In the event that either the ABL Administrative Agent or any of the ABL Claimholders, on the one hand, or any Notes Collateral Agent and the Notes Claimholders, on the other hand, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any such information to any of the others, it or they shall be under no obligation:

(a)    to make, and shall not make, any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or validity of any such information so provided;

(b)    to provide any additional information or to provide any such information on any subsequent occasion;

(c)    to undertake any investigation; or

(d)    to disclose any information, which pursuant to accepted or reasonable commercial finance practices, such party wishes to maintain confidential or is otherwise required to maintain confidential.

8.5.    Subrogation.

(a)    With respect to the value of any payments or distributions in cash, property or other assets that any of the Notes Claimholders or any Notes Collateral Agent pays over to the ABL Administrative Agent or the ABL Claimholders under the terms of this Agreement, the Notes Claimholders and Notes Collateral Agents shall be subrogated to the rights of the ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders; provided, however, that, each

 

-45-


Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the applicable Notes Claimholders, hereby agrees not to assert or enforce all such rights of subrogation it may acquire as a result of any payment hereunder until the Discharge of ABL Obligations has occurred. The Grantors acknowledge and agree that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the value of any payments or distributions in cash, property or other assets received by any Notes Collateral Agent or the Notes Claimholders that are paid over to the ABL Administrative Agent or the ABL Claimholders pursuant to this Agreement shall not reduce any of the Notes Obligations.

(b)    With respect to the value of any payments or distributions in cash, property or other assets that any of the ABL Claimholders or the ABL Administrative Agent pays over to any Notes Collateral Agent or the Notes Claimholders under the terms of this Agreement, the ABL Claimholders and the ABL Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to the rights of the Notes Collateral Agents and the Notes Claimholders; provided, however, that, the ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders, hereby agrees not to assert or enforce all such rights of subrogation it may acquire as a result of any payment hereunder until the Discharge of Notes Obligations has occurred. The Grantors acknowledge and agree that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the value of any payments or distributions in cash, property or other assets received by the ABL Administrative Agent or the ABL Claimholders that are paid over to the Notes Collateral Agents or the Notes Claimholders pursuant to this Agreement shall not reduce any of the ABL Obligations.

8.6.    Special provisions relating to the Collateral Agents and the Trustee. Each of the ABL Claimholders and Notes Claimholders (other than the Collateral Agents and the Trustee) hereby undertakes to ratify and approve any such action taken in the name and on behalf of the Claimholders by the Collateral Agents and the Trustee (as applicable) acting in such capacity. The Collateral Agents and the Trustee will exercise their powers and authority under this Agreement in the manner provided for in the ABL Documents or the applicable Notes Documents, as the case may be, and this Agreement and, in so acting, the Collateral Agents and the Trustee shall have the protections, immunities, rights, indemnities and benefits conferred therein.

8.7.    SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION, WAIVERS.

(a)    EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK CITY IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, THE BANKRUPTCY COURT (OR OTHER COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION) PRESIDING OVER ANY INSOLVENCY PROCEEDING OF THE CREDIT PARTIES, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, 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 SHALL BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY

 

-46-


APPLICABLE 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 THIS AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY ABL CLAIMHOLDER OR ANY NOTES CLAIMHOLDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY ABL DOCUMENT OR ANY NOTES DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY GRANTOR OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

(b)    EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (a) 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.

(c)    EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY 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 THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (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. EACH PARTY HERETO REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

(d)    EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 8.8 HEREOF. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

8.8.    Notices. All notices to the Notes Claimholders and the ABL Claimholders permitted or required under this Agreement shall also be sent to the Notes Collateral Agents and

 

-47-


the ABL Administrative Agent, respectively. Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice hereunder shall be in writing and may be personally served, or sent by telefacsimile, email or United States mail or courier service and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service and signed for against receipt thereof, upon receipt of telefacsimile or email, or three Business Days after depositing it in the United States mail with postage prepaid and properly addressed. For the purposes hereof, the addresses of the parties hereto shall be as set forth below each party’s name on Exhibit B hereto, or, as to each party, at such other address as may be designated by such party in a written notice to all of the other parties. Notices and other communications to any Collateral Agent, any ABL Claimholder or any Notes Claimholder hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet and intranet websites) pursuant to procedures established by the Collateral Agents.

8.9.    Further Assurances. The ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders under the ABL Documents, and each Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the applicable Notes Claimholders under the Notes Documents, and the Grantors, agree that each of them shall take such further action and shall execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments (in recordable form, if requested) as the Borrower, the ABL Administrative Agent or any Notes Collateral Agent may reasonably request to effectuate the terms of and the Lien priorities contemplated by this Agreement.

8.10.    APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

8.11.    Binding on Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the ABL Administrative Agent, the ABL Claimholders, the Notes Collateral Agents, the Notes Claimholders and their respective successors and assigns.

8.12.    Specific Performance. Each of the ABL Administrative Agent and each Notes Collateral Agent may demand specific performance of this Agreement. The ABL Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the ABL Claimholders, and each Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the applicable Notes Claimholders, hereby irrevocably waive any defense based on the adequacy of a remedy at law and any other defense which might be asserted to bar the remedy of specific performance in any action which may be brought by the ABL Administrative Agent or the ABL Claimholders or any Notes Collateral Agent or the Notes Claimholders, as the case may be.

8.13.    Headings. Section headings in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

8.14.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed

 

-48-


counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement or any document or instrument delivered in connection herewith by telecopy or electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement or such other document or instrument, as applicable.

8.15.    Authorization. By its signature, each Person executing this Agreement on behalf of a party hereto represents and warrants to the other parties hereto that it is duly authorized to execute this Agreement.

8.16.    No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement and the rights and benefits hereof shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties hereto and its respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of each of the Collateral Agents, the ABL Claimholders and the Notes Claimholders. Nothing in this Agreement shall impair, as between the Grantors and the ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders, or as between the Grantors and the Notes Collateral Agents and the Notes Claimholders, the obligations of the Grantors to pay principal, interest, fees and other amounts as provided in the ABL Documents and the Notes Documents, respectively.

8.17.    Provisions to Define Relative Rights. The provisions of this Agreement are and are intended for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the ABL Administrative Agent and the ABL Claimholders on the one hand and the Notes Collateral Agents and the Notes Claimholders on the other hand. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall impair the obligations of any Grantor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the ABL Obligations and the Notes Obligations as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

-49-


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Intercreditor Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Initial Notes Collateral Agent

By:  

                                                                       

  Name:                                                            
 

Title:

 

Authorized Signatory

 

[Intercreditor Agreement]


DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH,

as ABL Administrative Agent

By:  

                                                              

  Name:
  Title:

 

[Intercreditor Agreement]


Acknowledged and Agreed to by:
ARCONIC CORPORATION
By:  

                                                                       

  Name:
  Title:
[Other Borrowers and Guarantors]
By:  

                                                                       

  Name:
  Title:

 

[Intercreditor Agreement]


Exhibit A

[FORM OF] JOINDER AGREEMENT NO. [    ] dated as of [        ], 20[    ] (this “Joinder Agreement”) to the INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of May 13, 2020 (the “Intercreditor Agreement”), among ARCONIC CORPORATION (the “Borrower”), each of the other Subsidiaries of the Borrower listed on the signature pages thereto, DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, in its capacity as ABL Administrative Agent, and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, in its capacity as Trustee and Initial Notes Collateral Agent and the other Additional Notes Collateral Agents from time to time party thereto.

A.    Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Intercreditor Agreement.

B.    As a condition to the ability of the Borrower to incur Additional Notes Debt after the date of the Intercreditor Agreement and to secure such Additional Notes Debt with the Lien and to have such Additional Notes Debt guaranteed by the Grantors on a senior basis, in each case under and pursuant to the Notes Collateral Documents in respect of such Additional Notes Debt, the [collateral agent] in respect of such Additional Notes Debt is required to become an Additional Notes Collateral Agent under, and such Additional Notes Debt and the Notes Claimholders in respect thereof are required to become subject to and bound by, the Intercreditor Agreement. Section 5.7(b) of the Intercreditor Agreement provides that such collateral agent may become a Notes Collateral Agent under, and such Additional Notes Debt and such Notes Claimholders may become subject to and bound by, the Intercreditor Agreement, pursuant to the execution and delivery by the New Additional Notes Collateral Agent (as defined below) of an instrument in the form of this Joinder Agreement and the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in Section 5.7 of the Intercreditor Agreement. The undersigned collateral agent (the “New Additional Notes Collateral Agent”) is executing this Joinder Agreement in accordance with the requirements of the applicable ABL/Notes Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement.

Accordingly, the ABL Administrative Agent, the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent and the New Additional Notes Collateral Agent agree as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 5.7(b) of the Intercreditor Agreement, the New Additional Notes Collateral Agent by its signature below becomes a Notes Collateral Agent under, and the related Additional Notes Debt and Additional Notes Claimholders become subject to and bound by, the Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if the New Additional Notes Collateral Agent had originally been named therein as a Notes Collateral Agent, and the New Additional Notes Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and such Notes Claimholders, hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as a Notes Collateral Agent and to the Notes Claimholders that it represents as Notes Claimholders. Each reference to a “Notes Collateral Agent” or “Additional Notes Collateral Agent” in the Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Additional Notes Collateral Agent. The Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. The New Additional Notes Collateral Agent represents and warrants to the ABL Administrative Agent, the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent and the other ABL Claimholders and Notes Claimholders that (i) it has full power and authority to enter into this Joinder Agreement, in its capacity as [agent] [trustee], (ii) this Joinder Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation,

 

A-1


enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, (iii) the Notes Documents relating to such Additional Notes Debt provide that, upon the New Additional Notes Collateral Agent’s entry into this Joinder Agreement, the Notes Claimholders in respect of such Additional Notes Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement as Notes Claimholders and (iv) the applicable Additional Notes Claimholders with respect to such Additional Notes Debt have agreed to be bound by, and that the Liens on the Collateral securing the Additional Notes Debt shall be subject to, the terms and conditions of the Intercreditor Agreement.

SECTION 3. This Joinder Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Joinder Agreement shall become effective when the ABL Administrative Agent and the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Joinder Agreement that bears the signature of the New Additional Notes Collateral Agent. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Joinder Agreement by facsimile transmission or other electronic method shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Joinder Agreement. The words “execution”, “signed”, “signature”, “delivery” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Joinder Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries 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, physical delivery thereof 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; provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent to accept electronic signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent. Each of the parties hereto represents and warrants to each other party that it has the corporate capacity and authority to execute this Joinder Agreement through electronic means and there are no restrictions for doing so in that party’s constitutive documents.

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSES OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Joinder Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired. The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as

 

A-2


provided in Section 8.7 of the Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Additional Notes Collateral Agent shall be given to it at the address set forth below its signature hereto.

SECTION 8. The Administrative Borrower agrees to reimburse the ABL Administrative Agent and the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent for their respective reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Joinder Agreement, including the reasonable fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the ABL Administrative Agent and the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent.

 

A-3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Additional Notes Collateral Agent , the ABL Administrative Agent and the Controlling Notes Collateral Agent have duly executed this Joinder Agreement to the Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW ADDITIONAL NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
as [                    ] for the holders of [                    ]
By:  

                                                              

  Name:
  Title:
      Address for notices:

 

 

                                                                       

 

 

                       Attention of:  

                                                          

  Telecopy:  

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH,
as ABL Administrative Agent
By:  

                                                                           

  Name:
  Title:

 

[                    ],
as Controlling Notes Collateral Agent
By:  

                                                                       

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-4


Acknowledged by:
ARCONIC CORPORATION
By:  

                                                                       

  Name:
  Title:
THE GRANTORS
LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO
By:  

                                                                       

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-5


Exhibit B

Notice Addresses

Initial Notes Collateral Agent:

U.S. Bank National Association

Attn: Corporate Trust Services

50 South. 16th Street

Suite 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Tel.: (215) 761-9326

Facsimile: (215) 761-9412

Email: Michael.Judge@usbank.com

ABL Administrative Agent:

Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch

60 Wall Street

New York, NY 10005

Attention: James Valenti

james.valenti@db.com

Grantors:

Arconic Corporation

201 Isabella Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Attention: Treasurer

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

125 Broad Street

New York, NY 10004

Attention: Ari Blaut

blauta@sullcrom.com

 

B-1

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

May 13, 2020

among

ARCONIC CORPORATION,

as Borrower,

the Designated Borrowers from Time to Time Party Hereto,

The Lenders and Issuing Banks Party Hereto,

DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Administrative Agent

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

CITIBANK, N.A.

and

SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

and

ABN AMRO CAPITAL USA LLC,

BNP PARIBAS,

CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH,

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,

CIBC BANK USA,

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

and

STANDARD CHARTERED BANK

as Joint Lead Arrangers

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01.

  

Defined Terms

     1  

SECTION 1.02.

  

Classification of Loans and Borrowings

     86  

SECTION 1.03.

  

Terms Generally

     86  

SECTION 1.04.

  

Accounting Terms; GAAP; Borrower Representative; Timing

     87  

SECTION 1.05.

  

Pro Forma Calculations

     88  

SECTION 1.06.

  

Interest Rates; LIBOR or EURIBOR Notification

     88  

SECTION 1.07.

  

Limited Condition Transaction

     88  

SECTION 1.08.

  

Ratio Calculations

     90  

SECTION 1.09.

  

Change in GAAP

     90  

SECTION 1.10.

  

Divisions

     90  

SECTION 1.11.

  

Currency Translation

     90  
ARTICLE II

 

The Credits

 

SECTION 2.01.

  

Commitments

     86  

SECTION 2.02.

  

Loans and Borrowings

     86  

SECTION 2.03.

  

Requests for Borrowings

     87  

SECTION 2.04.

  

Swingline Loans

     88  

SECTION 2.05.

  

Letters of Credit

     90  

SECTION 2.06.

  

Funding of Borrowings

     98  

SECTION 2.07.

  

Interest Elections

     99  

SECTION 2.08.

  

Termination and Reduction of Commitments

     100  

SECTION 2.09.

  

Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt

     101  

SECTION 2.10.

  

Protective Advances

     102  

SECTION 2.11.

  

Prepayment of Loans

     103  

SECTION 2.12.

  

Fees

     104  

SECTION 2.13.

  

Interest

     105  

SECTION 2.14.

  

Alternate Rate of Interest

     106  

SECTION 2.15.

  

Increased Costs

     107  

SECTION 2.16.

  

Break Funding Payments

     109  

SECTION 2.17.

  

Taxes

     110  

SECTION 2.18.

  

Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs

     114  

SECTION 2.19.

  

Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders

     116  

SECTION 2.20.

  

Defaulting Lenders

     117  

SECTION 2.21.

  

Incremental Extensions of Credit

     120  

 

ii


SECTION 2.22.

  

Extension of Maturity Date

     123  
ARTICLE III

 

Representations and Warranties

 

SECTION 3.01.

  

Organization; Powers

     126  

SECTION 3.02.

  

Authorization; Due Execution and Delivery; Enforceability

     126  

SECTION 3.03.

  

Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts

     126  

SECTION 3.04.

  

Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change

     127  

SECTION 3.05.

  

Properties

     127  

SECTION 3.06.

  

Litigation and Environmental Matters

     128  

SECTION 3.07.

  

Compliance with Laws

     128  

SECTION 3.08.

  

Sanctions; Anti-Corruption Laws

     128  

SECTION 3.09.

  

Investment Company Status

     129  

SECTION 3.10.

  

Federal Reserve Regulations

     129  

SECTION 3.11.

  

Taxes

     129  

SECTION 3.12.

  

ERISA

     129  

SECTION 3.13.

  

Disclosure

     129  

SECTION 3.14.

  

Subsidiaries

     130  

SECTION 3.15.

  

Solvency

     130  

SECTION 3.16.

  

Collateral Matters

     130  

SECTION 3.17.

  

Insurance

     131  
ARTICLE IV

 

Conditions

 

SECTION 4.01.

  

Effective Date

     131  

SECTION 4.02.

  

Each Credit Event

     134  
ARTICLE V

 

Affirmative Covenants

 

SECTION 5.01.

  

Financial Statements; Borrowing Base Certificates and Other Information

     135  

SECTION 5.02.

  

Notices of Material Events

     137  

SECTION 5.03.

  

Information Regarding Collateral

     137  

SECTION 5.04.

  

Existence; Conduct of Business

     138  

SECTION 5.05.

  

Payment of Taxes

     138  

SECTION 5.06.

  

Maintenance of Properties

     138  

SECTION 5.07.

  

Insurance

     138  

SECTION 5.08.

  

[Reserved]

     139  

SECTION 5.09.

  

Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights

     139  

SECTION 5.10.

  

Compliance with Laws

     140  

SECTION 5.11.

  

Use of Proceeds; Letters of Credit

     140  

 

iii


SECTION 5.12.

  

Additional Subsidiaries

     140  

SECTION 5.13.

  

Further Assurances

     141  

SECTION 5.14.

  

Cash Management

     142  

SECTION 5.15.

  

Post-Effective Date Matters

     144  

SECTION 5.16.

  

[Reserved]

     144  

SECTION 5.17.

  

Designation of Subsidiaries

     144  
ARTICLE VI

 

Negative Covenants

 

SECTION 6.01.

  

Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities

     145  

SECTION 6.02.

  

Liens

     150  

SECTION 6.03.

  

Fundamental Changes

     154  

SECTION 6.04.

  

Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions

     156  

SECTION 6.05.

  

Asset Sales

     161  

SECTION 6.06.

  

Sale and Leaseback Transactions

     163  

SECTION 6.07.

  

Hedging Agreements and Commercial Agreements

     163  

SECTION 6.08.

  

Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Junior Indebtedness

     164  

SECTION 6.09.

  

Transactions with Affiliates

     166  

SECTION 6.10.

  

Restrictive Agreements

     167  

SECTION 6.11.

  

Amendment of Material Documents, Etc.

     169  

SECTION 6.12.

  

Financial Covenant

     169  

SECTION 6.13.

  

Changes in Fiscal Periods

     169  
ARTICLE VII

 

Events of Default

 

SECTION 7.01.

  

Events of Default

     169  

SECTION 7.02.

  

Exclusion of Certain Subsidiaries

     173  
ARTICLE VIII

 

The Administrative Agent

 

SECTION 8.01.

  

Appointment and Other Matters

     173  

SECTION 8.02.

  

Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Indemnification, Etc.

     176  

SECTION 8.03.

  

Successor Administrative Agent

     178  

SECTION 8.04.

  

Acknowledgments of Lenders and Issuing Banks

     179  

SECTION 8.05.

  

Collateral Matters

     179  

SECTION 8.06.

  

Certain ERISA Matters

     182  

 

iv


ARTICLE IX

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 9.01.

  

Notices

     184  

SECTION 9.02.

  

Waivers; Amendments

     187  

SECTION 9.03.

  

Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver

     191  

SECTION 9.04.

  

Successors and Assigns

     193  

SECTION 9.05.

  

Survival

     198  

SECTION 9.06.

  

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness

     199  

SECTION 9.07.

  

Severability

     200  

SECTION 9.08.

  

Right of Setoff

     200  

SECTION 9.09.

  

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

     200  

SECTION 9.10.

  

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     201  

SECTION 9.11.

  

Headings

     202  

SECTION 9.12.

  

Confidentiality

     202  

SECTION 9.13.

  

Interest Rate Limitation

     203  

SECTION 9.14.

  

Release of Liens and Guarantees

     203  

SECTION 9.15.

  

USA PATRIOT Act Notice

     204  

SECTION 9.16.

  

No Fiduciary Relationship

     204  

SECTION 9.17.

  

Non-Public Information

     205  

SECTION 9.18.

  

Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions

     206  

SECTION 9.19.

  

Judgment Currency

     206  

SECTION 9.20.

  

Cashless Settlement

     207  

SECTION 9.21.

  

Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs

     207  

SECTION 9.22.

  

Designated Borrowers

     207  

 

SCHEDULES:

  

Schedule 1.02

    

Mortgaged Property

Schedule 1.03

    

Designated Borrowers

Schedule 1.04

    

Existing Letters of Credit

Schedule 1.05

    

Excluded Subsidiaries

Schedule 1.06

    

Location of Inventory

Schedule 1.07

    

Eligible Accounts Concentration Limits

Schedule 2.01

    

Commitments and LC Commitments

Schedule 3.14

    

Subsidiaries

Schedule 5.15

    

Post-Closing Undertakings

Schedule 6.01

    

Existing Indebtedness

Schedule 6.02

    

Existing Liens

Schedule 6.04

    

Existing Investments

Schedule 6.10

    

Existing Restrictions

 

v


EXHIBITS:

Exhibit A

    

Form of Assignment and Assumption

Exhibit B-1

    

Form of ABL/Notes Intercreditor Agreement

Exhibit B-2

    

Form of Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement

Exhibit C

    

Form of Collateral Agreement

Exhibit D

    

Form of Perfection Certificate

Exhibit E

    

Form of Guarantee Agreement

Exhibit F

    

Form of Global Intercompany Note

Exhibit I

    

Form of Maturity Date Extension Request

Exhibit J-1

    

Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate for Foreign Lenders that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes

Exhibit J-2

    

Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate for Non-U.S. Participants that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes

Exhibit J-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 J-4

    

Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate for Foreign Lenders that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes

Exhibit K

    

Form of Secured Supply Chain Financing Designation

Exhibit L

    

Form of Solvency Certificate

Exhibit M

    

Form of Borrowing Request

Exhibit N-1

    

Form of Designated Borrower Joinder

Exhibit N-2

    

Form of Designated Borrower Termination

Exhibit O

    

Form of Borrowing Base Certificate

 

vi


CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of May 13, 2020 (this “Agreement”), among ARCONIC CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the DESIGNATED BORROWERS party hereto from time to time, the LENDERS and ISSUING BANKS party hereto, DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent.

The Borrower has requested that the Revolving Lenders extend credit in the form of Revolving Loans, the Swingline Lender extend credit in the form of Swingline Loans and the Issuing Banks issue Letters of Credit, in each case at any time and from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period to the Borrower such that the Aggregate Revolving Exposure will not exceed $800,000,000 at any time. The proceeds of the Revolving Loans and the Swingline Loans will be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes (including acquisitions and other Investments and Restricted Payments permitted by this Agreement) of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries. Letters of Credit will be used by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for general corporate purposes.

The Lenders are willing to extend such credit to the Borrower, and the Issuing Banks are willing to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. Accordingly, 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/Notes Intercreditor Agreement” means the Intercreditor Agreement dated as of the Effective Date, among the Administrative Agent, U.S. Bank National Association, in its capacity as trustee and collateral agent under the First Lien Notes Documents, and the Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

ABL Priority Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in the ABL/Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

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.

Acceptable Appraisal and Field Exam” means (a) the most recent appraisal of Inventory received by the Administrative Agent and (b) the most recent field examination of the Collateral and related reporting and control systems, in each case of clause (a) and (b), (i) from an appraisal company or field examiner, as the case may be, satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (ii) the scope and methodology (including, to


the extent relevant, any sampling procedure employed by such appraisal company) of which are satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (iii) the results of which are satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in each case, in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion. The initial Acceptable Appraisal and Field Exam delivered hereunder may be completed through video or other similar medium acceptable to the appraisal firm or field examination firm, as applicable.

Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement” means a customary intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC.

Account Debtor” means any Person who is obligated on an Account, chattel paper, or a general intangible.

Additional Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(c).

Adjusted LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period (or, solely for purposes of clause (c) of the defined term “Alternate Base Rate”, for purposes of determining the Alternate Base Rate as of any date), an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to (a) for Borrowings denominated in dollars, (i) the LIBO Rate for dollars for such Interest Period (or such date, as applicable) multiplied by (ii) the Statutory Reserve Rate and (b) for Borrowings denominated in a Permitted Foreign Currency (other than Euro), the LIBO Rate for such currency for such Interest Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Adjusted LIBO Rate at any time be less than 0.75% per annum.

Administrative Agent” means DBNY (including its branches and affiliates), in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Article VIII.

Administrative Agent Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.09(e)(i).

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

Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any U.K. Financial Institution.

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. The word “Affiliated” shall have a correlative meaning.

 

2


Aggregate Revolving Commitment” means, at any time, the sum of the Revolving Commitments of all the Revolving Lenders at such time.

Aggregate Revolving Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of the Revolving Exposures of all the Revolving Lenders at such time.

Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory statement to this Agreement.

Agreement Currency” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.19.

Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1%, provided that for the purpose of this definition, the Adjusted LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the applicable Screen Rate (or if that Screen Rate is not available for such one month Interest Period, the Interpolated Rate) at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively. If the Alternate Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.14 hereof, then the Alternate Base Rate shall be the greater of clause (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Alternate Base Rate at any time be less than 1.75% per annum.

Anti-Corruption Laws” means all anti-bribery or anti-corruption laws, and regulations of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

Applicable Commitment Fee Rate” means, on any day, with respect to the commitment fees payable hereunder at any time, the applicable rate per annum set forth below based upon the Average Utilization for the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower; provided that until the last day of the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Effective Date, the Applicable Commitment Fee Rate shall be the rate per annum set forth in Level II below.

 

Level

   Average Utilization     Applicable Commitment
Fee Rate
 

I

     ³ 50     0.250

II

     < 50     0.375

The Applicable Commitment Fee Rate shall be determined at the commencement of each fiscal quarter based upon Average Utilization for the preceding fiscal quarter, with any

 

3


changes to the Applicable Commitment Fee Rate resulting from a change in Average Utilization becoming effective on the first day of the subsequent fiscal quarter.

Applicable Parties” has the meaning given to such term in Section 9.01(d)(iii).

Applicable Percentage” means, at any time with respect to any Revolving Lender, the percentage of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time (or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, such Revolving Lender’s share of the total Revolving Exposure at that time); provided that, at any time any Revolving Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender, for purposes of Section 2.20(d)(ii), “Applicable Percentage” shall mean the percentage of the total Revolving Commitments (disregarding any such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment) represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment. If the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments of Revolving Loans, LC Exposures and Swingline Exposures that occur after such termination or expiration and to any Lender’s status as a Defaulting Lender at the time of determination.

Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any Revolving Loan, Swingline Loan or Protective Advance, the applicable rate per annum set forth below in the “Eurocurrency Loans” or “ABR Loans” column, as applicable, based upon the Average Excess Availability for the immediately preceding fiscal quarter; provided that prior to the end of the fourth full fiscal quarter of the Borrower after the Effective Date, the Applicable Rate shall be that set forth below in Level III:

 

Level

   Average Excess
Availability
    Eurocurrency
Loans
    ABR Loans  

I

     ³ 66.7     1.75     0.75

II

   ³  33.3% but < 66.7     2.00     1.00

III

     < 33.3     2.25     1.25

The Average Excess Availability used in a determination of the Applicable Rate shall be determined based on the delivery of a quarterly pricing certificate (the “Quarterly Pricing Certificate”) of the Borrower by a Financial Officer of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent (with a copy to be sent by the Administrative Agent to each Lender), within 15 Business Days after the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, which certificate shall set forth the calculation of the Average Excess Availability for such fiscal quarter and the Applicable Rate which shall be thereafter applicable (until same are changed or cease to apply in accordance with the following sentences). The Applicable Rate so determined shall apply, except as set forth in the succeeding sentence, from the first day of the subsequent fiscal quarter (the “Start Date”) to the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date on which the next Quarterly Pricing Certificate is delivered to the Administrative Agent (the “End Date”);

 

4


provided that (x) if no such subsequent Quarterly Pricing Certificate is delivered on or prior to the date which is 15 Business Days following the last day of the fiscal quarter in which the previous Start Date occurred, the Applicable Rate shall be that set forth in Level III above from and after the applicable Start Date (provided that no failure to deliver a Quarterly Pricing Certificate shall in itself be deemed a Default or Event of Default) and (y) (A) if the Borrower shall fail to deliver any Borrowing Base Certificate by the date specified for such delivery under Section 5.01(e) for the relevant period and (B) at any other time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in each case, a new Start Date shall be deemed to have commenced, and the Applicable Rate shall automatically adjust to those that correspond to an Average Excess Availability at Level III set forth above; provided further that if any Quarterly Pricing Certificate shall prove to have been inaccurate at any time that this Agreement is in effect and any Loans or Commitments are outstanding hereunder, and such inaccuracy shall have resulted in the payment of interest or letter of credit fees hereunder at rates lower than those that were in fact applicable for any period had there been no such inaccuracy, then (a) the Borrower shall promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent a corrected Quarterly Pricing Certificate for the applicable period and (b) the Borrower shall promptly pay to the Administrative Agent, for distribution to the Lenders at such time, the accrued interest and letter of credit fees that should have been paid but was not paid as a result of such inaccuracy; provided that payment of interest or letter of credit fees at rates lower than those that were in effect applicable as a result of such inaccuracy shall not in any event be deemed retroactively to be an Event of Default pursuant to clause (b) of Article VII, and such amount payable shall be calculated without giving effect to any additional interest payable on overdue amounts under Section 2.12(c) if paid promptly on demand. Nothing in this paragraph shall limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under Article VII.

Appraisal Thresholds” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5.09(b).

Approved Fund” means, with respect to any Lender or Eligible Assignee, any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities and that is administered, advised or managed by (a) such Lender or Eligible Assignee, (b) an Affiliate of such Lender or Eligible Assignee or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers, advises or manages such Lender or Eligible Assignee.

Arrangers” means, collectively, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Citibank, N.A. and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., in their capacities as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, and ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC, BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, PNC Bank, National Association and Standard Chartered Bank, in their capacities as joint lead arrangers, for the credit facility provided for herein.

 

5


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) and accepted by the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit A or any other form (including electronic records generated by the use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.

Audited Financial Statements” the audited combined balance sheets of the Borrower dated December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and the related audited combined statements of operations, comprehensive income, equity (deficit) and cash flows as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Average Excess Availability” means, with respect to any fiscal quarter, (a) (i) the sum of Excess Availability for each day during such fiscal quarter, divided by (ii) the number of days in such fiscal quarter, divided by (b)(i) the sum of the Line Cap for each day during such fiscal quarter divided by (ii) the number of days in such fiscal quarter.

Average Utilization means, with respect to any fiscal quarter, an amount equal to (a) the daily average Aggregate Revolving Exposure for such period (excluding any portion thereof attributable to Swingline Loans) divided by (b) the daily average Aggregate Revolving Commitments for such period.

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

Bail-In Legislation” means, (a) 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, regulation rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).

Back to Back Arrangements” means any aggregated exposure transactions between or among the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries, in connection with facilitating any Hedging Agreements; provided that, for such arrangements to constitute Back to Back Arrangements, such arrangements must be settled in cash, which for this purpose shall include netting of obligations, on or prior to the date that is (a) if a Restricted Subsidiary organized under the laws of the Russian Federation is a party to such arrangement, 110 calendar days and (b) in all other cases, on or prior to the date that is 45 calendar days, in each case after the date of any corresponding settlement with the third party counterparty to such Hedging Agreement.

 

6


Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, that such Person has become the subject of a bankruptcy, insolvency proceeding or Bail-In Action, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, examiner, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment or has become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or an Undisclosed Administration; provided further that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States of America or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

Benchmark Replacement” means the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate (which may be a SOFR-Based Rate) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body and/or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest as a replacement to the LIBO Rate or the EURIBO Rate, as the case may be, for syndicated credit facilities denominated in dollars or the applicable Permitted Foreign Currency and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Benchmark Replacement at any time be less than 0.75% per annum; provided further that any such Benchmark Replacement shall be administratively feasible as determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.

Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the LIBO Rate or the EURIBO Rate, as the case may be, with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body and/or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the LIBO Rate or the EURIBO Rate, as the case may be, with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for syndicated credit facilities denominated in dollars or the applicable Permitted Foreign Currency at such time (for the avoidance of doubt, such Benchmark Replacement Adjustment shall not be in the form of a reduction to the Applicable Rate).

Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Alternate Base Rate,” the definition of “Interest

 

7


Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest and other administrative matters) that the Administrative Agent decides in its reasonable discretion, after consultation with the Borrower, may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides, after consultation with the Borrower, is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement).

Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earlier to occur of the following events with respect to the LIBO Rate or the EURIBO Rate:

(1)    in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of the applicable Screen Rate permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide the applicable Screen Rate; or

(2)    in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein.

Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the LIBO Rate or the EURIBO Rate:

(1)    a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the applicable Screen Rate announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the applicable Screen Rate, permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the applicable Screen Rate;

(2)    a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the applicable Screen Rate, the U.S. Federal Reserve System, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the applicable Screen Rate, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the applicable Screen Rate or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the applicable Screen Rate, in each case which states that the administrator of the applicable Screen Rate has ceased or will cease to provide the applicable Screen Rate permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the applicable Screen Rate; and/or

(3)     a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the applicable Screen Rate announcing that the applicable Screen Rate is no longer representative.

 

8


Benchmark Transition Start Date” means (a) in the case of a Benchmark Transition Event, the earlier of (i) the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and (ii) if such Benchmark Transition Event is a public statement or publication of information of a prospective event, the 90th day prior to the expected date of such event as of such public statement or publication of information (or if the expected date of such prospective event is fewer than 90 days after such statement or publication, the date of such statement or publication) and (b) in the case of an Early Opt-in Election, the date specified by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, or the Required Lenders, as applicable, by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent (in the case of such notice by the Required Lenders) and the Lenders.

Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the LIBO Rate or the EURIBO Rate, as the case may be, and solely to the extent that the LIBO Rate or the EURIBO Rate, as the case may be, has not been replaced with a Benchmark Replacement, the period (x) beginning at the time that such Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the LIBO Rate or the EURIBO Rate, as applicable, for all purposes hereunder in accordance with Section 2.14 and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the LIBO Rate or the EURIBO Rate, as applicable, for all purposes hereunder pursuant to Section 2.14.

Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding individual beneficial ownership solely to the extent expressly required by 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230 (the “Beneficial Ownership Regulation”).

Beneficial Ownership Regulation” has the meaning specified in the definition of Beneficial Ownership Certification.

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

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.

Borrower” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory statement to this Agreement.

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

Borrowing Base” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of:

 

9


(a)    85% of the amount of Eligible Accounts, plus

(b)    the lesser of:

(i)    the product of 75% multiplied by the value (calculated at the lower of cost or market on a first-in-first-out basis or weighted average basis consistent with the Loan Parties’ historical accounting practices) of Eligible Inventory at such time, and

(ii)    the product of 85% multiplied by the Net Recovery Percentage identified in the most recent Acceptable Appraisal and Field Exam, multiplied by the value (calculated at the lower of cost or market on a first-in-first-out basis or weighted average basis consistent with the Loan Parties’ historical accounting practices) of Eligible Inventory (such determination may be made as to different categories of Eligible Inventory based upon the Net Recovery Percentage applicable to such categories) at such time, minus

(c)    the aggregate amount of Reserves, if any, established by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its Permitted Discretion.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, until the earlier of the (i) the date that is 90 days after the Effective Date (or such later date as the Required Lenders may agree; provided that to the extent such delay has arisen as a result of circumstances relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Required Lenders shall agree to appropriate extensions in light of such circumstances) and (ii) the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of the initial Acceptable Appraisal and Field Exam, together with a Borrowing Base Certificate reflecting the results thereof, the Borrowing Base shall be $500,000,000; provided that, in the event that the Administrative Agent has not received the initial Acceptable Appraisal and Field Exam and related Borrowing Base Certificate by such date (the “Borrowing Base Reduction Date”) and such delay has not arisen as a result of circumstances relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, then until the earlier of (i) the date on which the initial Acceptable Appraisal and Field Exam and related Borrowing Base Certificate are delivered to the Administrative Agent and (ii) the date that is 180 days after the Effective Date (or such later date as the Required Lenders may agree), the Borrowing Base shall be deemed to equal the aggregate face amount of Letters of Credit outstanding hereunder on the Borrowing Base Reduction Date; provided further that if the initial Acceptable Appraisal and Field Exam and related Borrowing Base Certificate shall not have been delivered to the Administrative Agent within such 180-day period (or such longer period as is agreed by the Required Lenders), the Borrowing Base shall be $0 from the end of such period until such time as the initial Acceptable Appraisal and Field Exam and related Borrowing Base Certificate have been delivered (but such non-delivery shall not itself constitute a Default or Event of Default).

Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit O to this Agreement, which form may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (including without limitation, changes to the format thereof) by the Borrower, as approved by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, including as may be appropriate to reflect the results of the initial Acceptable Appraisal

 

10


and Field Exam, together with all attachments and supporting documentation contemplated thereby.

Borrowing Minimum” means (a) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing (i) denominated in dollars, $1,000,000, (ii) denominated in Euro, €1,000,000 and (iii) denominated in a Permitted Foreign Currency other than Euro, the smallest amount that is a multiple of 1,000,000 units of such currency and that has a Dollar Equivalent of $1,000,000 or more and (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, $1,000,000.

Borrowing Multiple” means (a) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing (i) denominated in dollars, $250,000, (ii) denominated in Euro, €250,000 and (iii) denominated in a Permitted Foreign Currency other than Euro, the smallest amount that is a multiple of 500,000 units of such currency and that has a Dollar Equivalent of $250,000 or more and (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, $100,000.

Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit M (or such other form approved by the Administrative Agent and otherwise consistent with the requirements of Section 2.03).

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or any 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 a Eurocurrency Loan (other than any Loan denominated in Euro), 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 or any day on which banks in London are not open for general business and (b) when used in connection with a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in Euro, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day that is not a TARGET day.

Calculation Date” shall mean (a) each date (with such date to be reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent) that is on or about the date of (i) a Borrowing Request or an Interest Election Request with respect to any Revolving Loan or Swingline Loan, (ii) the issuance of a Letter of Credit or (iii) the date on which any reimbursement of an LC Disbursement is required to be made, (b) the last Business Day of each calendar quarter, (c) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other Business Day as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, and (d) any other Business Day as determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.

Capital Expenditures” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures by such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries during such period which, in accordance with GAAP, are or should be included in “capital expenditures”.

Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying

 

11


the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases or finance leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP (subject to the provisions of Section 1.04), and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP (subject to the provisions of Section 1.04).

Captive Insurance Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Borrower established for the purpose of, and to be engaged solely in the business of, insuring the businesses or facilities owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or joint ventures.

Cash Dominion Event” means the occurrence of either of the following: (a) the occurrence and continuance of any Event of Default, or (b) Excess Availability shall have been less than the greater of (i) 12.5% of the Line Cap and (ii) $62,500,000 for five consecutive Business Days.

Cash Dominion Period” means the period commencing after the occurrence of a Cash Dominion Event and continuing until the date when (a) in the case of a Cash Dominion Event described in clause (a) of the definition thereof, no Event of Default shall exist and be continuing, or (b) in the case of a Cash Dominion Event described in clause (b) of the definition thereof, Excess Availability is greater than the greater of (i) 12.5% of the Line Cap and (ii) $62,500,000 for 30 consecutive days.

Cash Management Financing Facilities” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Secured Cash Management Obligations”.

Cash Management Services” means the treasury management services (including controlled disbursements, zero balance arrangements, cash sweeps, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts, single entity or multi-entity multicurrency notional pooling structures, temporary advances, interest and fees and interstate depository network services), netting services, employee credit or purchase card programs and similar programs, in each case provided to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

Change in Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Exchange Act and the rules of the SEC thereunder), of 35% or more of the Voting Equity Interests in the Borrower; provided, however, that this clause (a) shall not include any transaction where (x) the Borrower becomes a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company, and (y) no Person or group (within the meaning of the Exchange Act and the rules of the SEC thereunder) owns, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, 35% or more of the Voting Equity Interests in such holding company; or (b) the occurrence of a “Change in Control” as defined in the First Lien Notes Documents or the Second Lien Notes Documents.

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 and (ii) the phrase Person

 

12


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 provided that a Person shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities subject to a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement solely by virtue of such agreement until the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such agreement.

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the Effective Date (or with respect to any Lender, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender), of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States of America or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, in each case shall be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, promulgated or issued.

Charges” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.13.

Class”, when used in reference to (a) any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Incremental Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans or Protective Advances, (b) any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving Commitment, a Commitment in respect of any Incremental Revolving Loans or a Swingline Commitment and (c) any Lender, refers to whether such Lender has a Loan or Commitment with respect to a particular Class. Additional Classes of Loans, Borrowings, Commitments and Lenders may be established pursuant to Section 2.22.

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

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 as security for the Obligations, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Excluded Property.

Collateral Access Agreement” means a landlord waiver, bailee letter, or acknowledgement agreement of any lessor, warehouseman, processor, consignee, or other Person in possession of, having a Lien upon, or having rights or interests in any Loan Party’s or its Subsidiaries’ books and records or Inventory, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

13


Collateral Agreement” means the ABL Collateral Agreement among the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit C, or any other collateral agreement reasonably requested (in accordance with the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement) by the Administrative Agent.

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

(a)    the Administrative Agent shall have received from the Borrower, each other Loan Party and each Designated Subsidiary (i) a counterpart of each Security Document to which such Person is a party duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person or (ii) in the case of any Subsidiary that becomes a Loan Party or a Designated Subsidiary after the Effective Date, a supplement to the Collateral Agreement in substantially the form attached as Exhibit I thereto, a supplement to the Guarantee Agreement in substantially the form attached as Exhibit I thereto, a Patent Security Agreement, Trademark Security Agreement and/or Copyright Security Agreement (each as defined in the Collateral Agreement, and to the extent applicable) and other security documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (consistent with the Security Documents in effect on the Effective Date), duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Person, in each case, together with opinions and documents of the type referred to in Sections 4.01(b) and (c) with respect to such Person as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent;

(b)    (i) all outstanding Equity Interests (other than any Equity Interest constituting Excluded Property) of each Restricted Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary, in each case owned by any Loan Party, shall have been pledged pursuant to the Collateral Agreement; provided that the Loan Parties shall not be required to pledge Excluded Property and (ii) the Administrative Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Administrative Agent pursuant to the ABL/Notes Intercreditor Agreement or an Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement) shall, to the extent required by the Collateral Agreement, have received certificates or other instruments representing all such Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Equity Interest constituting Excluded Property) held by any Loan Party, together with undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank (to the extent applicable and provided that no Loan Party shall have any obligation to deliver a certificate or other instrument representing any such Equity Interest if such Equity Interest is uncertificated);

(c)    (i) all Indebtedness of the Borrower and each Subsidiary that is owing to any Loan Party shall be evidenced by, at the Loan Party’s option, a Global Intercompany Note or one or more standalone promissory notes (in each case to the extent required by Section 6.04(f)), and shall be Collateral pursuant to the applicable Security Documents; and (ii) the Administrative Agent (or any other person acting as bailee for the Administrative Agent pursuant to the ABL/Notes Intercreditor Agreement or an Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement) shall have received the Global Intercompany

 

14


Note and all such promissory notes with a principal amount of $25,000,000 or more, together with undated instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank;

(d)    all financing statements and other appropriate filings or recordings, including Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, required by law or specified in the Security Documents to be filed, registered or recorded on the Effective Date (or on the applicable date the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement is required to be satisfied with respect to the relevant assets pursuant to Sections 5.12, 5.13 and 5.15 hereof or applicable provisions in the Security Documents) shall have been so filed, registered or recorded or delivered to the Administrative Agent for such filing, registration or recording;

(e)    the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) counterparts of a Mortgage with respect to each Mortgaged Property duly executed and delivered by the record owner of such Mortgaged Property (provided that if the Mortgaged Property is in a jurisdiction that imposes a mortgage recording or similar tax on the amount secured by such Mortgage, then the amount secured by such Mortgage shall be limited to the fair market value, as reasonably determined by the Borrower in good faith, of such Mortgaged Property), (ii) a policy or policies of title insurance issued by a nationally recognized title insurance company insuring the Lien of each such Mortgage as a valid and enforceable first Lien on the Mortgaged Property described therein, free of any other Liens except as expressly permitted by Section 6.02, together with such endorsements, coinsurance and reinsurance as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to the extent available in the applicable jurisdiction at commercially reasonable rates (it being agreed that the Administrative Agent shall accept zoning reports from a nationally recognized zoning company in lieu of zoning endorsements to such title insurance policies), in an amount equal to the fair market value of such Mortgaged Property as reasonably determined by the Borrower in good faith, provided that in no event will the Borrower be required to obtain independent appraisals or other third-party valuations of such Mortgaged Property, unless required by FIRREA or other applicable law, provided, however, the Borrower shall provide to the title company such supporting information with respect to its determination of Fair Market Value as may be reasonably required by the title company, (iii) with respect to each Mortgaged Property located in the United States, a completed “Life-of-Loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination (together with a notice about special flood hazard area status and flood disaster assistance, which, if applicable, shall be duly executed by the applicable Loan Party relating to such Mortgaged Property), and, if any such Mortgaged Property is located in an area determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to have special flood hazards, evidence of such flood insurance as may be required under the Flood Insurance Laws and (iv) such customary surveys (or existing surveys together with no-change affidavits of such Mortgaged Property or survey alternatives, including express maps or ZipMaps), abstracts, legal opinions, title documents and other documents as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request with respect to any such Mortgage or Mortgaged Property; provided that (x) the Loan Parties shall use their reasonable best efforts to comply with the requirements of the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) on or before, (1) in the case of Mortgaged Property owned on the Effective Date, the date that is 120 days after the Effective Date (or such longer period as

 

15


the Administrative Agent may, in its reasonable discretion, agree (such approval or consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed)) in accordance with Section 5.15; provided that the Borrower shall have the right to a 90-day extension if the Borrower reasonably determines that it is impracticable to meet the foregoing deadline in light of restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic) or (2) in the case of other Mortgaged Property, the date required by Section 5.12(a) or 5.13(a), as applicable, (y) legal opinions referred to in the foregoing clause (iv) shall be limited to the purposes of obtaining customary legal opinions from counsel qualified to opine in the jurisdiction where such Mortgaged Property is located regarding solely the enforceability of the Mortgage for such Mortgaged Property and such other customary matters as may be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and (z) no delivery of new surveys shall be required for any Mortgaged Property where the title company will issue a lender’s title policy with the standard survey exception omitted from such title policy and there are no affirmative endorsements to such title policy that require a survey;

(f)    the Administrative Agent shall have received a counterpart, duly executed and delivered by the applicable Loan Party and the applicable depositary bank or securities intermediary, as applicable, of a Control Agreement with respect to (i) each deposit account maintained by any Loan Party with any depositary bank (other than any Excluded Deposit Account) and (ii) each securities account maintained by any Loan Party with any securities intermediary (other than any Excluded Securities Account), and the requirements of this Agreement and the Collateral Agreement relating to the concentration and application of collections on accounts shall have been satisfied; provided that the requirements of this clause (f) shall be complied with within 90 days following the Effective Date (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree; provided that the Administrative Agent shall take into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability of the Loan Parties to deliver such items within such time);

(g)    each Loan Party shall have used commercially reasonable efforts to deliver all Collateral Access Agreements requested of it pursuant to this Agreement provided that, with respect to Collateral Access Agreements requested for properties leased by any Loan Party as of the Effective Date, such Collateral Access Agreements shall not be required to be delivered prior to 90 days following the Effective Date (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree and the Administrative Agent shall take into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability of the Loan Parties to deliver such items within such time); and

(h)    to the extent required by the terms hereof or by the Security Documents, each Loan Party shall have obtained all consents and approvals required to be obtained by it in connection with the execution and delivery of all Security Documents to which it is a party, the performance of its obligations thereunder and the granting by it of the Liens thereunder.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, subject to the proviso set forth in the following sentence, no Loan Party shall be required, nor shall the Administrative Agent be authorized, to perfect pledges, security interests or mortgages of Collateral of

 

16


Loan Parties by any means other than by (A) filings pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code, in the office of the Secretary of State (or similar central filing office) of the relevant jurisdiction where the grantor is located (as determined pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code) and filings in the applicable real estate records with respect to Mortgaged Properties, (B) with respect to IP Rights, filings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office as expressly required in the Security Documents, (C) delivery to the Administrative Agent, to be held in its possession, of the Global Intercompany Note and all Collateral consisting of intercompany notes in a principal amount of $25,000,000 or more, owed by a single obligor, stock certificates of Restricted Subsidiaries and instruments, in each case as expressly required in the Security Documents and (D) the entry into control agreements with respect to cash and Permitted Investments, other deposit accounts, securities accounts or commodities accounts. For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary, including the foregoing, (x) no actions (including filings or searches) shall be required in order to create or perfect any security interest in any assets held or located outside of the United States of the Loan Parties (including any IP Rights registered or applied-for in, or otherwise located in, protected or arising under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the United States), (y) no foreign law security or pledge agreements or foreign law mortgages or deeds shall be required outside of the United States with respect to any Loan Party and (z) with respect to any Collateral other than ABL Priority Collateral, no actions (including filings or searches) shall be required in order to create or perfect any security interest in such Collateral to the extent such actions are not required under the terms of the Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien on such Collateral that is senior in priority to the Liens on such Collateral securing the Obligations; provided that in no event shall this clause (z) operate to exclude, render ineffective or remove from the Collateral, or limit any obligation to create or perfect any Lien thereon, to the extent the same is required pursuant to the First Lien Notes Documents as in effect on the Effective Date.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any provision of this Agreement that limits perfection requirements to perfection under U.S. law, filings of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements or filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office shall not apply to any assets (other than Excluded Property) of any Foreign Subsidiary that becomes a Loan Party at the Borrower’s option pursuant to Section 5.12 and, in the event the Borrower, at its option, elects to cause a Foreign Subsidiary to become a Loan Party pursuant to Section 5.12, such Foreign Subsidiary shall complete filings or take actions necessary to create and perfect security interests in assets of such Foreign Subsidiary (other than Excluded Property (including any additional categories of excluded assets that may be customary or necessary under the requirements of law in the applicable jurisdiction of such Foreign Subsidiary and of any applicable asset of such Foreign Subsidiary, as reasonably agreed between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower)) in the jurisdiction in which such Foreign Subsidiary or any other Loan Party is organized or in the jurisdiction in which the assets of such Foreign Subsidiary is located, including, in each case, the execution and delivery of security agreements or pledge agreements relating to such assets of such Foreign Subsidiary and governed by the laws of the

 

17


jurisdiction in which such Foreign Subsidiary is organized or in the jurisdiction in which such assets of such Foreign Subsidiary is located.

Collection Account” shall mean any deposit account of any Loan Party located with a depositary bank that is a Lender or other depositary bank in the United States of America and into which any payments or remittances with respect to any Accounts of any Loan Party are made.

Commercial Agreement” shall mean any commodity prepayment contract, contract with payment or performance delays or any other equivalent agreement, in each case, relating to a commodity transaction that is not a Hedging Agreement, resulting in a performance risk or credit exposure, as applicable.

Commitment” means (a) with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s Revolving Commitment or commitment in respect of any Incremental Revolving Loans and (b) with respect to any Swingline Lender, its Swingline Commitment.

Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.) and any successor statute.

Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated herein or therein that is distributed to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank by means of electronic communications pursuant to Section 9.01, including through the Platform.

Compounded SOFR” means the compounded average of SOFRs for the applicable Corresponding Tenor, with the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate (which may include compounding in arrears with a lookback and/or suspension period as a mechanism to determine the interest amount payable prior to the end of each Interest Period) being established by the Administrative Agent in accordance with:

(1)    the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining compounded SOFR; provided that:

(2)    if, and to the extent that, the Administrative Agent determines that Compounded SOFR cannot be determined in accordance with clause (1) above, then the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate that the Administrative Agent determines in its reasonable discretion are substantially consistent with any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining compounded SOFR for syndicated credit facilities denominated in dollars or the applicable Permitted Foreign Currency at such time;

provided, further, that if the Administrative Agent decides that any such rate, methodology or convention determined in accordance with clause (1) or clause (2) is

 

18


not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, then Compounded SOFR will be deemed unable to be determined for purposes of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement.”

Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

Consenting Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.22(a).

Consolidated Debt” means, as of any date, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the type specified in the following clauses of the definition of “Indebtedness”: clause (a), clause (b), clause (c), clause (e), clause (h), clause (i) (but only to the extent drawn and unreimbursed after one Business Day), clause (j), clause (l) and clauses (f) and (g) (but in each case of clause (f) and (g) only to the extent supporting Indebtedness of the types referred to above), in each case relating to the Restricted Group outstanding as of such date determined on a consolidated basis.

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

(a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income for such period, the sum of:

(i) total interest expense for such period, and, to the extent not reflected in such total interest expense, the sum of (A) premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses incurred in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets, plus (B) the portion of rent expense with respect to such period under Capital Leases that is treated as interest expense in accordance with GAAP, plus (C) 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, plus (D) bank and letter of credit fees and costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, plus (E) any commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Permitted Receivables Facility, plus (F) amortization or write-off of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, debt discount or premium, terminated hedging obligations and other commissions, financing fees and expenses and, adjusted, to the extent included, to exclude any refunds or similar credits received in connection with the purchasing or procurement of goods or services under any purchasing card or similar program,

(ii) provision for Taxes based on income, profits, revenue or capital for such period, including, without limitation, state, franchise, excise, gross receipts, value added, margins, and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes (including penalties and interest related to taxes or arising from tax examinations),

 

19


(iii) depreciation and amortization expense for such period,

(iv) costs and expenses incurred or attributed to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with the Spin-Off, including but not limited to severance costs, relocation costs, repositioning and other restructuring costs, integration and facilities’ opening costs and other business optimization expenses and operating improvements and establishment costs, recruiting fees, signing costs, retention or completion bonuses, transition costs, costs related to closure/consolidation of facilities, internal costs in respect of Spin-Off related initiatives and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans (including any settlement of pension liabilities), contract terminations and professional and consulting fees incurred in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case incurred in connection with the Spin-Off during such period to the extent such incurrence occurs prior to the one-year anniversary of the Spin-Off (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any costs or expenses arising out of or relating to the Grenfell Tower Fire),

(v) fees, costs and expenses incurred during such period in connection with any proposed or actual permitted merger, acquisition, Investment, asset sale or other disposition, debt incurrence or refinancing or other capital markets transaction, without regard to the consummation thereof,

(vi) unusual, non-recurring, or exceptional expenses, losses or charges incurred during such period,

(vii) [reserved],

(viii) any non-cash charges, losses or expenses for such period (but excluding any non-cash charge, loss or expense in respect of an item that was included in Consolidated Net Income in a prior period and any non-cash charge, loss or expense that relates to the write-down or write-off of inventory, other than any write-down or write-off of inventory as a result of purchase accounting adjustments in respect of any acquisition permitted by the credit facilities provided for under this Agreement); provided that if any such 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 will be deducted from Consolidated EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period,

(ix) any non-cash loss attributable to the mark to market movement in the valuation of any Equity Interests, and hedging obligations or other derivative instruments;

(x) (A) any losses relating to amounts paid in cash prior to the stated settlement date of any hedging obligation that has been reflected in Consolidated Net Income for such period, (B) any losses during such period attributable to early extinguishment of indebtedness or obligations under any Hedging Agreement and (C)

 

20


any gain relating to hedging obligations associated with transactions realized in the current period that has been reflected in Consolidated Net Income in prior periods and excluded from Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clauses (b)(iv) below,

(xi) any losses during such period resulting from the sale or disposition of any asset outside the ordinary course of business,

(xii) the (A) amount of cost savings, operating expense reductions, synergies and other operating improvements projected by the Borrower in good faith to be realized as a result of Permitted Acquisitions and similar investments, operational changes, business realignment projects or initiatives, restructurings, reorganizations or similar actions reasonably expected to be realized within 18 months of the date the applicable event is consummated (which cost savings, expense reductions, synergies or operating improvements shall be subject only to certification by management of the Issuer and shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, expense reductions, synergies or improvements had been realized on the first day of such period); provided that such cost savings, expense reductions, synergies or improvements (I) are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable, net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions, (II) shall not exceed 20.0% of Consolidated EBITDA (calculated based on Consolidated EBITDA prior to giving effect to such cost savings, operating expense reductions, synergies and improvements) and (III) shall not be added pursuant to this clause (a)(xii) to the extent duplicative of any cost savings, expenses reductions, synergies or improvements otherwise added to Consolidated EBITDA; (B) business optimization expenses (including consolidation initiatives, severance costs and other costs relating to initiatives aimed at profitability improvement); and (C) restructuring charges or reserves (including restructuring costs related to acquisitions after the Effective Date and to closure and/or consolidation of facilities and to exiting lines of business), and

(xiii) non-cash, non-service pension expenses,

minus

(b) without duplication and to the extent included in determining such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of

(i) interest income for such period,

(ii) any non-cash gains for such period (other than any such non-cash gains (A) in respect of which cash was received in a prior period or will be received in a future period and (B) that represent the reversal of any accrual in a prior period for, or the reversal of any cash reserves established in a prior period for, anticipated cash charges),

(iii) all gains during such period resulting from the sale or disposition of any asset outside the ordinary course of business,

 

21


(iv) (A) any gains relating to amounts received in cash prior to the stated settlement date of any hedging obligation that has been reflected in Consolidated Net Income for such period, (B) any gains during such period attributable to early extinguishment of Indebtedness or obligations under any Hedging

Agreement and (C) any loss relating to hedging obligations associated with transactions realized in the current period that has been reflected in Consolidated Net Income in prior periods and excluded from Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (a)(x) above,

(v) any non-cash gain attributable to the mark to market movement in the valuation of any Equity Interests, and hedging obligations or other derivative instruments, and

(vi) all unusual, non-recurring or exceptional gains for such period.

In the event any Subsidiary shall be a subsidiary that is not wholly owned by the Borrower, all amounts added back in computing Consolidated EBITDA for any period pursuant to clause (a) above, and all amounts subtracted in computing Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (b) above, to the extent such amounts are, in the reasonable judgment of a Financial Officer of the Borrower, attributable to such subsidiary, shall be reduced by the portion thereof that is attributable to the non-controlling interest in such subsidiary.

Notwithstanding the foregoing and any requirements of GAAP to the contrary, Consolidated EBITDA shall be deemed to equal (a) $198,000,000 for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2019, (b) $199,000,000 for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2019, (c) $186,000,000 for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2019 and (d) $213,000,000 for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2020 (it being understood that such amounts are subject to adjustments, as and to the extent otherwise contemplated in this Agreement, in connection with any calculation on a Pro Forma Basis).

Consolidated Interest Expense” means for any period, the excess of (a) the interest expense (including imputed interest expense in respect of Capital Lease Obligations) of the Restricted Group for such period paid in cash during such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, minus (b) interest income of the Restricted Group for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, (a) the net income or loss of the Restricted Group for such period determined in accordance with GAAP as set forth on the consolidated financial statements of the Restricted Group for such period ((x) excluding any impact of costs and expenses (including legal fees) or gain or loss (including as the result of insurance recoveries received directly from the insurance company or indirectly from Howmet Aerospace Inc.) in each case arising from or attributable to the Grenfell Tower Fire and (y) reduced for any cash payments made during such period, whether or not such cash payments would be required to reduce net income in accordance with GAAP, resulting from costs and expenses (including legal

 

22


fees) arising from or attributable to the Grenfell Tower Fire except to the extent such payments either (i) have been reimbursed in cash directly from an insurance provider or indirectly from Howmet or (ii) are expected to be covered and reimbursed (A) in cash within 365 days directly by an insurance provider that is financially sound and reputable and has not disputed coverage or (B) indirectly by Howmet (in each case of (A) and (B), as determined by the Borrower in good faith); provided that to the extent such amounts are not so reimbursed within such 365 day period or are no longer expected to be covered and reimbursed or are disputed, then such unreimbursed amount shall reduce net income for such period), excluding (b) any Transaction Costs incurred during such period and excluding (c) fees and expenses incurred during such period in connection with any proposed or actual permitted merger, acquisition, Investment, asset sale, other disposition or capital markets transaction, without regard to the consummation thereof and any gains (loss) and all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto for such period attributable to early extinguishment of Indebtedness or obligations under any Hedging Agreement; provided that there shall be excluded (i) the income of any Person that is not a member of the Restricted Group, except to the extent of the amount of cash dividends or other cash distributions (or, in the case of non-cash distributions, to the extent converted into cash) actually paid by such Person to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower during such period, (ii) any extraordinary gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain or loss, (iii) any unrealized or realized gain or loss due solely to fluctuations in currency values and the related tax effects, determined in accordance with GAAP, and (iv) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles in such period, if any.

Consolidated Secured Debt” means, at any date, the aggregate principal amount of Consolidated Debt that is secured by a Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary.

Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio” means, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Secured Debt minus Unrestricted Cash to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ended on such date.

Consolidated Total Assets” means the total assets of the Restricted Group determined in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio” means, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Debt minus Unrestricted Cash to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ended on such date.

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.

 

23


Control Agreement” means a control agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, executed and delivered by a Loan Party or one of its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent, and the applicable securities intermediary (with respect to a Securities Account) or depositary bank (with respect to a Deposit Account).

Control Notice” has the meaning assigned to such term or any similar term (including “Shifting Control Notice”, “Exclusive Access Notice” and “Activation Notice”) in each Control Agreement.

Convertible Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Borrower (which may be guaranteed by Loan Parties but not by Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties) permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Agreement that is either (a) convertible into common Equity Interests of the Borrower (and cash in lieu of fractional shares) and/or cash (in an amount determined by reference to the price of such common Equity Interests) or (b) sold as units with call options, warrants or rights to purchase (or substantially equivalent derivative transactions) that are exercisable for common Equity Interests of the Borrower and/or cash (in an amount determined by reference to the price of such common Equity Interests).

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

Corresponding Tenor” with respect to a Benchmark Replacement means a tenor (including overnight) having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as the applicable tenor for the applicable Interest Period with respect to the LIBO Rate.

Covenant Testing Period” means a period (a) commencing on the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended prior to a Covenant Trigger Event for which the Borrower was required to deliver to the Administrative Agent quarterly or annual financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) of this Agreement, and (b) continuing through and including the first day after such Covenant Trigger Event that Excess Availability has equaled or exceeded the greater of (i) 10% of the Line Cap and (ii) $50,000,000 for 30 consecutive days.

Covenant Trigger Event” means if at any time Excess Availability is less than the greater of (i) 10% of the Line Cap at such time, and (ii) $50,000,000.

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

 

24


  (iii)

a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

Covered Party” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.21.

Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, each Lender and each Swingline Lender.

DBNY” means Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch.

Deadline” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(d).

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, constitute an Event of Default.

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.

Defaulting Lender” means any Revolving Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit, Swingline Loans or Protective Advances or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Revolving Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Revolving Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified in such writing, including, if applicable, by reference to a specific Default) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Revolving Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified in such writing, including, if applicable, by reference to a specific Default) cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by a Credit Party, made in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Revolving Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit, Swingline Loans and Protective Advances; provided that such Revolving Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Revolving Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Revolving Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.20) upon delivery of written

 

25


notice of such determination to the Borrower, each Issuing Bank, each Swingline Lender and each other Lender.

Deposit Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC.

Designated Borrower” means any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Borrower that (i) is listed as a Designated Borrower on Schedule 1.03 and (ii) has become a party hereto as a borrower in accordance with Section 9.22, other than any Subsidiary that has ceased to be a Designated Borrower pursuant to Section 9.22; provided that, with respect to each such listed Subsidiary, its status as a Designated Borrower hereunder shall not be effective until (a) such Subsidiary shall have executed and delivered a Designated Borrower Joinder pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall for all purposes of this Agreement be a party to and a Designated Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (b) to the extent not already provided, such Subsidiary shall have entered into security documents securing such Subsidiary’s monetary obligations as a Designated Borrower and the Subsidiaries of such Subsidiary (other than any such Subsidiaries which are Excluded Subsidiaries) shall have entered into guarantee documents guaranteeing, and security documents securing, the Obligations, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Designated Borrower Joinder” means a joinder agreement with respect to a Designated Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit N-1, with such changes thereto as are reasonable satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Designated Borrower Termination” means a Designated Borrower Termination substantially in the form of Exhibit N-2.

Designated Jurisdiction” means Australia, Canada (and any province thereof), England and Wales, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and New Zealand and any other jurisdiction in which a Designated Subsidiary is organized (i) that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion (taking into account the value to be realized by, and the enforceability of, a Guarantee by a Restricted Subsidiary organized in such jurisdiction of the Obligations and the grant of a security interest in the assets of such Restricted Subsidiary to secure the Obligations).

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 an executive officer, 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 such disposition).

Designated Pari Additional Secured Obligations” means any Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Commercial Obligations, Secured Hedging Obligations and Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations that shall have been designated by written notice from the Borrower and the applicable Secured Party to the

 

26


Administrative Agent as “Designated Secured Cash Management Obligations”, “Designated Secured Commercial Obligations”, “Designated Secured Hedging Obligations” or “Designated Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations”, as the case may be, for all purposes hereof, so long as such notice specifies the Designated Pari Amount with respect thereto and on the date of such designation (or, in the event the Designated Pari Amount with respect thereto shall increase as contemplated by the definition of such term, on the date of effectiveness of such increase), the establishment of a Designated Pari Additional Secured Obligations Reserve in the amount of the Designated Pari Amount with respect thereto would not result in the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeding the Line Cap (after giving pro forma effect to the establishment of such Designated Pari Additional Secured Obligations Reserve). The Administrative Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for the calculation of the exposure owing by the Loan Parties under any such Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Commercial Obligations, Secured Hedging Obligations or Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations, and shall be entitled in all cases to rely on the applicable Secured Party party to such agreement for the calculation thereof as notified to the Administrative Agent hereunder from time to time.

Designated Pari Additional Secured Obligations Reserves” means, as of any date of determination, those reserves established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion in respect of Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Commercial Obligations, Secured Hedging Obligations and Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations that have been designated as Designated Pari Additional Secured Obligations (based upon the applicable Secured Party’s determination of the Designated Pari Amount in respect thereof).

Designated Pari Amount” means, with respect to any Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Commercial Obligations, Secured Hedging Obligations and Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations, an amount (up to the maximum possible amount of obligations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect thereof) specified by written notice from the Borrower and the applicable Secured Party to the Administrative Agent, which amount may be increased or decreased by further written notice to the Administrative Agent from time to time; provided that in any event, the applicable Secured Party shall provide written notice to the Administrative Agent of the Designated Pari Amount with respect to the applicable Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Commercial Obligations, Secured Hedging Obligations and Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations, as the case may be, within five Business Days following the end of each fiscal quarter and promptly following the request of the Administrative Agent from time to time (but any applicable Secured Party’s failure to deliver such notice shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default).

Designated Subsidiary” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.12(b).

Disqualified Equity Interest” means any Equity Interest that (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests) or subject to mandatory repurchase or redemption or repurchase at the option of the holders thereof,

 

27


in each case in whole or in part and whether upon the occurrence of any event, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation on a fixed date or otherwise, prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date (determined as of the date of issuance thereof or, in the case of any such Equity Interests outstanding on the date hereof, as of the date hereof), other than (i) upon payment in full of the Loan Document Obligations, reduction of the LC Exposure to zero and termination of the Commitments or (ii) upon a “change in control” or asset sale or casualty or condemnation event; provided that any payment required pursuant to this clause (ii) shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loan Document Obligations, reduction of the LC Exposure to zero and termination of the Commitments or (b) is convertible or exchangeable, automatically or at the option of any holder thereof, into (i) any Indebtedness (other than any Indebtedness described in clause (k) of the definition thereof) or (ii) any Equity Interests other than Qualified Equity Interests, in each case at any time prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date (determined as of the date of issuance thereof or, in the case of any such Equity Interests outstanding on the date hereof, as of the date hereof); provided that an Equity Interest in any Person that is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees or by any such plan to such employees shall not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest solely because it may be required to be repurchased by such Person or any of its subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability.

Disqualified Institution” means (i) (x) the competitors of the Borrower and their respective subsidiaries and (y) the banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders and persons, in each case set forth in a list provided to the Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date (and, solely with respect to clause (i)(x), as such list may be updated by the Borrower following the Effective Date by written notice to the Administrative Agent from time to time; provided that any such list provided (or, in the case of clause (i)(x), any modifications, deletions or supplements thereto) shall become effective the following Business Day after such delivery and (ii) any of their Affiliates that are clearly identifiable solely on the basis of such Affiliates’ name (other than any such Affiliates that are primarily engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans in the ordinary course of their business (other than any Affiliates excluded pursuant to clause (i)(y)) (provided that the exclusion as to Disqualified Institutions shall not apply retroactively to disqualify any entity that has previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in the Commitments or Loans to the extent such entity was not a Disqualified Institution at the time of the applicable assignment or participation, as the case may be, but such Person may not acquire additional assignments or participations hereunder).

Distribution Agreement” means the Separation and Distribution Agreement dated as of March 31, 2020, between Howmet and the Borrower, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Distribution Date” means April 1, 2020, which was the date of the distribution of the shares of common stock of the Borrower to shareholders of record of Arconic pursuant to the Spin-Off.

 

28


Dollar Equivalent” means, on any date of determination, (a) with respect to any amount in dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount in any currency other than dollars, the equivalent in dollars of such amount, determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 1.11 using the Exchange Rate with respect to such currency for such amount on such date under the provisions of Section 1.11. The Dollar Equivalent at any time of the amount of any Loan, Letter of Credit or LC Disbursement shall be the amount most recently determined as provided in Section 1.11.

dollars” or “$” refers to lawful currency of the United States of America.

Early Opt-in Election means the occurrence of:

(1)    (i) a determination by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower (as notified to the Administrative Agent) or (ii) a notification by the Required Lenders to the Administrative Agent (with a copy to the Borrower) that the Required Lenders have determined that syndicated credit facilities denominated in dollars or the applicable Permitted Foreign Currency being executed at such time, or that include language similar to that contained in Section 2.14 are being executed or amended, as applicable, to incorporate or adopt a new benchmark interest rate to replace the LIBO Rate or the EURIBO Rate, as applicable, and

(2)    (i) the election by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower or (ii) the election by the Required Lenders to declare that an Early Opt-in Election has occurred and the provision, as applicable, by the Administrative Agent of written notice of such election to the Borrower and the Lenders or by the Required Lenders of written notice of such election to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

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.

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 May 13, 2020.

Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record

 

29


Eligible Accounts” means, at any time, the Accounts owned by the Loan Parties reflected in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate, except any Account:

(a)    which is not subject to a first-priority perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties);

(b)    which is subject to any Lien other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), (ii) (x) a Permitted Encumbrance or (y) a Lien securing the First Lien Notes, the Second Lien Notes, Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of either of the foregoing or other Indebtedness that is expressly permitted hereunder to be secured by a Lien on the Collateral, in the case of clauses (x) and (y) which ranks junior to the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) and, in the case of clause (y), which is subject to the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement or an Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement, as appropriate or (iii) Permitted Encumbrances arising by operation of law as described in clauses (a) or (e) of the definition thereof; provided that, in the case of clause (iii), unless such Permitted Encumbrances (A) are junior to the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and (B) do not impair directly or indirectly the ability of the Administrative Agent to realize on or obtain the full benefit of the Collateral, the Administrative Agent may, in the exercise of Permitted Discretion, establish a Reserve with respect to any Accounts subject to such Permitted Encumbrances in an amount not to exceed (on an aggregate basis for all Accounts from time to time subject to such Permitted Encumbrances) (1) in the case of Accounts subject to Liens described in clause (a) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances, the amount of such Taxes, fees, assessments, duties or other charges and (2) in the case of Accounts subject to Liens described in clause (e) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances, the amount specified in such judgments or notices; provided that in each case under this clause (iii) the amount of the applicable obligation in respect of which such Lien has been taken shall have been specified by the Borrower in the Borrowing Base Certificate or otherwise by prompt notice to the Administrative Agent;

(c)    which is unpaid (i) in the case of an Investment-Grade Domestic Account Debtor, more than 180 days after the date of the original invoice therefor (or more than 60 days after the original due date therefor), or (ii) in the case of any other Account Debtor, more than 120 days after the date of the original invoice therefor (or more than 60 days after the original due date therefor);

(d)    which is owing by an Account Debtor for which more than 50% of the Accounts owing from such Account Debtor and its Affiliates are ineligible under this Agreement (other than as a result of the operation of clause (e) below);

(e)    which is owing by an Account Debtor to the extent that the aggregate amount of Accounts owing from such Account Debtor and its Affiliates to all the Loan Parties exceeds 25% or, in the case of Investment-Grade Domestic Account Debtors, 35% (or such other percentage set forth on Schedule 1.07 with respect to any Account Debtor specified therein, as such schedule may be amended from time to time by the Borrower with the consent of the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion) of the

 

30


aggregate amount of Eligible Accounts of all the Loan Parties, provided that (i) any such percentage as applied to a particular Account Debtor or group of Affiliated Account Debtors will be subject to reduction by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion if the creditworthiness of such Account Debtor or group of Affiliated Account Debtors deteriorates, and (ii) in each such case, only those Accounts owing by such Account Debtor or group of Affiliated Account Debtors that are in excess of 25% or, in the case of Investment-Grade Domestic Account Debtors, 35% (or such other percentage then applicable thereto as set forth on Schedule 1.07) of the aggregate amount of Eligible Accounts as set forth in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered hereunder shall be deemed ineligible as a result of this clause (e);

(f)    with respect to which any (i) covenant has been breached in any material respect or (ii) representation or warranty is not true in all material respects, in each case to the extent contained in this Agreement or the Collateral Agreement; provided that each such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects to the extent it is already qualified by a materiality standard;

(g)    which (i) does not arise from the sale of goods or performance of services in the ordinary course of business; (ii) is not evidenced by an invoice or other documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent which has been sent to the Account Debtor; (iii) represents a progress billing; (iv) is contingent upon the applicable Loan Party’s completion of any further performance (other than product returns in the ordinary course of business); (v) represents a guaranteed sale, sale-and-return, sale on approval, consignment, cash-on-delivery or any other repurchase or return basis (excluding Accounts that are subject to returns in the ordinary course of business); (vi) represents a sale on a bill-and-hold; provided that such Account shall be deemed eligible if (A) the applicable Account Debtor with respect to such Account has delivered an agreement (in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent) among such Account Debtor, the applicable Loan Party and the Administrative Agent, pursuant to which such Account Debtor unconditionally agrees to accept delivery of such goods and waives any rights of set-off with respect to such Account or (B) such Account Debtor unconditionally agrees to pay in cash for such Account in the event that such Account Debtor elects not to take delivery); or (vii) relates to payments of interest;

(h)    for which the goods giving rise to such Account have not been shipped to the Account Debtor or for which the services giving rise to such Account have not been performed by the applicable Loan Party (other than bill-and-hold Accounts which satisfy the requirements set forth in the proviso to clause (g)(vi) above); provided, however, that this clause (h) shall not exclude portions of Accounts relating to nonrefundable “capacity reservation fees”;

(i)    with respect to which any check or other instrument of payment has been returned uncollected for any reason;

(j)    which is owed by an Account Debtor which (i) has applied for, suffered or consented to the appointment of any receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator of its assets; (ii) has had possession of all or a material part of its property taken by any receiver,

 

31


custodian, trustee or liquidator; (iii) is subject to an Insolvency Proceeding; (iv) has admitted in writing its inability, or is generally unable to, pay its debts as they become due; (v) is not solvent (within the meaning set forth in Section 3.15); or (vi) has ceased operation of its business; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent may determine, in its Permitted Discretion, that post-petition Accounts owing by an Account Debtor that is a debtor-in-possession under Federal bankruptcy laws shall not be deemed ineligible;

(k)    which is owed by any Account Debtor which has sold all or a substantially all of its assets;

(l)    which is owed by an Account Debtor which (i) does not maintain its chief executive office in the United States, the United Kingdom or Canada or (ii) is not organized under applicable law of the United States, any state of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada or any province of Canada unless, in either case, such Account is (A) backed by a Letter of Credit acceptable to the Administrative Agent which is in the possession of, and is directly drawable by, the Administrative Agent, (B) owed by an Account Debtor that has been approved by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion or (C) owed by an Account Debtor listed on Schedule 1.07, as such schedule may be amended from time to time by the Borrower with the consent of the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion; provided that with respect to clauses (B) and (C), the aggregate amount of such Accounts owed by all such Account Debtors in an aggregate shall not exceed the greater of (x) $35,000,000 and (y) 15% of Eligible Accounts;

(m)    which is owed in any currency other than Dollars, Euros, British pound sterling, Canadian dollars or any other currency specified by Agent in its Permitted Discretion; provided that the amount of all such Accounts payable in Euros, British pound sterling, Canadian dollars or any other currency specified by Agent shall not exceed $30,000,000 in the aggregate; and provided, further, that, with respect to Accounts owed in any currency other than Dollars, the value of such Accounts for purposes of calculating the Borrowing Base shall be expressed in Dollars as of the date of the applicable Borrowing Base Certificate, each such value to be calculated on a basis acceptable to Agent in its Permitted Discretion;

(n)    which is owed by (i) the government (or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality thereof) of any country other than the United States unless such Account is backed by a Letter of Credit acceptable to Agent which is in the possession of the Administrative Agent, or (ii) the government of the United States, or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality thereof, unless the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940, as amended (31 U.S.C. § 3727 et seq. and 41 U.S.C. § 15 et seq.), and any other steps necessary to perfect the Lien of the Administrative Agent in such Account have been complied with to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction;

(o)    which is owed by any Affiliate, employee, officer or director of any Loan Party;

 

32


(p)    which is owed by an Account Debtor or any Affiliate of such Account Debtor to which any Loan Party is indebted, unless the Account Debtor has entered into an agreement that the Administrative Agent has accepted in writing in its reasonable discretion to waive set-off rights, but only to the extent of such indebtedness or is subject to any security, deposit, progress payment, retainage or other similar advance made by or for the benefit of an Account Debtor, in each case to the extent thereof;

(q)    which is subject to any counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute, unless the Account Debtor has entered into an agreement that the Administrative Agent has accepted in writing in its reasonable discretion to waive set-off rights, but only to the extent of any such counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute;

(r)    which is evidenced by any promissory note, chattel paper, or instrument;

(s)    which is (i) owed by an Account Debtor located in any jurisdiction which requires filing of a “Notice of Business Activities Report” or other similar report in order to permit such Loan Party to seek judicial enforcement in such jurisdiction of payment of such Account, unless such Loan Party has filed such report or qualified to do business in such jurisdiction or (ii) owed by an Account Debtor that is a Sanctioned Person;

(t)    with respect to which such Loan Party has made any agreement with the Account Debtor for any reduction thereof, other than discounts and adjustments given in the ordinary course of business, or any Account which was partially paid and such Loan Party created a new receivable for the unpaid portion of such Account;

(u)    which does not comply in all material respects with the requirements of all applicable laws and regulations, whether federal, state or local, including without limitation the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act, the Federal Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z of the Board;

(v)    which is for goods that have been sold under a purchase order or pursuant to the terms of a contract or other agreement or understanding (written or oral) that indicates or purports that any Person other than such Loan Party has or has had an ownership interest in such goods, or which indicates any party other than such Loan Party as payee or remittance party; or

(w)    which the Administrative Agent otherwise determines in its Permitted Discretion is unacceptable for any reason whatsoever.

The Administrative Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion, impose additional eligibility criteria after consultation with the Borrower, based on the results of the initial Acceptable Appraisal and Field Exam delivered hereunder to the extent arising from facts or events first occurring, or first discovered, by the Administrative Agent, after the Effective Date in connection with such Acceptable Appraisal and Field Exam. In addition, the Administrative Agent reserves the right, at any time and from time to time after the Effective Date, to adjust any of the exclusionary criteria set forth above and to establish new criteria, in its Permitted Discretion (based on an analysis of facts or events first occurring, or first discovered by the Administrative Agent, after the Effective Date).

 

33


In determining the amount of an Eligible Account, the face amount of an Account may, in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion, be reduced by, without duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount, (i) the amount of all accrued and actual discounts, claims, credits or credits pending, promotional program allowances, price adjustments, finance charges or other allowances (including any amount that any Loan Party may be obligated to rebate to an Account Debtor pursuant to the terms of any agreement or understanding (written or oral)) and (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash received in respect of such Account but not yet applied by the applicable Loan Party to reduce the amount of such Account.

If any Account at any time ceases to be an Eligible Account, then such Account shall promptly be excluded from the calculation of the Borrowing Base; provided, however, that if any Account ceases to be an Eligible Account because of the adjustment of or imposition of new exclusionary criteria pursuant to the succeeding paragraph, the Administrative Agent will not require exclusion of such Account from the Borrowing Base until fifteen days following the date on which the Administrative Agent gives notice to the Borrower of such ineligibility.

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, a natural person, a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower, any Subsidiary, any other Affiliate of the Borrower and to the extent posted to the Lenders, a Disqualified Institution.

Eligible Inventory” means, at any time, the Inventory owned by the Loan Parties reflected in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate, except any Inventory:

(a)    which is not subject to a first-priority perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties);

(b)    which is subject to any Lien other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), (ii) (x) a Permitted Encumbrance or (y) a Lien securing the First Lien Notes, the Second Lien Notes, Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of either of the foregoing or other Indebtedness that is expressly permitted hereunder to be secured by a Lien on the Collateral, in each case of clauses (x) and (y) which ranks junior to the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) and, in the case of clause (y), which is subject to the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement or an Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement, as appropriate or (iii) Permitted Encumbrances arising by operation of law as described in clauses (a), (b), (e) or (l) of the definition thereof; provided that, in the case of clause (iii), unless such Permitted Encumbrances (A) are junior to the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and (B) do not impair directly or indirectly the ability of the Administrative Agent to realize on or obtain the full benefit of the Collateral, the Administrative Agent may, in the exercise of Permitted Discretion, establish a Reserve with respect to any Inventory subject to such Permitted Encumbrances in an amount not to exceed (on an aggregate basis for all Inventory from time to time subject to such Permitted Encumbrances) (1) in the case of Inventory subject to Liens described in clause (b) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances, the greater

 

34


of (x) an amount equal to the amount which would have to be paid to such Lien claimant in order to obtain a release of such Liens, and (y) with respect to landlords’ liens, an amount equal to 90 days’ rent for the properties or facilities on or at which the applicable Inventory is located unless such property or facility is subject to a Collateral Access Agreement, and (2) in the case of Inventory subject to Liens described in clause (a) or (l) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances, the amount of such Taxes, fees, assessments, duties or other charges and (3) in the case of Inventory described in clause (e) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances, the amount specified in such judgments or notices; provided that in each case under this clause (iii) the amount of the applicable obligation in respect of which such Lien has been taken shall have been specified by the Borrower in the Borrowing Base Certificate or otherwise by prompt notice to the Administrative Agent;

(c)    which is, in the Administrative Agent’s opinion, applying its Permitted Discretion, slow moving, obsolete, unmerchantable, defective, unfit for sale, not salable or unacceptable due to age, type, category and/or quantity;

(d)    with respect to which any covenant has been breached in any material respect or representation or warranty is not true in all material respects, in each case to the extent contained in this Agreement or the Collateral Agreement (provided that each such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects to the extent it is already qualified by a materiality standard) and which does not conform in any material respect to all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority;

(e)    in which any Person other than such Loan Party shall (i) have any direct or indirect ownership, interest or title to such Inventory or (ii) be indicated on any purchase order or invoice with respect to such Inventory as having or purporting to have an interest therein;

(f)    which constitutes packaging and shipping material or stores and supplies, displays or display items, bill-and-hold goods, goods that are returned or marked for return, repossessed goods, defective or damaged goods, goods held on consignment, or goods which are not of a type held for sale in the ordinary course of business;

(g)    other than Inventory not in excess of $30,000,000 at any time, which is (i) not located at one of the locations in the continental United States set forth on Schedule 1.06 to this Agreement (as such Schedule 1.06 may be amended from time to time in accordance with Section 5.13) (or in-transit from one such location to another such location), or (ii) in-transit to or from a location of a Loan Party (other than in-transit from one location set forth on Schedule 1.06 to this Agreement to another location set forth on Schedule 1.06 to this Agreement (as such Schedule 1.06 may be amended from time to time in accordance with Section 5.13));

(h)    which is located in any location leased by such Loan Party unless (i) the lessor has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement or (ii) a Landlord Reserve with respect to such facility has been established by the Administrative

 

35


Agent in its Permitted Discretion, but without duplication of any Landlord Reserves pursuant to any other provision of this Agreement;

(i)    which is located in any third party warehouse or is in the possession of a bailee (other than a third party processor) unless (i) such warehouseman or bailee has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may require in its Permitted Discretion (provided that up to $30,000,000 of such Inventory may be included in the Borrowing Base even if Collateral Access Agreements and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may require have not been obtained with respect to such Inventory) or (ii) an appropriate Reserve has been established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion;

(j)    which is being processed offsite at a third party location or outside processor, or is in-transit to or from said third party location or outside processor; provided that Inventory located at a third-party processor shall not be ineligible pursuant to this clause (j) if the applicable third-party processor has entered into, on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, a Collateral Access Agreement or such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require;

(k)    which is the subject of a consignment by such Loan Party as consignor or which any Loan Party has placed on consignment with another Person (other than a Person that is a third party processor of such Inventory, in which case such Inventory may be included as Eligible Inventory to the extent provided in clause (j) above);

(l)    which contains or bears any intellectual property rights licensed to such Loan Party unless the Administrative Agent is satisfied, in its Permitted Discretion, that it may sell or otherwise dispose of such Inventory without (i) infringing the rights of such licensor, (ii) violating any contract with such licensor, or (iii) incurring any liability with respect to payment of royalties other than royalties incurred pursuant to sale of such Inventory under the current licensing agreement;

(m)    for which reclamation rights have been asserted by the seller;

(n)    which has been acquired from a Sanctioned Person; or

(o)    which the Administrative Agent otherwise determines in its Permitted Discretion is unacceptable for any reason whatsoever.

The Administrative Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion, impose additional eligibility criteria after consultation with the Borrower, based on the results of the initial Acceptable Appraisal and Field Exam delivered hereunder to the extent arising from facts or events first occurring, or first discovered, by the Administrative Agent, after the Effective Date in connection with such Acceptable Appraisal and Field Exam. In addition, the Administrative Agent reserves the right, at any time and from time to time after the Effective Date, to adjust any of the exclusionary criteria set forth above and to establish new criteria, in its Permitted Discretion (based on an analysis of facts or events first occurring, or first discovered by the Administrative Agent, after the Effective Date).

 

36


Employee Matters Agreement” means the Employee Matters Agreement dated as of March 31, 2020, between Howmet and the Borrower, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Environmental Law” means any treaty, law (including common law), rule, regulation, code, ordinance, order, decree, judgment, injunction, notice or binding agreement issued, promulgated or entered into by or with any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to (a) the protection of the environment, (b) the preservation or reclamation of natural resources, (c) the generation, management, Release or threatened Release of any hazardous material or (d) health and safety matters, to the extent relating to the exposure to hazardous materials.

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), directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law or permit, license or approval required 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 legally binding contract or written agreement 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 (whether voting or non-voting) in, or interests in the income or profits of, a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any of the foregoing (other than, prior to the date of such conversion, Convertible Indebtedness and any other debt security that is convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests of such Person).

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

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, 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(c) 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 standard (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, whether or not waived, (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan, (d) a

 

37


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)(A) of the Code), (e) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan under Section 4041 or 4041(A) of ERISA, respectively, (f) the receipt by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, respectively, or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, (g) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (h) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, or in endangered or critical status, within the meaning of Section 305 of ERISA or (i) any Foreign Benefit Event.

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” or “” means the single currency of the participating member states of the European Union in accordance with the legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.

EURIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Euro for any Interest Period, the applicable Screen Rate as of the Specified Time on the Quotation Day; provided that with respect to an Impacted Interest Period, the EURIBO Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the EURIBO Rate at any time be less than 0.75% per annum

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 Adjusted LIBO Rate or the EURIBO 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 Line Cap minus (b) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure, in each case at such time.

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

Exchange Rate” means, as of any date of determination, for purposes of determining the Dollar Equivalent of any currency other than dollars, the rate at which such currency may be exchanged into dollars at the time of determination on such day as last provided (either by publication or as may otherwise be provided to the Administrative Agent) by the applicable Reuters source on the Business Day (New York City time) immediately preceding such day of determination. In the event that Reuters

 

38


ceases to provide such rate of exchange or such rate does not appear on the applicable Reuters source, the Exchange Rate shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available information service for displaying such rate of exchange at such time as shall be selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion.

Excluded Deposit Account” means (a) any deposit account the funds in which are used solely for the payment of salaries and wages, workers’ compensation and similar expenses in the ordinary course of business, (b) any deposit account that is a disbursement account that is swept on a daily basis to a deposit account that is not an Excluded Deposit Account subject to a Control Agreement in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, (c) any segregated deposit account the funds in which consist solely of (i) funds held by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in trust for any director, officer or employee of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or any employee benefit plan maintained by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) funds representing deferred compensation for the directors and employees of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) funds held as part of escrow arrangements permitted under the terms of this Agreement, (iv) withheld income taxes and federal, state or local employment taxes and (v) payroll funds and (e) all other accounts containing less than $10,000,000 individually and in the aggregate for all such other accounts.

Excluded Property” means all the following assets and property of any Loan Party:

(i) all leasehold interests (other than the Specified Property) and any fee-owned real property other than Material Real Property (including requirements to deliver landlord waivers, estoppels and collateral access letters with respect to any real property, including Material Real Property);

(ii) any building, structure or improvement located in an area determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to have special flood hazards (a “Flood Zone”);

(iii) aircraft, rolling stock, motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title, letter-of-credit rights (except to the extent perfection can be obtained by filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements) and commercial tort claims (x) for which a complaint or a counterclaim has not yet been filed in a court of competent jurisdiction or (y) reasonably expected to result in a judgment not in excess of $20,000,000;

(iv) “margin stock” (within the meaning of Regulation U), and pledges and security interests prohibited by applicable law, rule or regulation;

(v) Equity Interests in (A) any Excluded Subsidiary of the type described in clauses (a), (b), (to the extent (1) requiring the consent of one or more third parties (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any director, officer or employee thereof), (2) triggering a right of first refusal or co-sale rights or similar rights of third

 

39


parties or (3) prohibited by the terms of any applicable organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholder’s agreement (provided that such requirement existed on the Effective Date or at the time of the acquisition of such Equity Interests and was not incurred in contemplation of the entry into this Agreement or the acquisition of such Equity Interests (it being understood that the foregoing shall not be construed to prohibit customary provisions in joint venture agreements)), (d), (e) or (h) of the definition thereof or (B) any Person other than wholly owned Subsidiaries to the extent (1) requiring the consent of one or more third parties (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any director, officer or employee thereof), (2) triggering a right of first refusal or co-sale rights or similar rights of third parties or (3) the pledge thereof is not permitted or would require consent of a third party by the terms of such Person’s organizational documents, joint venture documents or similar contractual obligations;

(vi) assets to the extent a security interest in such assets would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (as reasonably determined in good faith by the Borrower);

(vii) rights, title or interest in any lease, license, sublicense or other agreement or in any equipment or property subject to a purchase money security interest, capitalized lease obligation or similar arrangement to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license, sublicense or agreement or purchase money arrangement, capitalized lease obligation or similar arrangement or require the consent of any Person or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than a Loan Party or any of its subsidiaries) after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code or equivalent law, other than proceeds and receivables thereof, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the Uniform Commercial Code or equivalent law notwithstanding such prohibition;

(viii) assets a pledge of which (A) is prohibited by applicable law, rule or regulation or would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization or (B) is contractually prohibited on the Effective Date or the date of acquisition of such asset (or on the date an Excluded Subsidiary becomes a Loan Party by guaranteeing the Obligations), so long as such prohibition is not created in contemplation of such transaction, and unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received, in each case, after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code and other applicable requirements of law;

(ix) any (A) intent-to-use trademark application filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 1051, prior to the accepted filing of a “Statement of Use” and issuance of a “Certificate of Registration” pursuant to Section 1(d) of the Lanham Act or an accepted filing of an “Amendment to Allege Use” whereby such intent-to-use trademark application is converted to a “use in commerce” application pursuant to Section 1(c) of the Lanham Act or (B) other IP Rights in any jurisdiction where such pledge or security

 

40


interest would cause the invalidation or abandonment of such IP Rights under applicable law;

(x) accounts primarily holding funds received from insurance companies in connection with the third party claims of management and handling business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (together with the funds held in such accounts);

(xi) Excluded Deposit Accounts;

(xii) Excluded Securities Accounts;

(xiii) any governmental licenses or state or local franchises, charters and authorizations, to the extent security interests in favor of the Administrative Agent in such licenses, franchises, charters or authorizations are prohibited or restricted thereby or under applicable law, after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code and other applicable requirements of law; provided that in the event of the termination or elimination of any such prohibition or restriction contained in any applicable license, franchise, charter or authorization or applicable law, a security interest in such licenses, franchises, charters or authorizations shall be automatically and simultaneously granted under the applicable Security Documents and such license, franchise, charter or authorization shall be included as Collateral;

(xiv) assets or rights (including IP Rights) located in, protected, registered, applied for or arising under the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States owned by the Loan Parties (but excluding assets owned by a Loan Party organized under the laws of the United States in which a security interest can be perfected by the filing of a Uniform Commercial Code financing statement or by delivery of certificates evidencing Equity Interests);

(xv) (A) voting Equity Interests in excess of 65% of the issued and outstanding voting Equity Interests and (B) to the extent such pledge would result in material adverse tax consequences (as determined by the Borrower in its reasonable judgment), non-voting Equity Interests in excess of 65% of the issued and outstanding non-voting Equity Interests, in each case of any Foreign Subsidiary or any Foreign Subsidiary Holding Company,

(xvi) cash and Permitted Investments securing Hedging Agreements in the ordinary course of business submitted for clearing in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law and

(xvii) those assets as to which the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree that the cost or other consequences of obtaining such a security interest or perfection thereof are excessive in relation to the benefit to the Lenders of the security to be afforded thereby. For the avoidance of doubt, any Parent Asset (as defined in the Distribution Agreement) shall also constitute Excluded Property.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower designates a Foreign Subsidiary as a Designated Subsidiary, the definition of “Excluded Property”

 

41


with respect to the security interests to be granted by such Designated Subsidiary may be modified as the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall reasonably agree (including both to include as Collateral assets that would otherwise constitute Excluded Property, and to specify any additional exclusions from the Collateral agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower pursuant to clause (xvii) above, in each case as may be appropriate in light of the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Designated Subsidiary).

Excluded Refinanced Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Refinancing Indebtedness”.

Excluded Securities Account” means (a) any securities account the funds in which are used solely for the payment of salaries and wages, workers’ compensation and similar expenses in the ordinary course of business, (b) any securities account the funds or assets in which consist solely of (i) funds or assets held by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in trust for any director, officer or employee of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or any employee benefit plan maintained by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) funds or assets representing deferred compensation for the directors and employees of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or (iii) funds held as part of escrow arrangements to the extent permitted under the terms of this Agreement and (c) all other securities accounts containing less than $10,000,000 individually and in the aggregate for all such other accounts.

Excluded Subsidiary” means (a) (i) as of the date hereof, each Subsidiary specified in Schedule 1.05 and (ii) each Subsidiary designated by the Borrower for the purpose of this clause (a) from time to time, for so long as any such Subsidiary does not constitute a Material Subsidiary as of the most recently ended four fiscal quarters of the Borrower; provided that if such Subsidiary would constitute a Material Subsidiary as of the end of such four fiscal quarter period, the Borrower shall cause such Subsidiary to become a Loan Party pursuant to Section 5.12, (b) each Subsidiary that is not a wholly owned Subsidiary or otherwise constitutes a joint venture (for so long as such Subsidiary remains a non-wholly owned Subsidiary or joint venture), (c) each Subsidiary that is prohibited by any applicable law, regulation or contract to provide the Guarantee required by the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement (so long as any such contractual restriction is not incurred in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary) (unless such prohibition is removed or any necessary consent, approval, waiver or authorization has been received), or would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to provide such Guarantee, unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received (and for so long as such restriction or any replacement or renewal thereof is in effect), (d) each Unrestricted Subsidiary, (e) any special purpose entity (including any Receivables Entity) or broker-dealer entity, (f) any Subsidiary to the extent that the guarantee of the Obligations by such entity would result in material adverse tax or accounting consequences (as reasonably determined in good faith by the Borrower), (g) any Captive Insurance Subsidiary, (h) any non-profit Subsidiary, (i) any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is, or would become as a result of providing the Guarantee required by the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act, (j)

 

42


any Foreign Subsidiary or Foreign Subsidiary Holding Company or (k) any other Subsidiary with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the cost, burden, difficulty or other consequence of guaranteeing the Obligations shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Secured Parties therefrom; provided that a Subsidiary that has become a Designated Subsidiary or a Designated Borrower shall not constitute an Excluded Subsidiary. As of the Effective Date, Arconic Automotive Castings and Structural Laminates Company have been designated by the Borrower as Excluded Subsidiaries pursuant to clause (a)(ii) above.

Excluded Swap Guarantor” means any Loan Party all or a portion of whose Guarantee of, or grant of a security interest to secure, any 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).

Excluded Swap Obligations” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Loan Party of, or the grant by such Loan Party of a security interest to secure, 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 Loan Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the Guarantee of such Loan Party or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. 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 illegal.

Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes and branch profits Taxes, in each case (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 2.19(b) or 9.02(c)) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.17, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(f) and (d) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

43


Existing Credit Agreement” means the Credit Agreement dated as of March 25, 2020, among the Borrower, the Designated Borrowers from time to time party thereto, the lenders and issuing banks party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.

Existing Letters of Credit” means those certain letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments (if any) issued prior to the Effective Date, in effect on the Effective Date, and listed on Schedule 1.04.

Existing Maturity Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.22(a).

Existing Revolving Borrowings” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(d).

Extension Effective Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.22(a).

Fair Market Value” or “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 taking into account the nature and characteristics of such asset, as reasonably determined by the Borrower in good faith.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the Effective Date (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code (or any such amended or successor version thereof).

Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions, as determined in such manner as shall be set forth on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the effective federal funds rate; provided that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website” means the website of the NYFRB at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.

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

 

44


FILO Tranche Incremental Revolving Commitment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(a).

Financial Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of such Person, or any other officer of such Person performing the duties that are customarily performed by a chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller and with respect to limited liability companies that do not have officers, the manager, sole member, managing member or general partner thereof, the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of such Person, or any other officer of such Person performing the duties that are customarily performed by a chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller. For purposes of Borrowing Requests and Interest Election Requests, “Financial Officer” shall include any assistant treasurer, assistant controller or other authorized signatory of such Person who has been designated in writing to the Administrative Agent as a “Financial Officer” by the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of such Person.

First Lien Notes” means the Borrower’s senior first lien secured notes due 2025 in an aggregate principal amount of $700,000,000.

First Lien Notes Collateral Agreement” means the Notes Collateral Agreement dated as of May 13, 2020, among the Loan Parties and U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral agent under the First Lien Notes Documents, as may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

First Lien Notes Documents” means the First Lien Notes Indenture, the First Lien Notes Collateral Agreement, all instruments, agreements and other documents evidencing or governing the First Lien Notes, providing for any Guarantee, security or other right in respect thereof, and all schedules, exhibits and annexes to each of the foregoing, as may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

First Lien Notes Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of May 13, 2020, among, inter alia, the Borrower and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, in respect of the First Lien Notes, as may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Fixed Amounts” has the meaning specified in Section 1.08.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means the ratio, determined as of the end of any period, of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of determination minus Net Capital Expenditures for such period of determination, minus income taxes paid in cash during such period (net of cash payments received with respect to income taxes during such period), minus dividends or other distributions paid in cash to holders of Equity

 

45


Interests in the Borrower in respect thereof during such period, to (b) Fixed Charges for such period of determination, all calculated for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Fixed Charges” means, for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, with reference to any period, without duplication, Consolidated Interest Expense paid in cash during such period, plus scheduled cash principal payments (other than payments due upon final maturity) on Indebtedness (including rent or other cash payments on Capital Lease Obligations other than imputed interest components thereof) made during such period. For the avoidance of doubt, Fixed Charges for any period prior to the Effective Date shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis giving effect to the Transactions as if they had been consummated on the first day of such period.

Flood Insurance Laws” means, collectively, (i) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (which comprehensively revised the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973) as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (ii) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto and (iii) the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto.

Foreign Benefit Event” means, with respect to any Foreign Pension Plan, (a) the failure to make or, if applicable, accrue in accordance with GAAP, any employer or employee contributions under Requirements of Law or by the terms of such Foreign Pension Plan; (b) the failure to register or loss of good standing with applicable regulatory authorities of any such Foreign Pension Plan required to be registered; (c) the failure of any Foreign Pension Plan to comply with any material Requirements of Law or with the material terms of such Foreign Pension Plan; or (d) the receipt of a notice by a Governmental Authority relating to the intention to terminate any such Foreign Pension Plan or to appoint a trustee or similar official to administer any such Foreign Pension Plan, or alleging the insolvency of any such Foreign Pension Plan, in each case, which would reasonably be expected to result in the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary becoming subject to a material funding or contribution obligation with respect to such Foreign Pension Plan.

Foreign Lender” means a Lender that is not a U.S. Person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Foreign Pension Plan” means any defined benefit pension plan, trust, insurance contract, fund (including, without limitation, any superannuation fund) or other similar program established or maintained by the Borrower or any one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries primarily for the benefit of employees or other service providers of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, which plan, fund or other similar program provides, or results in, retirement income, a deferral of income in contemplation of retirement or payments to be made upon termination of employment, in each case which are funded by the Borrower or one or more Restricted Subsidiaries, and which plan is not subject to ERISA or the Code.

 

46


Foreign Prepayment Event” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(b).

Foreign Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary that is not a U.S. Subsidiary.

Foreign Subsidiary Holding Company” means any U.S. Subsidiary that has no material assets other than Equity Interests (or Equity Interests and/or debt) of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries or other Foreign Subsidiary Holding Companies.

Form 10” means the registration statement on Form 10 publicly filed by the Borrower with the SEC on December 17, 2019, as amended on January 22, 2020, as further amended on February 7, 2020 and on February 13, 2020.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as in effect from time to time (unless the Borrower elects to change to IFRS pursuant to Section 1.07, upon the effective date of which GAAP shall subsequently refer to IFRS); 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.

Global Intercompany Note” means the global intercompany note substantially in the form of Exhibit F pursuant to which intercompany obligations and advances owed by any Loan Party are subordinated to the Obligations.

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether State 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 supranational bodies exercising such powers or functions, such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Grenfell Tower Fire” means the June 2017 fire at the Grenfell Tower in London, England.

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 or other monetary obligation payable by another 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 other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment

 

47


thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation 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 other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or other obligation; provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The amount, as of any date of determination, of any Guarantee shall be the principal amount outstanding on such date of the Indebtedness or other obligation guaranteed thereby (or, in the case of (i) any Guarantee the terms of which limit the monetary exposure of the guarantor or (ii) any Guarantee of an obligation that does not have a principal amount, the maximum monetary exposure as of such date of the guarantor under such Guarantee (as determined, in the case of clause (i), pursuant to such terms or, in the case of clause (ii), reasonably and in good faith by a Financial Officer of the Borrower)). The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

Guarantee Agreement” means the ABL Guarantee Agreement dated as of the Effective Date, by and among the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties from time to time party thereto, substantially in the form of Exhibit E, as may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Hazardous Materials” means all explosive, radioactive, hazardous or toxic substances, materials, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum by-products or distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone-depleting substances or mold, or any or materials or substances which are defined or regulated as “toxic,” or “hazardous,” or words of similar import, pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Hedging Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction, or any option or similar agreement, involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of the foregoing transactions; provided that “Hedging Agreement” shall not include (i) phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of any member of the Restricted Group, (ii) Convertible Indebtedness or any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction, (iii) any accelerated share repurchase contract, share call option or similar contract with respect to the Borrower’s Equity Interests entered into to consummate a repurchase of such Equity Interests, (iv) any forward sale contract with respect to the Borrower’s Equity Interests or (v) put and call options and forward arrangements entered into in connection with joint ventures and other business investments, acquisitions and dispositions permitted under this Agreement.

 

48


Howmet” means Howmet Aerospace Inc. (formerly known as Arconic Inc.), a Delaware corporation.

IFRS” means international financial reporting standards and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board or any successor thereto (or the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or any successor to either such Board, or the SEC, as the case may be), as in effect from time to time.

Impacted Interest Period” means, at any time with respect to an Interest Period for a Borrowing denominated in a specified currency, that the Screen Rate for such currency is not available at such time for such Interest Period.

Incremental Extensions of Credit” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(a).

Incremental Facilities” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(a).

Incremental Facility Amendment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(c).

Incremental Revolving Loans” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(a).

Incurrence-Based Amounts” has the meaning specified in Section 1.08.

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 in respect of securitization financings, including any Permitted Receivables Facility, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding (x) trade accounts payable and other accrued or cash management obligations, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business, (y) any earn-out obligation unless such obligation is not paid promptly after becoming due and payable and (z) Taxes and other accrued expenses), (f) 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 by such Person, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances, (k) net obligations of such Person under any Hedging Agreement and (l) all Disqualified Equity Interests in such Person, valued, as of the date of determination, at the greater of (i) the maximum aggregate amount that would be payable upon maturity, redemption, repayment or repurchase thereof (or of

 

49


Disqualified Equity Interests or Indebtedness into which such Disqualified Equity Interests are convertible or exchangeable) and (ii) the maximum liquidation preference of such Disqualified Equity Interests; provided that the term “Indebtedness” shall not include (A) deferred or prepaid revenue, (B) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty, indemnity or other unperformed obligations of the seller, (C) 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, (D) obligations in respect of any residual value guarantees on equipment leases, (E) any take-or-pay or similar obligation to the extent such obligation is not shown as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP, (F) asset retirement obligations and obligations in respect of reclamation and workers’ compensation (including pensions and retiree medical care) and (G) obligations in respect of any Supply Chain Financing. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (f) above shall (unless such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person or such Person has otherwise become liable for the payment thereof) be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (ii) the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith .

Indemnified Taxes” means (a) 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 this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a) of this definition, Other Taxes.

Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(b).

Intellectual Property Security Agreements” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Revolving Borrowing or Term Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07, which shall be in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and otherwise consistent with the requirements of Section 2.07.

Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (other than a Swingline Loan or a Protective Advance), the last day of each March, June, September and December, (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, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan or Protective Advance, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid.

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 (other than in the case of a

 

50


Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Euro), three or six months thereafter (or any other period if, at the time of the relevant Borrowing, all Lenders participating therein agree to make an interest period of such duration available), 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 immediately preceding Business Day and (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. 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.

Interpolated Rate” means, with respect to any currency at any time, for any Interest Period, or with respect to any determination of the Alternate Base Rate pursuant to clause (c) of the definition thereof, the rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the applicable Screen Rate) determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the applicable Screen Rate for the longest period for which a Screen Rate is available for the applicable currency that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period; and (b) the applicable Screen Rate for the shortest period for which that Screen Rate is available for the applicable currency that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time.

Inventory” has the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC.

Inventory Reserves” means, as of any date of determination, (a) Landlord Reserves in respect of Inventory, and (b) those reserves that the Administrative Agent deems necessary or appropriate, in its Permitted Discretion and subject to the provisions set forth in the definition of the term “Reserves”, to establish and maintain (including reserves for slow moving Inventory and Inventory shrinkage) with respect to Eligible Inventory, including based on the results of appraisals.

Investment Company Act” means the United States Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.

Investment-Grade Domestic Account Debtor” means an Account Debtor (a) that is organized (or whose direct or indirect parent entity is organized) under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia, and (b) that is rated (or whose direct or indirect parent entity is rated) BBB- or better by S&P or Baa3 or better by Moody’s.

Investments” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, consisting of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests or debt or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or

 

51


capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of Indebtedness of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person 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 (a) any Investment in the form of a loan or an advance shall be the principal amount thereof outstanding on such date, minus any principal repayment of such Investment and any cash payments actually received by such 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 Investment capacity under this Agreement), 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, (b) 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, (c) 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 (as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer) of such Equity Interests or other property as of the time of the transfer, minus any payments actually received by such 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 Investment capacity under this Agreement), 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 (d) any Investment 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 (i) the cost of all additions thereto and minus (ii) 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 (ii) 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 Investment capacity under this Agreement), 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. 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.

 

52


IP Rights” means Trademarks, domain names, Copyrights, rights in software, Patents, trade secrets, database rights, design rights and any and all other intellectual property or similar proprietary rights throughout the world and all registrations and applications for registrations therefor.

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Issuing Banks” means (a) DBNY, (b) Citibank, N.A., (c) Goldman Sachs Bank USA, (d) Truist Bank, (e) each Revolving Lender that shall have become an Issuing Bank hereunder as provided in Section 2.05(j) (other than any Person that shall have ceased to be an Issuing Bank as provided in Section 2.05(k)) and (g) solely with respect to any Existing Letters of Credit, each Revolving Lender (or an Affiliate thereof that shall have executed and delivered a signature page to this Agreement as an Issuing Bank with respect to such Existing Letters of Credit) that is an issuer thereof as listed on Schedule 1.04, each in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder. 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.

Judgment Currency” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.19.

Landlord Reserve” means, as to each location at which a Loan Party has Inventory or books and records located and as to which a Collateral Access Agreement has not been received by the Administrative Agent, a reserve in an amount equal to three months’ rent, storage charges, fees or other amounts under the lease or other applicable agreement relative to such location or, if greater and the Administrative Agent so elects, in its Permitted Discretion, the number of months’ rent, storage charges, fees or other amounts for which the landlord, bailee, warehouseman or other property owner will have, under applicable law, a Lien in the Inventory of such Loan Party to secure the payment of such amounts under the lease or other applicable agreement relative to such location.

Latest Maturity Date” means, at any time, the latest of the Revolving Maturity Dates in respect of the Classes of Loans and Commitments that are outstanding at such time.

LC Commitment” means, with respect to an Issuing Bank, the aggregate maximum amount of Letters of Credit at any time outstanding that it will be required to issue hereunder. The LC Commitment of each Issuing Bank existing on the Effective Date is set forth with respect to such Issuing Bank on Schedule 2.01 hereto, and the LC Commitment of each Lender designated as an Issuing Bank after the Effective Date will be specified in the agreement with respect to such designation contemplated by Section 2.05(j). The LC Commitment of any Issuing Bank may be increased or reduced by written agreement between such Issuing Bank and the Borrower, provided that a copy of such written agreement shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

53


LC Disbursement” means a payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time and (b) the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate LC Exposure at such time, adjusted to give effect to any reallocation under Section 2.20(d) of the LC Exposure of Defaulting Lenders in effect at such time.

LC Sublimit” means an amount equal to $300,000,000.

LCT Election” means the Borrower’s election to test the permissibility of a Limited Condition Transaction in accordance with the methodology set forth in Section 1.07.

LCT Test Date” has the meaning specified in Section 1.07.

Lender Presentation” means that certain lender presentation delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent on April 28, 2020.

Lenders” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, an Incremental Facility Amendment or a Refinancing Facility Agreement, other than any such Person that shall have ceased to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent, in its capacity as the lender of Protective Advances.

Letters of Credit” means any letter of credit (or with respect to any Issuing Bank, any bank guarantee (or similar instrument) as such Issuing Bank may in its sole discretion approve) denominated in dollars or in a Permitted Foreign Currency issued pursuant to this Agreement by an Issuing Bank under the Revolving Commitments and shall include any Existing Letter of Credit (which shall be deemed issued hereunder on the Effective Date), other than any such letter of credit that shall have ceased to be a “Letter of Credit” outstanding hereunder pursuant to Section 9.05.

LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing and for any Interest Period, the applicable Screen Rate at the Specified Time on the Quotation Day; provided that with respect to an Impacted Interest Period, the LIBO Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, lien, pledge, hypothecation, charge, security interest or other encumbrance in, on or of such asset or (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement or title retention agreement (or any capital lease or financing lease having substantially the same

 

54


economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

Limited Condition Transaction” means (i) any acquisition of any assets, business or person, or a merger or consolidation, in each case involving third parties, or similar Investment permitted hereunder (subject to Section 1.07) by the Borrower or one or more of the Restricted Subsidiaries, including by way of merger or amalgamation, whose consummation is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing (or, if such condition does exist, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, would be required to pay any fee, liquidated damages or other amount or be subject to any indemnity, claim or other liability as a result of such third party financing not having been available or obtained) or (ii) any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness requiring irrevocable notice in advance of such redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment, and, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), any transactions being consummated in connection therewith.

Line Cap” means, as of any date of determination, the lesser of (a) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (b) the Borrowing Base, in each case as of such date of determination.

Loan Document Obligations” means (a) the due and punctual payment by the Borrower of (i) the principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership 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, (ii) each payment required to be made by the Borrower under this Agreement in respect of any Letter of Credit, when and as due, including payments in respect of reimbursement of disbursements, interest thereon and obligations to provide cash collateral and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, including obligations to pay fees, expense reimbursement obligations (including with respect to attorneys’ fees) and indemnification obligations, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) and (b) the due and punctual payment of all the obligations of each other Loan Party under or pursuant to each of the Loan Documents (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding).

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, any Incremental Facility Amendment, any Security Document, the ABL/Notes Intercreditor Agreement, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, any Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement, any Designated Borrower Joinder, any Designated Borrower Termination, any agreement designating an additional Issuing Bank as contemplated by Section 2.05(j), any agreement designating an additional Swingline Lender as contemplated by Section

 

55


2.04(d) and, except for purposes of Section 9.02, the Global Intercompany Note and any promissory notes delivered pursuant to Section 2.09(d) (and, in each case, any amendment, restatement, waiver, supplement or other modification to any of the foregoing) and any document designated as a Loan Document by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrower, any Designated Borrower, and each other Subsidiary that guarantees any Obligations or is a party to any Security Document.

Loans” means the loans (including Protective Advances) made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, including pursuant to any Incremental Facility Amendment or any Refinancing Facility Agreement.

Local Time” means (a) with respect to a dollar-denominated Borrowing or Letter of Credit, New York City time and (b) with respect to a Borrowing or Letter of credit denominated in a Permitted Foreign Currency, London time.

Majority in Interest”, when used in reference to Lenders of any Class, means, at any time, (a) Lenders having Revolving Exposures and unused Revolving Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure and the unused Aggregate Revolving Commitment at such time; provided that whenever there are one or more Defaulting Lenders, the total outstanding Revolving Exposures of, and the unused Commitments of, each Defaulting Lender of any Class shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Majority in Interest.

Market Capitalization” means an amount equal to (i) the total number of issued and outstanding shares of common Equity Interests of the Borrower on the date of the declaration of a Restricted Payment multiplied by (ii) the arithmetic mean of the closing prices per share of such common Equity Interests on the principal securities exchange on which such common Equity Interests are traded for the 30 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date of declaration of such Restricted Payment.

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties (taken as a whole) to perform their material obligations to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (c) the material rights of, or remedies available to, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than as a result of circumstances unique to any Lender).

Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans, the Letters of Credit and the Guarantees under the Loan Documents), or obligations in respect of one or more Hedging Agreements, of any one or more of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $100,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any

 

56


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 Hedging Agreement were terminated at such time.

Material Real Property” means (a) as of the date hereof, each fee-owned real property specified in Schedule 1.02, (b) after the date hereof, any fee-owned real property with a Fair Market Value of more than $30,000,000 that is acquired after the date hereof by any Loan Party or owned by a Subsidiary that becomes a Loan Party pursuant to Section 5.12 and (c) the Specified Property (it being understood that no action shall be required with respect to the Specified Property prior to January 1, 2022 and that, within 90 days of such date (or such later time as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), Arconic Tennessee LLC (or its successors or assigns) shall either (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver a leasehold mortgage with respect to the Specified Property if the Specified Property remains subject to the existing leasehold arrangement with The Industrial Development Board of Blount County and the Cities of Alcoa and Maryville, Tennessee at that time or (ii) deliver a fee mortgage with respect to the Specified Property if such existing leasehold arrangement has been terminated and Arconic Tennessee LLC (or its successors or assigns) has re-acquired fee title to the Specified Property); provided that, in the absence of an appraisal (without requirement of delivery of an appraisal or other third party valuation), the book value of such real property may be used for the Fair Market Value of such real property.

Material Subsidiary” means each Restricted Subsidiary (a) the Consolidated Total Assets of which equal 5.0% or more of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or (b) the consolidated revenues of which equal 5.0% or more of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case as of the end of or for the most recent period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) (or, prior to the first delivery of any such financial statements, as of the end of or for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower most recently ended prior to the date of this Agreement); provided that if, at the end of or for any such most recent period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, the combined Consolidated Total Assets or combined consolidated revenues of all Restricted Subsidiaries that under clauses (a) and (b) above would not constitute Material Subsidiaries (not including any Designated Subsidiary or any Restricted Subsidiary that constitutes an Excluded Subsidiary pursuant to another clause other than clause (a) of the definition of “Excluded Subsidiary”) shall have exceeded 7.5% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or 7.5% of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, respectively, then one or more of such excluded Restricted Subsidiaries shall for all purposes of this Agreement be designated by the Borrower to be Material Subsidiaries, until such excess shall have been eliminated.

Maturity Date Extension Request” means a request by the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent, for the extension of the Revolving Maturity Date pursuant to Section 2.22.

 

57


Maximum Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.13.

MNPI” means material information concerning the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing or their respective securities that has not been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally, within the meaning of Regulation FD under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. For purposes of this definition, “material information” means information concerning the Borrower, the Subsidiaries or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing or any of their respective securities that could reasonably be expected to be material for purposes of the United States Federal and State securities laws and, where applicable, foreign securities laws.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

Mortgage” means a mortgage, deed of trust or other security document granting a Lien on any Mortgaged Property owned by a Loan Party to secure the Obligations. Each Mortgage shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent.

Mortgaged Property” means, as of the date hereof, each parcel of Material Real Property identified on Schedule 1.02 and, thereafter, shall also include each parcel of Material Real Property with respect to which a Mortgage is required to be granted pursuant to Section 5.12 or 5.13, as applicable.

Multiemployer Plan” means a “multiemployer plan”, as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates makes or is obligated to make contributions or with respect to which any of them has any ongoing obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise.

Net Capital Expenditures” means, with respect to any Person and any period, as of any date of determination, the total Capital Expenditures of such period minus that portion of such Capital Expenditures that (a) are financed with Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 (other than Indebtedness incurred under the Loan Documents) and (b) are financed with insurance proceeds received in respect of any casualty, provided such insurance proceeds are reinvested in assets of a substantially similar nature as those subject to any such casualty.

Net Proceeds” means, with respect to any event, (a) the cash proceeds received in respect of such event, including (i) any cash 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 earnout, but excluding any interest payments), but only as and when received, (ii) in the case of a casualty, insurance proceeds and (iii) in the case of a condemnation or similar event, condemnation awards and similar payments, minus (b) the sum, without duplication, of (i) all fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid in connection with such event by the Restricted Group (including attorney’s fees, investment banking fees, survey costs, title insurance premiums, and related search and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed

 

58


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 sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of an asset (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction or a casualty or a condemnation or similar proceeding), (x) the amount of all payments that are permitted hereunder and are made by the Restricted Group 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 attributable to minority interests and not available for distribution to or for the account of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a result thereof and (z) the amount of any liabilities directly associated with such asset and retained by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters, and (iii) the amount of all taxes paid (or reasonably estimated to be payable), and the amount of any reserves established in accordance with GAAP to fund purchase price adjustment, indemnification and other liabilities (other than any earnout obligations, but including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters) reasonably estimated to be payable, as a result of the occurrence of such event (including, without duplication of the foregoing, the amount of any distributions in respect thereof pursuant to Section 6.08(a)(xiii)) (as determined reasonably and in good faith by a Financial Officer of the Borrower). For purposes of this definition, in the event any contingent liability reserve established with respect to any event as described in clause (b)(iii) above shall be reduced, the amount of such reduction shall, except to the extent such reduction is made as a result of a payment having been made in respect of the contingent liabilities with respect to which such reserve has been established, be deemed to be receipt, on the date of such reduction, of cash proceeds in respect of such event.

Net Recovery Percentage” means, as of any date of determination, the percentage of the book value of the Loan Parties’ Inventory that is estimated to be recoverable in an orderly liquidation of such Inventory net of all associated costs and expenses of such liquidation, such percentage to be determined as to each category of Inventory and to be as specified in the most recent appraisal of Inventory which qualifies as an Acceptable Appraisal and Field Exam.

Non-Consenting Lender” means a Lender whose consent to a Proposed Change is not obtained.

Non-Guarantor Investment Basket” means a shared basket in an amount not to exceed the greater of $150,000,000 and 20% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period at any time outstanding that may be used for (A) certain Investments permitted under Sections 6.04(b), 6.04(e), 6.04(f), 6.04(g) and 6.04(r) and (B) certain Guarantees permitted under Section 6.04(g) (without duplication of amounts previously included or utilized under clause (A) above); provided that the Non-Guarantor Investment Basket shall be deemed increased on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount of any distributions, returns of capital and repayments made in cash by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties to Loan Parties in respect of Investments of the Loan Parties in Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties (x) existing as of the

 

59


Effective Date and (y) made after the Effective Date, in each case up to the original amount of such Investment, and without duplication of any amount deducted from the calculation of Investments or applied to increase Investment capacity under this Agreement.

Non-Loan Party Restricted Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party.

Notes Priority Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in the ABL/Notes Intercreditor Agreement.

NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates as so determined be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

Obligations” means, collectively, (a) all the Loan Document Obligations, (b) all the Secured Cash Management Obligations, (c) all the Secured Hedging Obligations, (d) all the Secured Commercial Obligations and (e) all the Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, Obligations shall not include any Excluded Swap Obligations.

OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Other Connection Tax” means, with respect to any Recipient, a Tax imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in this Agreement or any other Loan Document).

Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.19(b)).

 

60


Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight Eurocurrency borrowings by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions, as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate.

Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).

Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).

Patent License Agreements” means (x) the Patent Know-How and Trade Secret License Agreement dated March 31, 2020, between Howmet or one of its Affiliates and the Borrower and (y) the Patent Know-How and Trade Secret License Agreement dated March 31, 2020, between the Borrower and Howmet or one of its Affiliates.

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

Payment Conditions” means, with respect to any proposed action on any date, the conditions that (a) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result after giving effect to such action and (b) (i) after giving effect to such proposed action, Excess Availability calculated on a Pro Forma Basis is greater than the greater of (A) 17.5% of the Line Cap, and (B) $87,500,000, or (ii) both (A) after giving effect to such proposed action, Excess Availability calculated on a Pro Forma Basis is greater than the greater of (1) 15% of the Line Cap, and (2) $75,000,000, and (B) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such proposed action for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), is greater than 1.00 to 1.00.

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

Perfection Certificate” means a certificate in the form of Exhibit D or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

Permitted Additional Debt” means any Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower in the form of one or more series of senior secured notes, bonds or debentures and/or term loans secured on a pari passu basis with the First Lien Notes or a pari passu or junior basis to the Second Lien Notes or senior unsecured notes or term loans or senior subordinated notes or any bridge facility; provided that (i) in any event, such Indebtedness may only be secured (x) by the ABL Priority Collateral on a junior basis to the Loan Document Obligations and (y) by the Notes Priority Collateral in accordance with the priorities described above and is not secured by any property or assets of any member of the Restricted Group other than the Collateral, (ii) (x) in the case of any such

 

61


Indebtedness that is secured, the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect thereto, shall not exceed 3:50 to 1.00 and (y) in the case of any such Indebtedness that is unsecured, the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect thereto, does not exceed 5.00:1.00, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or payments of principal prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred (except, in each case, upon the occurrence of an event of default, a change in control, an event of loss or an asset disposition or in the case of Indebtedness secured by the Notes Priority Collateral on a pari passu basis with the First Lien Notes, amortization not in excess of 1.00% per annum); provided that the requirements set forth in this clause (iii) shall not apply to any Indebtedness consisting of a customary bridge facility so long as such bridge facility, subject to customary conditions, would either automatically be converted into or required to be exchanged for permanent refinancing that does not mature earlier than the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date, and (iv) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Loan Parties.

Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction” means any call or capped call option (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) on the Borrower’s common Equity Interests purchased by the Borrower in connection with the issuance of any Convertible Indebtedness; provided that the purchase price for such Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction does not exceed the net proceeds received by the Borrower from the sale of such Convertible Indebtedness issued in connection with the Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction.

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.

Permitted Encumbrances” means, with respect to any Person:

(a)    Liens imposed by law for Taxes, assessments or governmental charges that (i) are not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or not subject to penalties for nonpayment, (ii) are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP or (iii) for property taxes on property such Person or one of its subsidiaries has determined to abandon if the sole recourse for such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim is to such property;

(b)    Liens with respect to outstanding motor vehicle fines and carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, landlords’, construction contractors’ and other like Liens imposed by law or landlord liens specifically created by contract, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 45 days or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP or other Liens arising out of or securing judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall be

 

62


proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;

(c)    pledges and deposits made (i) in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, health, disability or employee benefits and other social security laws or similar legislation or regulations and (ii) in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments issued for the account of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business supporting obligations of the type set forth in clause (i) above;

(d)    pledges and deposits made (i) to secure the performance of bids, tenders, trade contracts (other than for payment of Indebtedness), governmental contracts, leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations), public or statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature (including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations), in each case in the ordinary course of business and (ii) in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments issued for the account of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business supporting obligations of the type set forth in clause (i) above;

(e)    judgment and attachment liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Section 7.01 and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made;

(f)    easements, survey exceptions, charges, ground leases, protrusions, encroachments on use of real property or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, servitudes, sewers, electric lines, drains, telegraph and telephone and cable television lines, gas and oil pipelines and other similar purposes, any zoning, building or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any governmental office or agency to control or regulate the use of any real property, servicing agreements, site plan agreements, developments agreements, contract zoning agreements, subdivision agreements, facilities sharing agreements, cost sharing agreements and other agreements pertaining to the use or development of any of the real property of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances (including, without limitation, minor defects or irregularities in title and similar encumbrance) on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not individually or in the aggregate materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, leases, subleases, licenses, sublicenses, occupancy agreements or assignments of or in respect of real or personal property, or which are set forth in the title insurance policy delivered with respect to the Mortgaged Property and are “insured over” in such insurance policy;

(g)    [reserved];

 

63


(h)    banker’s liens, rights of setoff or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with depository institutions and securities accounts and other financial assets maintained with a securities intermediary; provided that such deposit accounts or funds and securities accounts or other financial assets are not established or deposited for the purpose of providing collateral for any Indebtedness;

(i)    Liens arising by virtue of Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings (or similar filings under applicable law) regarding operating leases, accounts or consignments entered into by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries or purported Liens evidenced by filings of precautionary Uniform Commercial Code (or similar filings under applicable law) financing statements or similar public filings;

(j)    Liens of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section 4-208 (or the applicable corresponding section) of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the relevant jurisdiction covering only the items being collected upon;

(k)    (i) Liens representing any interest or title of a licensor, lessor or sublicensor or sublessor, or a licensee, lessee or sublicensee or sublessee, in the property or rights (other than IP Rights) subject to any lease, sublease, license or sublicense or concession agreement held by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and (ii) deposits of cash with the owner or lessor of premises leased and operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower and such Subsidiary to secure the performance of the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s obligations under the terms of the lease for such premises;

(l)    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;

(m)    Liens that are contractual rights of set-off;

(n)    Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-208 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code or Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code applicable in other states on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to pooling accounts, commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, or (iii) in favor of a banking or other financial institutions or entities, or electronic payment service providers, arising as a matter of law or under general terms and conditions encumbering deposits, deposit accounts, securities accounts, cash management arrangements (including the right of setoff and netting arrangements) or other funds maintained with such institution or in connection with the issuance of letters of credit, bank guarantees or other similar instruments and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking or finance industry;

(o)    Liens encumbering customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

 

64


(p)    [reserved];

(q)    Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s accounts payable or similar obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit entered into in the ordinary course of business issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods; provided that in any event, no such inventory or other goods and proceeds shall constitute Eligible Inventory unless such Liens are contractually junior to the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(r)    deposits made or other security provided in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance brokers, carriers, underwriters or under self-insurance arrangements in respect of such obligations;

(s)    Liens on the Equity Interests or other securities of Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the extent securing obligations of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries, which obligations shall be non-recourse to the Restricted Group;

(t)    Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(u)    Liens on accounts receivable and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Permitted Receivables Facility Assets” in each case generated and owned by Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties incurred pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Facility, including Liens on such accounts receivable and Permitted Receivables Facility Assets resulting from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) filings or from recharacterization of any such sale as a financing or loan;

(v)    (i) non-exclusive licenses, sublicenses or other similar grants of IP Rights granted in the ordinary course of business or (ii) other licenses, sublicenses or other similar grants of IP Rights granted in the ordinary course of business, in each case that do not materially interfere with the business of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(w)    Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto or on funds received from insurance companies on account of third party claims handlers and managers;

(x)    agreements to subordinate any interest of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any accounts receivable or other proceeds arising from consignment of inventory by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(y)    with respect to any entities that are not Loan Parties, other Liens and privileges arising mandatorily by law;

 

65


(z)    Liens arising pursuant to Section 107(l) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act or similar lien provision of any other environmental statute;

(aa)    Liens on cash or Permitted Investments securing Hedging Agreements in the ordinary course of business submitted for clearing in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law;

(bb)    rights of recapture of unused real property (other than any Material Real Property of Loan Parties) in favor of the seller of such property set forth in customary purchase agreements and related arrangements with any Governmental Authority;

(cc)    Liens on the property of (x) any Loan Party in favor of any other Loan Party and (y) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in favor of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(dd)    Liens or security given to public utilities or to any municipality or Governmental Authority when required by the utility, municipality or Governmental Authority in connection with the supply of services or utilities to the Borrower and any other Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(ee)     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.

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness, other than Liens referred to in clauses (c), (d), (s), (u) and (cc) above.

Permitted Existing LC Foreign Currency” means pounds sterling and Hungarian forint.

Permitted Foreign Currency” means (a) Euro and (b) (i) with respect to any Revolving Loan, any foreign currency reasonably requested by the Borrower from time to time and in which each Revolving Lender has agreed, in accordance with its policies and procedures in effect at such time, to lend Revolving Loans and which has been approved by the Administrative Agent and (ii) with respect to any Letter of Credit, any foreign currency included in clause (i) that is reasonably requested by the Borrower from time to time and that has been agreed to by the applicable Issuing Bank.

Permitted Investments” means:

(a)    direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, (i) the United States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), (ii) England and Wales, (iii) Canada or (iv) Switzerland, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

66


(b)    investments in commercial paper and variable and fixed rate notes maturing within 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, a rating of at least A-2 by S&P or P-2 by Moody’s;

(c)    investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and demand or time deposits, in each case maturing within 12 months from the date of acquisition thereof, issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof that has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;

(d)    fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above;

(e)    “money market funds” that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act, (ii) are rated AAA- by S&P and Aaa3 by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000;

(f)    asset-backed securities rated AAA by Moody’s or S&P, with weighted average lives of 12 months or less (measured to the next maturity date);

(g)    readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, England and Wales, Canada or Switzerland or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s or BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, and in each such case with a “stable” or better outlook, with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(h)    Investments with average maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated “AAA” (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or “Aaa3” (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized rating agency);

(i)    investment funds investing at least 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (h) above;

(j)    in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, other short-term investments that are analogous to the foregoing, are of comparable credit quality and are customarily used by companies in the jurisdiction of such Foreign Subsidiary for cash management purposes; and

(k)    dollars, euros, Canadian dollars, pounds sterling, Swiss francs, any Permitted Foreign Currency or any other readily tradable currency held by it from time to time in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

67


Permitted Receivables Facility” means one or more receivables facilities created under Permitted Receivables Facility Documents providing for (a) the factoring, sale or pledge by one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties (each a “Receivables Seller”) of Permitted Receivables Facility Assets (thereby providing financing to the Receivables Sellers) to a Receivables Entity (either directly or through another Receivables Seller), which in turn shall sell or pledge interests in the respective Permitted Receivables Facility Assets to third-party lenders or investors pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents (with the Receivables Entity permitted to issue investor certificates, purchased interest certificates or other similar documentation evidencing interests in the Permitted Receivables Facility Assets) in return for the cash used by the Receivables Entity to purchase the Permitted Receivables Facility Assets from the respective Receivables Sellers or (b) the factoring, sale or pledge by one or more Receivables Sellers of Permitted Receivables Facility Assets to third-party lenders or investors pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents in connection with Receivables-backed financing programs, in each case as more fully set forth in the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents; provided that in each case of clause (a) and clause (b), such facilities are not recourse to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Entity) in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings.

Permitted Receivables Facility Assets” means (i) accounts receivable (whether now existing or arising in the future) generated and owned by any Foreign Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party which are transferred or pledged to a Receivables Entity pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Facility and any related Permitted Receivables Related Assets which are also so transferred or pledged to a Permitted Receivables Facility and all proceeds thereof and (ii) loans to Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties secured by accounts receivables (whether now existing or arising in the future) and any Permitted Receivables Related Asset of such Subsidiaries which are made pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Facility.

Permitted Receivables Facility Documents” means each of the documents and agreements entered into in connection with a Permitted Receivables Facility, including all documents and agreements relating to the issuance, funding and/or purchase of certificates and purchased interests, all of which documents and agreements shall be in form and substance reasonably customary for transactions of this type as determined in good faith by the Borrower.

Permitted Receivables Related Assets” means any other assets that are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with receivables securitization transactions or similar financings involving accounts receivable, as determined in good faith by the Borrower and including, for the avoidance of doubt, any deposit accounts into which solely collections on such accounts receivable are received (and not containing any other amounts (other than de minimis amounts)), the Equity Interests of any Receivables Entity, and any collections or proceeds of any of the foregoing.

 

68


Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan”, as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan), that is 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 the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates 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.

Plan Asset Regulations” means 29 CFR § 2510.3-101 et seq., as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA, as amended from time to time.

Platform” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(d).

Prime Rate” means the rate of interest last quoted by DBNY as its “Prime Rate” or, if DBNY ceases to quote such rate, the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent). Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective.

Private-Siders” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(b).

Pro Forma Basis” means, with respect to the calculation of the financial covenants contained in Section 6.12 or any other calculations hereunder or otherwise for purposes of determining the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio, Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or Consolidated EBITDA as of any date, that such calculation shall give pro forma effect to:

(i) if such calculation is being made for the purposes described in clause (ii)(y) below, the transaction or event with respect to which the calculation of any such amount or ratio is to be made pursuant to this Agreement, as applicable (and, to the extent applicable, the use of proceeds thereof and the incurrence or repayment of any Indebtedness in connection therewith); and

(ii) all other acquisitions, designations of Restricted Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, all designations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries, all issuances, incurrences or assumptions or repayments and prepayments of Indebtedness (with any such Indebtedness being deemed to be amortized over the applicable testing period in accordance with its terms) (in each case, other than Indebtedness incurred or repaid under any revolving credit facility in the ordinary course of business) and all sales, transfers or other dispositions of any Equity Interests in a

 

69


Restricted Subsidiary or all or substantially all assets of a Restricted Subsidiary or division or line of business of a Restricted Subsidiary outside the ordinary course of business (and any related prepayments or repayments of Indebtedness),

(x) if such calculation is being made for the purposes of determining actual compliance (and not compliance on a pro forma basis as per the requirements of any other provision of this Agreement) with the financial covenants contained in Section 6.12, that have occurred during the four consecutive fiscal quarter period of the Borrower with respect to which such calculation is being made, or

(y) if such calculation is being made for the purpose of determining whether any transaction or event subject to the limitations in Article VI or any other relevant limitations in this Agreement is permitted, that have occurred since the beginning of the four consecutive fiscal quarter period of the Borrower most recently ended on or prior to such date as if they occurred on the first day of such four consecutive fiscal quarter period.

Pro forma calculations made pursuant to the provisions of this definition shall be determined in good faith by a Financial Officer of the Borrower. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of the Borrower, to reflect adjustments in connection with such pro forma event consistent with those set forth in the definition of Consolidated EBITDA (which adjustments shall be without duplication and subject to all caps set forth therein).

If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness).

Pro Rata Share” means, with respect to a Revolving Lender or Issuing Bank, a fraction (expressed as a percentage, carried out to the ninth decimal place), the numerator of which is the Revolving Commitments of such Revolving Lender or Issuing Bank in its capacity as Revolving Lender and the denominator of which is the aggregate Revolving Commitments of all Revolving Lenders.

Proposed Change” means a proposed amendment, modification, waiver or termination of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Protective Advance” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.10.

Protective Advance Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Protective Advances outstanding at such time. The Protective Advance Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the Total Protective Advance Exposures at such time, adjusted to give effect to any reallocation under Section 2.20 of the Protective Advance Exposure of Defaulting Lenders in effect at such time.

 

70


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-Siders” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(b).

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).

QFC Credit Support” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.21.

Qualified Equity Interests” means Equity Interests of the Borrower, other than Disqualified Equity Interests.

Quotation Day” means (a) in respect of the determination of the Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate for any Interest Period for Loans denominated in dollars or any Permitted Foreign Currency (other than Euro), the day that is two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, and (b) in respect of the determination of the EURIBO Rate for any Interest Period for Loans denominated in Euro, the day that is two TARGET Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, in each case unless market practice differs for loans in the applicable currency priced by reference to rates quoted in the relevant interbank market, in which case the Quotation Day for such currency shall be determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with market practice for such loans priced by reference to rates quoted in the relevant interbank market (and if quotations would normally be given by leading banks for such loans priced by reference to rates quoted in the relevant interbank market on more than one day, the Quotation Day shall be the last of those days).

Receivables Entity” means a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party (or another Person formed for the purposes of engaging in a Permitted Receivables Facility in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries makes an Investment and to which one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties transfer Permitted Receivables Facility Assets) which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of Receivables of the Receivables Sellers and which is designated (as provided below) as the “Receivables Entity” (a) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which (i) is guaranteed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary other than another Receivables Entity (excluding guarantees of obligations (other than the principal of, and interest on, Indebtedness)) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings, (ii) is recourse to or obligates the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than another Receivables Entity) in any way (other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings) or (iii) subjects any property or asset of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than another Receivables Entity), directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings, (b) with which neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary (other than another Receivables Entity) has any contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents (including with respect to fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with the servicing of

 

71


Receivables and related assets)) on terms less favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from persons that are not Affiliates of the Borrower (as determined by the Borrower in good faith), and (c) to which neither the Borrower, nor any Restricted Subsidiary (other than another Receivables Entity) has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results. Any such designation shall be evidenced to the Administrative Agent by a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower certifying that, to the best of such officer’s knowledge and belief after consultation with counsel, such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

Receivable Reserves” means, as of any date of determination, those reserves that the Administrative Agent deems necessary or appropriate, in its Permitted Discretion and subject to the provisions set forth in the definition of the term “Reserves”, to establish and maintain (including Landlord Reserves for books and records locations and reserves for rebates, discounts, warranty claims, returns and dilution) with respect to the Eligible Accounts.

Receivables Seller” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Permitted Receivables Facility”.

Recipient” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Bank, as applicable.

Reference Rate” means, for any day, the Adjusted LIBO Rate as of such day for a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of three months’ duration (without giving effect to the last sentence of the definition of the term “Adjusted LIBO Rate” herein).

Refinancing Indebtedness” means, in respect of any Indebtedness (the “Original Indebtedness”), any Indebtedness that extends, renews, replaces or refinances such Original Indebtedness (or any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof); provided that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Original Indebtedness except by an amount no greater than accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such Original Indebtedness and any fees, premium and expenses relating to such extension, renewal, replacement or refinancing; (b) either (i) the stated final maturity of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not be earlier than that of such Original Indebtedness or (ii) such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not be required to mature or to be repaid, prepaid, redeemed, repurchased or defeased, whether on one or more fixed dates, upon the occurrence of one or more events or at the option of any holder thereof (except, in each case, upon the occurrence of an event of default, asset sale or a change in control or as and to the extent such repayment, prepayment, redemption, repurchase or defeasance would have been required pursuant to the terms of such Original Indebtedness) prior to the date 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date in effect on the date of such extension, renewal, replacement or refinancing; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, scheduled amortization payments (however denominated) of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall be permitted so long as the weighted average life

 

72


to maturity of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall be no shorter than the weighted average life to maturity of such Original Indebtedness remaining as of the date of such extension, renewal or refinancing (or, if shorter, 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date in effect on the date of such extension, renewal or refinancing); (c) such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not constitute an obligation (including pursuant to a Guarantee) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, in each case that shall not have been (or, in the case of after-acquired Subsidiaries, shall not have been required to become pursuant to the terms of the Original Indebtedness) an obligor in respect of such Original Indebtedness, and shall not constitute an obligation of the Borrower if the Borrower shall not have been an obligor in respect of such Original Indebtedness; (d) if such Original Indebtedness shall have been subordinated to the Loan Document Obligations, such Refinancing Indebtedness shall also be subordinated to the Loan Document Obligations on terms not less favorable in any material respect to the Lenders (as determined in good faith by the Borrower); (e) such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not be secured (x) by any Lien on any asset other than the assets that secured such Original Indebtedness (or would have been required to secure such Original Indebtedness pursuant to the terms thereof) or (y) in the event Liens securing such Original Indebtedness shall have been contractually subordinated to any Lien securing the Loan Document Obligations, by any Lien that shall not have been contractually subordinated to at least the same extent (as determined in good faith by the Borrower); and (f) if the proceeds of any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any Original Indebtedness are not applied to refinance, repurchase or redeem such Original Indebtedness immediately upon the incurrence thereof, (x) the proceeds of such Refinancing Indebtedness are applied to so refinance, repurchase or redeem such Original Indebtedness on or prior to the ninetieth day (or in the case of capital markets Indebtedness, 120 days) following the date of the incurrence of such Refinancing Indebtedness and (y) to the extent the proceeds are segregated and held in escrow prior to their application to refinance, repurchase or redeem such Original Indebtedness, then from and after the date of the incurrence of such Refinancing Indebtedness, such Original Indebtedness shall be deemed not to be outstanding for the purposes of computation of any ratios hereunder (such Indebtedness described in this clause (f), “Excluded Refinanced Debt”).

Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, managers, advisors, representatives and controlling persons of such Person or Affiliates.

Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into or through the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or within or upon any building, structure, facility or fixture.

Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB or, in each case, any successor thereto.

 

73


Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having Revolving Exposures and unused Commitments (other than Swingline Commitments) representing more than 50% of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure (with the aggregate of each Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in Letters of Credit being deemed “held” by such Lender for purposes of this definition) and unused Commitments at such time; provided that whenever there is one or more Defaulting Lenders, the total outstanding Revolving Exposures of, and the unused Commitments of, each Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

Requirement of Law” means, with respect to any Person, (a) the charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person and (b) any law (including common law), statute, ordinance, treaty, rule, regulation, order, decree, writ, injunction, settlement agreement or determination 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.

Reserves” means, as of any date of determination, Inventory Reserves, Receivable Reserves, Designated Pari Additional Secured Obligations Reserves and those other reserves that the Administrative Agent deems necessary or appropriate, in its Permitted Discretion and subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, to establish and maintain (including reserves with respect to (a) sums that any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries are required to pay under any Section of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (such as taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, or, in the case of leased assets, rents or other amounts payable under such leases) and has failed to pay, (b) amounts owing by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries to any Person to the extent secured by a Lien on, or trust over, any of the Collateral (other than Liens permitted under Section 6.02, which Lien or trust, in the Permitted Discretion of the Administrative Agent likely would have a priority superior to the Administrative Agent’s Liens (such as Liens or trusts in favor of landlords, warehousemen, carriers, mechanics, materialmen, laborers, or suppliers, or Liens or trusts for ad valorem, excise, sales, or other taxes where given priority under applicable law) in and to such item of the Collateral) with respect to the Borrowing Base and (c) any factor which the Administrative Agent reasonably determines will or reasonably could be expected to adversely affect in any material respect the value of any Eligible Accounts and Eligible Inventory, including the enforceability or priority of the Administrative Agent’s Liens thereon or the amount which any Secured Party would be likely to receive (after giving consideration to delays in payment and costs of enforcement) in the liquidation of such Eligible Accounts and Eligible Inventory.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall have the right (but not the obligation) at any time, in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion, to establish and increase or decrease Reserves against the Borrowing Base; provided, that the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower at least three Business Days prior to the date on which any such reserve is to be established or increased; provided, further, that (a) the Borrower may not borrow any new Revolving Loans (including Swingline Loans) or request the issuance of any Letters

 

74


of Credit (or the amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit that would increase the face amount thereof) to the extent that such Revolving Loan (including Swingline Loan) or Letter of Credit would cause the Aggregate Revolving Exposure to exceed the Line Cap after giving effect to the establishment or increase of such Reserve as set forth in such notice; (b) no such prior notice shall be required for changes to any Reserves resulting solely by virtue of mathematical calculations of the amount of the Reserve in accordance with the methodology of calculation set forth in this Agreement or previously utilized; (c) no such prior notice shall be required during the continuance of any Event of Default and (d) no such prior notice shall be required with respect to any Reserve established in respect of any Lien that has priority over the Administrative Agent’s Liens on the Collateral. The amount of any Reserve established by the Administrative Agent, and any changes to the eligibility criteria set forth in the definitions of Eligible Accounts and Eligible Inventory, as applicable, shall have a reasonable relationship to the event, condition, other circumstance, or fact that is the basis for such reserve or change in eligibility, and shall not be duplicative of any other reserve established and currently maintained or eligibility criteria.

Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any U.K. Financial Institution, a U.K. Resolution Authority.

Restricted Debt Payments” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.08(b).

Restricted Group” means the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to its Equity Interests, or any payment or distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancelation or termination of its Equity Interests.

Restricted Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary of the Borrower other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Resulting Revolving Borrowings” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(d).

Revolving Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Maturity Date and the date of termination of all the Revolving Commitments.

Revolving Borrowing” means Revolving Loans of the same Class, Type and currency, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Revolving Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

Revolving Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire

 

75


participations in Letters of Credit, Swingline Loans and Protective Advances hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum possible aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08, (b) increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.21 and (c) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption or Incremental Facility Amendment pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Commitment, as applicable. The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Commitments is $800,000,000.

Revolving Commitment Increase” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.21(a).

Revolving Commitment Increase Lender” means, with respect to any Revolving Commitment Increase, each Additional Lender providing a portion of such Revolving Commitment Increase.

Revolving Exposure” means, with respect to any Revolving Lender at any time, the sum of (a) the Dollar Equivalent of the outstanding principal amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Loans, (b) such Revolving Lender’s LC Exposure, (c) such Lender’s Swingline Exposure and (d) such Lender’s Protective Advance Exposure, in each case, at such time.

Revolving Lender” means a Lender with a Revolving Commitment or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with Revolving Exposure.

Revolving Lender Parent” means, with respect to any Revolving Lender, any Person as to which such Revolving Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.

Revolving Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to clause (b) of Section 2.01.

Revolving Maturity Date” means the date that is five years after the Effective Date, as the same may be extended pursuant to Section 2.22; provided that in the event that (i) the First Lien Notes or any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof or (ii) any other Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Loan Party of the type specified in clauses (a), (b), (l), (f) and (g) (but in the case of clauses (f) and (g), only to the extent supporting Indebtedness of the type specified in clauses (a), (b) and (l)) of the definition of the term “Indebtedness” in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $500,000,000, in each case of clause (i) and (ii), shall have a final stated maturity that is on or prior to the Revolving Maturity Date, the Revolving Maturity Date shall be the date that 91 days prior to the final stated maturity of such Indebtedness; provided further that, in each case, if any such day is not a Business Day, the Revolving Maturity Date shall be the Business Day immediately preceding such day.

 

76


S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, and any successor to its rating agency business.

Sanctioned Country” means, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions that broadly and comprehensively prohibit dealings with such country, region or territory (at the time of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria).

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, a Person with whom dealings are restricted or prohibited under any Sanctions, including as a result of (a) being named on any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any European Union member state, Canada or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, (b) being located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any direct or indirect relationship of ownership or control with any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b).

Sanctions” means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the United States, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, Canada or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

Screen Rate” means (a) in respect of the LIBO Rate for any Interest Period, or in respect of any determination of the Alternate Base Rate pursuant to clause (c) of the definition thereof, a rate per annum equal to the London interbank offered rate as administered by the ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate) for deposits in the applicable currency (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to the relevant period as displayed on the Reuters screen page that displays such rate (currently page LIBOR01 or LIBOR02) (or, in the event such rate does not appear on a page of the Reuters screen, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate as shall be selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion), and (b) in respect of the EURIBO Rate for any Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the European Money Market Institute (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate) as the rate at which interbank deposits in Euro are being offered by one prime bank to another within the EMU zone for such Interest Period, as set forth on the Reuters screen page that displays such rate (currently EURIBOR01) (or, in the event such rate does not appear on a page of the Reuters screen, on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate as shall be selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion); provided that (i) if, as to any currency, no Screen Rate shall be available for a particular period at such time but Screen Rates shall be available for maturities both longer and shorter than such period at such time, then the Screen Rate for such period shall be the Interpolated Rate as of such time and (ii) if the Screen Rate, determined as provided

 

77


above, would be less than zero, the Screen Rate shall be deemed to be zero for all purposes of this Agreement.

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Intercreditor Agreement dated as of the Effective Date, among the Administrative Agent, U.S. Bank National Association, in its capacities as trustee and collateral agent under the First Lien Notes Documents and trustee and collateral agent under the Second Lien Notes Documents, and the Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2, as may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Second Lien Notes” means the Borrower’s senior second lien secured notes due 2028 in an aggregate principal amount of $600,000,000.

Second Lien Notes Collateral Agreement” means the Notes Collateral Agreement dated as of March 30, 2020, among the Loan Parties and U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral agent under the Second Lien Notes Indenture, as may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Second Lien Notes Documents” means the Second Lien Notes Indenture, the Second Lien Notes Collateral Agreement, all instruments, agreements and other documents evidencing or governing the Second Lien Notes, providing for any Guarantee, security or other right in respect thereof, and all schedules, exhibits and annexes to each of the foregoing, as may be amended pursuant to the terms hereof.

Second Lien Notes Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of February 7, 2020, among, inter alia, the Borrower and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, in respect of the Second Lien Notes, as may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Secured Cash Management Obligations” means the due and punctual payment of any and all obligations of (x) the Borrower and each Loan Party and (y) each Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, in each case whether absolute or contingent and however and whenever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) arising in respect of Cash Management Services or in the case of clause (y) above only, local working capital and/or bilateral credit facilities that are secured by the Collateral (such local working capital and/or bilateral credit facilities, the “Cash Management Financing Facilities”), in each case that (a) (i) are owed to the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate thereof, or to any Person that was the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate thereof at the time the agreements in respect of such obligations were entered, incurred or that becomes the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate thereof thereafter, (ii) are owed on the Effective

 

78


Date to a Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender as of the Effective Date or (iii) are owed to a Person that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such obligations are incurred or becomes a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender thereafter and (b) are secured by the Collateral.

Secured Commercial Obligations” shall mean the due and punctual payment and performance of any and all obligations of the Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary arising under each Commercial Agreement that (a)(i) is with a counterparty that is the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or an Affiliate thereof, or any Person that was the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or an Affiliate thereof at the time such Commercial Agreement was entered into or that becomes the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or an Affiliate thereof thereafter, (ii) is in effect on the Effective Date with a counterparty that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender as of the Effective Date or (iii) is entered into after the Effective Date with a counterparty that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Commercial Agreement is entered into or that becomes a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender thereafter and (b) are secured by the Collateral.

Secured Hedging Obligations” means the due and punctual payment of any and all obligations of the Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary arising under each Hedging Agreement that (a)(i) is with a counterparty that is the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or an Affiliate thereof, or any Person that was the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or an Affiliate thereof at the time such Hedging Agreement was entered into or that becomes the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or an Affiliate thereof thereafter, (ii) is in effect on the Effective Date with a counterparty that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender as of the Effective Date or (iii) is entered into after the Effective Date with a counterparty that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Hedging Agreement is entered into or that becomes a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender thereafter and (b) are secured by the Collateral. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of any Excluded Swap Guarantor, “Secured Hedging Obligations” shall not include Excluded Swap Obligations of such Excluded Swap Guarantor.

Secured Parties” means, collectively, (a) the Lenders, (b) the Administrative Agent, (c) each Issuing Bank, (d) each Swingline Lender, (e) each provider of Cash Management Services the obligations under which constitute Secured Cash Management Obligations, (f) each counterparty to any Hedging Agreement the obligations under which constitute Secured Hedging Obligations, (g) each counterparty to any Commercial Agreement the obligations under which constitute Secured Commercial Obligations, (h) each Supply Chain Bank in a Secured Supply Chain Financing and (i) the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.

Secured Supply Chain Financing” means any Supply Chain Financing that is entered into by and between the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Supply Chain Bank, including any such Supply Chain Financing that is in effect on the Effective Date; provided that the Borrower and the applicable Supply Chain Bank shall have designated such Supply Chain Financing as a Secured Supply Chain Financing in writing delivered to the Administrative Agent in substantially the form of Exhibit K

 

79


(other than with respect to any Supply Chain Financings where the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate thereof is the Supply Chain Bank).

Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations” means all obligations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Secured Supply Chain Financing.

Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933.

Security Documents” means the Guarantee Agreement, the Collateral Agreement, the ABL/Notes Intercreditor Agreement, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, any Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement, each Mortgage, each Intellectual Property Security Agreement, each Control Agreement and each other security agreement or other instrument or document executed and delivered by any Loan Party pursuant to any of the foregoing or pursuant to Section 5.12 or 5.13.

SOFR” with respect to any day means the secured overnight financing rate published for such day by the NYFRB, as the administrator of the benchmark (or a successor administrator), on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website.

SOFR-Based Rate” means SOFR, Compounded SOFR or Term SOFR.

Specified Property” means the tracts of land and the structure located at 1101 East Hunt Road, Alcoa, TN 37701, that are subject to a sale-leaseback arrangement dated as of December 31, 2015 between Arconic Tennessee LLC (as successor-in-fact to Alcoa Inc.) and The Industrial Development Board of Blount County and the Cities of Alcoa and Maryville, Tennessee.

Specified Time” means (a) with respect to the LIBO Rate, 11:00 a.m., London time, and (b) with respect to the EURIBO Rate, 11:00 a.m., Brussels time.

Spin-Off” means the spin-off of the Borrower from Howmet on the Distribution Date, as more fully described in the Form 10.

Spin-Off Documents” means the Distribution Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement, the Patent License Agreements, the Trademark License Agreements, the Master Agreement for Product Supply, the Metal Supply & Tolling Agreement, the Use Agreement, the Land Use Right Agreements, the Service Level Agreement for Central Engineering and Maintenance, the Service Level Agreement for Energy, Steam and Water, the Second Supplemental Tax and Project Certificate and Agreement and the Lease and Property Management Agreement, in each case, between Howmet or Affiliates thereof, on the one hand, and the Borrower or Affiliates thereof, on the other hand, each on substantially the terms described in the Form 10, together with any other agreements, instruments or other documents entered into in connection with any of the foregoing, each as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

80


Standard Securitization Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into by any Foreign Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in connection with the Permitted Receivables Facility which are customary in an accounts receivable financing transaction.

Statutory Reserve Rate” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Federal Reserve Board and any other banking authority (domestic or foreign) to which the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including any branch, Affiliate or fronting office making or holding a Loan) is subject for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. Eurocurrency Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

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 (unless parent does not Control such entity) 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; provided, however, that a joint venture shall not be deemed to be a subsidiary solely as a result of this clause (b).

Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Borrower.

Successor Borrower” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.03(a)(v).

Supermajority Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having Revolving Exposures and unused Commitments (other than Swingline Commitments) representing more than 66-2/3% of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure (with the aggregate of each Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in Letters of Credit being deemed “held” by such Lender for purposes of this definition) and unused Commitments at such time; provided that whenever there is one or more Defaulting Lenders, the total outstanding Revolving Exposures of, and the unused Commitments of, each Defaulting

 

81


Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Supermajority Lenders.

Supply Chain Bank” means any Person that (a) at the time it enters into a Supply Chain Financing (or on the Effective Date), is the Administrative Agent, an Arranger, a Lender or an Affiliate of any such Person, in each case, in its capacity as a party to such Supply Chain Financing and (b) any Supply Chain Bank Purchaser.

Supply Chain Bank Purchaser” means any subsequent purchaser of any trade payables that had been initially acquired by a Person that was a Supply Chain Bank pursuant clause (a) of the definition thereof pursuant to a Secured Supply Chain Financing; provided that such subsequent purchaser is designated as such in writing delivered to the Administrative Agent in substantially the form of Exhibit K.

Supply Chain Financing” means any agreement under which any bank, financial institution or other Person may from time to time provide any financial accommodation to any of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with trade payables of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case issued for the benefit of any such bank, financial institution or such other person that has acquired such trade payables pursuant to “supply chain” or other similar financing for vendors and suppliers of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries, so long as (a) other than in the case of Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations, such Indebtedness is unsecured and (b) such Indebtedness represents amounts not in excess of those which the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries would otherwise have been obligated to pay to its vendor or supplier in respect of the applicable trade payables.

Supported QFC” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.21.

Swap Obligations” means, with respect to the Borrower or any other Loan Party, an obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of § 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Swingline Borrowing” means a Borrowing of Swingline Loans.

Swingline Commitment” means, with respect to each Swingline Lender, the commitment of such Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.04, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate principal amount of such Swingline Lender’s outstanding Swingline Loans hereunder. The initial amount of each Swingline Lender’s Swingline Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.04 or in the joinder agreement pursuant to which it became a Swingline Lender hereunder. The aggregate amount of the Swingline Commitments on the date hereof is $25,000,000.

Swingline Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be the sum of (a) its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time (excluding, in the case of any Revolving Lender that is a Swingline Lender, Swingline Loans made

 

82


by it and outstanding at such time to the extent that the other Lenders shall not have funded their respective participations in such Swingline Loans), adjusted to give effect to any reallocation under Section 2.20 of the Swingline Exposure of Defaulting Lenders in effect at such time, and (b) in the case of any Lender that is a Swingline Lender, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans made by such Lender and outstanding at such time to the extent that the other Revolving Lenders shall not have funded their respective participations in such Swingline Loans.

Swingline Lender” means each of (a) DBNY and (b) each Revolving Lender that shall have become a Swingline Lender hereunder as provided in Section 2.04(d) (other than any Person that shall have ceased to be a Swingline Lender as provided in Section 2.04(d) or Section 2.04(e), in each case except as otherwise provided in such Section), each in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder, and any other Revolving Lender designated as a Swingline Lender pursuant to a joinder agreement executed by the Borrower and such Revolving Lender and reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in each case in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

Swingline Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.04.

TARGET” means the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET2) payment system (or, if such payment system ceases to be operative, such other payment system (if any) reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be a suitable replacement for purposes hereof).

TARGET Day” means any day on which both (a) banks in London are open for general business and (b) the TARGET is open for the settlement of payments in Euro.

Tax Matters Agreement” means the Tax Matters Agreement dated March 31, 2020, between Howmet and the Borrower.

Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Term SOFR” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

Test Period” means, at date of determination, the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower then last ended as of such time for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b); provided that for any date of determination before the delivery of the first financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), the Test Period shall be the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower then last ended as of such time for which financial statements are publicly available or have been provided to the Administrative Agent.

 

83


Trademark License Agreements” means (x) the Trademark License Agreement dated March 31, 2020, between Howmet or one of its Affiliates and the Borrower and (y) the Trademark License Agreement dated March 31, 2020, between Howmet or one of its Affiliates and the Borrower.

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

Transaction Costs” means all fees, costs and expenses incurred or payable by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the Transactions.

Transactions” means, collectively, (a) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents (including this Agreement) to which it is to be a party, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, (b) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the First Lien Notes Documents to which it is to be a party, the issuance of the First Lien Notes and the use of the proceeds thereof, (c) the repayment in full of all loans outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement, together with all interest, fees and other amounts owing in respect thereof, and the termination of the Existing Credit Agreement and all guarantees and security arrangements relating thereto and (d) the payment of the Transaction Costs.

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 Adjusted LIBO Rate or the EURIBO Rate, as applicable, or the Alternate Base Rate.

U.K. Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended form time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.

U.K. Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any U.K. Financial Institution.

U.S. Person” means a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or any Person that is disregarded as an entity separate from any such United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

U.S. Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(B)(3).

 

84


Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement means the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; provided that, if the Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement as so determined would be less than zero, the Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

Undisclosed Administration” means, with respect to any Lender or its parent company, the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian, or other similar official by a supervisory authority or regulator under or based on the law in the country where such Lender or parent company is subject to home jurisdiction supervision, if the applicable law of such country requires that such appointment not be publicly disclosed.

Uniform Commercial Code” or “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of New York.

Unrestricted Cash” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of all cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date that is not “restricted” for purposes of GAAP and that is not controlled by or subject to any Lien or other preferential arrangement in favor of any creditor, other than Liens created under the Loan Documents and Liens permitted by clauses (i) or (ix) of Section 6.02(a) or Permitted Encumbrances of the type referred in clause (h) of the definition of such term.

Unrestricted Subsidiaries” means (a) any Subsidiary (other than a Designated Borrower) that is formed or acquired after the Effective Date and is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.17 subsequent to the Effective Date and (b) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. As of the Effective Date, there are no Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

Unrestricted Subsidiary Reconciliation Statement” means in connection with the delivery of financial statements pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (solely to the extent required under Section 5.01(c)), an unaudited financial statement (in substantially the same form) prepared on the basis of consolidating the accounts of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and treating Unrestricted Subsidiaries as if they were not consolidated with the Borrower and otherwise eliminating all accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries, together with an explanation of reconciliation adjustments in reasonable detail.

U.S. Special Resolution Regime” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.21.

USA PATRIOT Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001.

Voting Equity Interests” of any Person means the Equity Interests of such Person ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of the directors of such Person.

 

85


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 directors’ qualifying shares) 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” means 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, (a) 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, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any U.K. Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.

SECTION 1.02.    Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans 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 or except as expressly provided herein, (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, 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, replaced or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements, replacements or modifications set forth in the Loan

 

86


Documents), (b) any definition of or reference to any statute, rule or regulation shall be construed as referring thereto as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (including by succession of comparable successor laws), unless otherwise expressly stated to the contrary, (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (d) 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, (e) 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 (f) 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; Borrower Representative; Timing. (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that (i) if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision (including any definition) 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, (ii) notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, 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 Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, or any successor thereto (including pursuant to Accounting Standard Codifications), to value any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (iii) notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all obligations of any person that are or would have been treated as operating leases for purposes of GAAP prior to the issuance by the Financial Accounting Standards Board on February 25, 2016 of an Accounting Standards Update (the “ASU”) (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) shall continue to be accounted for as operating leases for purposes of the Loan Documents (whether or not such operating lease obligations were in effect on such date) notwithstanding the fact that such obligations are required in accordance with the ASU (on a prospective or retroactive basis or otherwise) to be treated as capitalized or finance lease obligations in the Borrower’s financial statements (provided that the only financial statements required to be delivered shall be those filed with the SEC).

(b)    The Borrower is hereby authorized to act as an agent and representative of the other Loan Parties in providing and receiving notices, consents, certificates, other writing or statements on behalf of the other Loan Parties for purposes

 

87


hereof (including for purposes of Article II). Unless otherwise provided therein, the Administrative Agent may assume any notice, consent, certificate, other writing or statement received from the Borrower is made on behalf of the other Loan Parties, and shall be entitled to rely on, and shall incur no liability by acting upon, any such notice, consent, certificate, other writing or statement accordingly.

(c)    Unless otherwise specified herein, when the payment of any obligation is stated to be due or performance required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day.

SECTION 1.05.    Pro Forma Calculations. For purposes of determining compliance with the covenant contained in Section 6.12 (or pro forma compliance with the same for purposes of the requirements of any other relevant provision) or otherwise for purposes of determining the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio, Fixed Charges and Consolidated EBITDA, calculations with respect to such period shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis.

SECTION 1.06.    Interest Rates; LIBOR or EURIBOR Notification(a) . The interest rate on a Loan denominated in dollars or a Permitted Foreign Currency may be derived from an interest rate benchmark that is, or may in the future become, the subject of regulatory reform. Regulators have signaled the need to use alternative benchmark reference rates for some of these interest rate benchmarks and, as a result, such interest rate benchmarks may cease to comply with applicable laws and regulations, may be permanently discontinued, and/or the basis on which they are calculated may change. Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-In Election, Section 2.14(b) provides a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower, pursuant to Section 2.14(d), of any change to the reference rate upon which the interest rate on Eurocurrency Loans is based. However, the Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission or any other matter related to the London interbank offered rate or other rates in the definition of “LIBO Rate” or “EURIBO Rate” or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate thereof (including, without limitation, (i) any such alternative, successor or replacement rate implemented pursuant to Section 2.14(b), whether upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, and (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes pursuant to Section 2.14(c)), including without limitation, whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, the LIBO Rate, the EURIBO Rate or have the same volume or liquidity as did the applicable Screen Rate prior to its discontinuance or unavailability.

SECTION 1.07.    Limited Condition Transaction. (a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any Loan Document to the contrary, when calculating any applicable financial ratio or test or determining other compliance with this Agreement (including the determination of compliance with any provision of this Agreement which

 

88


requires that no Default or Event of Default has occurred, is continuing or would result therefrom) in connection with the consummation of a Limited Condition Transaction, the date of determination of such ratio and determination of whether any Default or Event of Default has occurred, is continuing or would result therefrom or other applicable covenants shall, at the option of the Borrower (the Borrower’s election to exercise such option in connection with any Limited Condition Transaction, an “LCT Election”), be deemed to be (i) in the case of a Limited Condition Transaction described in clause (i) of the definition thereof, the date the definitive agreements for such Limited Condition Transaction are entered into and (ii) in the case of a Limited Condition Transaction described in clause (ii) of the definition thereof, the date of giving of the irrevocable notice of redemption therefor (the “LCT Test Date”) and if, after such financial ratios and tests and other provisions are measured on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such Limited Condition Transaction 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 occurred at the beginning of the applicable period being used to calculate such financial ratio ending prior to the LCT Test Date, the Borrower could have taken such action on the relevant LCT Test Date in compliance with such ratios and provisions, such provisions shall be deemed to have been complied with; provided that at the option of the Borrower, the relevant ratios and baskets may be recalculated at the time of consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, (x) if any of such financial ratios or tests are exceeded (or, with respect to the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio, not reached) as a result of fluctuations in such ratio or test (including due to fluctuations in Consolidated EBITDA or otherwise) at or prior to the consummation of the relevant Limited Condition Transaction, such financial ratios and tests and other provisions will not be deemed to have been exceeded (or, with respect to the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio, not reached) as a result of such fluctuations solely for purposes of determining whether the Limited Condition Transaction is permitted hereunder and (y) such financial ratios and tests and other provisions shall not be tested at the time of consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction or related transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Borrower has made an LCT Election for any Limited Condition Transaction, then in connection with any subsequent calculation of any financial ratio or test (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any ratio contained in Section 6.12) or basket availability with respect to any Limited Condition Transaction on or following the relevant LCT Test Date and prior to the earlier of the date on which such Limited Condition Transaction is consummated or, in the case of a Limited Condition Transaction described in clause (i) thereof, the date that the definitive agreement for such Limited Condition Transaction is terminated or expires without consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, for purposes of determining whether such subsequent transaction is permitted under this Agreement or any Loan Document, any such ratio, test or basket shall be required to comply with any such ratio, test or basket on a Pro Forma Basis assuming such Limited Condition Transaction and the other transactions in connection therewith (including any incurrence of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) have been consummated until such time as the applicable Limited Condition Transaction has actually closed or the definitive agreement with respect thereto has been terminated or expires.

 

89


SECTION 1.08.    Ratio Calculations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, with respect to any amount incurred or transaction entered into or consummated in reliance on a provision of this Agreement that does not require compliance with a financial ratio or test (including, without limitation, any tests based on the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio, Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or Consolidated EBITDA) (any such amounts, the “Fixed Amounts”) substantially concurrently with any portion of such amount or transaction incurred, entered into or consummated in reliance on a provision of this Agreement that requires compliance with a financial ratio or test (including any tests based on the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio, Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or Consolidated EBITDA) (any such amounts, the “Incurrence-Based Amounts”), it is understood and agreed that any portion of the amounts incurred, or transactions entered into or consummated, in compliance with any Fixed Amounts shall be disregarded in the calculation of the financial ratio or test applicable to the relevant Incurrence-Based Amounts.

SECTION 1.09.    Change in GAAP. Upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may elect to apply IFRS, in lieu of GAAP, which change shall take effect at the end of such fiscal quarter or year specified by the Borrower and in which case all accounting terms (including financial ratios and other financial calculations for the test period then ended and all subsequent periods) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with IFRS. As of such effective date, at the request of the Borrower the Administrative Agent shall enter into and is hereby authorized by the Lenders to enter into an amendment to this Agreement which shall provide for and give effect to the change in GAAP.

SECTION 1.10.    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 and acquired on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.

SECTION 1.11.    Currency Translation. The Administrative Agent shall determine the Dollar Equivalent of any Borrowing, Letter of Credit or LC Disbursement denominated in a Permitted Foreign Currency as of each Calculation Date, in each case using the Exchange Rate for the applicable currency in relation to dollars in effect on such Calculation Date, and each such amount shall be the Dollar Equivalent thereof until the next calculation thereof. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of each determination of the Dollar Equivalent of each Borrowing, Letter of Credit or LC Disbursement denominated in any Permitted Foreign Currency.

 

90


ARTICLE II

The Credits

SECTION 2.01.    Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Lender agrees to make Revolving Loans denominated in dollars or a Permitted Foreign Currency to the Borrower from time to time, in each case during the Revolving Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment or the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeding the Line Cap. Revolving Loans denominated in dollars may be ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans, and Revolving Loans denominated in a Permitted Foreign Currency shall be Eurocurrency Loans, in each case, as further provided herein. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no borrowing of Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans may be made on the Effective Date.

SECTION 2.02.    Loans and Borrowings. (a) Each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan or a Protective Advance) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class, Type and currency made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the applicable Class. Each Swingline Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Swingline Loans made by the Swingline Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Swingline Commitments. 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 no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

(b)    Subject to Section 2.14, (i) each Borrowing denominated in dollars shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith and (ii) each Borrowing denominated in a Permitted Foreign Currency shall be comprised entirely of Eurocurrency Loans. Each Swingline Loan and each Protective Advance shall be an ABR Loan. Each Lender at its option may make any Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(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 the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum; provided that a Eurocurrency Borrowing that results from a continuation of an outstanding Eurocurrency Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to such outstanding Borrowing. At the time that each ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $500,000; provided that a Protective Advance may be in such principal amount as shall be determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.10. Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the

 

91


same time; provided that there shall not be more than a total of ten Eurocurrency Borrowings at any time outstanding unless the Administrative Agent otherwise agrees. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, an ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e).

SECTION 2.03.    Requests for Borrowings. To request a Revolving Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by submitting a Borrowing Request (a) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 2:00 p.m., Local Time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable (provided that the Borrowing Request in connection with any acquisition or other investment permitted under Section 6.04, may be conditioned on the closing of such acquisition or other investment) and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or facsimile to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower. Each such Borrowing Request shall specify the following information (to the extent applicable, in compliance with Sections 2.01 and 2.02):

(i)    the Class of the requested Borrowing;

(ii)    the currency and the aggregate amount of such Borrowing;

(iii)    the requested date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iv)    whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing;

(v)    in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”;

(vi)    the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.06(a), or, if the Borrowing is being requested to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement in accordance with Section 2.05(e), the identity of the Issuing Bank that made such LC Disbursement; and

(vii)    that as of such date Sections 4.02(a), 4.02(b) and 4.02(c) are satisfied.

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then, if the specified currency of such Borrowing is (a) dollars, the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing, and (b) Euros, the requested Borrowing shall be a Eurocurrency Borrowing. If no Interest

 

92


Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. If no currency is specified with respect to any requested Revolving Loan, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected dollars. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the applicable Class 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.    Swingline Loans. (a) Subject to the term and conditions set forth herein, each Swingline Lender severally agrees to make Swingline Loans, denominated in Dollars, to the Borrower from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding $25,000,000, (ii) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans made by such Swingline Lender exceeding such Swingline Lender’s Swingline Commitment, (iii) such Swingline Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Swingline Lender’s Revolving Commitment (in its capacity as a Lender), (iv) any Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment or (v) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeding the Line Cap; provided that (A) no Swingline Lender shall be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan and (B) each Swingline Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Swingline Loans made by the Swingline Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Swingline Commitments. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans. The failure of any Swingline Lender to make any Swingline Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Swingline Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Swingline Commitments of the Swingline Lenders are several and no Swingline Lender shall be responsible for any other Swingline Lender’s failure to make Swingline Loans as required.

(b)    To request a Swingline Borrowing, the Borrower shall submit a Borrowing Request to the Administrative Agent by telecopy or electronic mail not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the day of the proposed Swingline Borrowing. Each such Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall specify (i) the requested date (which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the amount of the requested Swingline Borrowing, and the location and number of the account of the Borrower to which funds are to be disbursed or, in the case of any Swingline Borrowing requested to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(e), the identity of the Issuing Bank that has made such LC Disbursement and (iv) that as of such date Sections 4.02(a), 4.02(b) and 4.02(c) are satisfied. Promptly following the receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Swingline Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Swingline Lender’s Swingline Loan to be made as part of the requested Swingline Borrowing. Each Swingline Lender shall make its ratable portion of the requested Swingline Borrowing available to the Borrower by means of a wire transfer to the account specified in such Borrowing Request or to the applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the requested date of such Swingline Borrowing.

 

93


(c)    Any Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent require the Revolving Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of its Swingline Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of the Swingline Loans of such Swingline Lender in which the Revolving Lenders will be required to participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Revolving Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Swingline Loans. Each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay, promptly upon receipt of notice as provided above (and, in any event, if such notice is received by 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on a Business Day, not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on such Business Day and if received after 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on a Business Day, not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the immediately succeeding Business Day), to the Administrative Agent, for the account of such Swingline Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Swingline Loans. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that, in making any Swingline Loan, each Swingline Lender shall be entitled to rely, and shall not incur any liability for relying, upon the representation and warranty of Holdings and the Borrower deemed made pursuant to Section 4.02. Each Revolving Lender further 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 any reduction or termination of the Revolving 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 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders pursuant to this paragraph), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to each 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, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the applicable Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by any Swingline Lender from the Borrower (or other Person on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan 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 the applicable Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to such Swingline Lender or to 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 constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to repay such Swingline Loan.

(d)    Any Swingline Lender may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Swingline

 

94


Lender and the successor Swingline Lender. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of a Swingline Lender. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid interest accrued for the account of the replaced Swingline Lender pursuant to Section 2.13(a). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Swingline Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Swingline Lender under this Agreement with respect to Swingline Loans made thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Swingline Lender” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Swingline Lender, or to such successor and all previous Swingline Lenders, as the context shall require. After the replacement of a Swingline Lender hereunder, the replaced Swingline Lender shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of a Swingline Lender under this Agreement and under each other Loan Document with respect to Swingline Loans made by it prior to its replacement, but shall not be required to make additional Swingline Loans.

(e)    Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Swingline Lender, any Swingline Lender may resign as a Swingline Lender at any time upon thirty days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders, in which case such Swingline Lender may be replaced in accordance with Section 2.04(d).

SECTION 2.05.    Letters of Credit. (a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request (and each Issuing Bank shall issue) Letters of Credit for the Borrower’s own account (or for the account of any Subsidiary so long as such Issuing Bank has completed its customary “know your client” procedures with respect to such Subsidiary), in each case, denominated in dollars or any Permitted Foreign Currency and in a form reasonably acceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Revolving Availability Period. The Borrower unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that, in connection with any Letter of Credit issued for the account of any Subsidiary as provided above, the Borrower will be fully responsible for the reimbursement of LC Disbursements, the payment of interest thereon and the payment of fees due under Section 2.12(b), in respect thereof to the same extent as if it were the sole account party in respect of such Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding anything contained in any letter of credit application or other agreement (other than this Agreement or any Security Document) submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, any Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, (i) all provisions of such letter of credit application or other agreement purporting to grant Liens in favor of such Issuing Bank to secure obligations in respect of such Letter of Credit shall be disregarded, it being agreed that such obligations shall be secured to the extent provided in this Agreement and in the Security Documents, and (ii) in the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of such letter of credit application or such other agreement, as applicable, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. On the Effective Date (or such later date as referenced on Schedule 1.04), each Existing Letter of Credit shall, without any further action by any Person, be deemed to have been issued as a Letter of Credit hereunder (without any breakage or transfer charges in connection therewith) and shall

 

95


for all purposes hereof (including paragraphs (d), (e) and (f) of this Section) be treated as and constitute a Letter of Credit.

(b)    Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit (other than any automatic extension permitted pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section), the Borrower shall hand deliver or fax (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by such Issuing Bank) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the currency and amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be requested by the applicable Issuing Bank as necessary to enable such Issuing Bank to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. An Issuing Bank shall not be obligated to issue any trade Letter of Credit (unless it otherwise consents) and no Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended unless (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any 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 sum of the LC Exposure shall not exceed the LC Sublimit, (ii) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure shall not exceed the Line Cap, (iii) the face amount of the Letters of Credit issued by the applicable Issuing Bank shall not exceed the LC Commitment of such Issuing Bank (unless it otherwise agrees) and (iv) following the effectiveness of any Maturity Date Extension Request with respect to the Revolving Commitments of any Class, the LC Exposure in respect of all Letters of Credit of such Class having an expiration date after the fifth Business Day prior to the applicable Existing Maturity Date shall not exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments of such Class of the Consenting Lenders extended pursuant to Section 2.22. Each Issuing Bank agrees that it shall not permit any issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit to occur unless it shall give to the Administrative Agent written notice thereof as required under paragraph (l) of this Section. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, an Issuing Bank shall have no obligation hereunder to issue any Letter of Credit if (x) any law applicable to such Issuing Bank from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such Issuing Bank shall prohibit the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or (y) such issuance shall violate such Issuing Bank’s internal policies that are applicable to letters of credit generally.

(c)    Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date that is one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after the then-current expiration date at the time of such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date (unless such

 

96


Letters of Credit have been cash collateralized or backstopped on or prior to such fifth Business Day pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank); provided that (x) any Letter of Credit may, upon the request of the Borrower, include a provision whereby such Letter of Credit shall be extended automatically for additional periods (but not beyond the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date (unless such Letters of Credit have been cash collateralized or backstopped on or prior to such fifth Business Day pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank)) unless the applicable Issuing Bank notifies the beneficiary thereof at least 30 days (or such other longer period specified in the applicable Letter of Credit) prior to the then-applicable expiration date that such Letter of Credit will not be renewed and (y) clause (c)(i) above shall not apply to a Letter of Credit if such long-dated Letter of Credit is consented to by the applicable Issuing Bank. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Revolving Maturity Date in respect of any Class of Revolving Commitments shall be extended pursuant to Section 2.22, “Revolving Maturity Date” as referenced in this paragraph shall refer, with respect to the Class of Letters of Credit associated with such Class of Revolving Commitments, to the Revolving Maturity Date in respect of any Class of Revolving Commitments as extended pursuant to Section 2.22; provided that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement (including Section 2.22 hereof) or any other Loan Document to the contrary, the Revolving Maturity Date, as such term is used in reference to any Issuing Bank or any Letter of Credit issued thereby, may not be extended with respect to any Issuing Bank without the prior written consent of such Issuing Bank.

(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 Lenders, the Issuing Bank that is the issuer of such Letter of Credit hereby grants to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage 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 to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, 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 any reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Revolving Lender further acknowledges and agrees that, in issuing, amending, renewing or extending any Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank shall be entitled to rely, and shall not incur any liability for relying, upon the representation and warranty of the Borrower deemed made pursuant to Section 4.02 unless, at least one Business Day prior to the time such Letter of Credit is issued, amended, renewed or extended (or, in the case

 

97


of an automatic renewal permitted pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section, at least one Business Day prior to the time by which the election not to extend must be made by the applicable Issuing Bank), the Majority in Interest of the Revolving Lenders shall have notified the applicable Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in writing that, as a result of one or more events or circumstances described in such notice, one or more of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02(a) or 4.02(b) would not be satisfied if such Letter of Credit were then issued, amended, renewed or extended (it being understood and agreed that, in the event any Issuing Bank shall have received any such notice, no Issuing Bank shall have any obligation to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit until and unless it shall be satisfied that the events and circumstances described in such notice shall have been cured or otherwise shall have ceased to exist).

(e)    Reimbursement. If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, then the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement (payable in the currency of such LC Disbursement), not later than (i) if the Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., Local Time, on any Business Day, then 12:00 noon, Local Time, on such Business Day, or (ii) otherwise, 12:00 noon, Local Time, on the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice; provided that, in the case of an LC Disbursement denominated in dollars in an amount equal to or in excess of $500,000, the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 that such payment be financed with an ABR Revolving Borrowing or a Swingline Borrowing 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 Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Borrowing. If the Borrower fails to reimburse any LC Disbursement by the time specified above in this paragraph, then (x) in the case of any LC Disbursement denominated in a Permitted Existing LC Foreign Currency, the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the applicable LC Disbursement shall automatically be converted into an obligation to reimburse the Dollar Equivalent thereof, calculated as of the date of such LC Disbursement, and (y) in the case of each LC Disbursement, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the currency and amount of the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Such payment by the Revolving Lenders shall be made (x) in the case of an LC Disbursement denominated in dollars or a Permitted Foreign Currency, in such currency, and (y) in the case of an LC Disbursement denominated in a Permitted Existing LC Foreign Currency, in dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of such LC Disbursement. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each applicable Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the amount then due from the Borrower in the currency of the applicable LC Disbursement or, in the case of an LC Disbursement denominated in a Permitted Existing LC Foreign Currency, in dollars, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders under this paragraph), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the applicable Revolving Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent

 

98


of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Revolving Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse an Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of an ABR Revolving Borrowing or a Swingline Borrowing as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

(f)    Obligations Absolute. The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision thereof or hereof, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by an Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder. None of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or any of their Related Parties shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit, any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the applicable Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse any Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of an Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and nonappealable judgment), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, an Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the

 

99


terms of such Letter of Credit, and any such acceptance or refusal shall be deemed not to constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(g)    Disbursement Procedures. Each Issuing Bank shall, within the period stipulated by the terms and conditions of each Letter of Credit, following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. If the documents are compliant, after such examination, each Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing (via hand delivery, facsimile or other electronic imaging) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an 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 applicable Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement in accordance with paragraph (e) of this Section.

(h)    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 in full, at (i) in the case of any LC Disbursement denominated in dollars, and at all times following the conversion to dollars of the reimbursement obligation with respect to any LC Disbursement made in a Permitted Existing LC Foreign Currency pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans and (ii) in the case of an LC Disbursement denominated in any Permitted Foreign Currency or, prior to its conversion to dollars pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, in any Permitted Letter of Credit Foreign Currency, a rate per annum determined by the applicable Issuing Bank (which determination will be conclusive absent manifest error) to represent its cost of funds plus the Applicable Rate used to determine interest applicable to Eurocurrency Revolving Loans; provided that, if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement in full when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(c) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be paid to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment, and shall be payable on demand or, if no demand has been made, on the date on which the Borrower reimburses the applicable LC Disbursement in full.

(i)    Cash Collateralization. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day on which the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, a Majority in Interest of the Revolving Lenders) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders, an amount in cash (in the currency of each applicable Letter of Credit) equal to the LC Exposure of the Revolving Lenders with respect to the Letters of Credit issued on behalf of the Borrower as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid

 

100


interest thereon; 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 clause (h) or (i) of Section 7.01. The Borrower also shall deposit cash collateral in accordance with this paragraph as and to the extent required by Section 2.11(b), 2.20(d) or 2.22(c). Each such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such 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. Notwithstanding the terms of any Security Document, moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Banks for LC Disbursements for which they have 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 (i) the consent of a Majority in Interest of the Revolving Lenders (treating the Classes of Revolving Commitments and Revolving Loans as one Class) and (ii) in the case of any such application at a time when any Revolving Lender is a Defaulting Lender (but only if, after giving effect thereto, the remaining cash collateral shall be less than the aggregate LC Exposure of all the Defaulting Lenders), the consent of each Issuing Bank), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. 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 (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder pursuant to Section 2.11(b), such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower to the extent that, after giving effect to such return, the Aggregate Revolving Exposure in respect of the Revolving Commitments or Revolving Loans would not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and no Default shall have occurred and be continuing. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder pursuant to Section 2.20(d), such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower to the extent that, after giving effect to such return, no Issuing Bank shall have any exposure in respect of any outstanding Letter of Credit that is not fully covered by the Revolving Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or the remaining cash collateral and no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(j)    Designation of Additional Issuing Banks. The Borrower may, at any time and from time to time with notice to the Administrative Agent, designate as additional Issuing Banks one or more Revolving Lenders, that agree to serve in such capacity as provided below. The acceptance by a Revolving Lender of an appointment as an Issuing Bank hereunder shall be evidenced by an agreement, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower and shall specify the LC Commitment of such Issuing Bank, executed by the Borrower, the

 

101


Administrative Agent and such designated Revolving Lender and, from and after the effective date of such agreement, (i) such Revolving Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to include such Revolving Lender in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder. In addition, solely with respect to the Existing Letters of Credit set forth on Schedule 1.04, each issuing bank thereof may, to the extent it is not an Issuing Bank under this Agreement on the Effective Date, become an Issuing Bank hereunder with respect to the Existing Letters of Credit issued by it by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a duly executed counterpart to this Agreement, whereupon such issuing bank shall constitute an Issuing Bank for all purposes hereof with respect to such Existing Letters of Credit as if originally a party hereto in such capacity.

(k)    Resignation or Termination of an Issuing Bank. Any Issuing Bank may resign as a “Issuing Bank” hereunder upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, and the Borrower; provided that on or prior to the expiration of such 30-day period with respect to such resignation, the relevant Issuing Bank shall have identified a successor Issuing Bank reasonably acceptable to the Borrower willing to accept its appointment as successor Issuing Bank and the effectiveness of such resignation shall be conditioned upon such successor assuming the rights and duties of the Issuing Bank. In the event of any such resignation as Issuing Bank, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor Issuing Bank hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of the resigning Issuing Bank except as expressly provided above. The Borrower may terminate the appointment of any Issuing Bank as an “Issuing Bank” hereunder by providing a written notice thereof to such Issuing Bank, with a copy to the Administrative Agent. Any such termination shall become effective upon the earlier of (i) such Issuing Bank acknowledging receipt of such notice and (ii) the third Business Day following the date of the delivery thereof; provided that no such termination shall become effective until and unless the LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank (or its Affiliates) shall have been reduced to zero. At the time any such resignation or termination shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the resigning or terminated Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b). Notwithstanding the effectiveness of any such resignation or termination, the resigning or terminated Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such resignation or termination, but shall not be required to issue any additional Letters of Credit.

(l)    Issuing Bank Reports to the Administrative Agent. Unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank shall, in addition to its notification obligations set forth elsewhere in this Section, report in writing to the Administrative Agent (i) periodic activity (for such period or recurrent periods as shall be requested by the Administrative Agent) in respect of Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, including all issuances, extensions, amendments and renewals, all expirations and cancelations and all disbursements and reimbursements, (ii) reasonably

 

102


prior to the time that such Issuing Bank issues, amends, renews or extends any Letter of Credit, the date of such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, and the stated amount of the Letters of Credit issued, amended, renewed or extended by it and outstanding after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (and whether the amounts thereof shall have changed), (iii) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank makes any LC Disbursement, the date, amount and currency of such LC Disbursement, (iv) on any Business Day on which the Borrower fails to reimburse an LC Disbursement required to be reimbursed to such Issuing Bank on such day, the date of such failure and the currency and amount of such LC Disbursement and (v) on any other Business Day, such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request as to the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank.

(m)    LC Exposure Determination. For all purposes of this Agreement, the amount of a Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof shall be deemed to be 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 the time of determination.

SECTION 2.06.    Funding of Borrowings. (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 1:00 p.m., Local Time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided that Swingline Loans and Protective Advances shall be made as provided in Section 2.04 and Section 2.10, respectively. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower and designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that (i) ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement denominated in dollars as provided in Section 2.05(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to Section 2.05(e) to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Revolving Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear and (ii) the proceeds of any Protective Advance shall be retained by the Administrative Agent and applied, on behalf of the Borrower, for the purpose for which such Protective Advance has been made.

(b)    Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date 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 upon 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 and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to

 

103


the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, (A) in the case of Loans denominated in dollars, the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation and (B) in the case of Loans denominated in a Permitted Foreign Currency, the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the cost to it of funding such amount (which determination will be conclusive absent manifest error) or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to (A) in the case of Loans denominated in dollars, ABR Loans of the applicable Class and (B) in the case of Loans denominated in a Permitted Foreign Currency, the interest rate applicable to the subject Loan pursuant to Section 2.13. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

SECTION 2.07.    Interest Elections. (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request or designated by Section 2.03 and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request or designated by Section 2.03. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a Borrowing of a different Type (provided that Eurocurrency Borrowings denominated in a Permitted Foreign Currency may not be converted into ABR Borrowings but instead must be prepaid in the original currency of such Loan) or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. 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 among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings or Protective Advances, which may not be converted or continued.

(b)    To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election in writing 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 confirmed promptly by hand delivery, facsimile or other electronic transmission to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower.

(c)    Each Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(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

 

104


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; and

(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 month’s duration.

(d)    Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, 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 (i) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in dollars, such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing and (ii) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Permitted Foreign Currency, such Borrowing shall be continued as a Borrowing of the applicable Type for an Interest Period of one month. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default under clause (h) or (i) of Section 7.01 has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Borrower, or if any other Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of a Majority in Interest of the Lenders of any Class has notified the Borrower of the election to give effect to this sentence on account of such other Event of Default, then, in each such case, so long as such Event of Default is continuing, (i) no outstanding Borrowing (or Borrowing of the applicable Class, as applicable) denominated in dollars may be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing, (ii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing (or Eurocurrency Borrowing of the applicable Class, as applicable) shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto and (iii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Permitted Foreign Currency shall be continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

SECTION 2.08.    Termination and Reduction of Commitments. (a) Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Commitments shall automatically terminate and be reduced to $0 on the Revolving Maturity Date.

 

105


(b)    The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time permanently reduce, the Commitments of any Class; provided that (i) each partial reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $1,000,000 and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and Protective Advances in accordance with Section 2.11, the Aggregate Revolving Exposure would exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitment or the Revolving Exposure of any Lender would exceed its Revolving Commitment.

(c)    The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the applicable Class of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination or reduction of the Revolving Commitments delivered under this paragraph may state that such notice is conditioned upon the occurrence of one or more events specified therein, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments of any Class shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments of such Class.

SECTION 2.09.    Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan made by such Revolving Lender to the Borrower on the Revolving Maturity Date, (ii) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan made by such Swingline Lender on the earlier of the Revolving Maturity Date and the fifth Business Day after such Swingline Loan is made; provided that on each date that a Revolving Borrowing is made, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans that were outstanding on such date and (iii) to the Administrative Agent the then unpaid principal amount of each Protective Advance on the earlier of the Revolving Maturity Date and demand by the Administrative Agent in respect of such Protective Advance.

(b)    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. The records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower in respect of Loans made to the Borrower, LC Disbursements, interest and fees due or accrued, in each case, with respect to the Borrower hereunder; provided that the failure of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to maintain such records or any error therein shall not in any manner affect

 

106


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 (b) and (c) of this Section 2.09, the accounts maintained by the Administrative Agent maintained pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 2.09 shall control.

(c)    The Administrative Agent shall, in connection with maintenance of the Register in accordance with Section 9.04(b)(iv) maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal, premium, interest or fees due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder 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.

(d)    Any Lender may request that Loans of any Class made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrower of such Loans shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).

SECTION 2.10.    Protective Advances. (a) Subject to the limitations set forth below, in the event the Borrower is unable to comply with the Borrowing Base limitations set forth in this Agreement or the Borrower is unable to satisfy the conditions precedent to the making of Revolving Loans set forth in Section 4.02, in either case, the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, from time to time in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion (but shall have absolutely no obligation to), to make Loans to the Borrower, on behalf of all Lenders, which the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems necessary or desirable (i) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof, (ii) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Loans and other Obligations or (iii) 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 (any of such Loans are herein referred to as “Protective Advances”) for a period commencing on the date the Administrative Agent receives a Borrowing Request requesting a Protective Advance until the earliest of (x) the twentieth Business Day after such date, (y) the date the Borrower is again able to comply with the Borrowing Base limitations and the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02, or obtains an amendment or waiver with respect thereto and (z) the date the Required Lenders instruct the Administrative Agent to cease making Protective Advances (the “Protective Advance Period”); provided that the Administrative Agent shall not make any Protective Advance to the extent that at the time of the making of such Protective Advance, the amount of such Protective Advance (I) when added to the aggregate outstanding amount of all other

 

107


Protective Advances made to the Borrower at such time, would exceed 5.0% of the Borrowing Base at such time (based on the Borrowing Base Certificate last delivered) (the “Protective Advance Amount”) or (II) when added to the Aggregate Revolving Exposure as then in effect (immediately prior to the incurrence of such Protective Advance), would exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitment at such time. 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. Protective Advances shall be subject to periodic settlement with the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.10(b).

(b)     The Administrative Agent may by notice given not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on any Business Day require the Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Protective Advances outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate principal amount of Protective Advances in which the Lenders will be required to participate and each Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Protective Advances. Each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay, promptly upon receipt of notice as provided above (and in any event, if such notice is received by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on a Business Day, no later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time on such Business Day and if received after 12:00 noon, New York City time, on a Business Day, no later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the immediately succeeding Business Day), to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Protective Advances. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Protective Advances pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including nonsatisfaction of any of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02, the occurrence and continuance of a Default or any reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders pursuant to this paragraph). Any amounts received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower (or other Person on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Protective Advance after receipt by the Administrative Agent of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph to the extent of their interests therein; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Administrative Agent if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to a Borrower for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Protective Advance pursuant to this paragraph shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to repay such Protective Advance.

SECTION 2.11.    Prepayment of Loans. (a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, subject to Section 2.16.

 

108


(b)    In the event and on each occasion that the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeds the lesser of (i) the sum of (A) the Borrowing Base then in effect and (B) the Protective Advance Exposures and (ii) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment, the Borrower shall promptly, and in any event within one Business Day, first, prepay any Protective Advances that may be outstanding and second, prepay Revolving Borrowings or Swingline Borrowings (or, if no such Borrowings are outstanding, deposit cash collateral in an account with the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 2.05(i)) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

(c)    Prior to any optional prepayment of Borrowings under this Section, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings to be prepaid and shall specify such selection in the notice of such prepayment delivered pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section.

(d)    The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of Swingline Loans, the applicable Swingline Lender) in writing (via hand delivery, facsimile or other electronic imaging) of any optional prepayment and, to the extent practicable, any mandatory prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of a prepayment of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 1:00 p.m., Local Time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of a prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of prepayment or (iii) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date, the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid and, in the case of a mandatory prepayment, a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment; provided that if a notice of optional prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.08, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.08. Promptly following receipt of any such notice (other than a notice relating solely to Swingline Loans), the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the applicable Class 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, except as necessary to apply fully the required amount of a mandatory prepayment. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13.

SECTION 2.12.    Fees. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) in accordance with its Pro Rata Share of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments for the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate (or are otherwise reduced to zero), a commitment fee which shall accrue at the Applicable Commitment Fee Rate on the average daily unused amount of the aggregate Revolving Commitment of such Revolving Lender. Such accrued commitment fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable in arrears on the fifteenth

 

109


day following such last day and on the date on which all the Revolving Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date. For purposes of computing commitment fees, a Revolving Commitment of a Lender shall be deemed to be used to the extent of the outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure of such Lender (and the Swingline Exposure and Protective Advance Exposure of such Lender shall be disregarded for such purpose).

(b)    The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate then used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurocurrency Revolving Loans on the average daily amount of such Lender’s aggregate LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which all of such Lender’s Revolving Commitments terminate and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure and (ii) to each Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at a rate per annum equal to 0.125% on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of all the Revolving Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any such LC Exposure, 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. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the fifteenth day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which all the Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which all the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to an Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within 10 days after demand.

(c)    The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(d)    The Borrower agrees to pay to the Arrangers and the Administrative Agent, for the account of each applicable Arranger and Lender, such other fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing (including pursuant to any fee letters entered into between the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers or their respective affiliates and the Borrower, and including upfront fees, which may be in the form of original issues discounts to the Loans) in the amounts and at the times so specified.

(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 Revolving Lenders entitled thereto. Fees paid hereunder shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

 

110


(f)    All commitment fees, participation fees, fronting fees and other fees payable pursuant to this Section 2.12 and all interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

SECTION 2.13.    Interest. (a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan and each Protective Advance) shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(b)    The Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the EURIBO Rate, as applicable, for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

(c)    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, and an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) shall have occurred and be continuing, such overdue amount shall bear interest, on and from such date, 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 overdue amount, 2.00% per annum plus the rate applicable to ABR Revolving Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section. Payment or acceptance of the increased rates of interest provided for in this paragraph (c) is not a permitted alternative to timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or otherwise prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender.

(d)    Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of a Revolving Loan of any Class or a Swingline Loan or Protective Advance, upon termination of the Revolving Commitments of the applicable Class; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section and interest accrued on any Protective Advance shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Revolving Availability Period), 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 a 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.

SECTION 2.14.    Alternate Rate of Interest.

(a)    If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing:

 

111


(i)    the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate, the LIBO Rate or the EURIBO Rate, as applicable (including because the applicable Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis), for the applicable currency and such Interest Period; provided that no Benchmark Transition Event shall have occurred at such time; or

(ii)    the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate, the LIBO Rate or the EURIBO Rate, as applicable, for the applicable currency and such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for the applicable currency and such Interest Period;

the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone, facsimile or electronic mail 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, (A) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Revolving Borrowing to, or continuation of any Revolving Borrowing as, a Eurocurrency Borrowing made by reference to such rate shall be ineffective and (B) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing denominated in dollars made by reference to such rate, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then the other Type of Borrowings shall be permitted.

(b)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace the LIBO Rate or the EURIBO Rate, as applicable, with a Benchmark Replacement. Any such amendment with respect to a Benchmark Transition Event will become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the Administrative Agent has posted such proposed amendment to all Lenders and the Borrower, so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such proposed amendment from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders of each Class; provided that, with respect to any proposed amendment containing any SOFR-Based Rate, the Lenders shall be entitled to object only to the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment contained therein. Any such amendment with respect to an Early Opt-in Election will become effective on the date that Lenders comprising the Required Lenders of each Class have delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice that such Required Lenders accept such amendment. No replacement of LIBO Rate or the EURIBO Rate with a Benchmark Replacement will occur prior to the applicable Benchmark Transition Start Date.

(c)    In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower will have the right to make

 

112


Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.

(d)    The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes and (iv) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or Lenders pursuant to this Section 2.14, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party hereto, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.14.

(e)    Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Revolving Borrowing to, or continuation of any Revolving Borrowing as, a Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be ineffective and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing denominated in dollars, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing.

SECTION 2.15.    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 or participated in by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or any Issuing Bank;

(ii)    impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; or

(iii)    subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, 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 or such other Recipient of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender,

 

113


such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit, Swingline Loan or Protective Advance) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then, from time to time upon request of such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, the Borrower will pay to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as applicable, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as applicable, for such additional costs or expenses incurred or reduction suffered.

(b)    If any Lender or any Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has had or would have 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, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit, Swingline Loans or Protective Advances held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such 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), then, from time to time upon the request of such Lender or such Issuing Bank, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, 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 suffered.

(c)    A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth in reasonable detail the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or its holding company, as applicable, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section and the calculation thereof shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 30 days after receipt thereof.

(d)    Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or expenses incurred or reductions suffered more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or expenses or reductions and of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or expenses or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

114


(e)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, no Lender or Issuing Bank shall demand compensation for any increased cost or reduction pursuant to this Section 2.15 if (i) it shall not at the time be the general policy or practice of such Lender or Issuing Bank to demand such compensation in similar circumstances under comparable provisions of other credit agreements and (ii) such increased cost or reduction is due to market disruption, unless such circumstances generally affect the banking market and when the Required Lenders have made such a request.

SECTION 2.16.    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 Eurocurrency Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (whether or not such notice may be revoked in accordance with the terms hereof) 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 2.19(b) or 9.02(c), then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event (excluding loss of profit). In the case of a Eurocurrency Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate, that would have been applicable to such Loan (but not including the Applicable Rate applicable thereto), for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest that would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate that such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for deposits in the applicable currency of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the London interbank market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth in reasonable detail any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section and the reasons therefor, and showing the calculation thereof, shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 30 days after receipt thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 2.16 will not apply to losses, costs or expenses resulting from Taxes.

SECTION 2.17.    Taxes. (a) Payment Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then an additional amount shall be payable by the applicable Loan Party as necessary so that

 

115


after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.17) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

(b)    Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

(c)    Evidence of Payment. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.17, such Loan Party 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.

(d)    Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.17) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(e)    Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. 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 or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph.

 

116


(f)    Status of Lenders. (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from, or reduction of, withholding Tax with respect to payments made under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(A), 2.17(f)(ii)(B) or 2.17(f)(ii)(D)) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an applicable Borrower, Designated Borrower or any other applicable Loan Party that, in each case, is not a U.S. Person, the applicable Lender will not be subject to the requirements of this paragraph (f)(i) unless it has received written notice from such Borrower, such Designated Borrower or such other Loan Party advising it of the availability of an exemption or reduction of withholding Tax under the laws of the jurisdiction in which such Borrower, such Designated Borrower or such other Loan Party is located and containing all applicable documentation (together, if requested by such Lender, with a certified English translation thereof) required to be completed by such Lender in order to receive any such exemption or reduction, and such Lender is legally able to provide such documentation to such Borrower, such Designated Borrower or such other Loan Party.

(ii)    Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

(A)    any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding Tax;

(B)    any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

117


(1)    in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

(2)    executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;

(3)    in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit J-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10-percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E; or

(4)    to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit J-2 or Exhibit J-3, IRS Form W-9 and/or another certification document from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit J-4 on behalf of each such direct or indirect partner;

(C)    any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from, or a reduction in, U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed,

 

118


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; and

(D)    if a payment made to a Lender under this Agreement or any other 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 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 and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the Effective Date.

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(g)    Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.17 (including by the payment of additional amounts paid pursuant to this Section 2.17), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.17 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph, in no event will any indemnified party be required to pay any amount to any indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph the payment of which would place such indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such indemnified party would have been in if the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

 

119


(h)    For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.

SECTION 2.18.    Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Setoffs. (a) The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder or under any other Loan Document (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, 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 1:00 p.m., New York City time), on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without any defense, setoff, recoupment 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 or accounts as may be specified by the Administrative Agent, except that payments required to be made directly to any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender shall be so made, payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 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 payment received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment under this Agreement or any other 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 and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder of principal or interest in respect of any Loan or LC Disbursement shall, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, be made in the currency of such Loan or LC Disbursement; all other payments hereunder and under each other Loan Document shall be made in dollars.

(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 hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.

(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 Revolving Loans, or participations in LC Disbursements, Swingline Loans or Protective Advances resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans, and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall notify the Administrative Agent of such fact and shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements, Swingline Loans and Protective Advances of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the aggregate amount of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in

 

120


accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements, Swingline Loans and Protective Advances; 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 any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements, Swingline Loans or Protective Advances to any Eligible Assignee, to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof in a transaction that complies with the terms of Section 9.04(e) or (f), as applicable. 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 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 the 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 the Issuing Banks, as applicable, 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 applicable, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or such 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 NYFRB 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 2.05(d) or (e), 2.06(a) or (b)2.17(e)2.18(d) or 9.03(c), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (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 in respect of such payment until all such unsatisfied obligations have been discharged and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under any such Section, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.

SECTION 2.19.    Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if any Loan Party is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or to any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall

 

121


(at the request of the Borrower) 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 payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17, as applicable, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not be inconsistent with its internal policies or otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender in any material respect. The Borrower hereby agree to pay all reasonable and documented assignment fees in connection with any such designation or assignment and delegation.

(b)    If (i) any Lender has requested compensation under Section 2.15, (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, (iii) any Lender has become a Defaulting Lender, (iv) any Lender has become a Declining Lender under Section 2.22 or (v) any Lender is a Disqualified Institution, 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 (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17) and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (or, in the case of any such assignment and delegation resulting from a Lender having become a Declining Lender, all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as a Lender of the applicable Class with respect to which such Lender is a Declining Lender) 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 (and, if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, each Issuing Bank and each Swingline Lender), which consent 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, Swingline Loans and Protective Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued but unpaid fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder (if applicable, in each case only to the extent such amounts relate to its interest as a Lender of a particular Class) from the assignee (in the case of such principal and accrued interest and fees or the Borrower, (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), (D) in the case of any such assignment and delegation resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a material reduction in such compensation or payments and (E) such assignment and delegation does not conflict with applicable law. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver or consent 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 have ceased to apply. Each party hereto agrees that an

 

122


assignment required pursuant to this paragraph may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the assignee and that the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto.

SECTION 2.20.    Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Revolving Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Revolving Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(a)    commitment fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(a);

(b)    any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a 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 such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender hereunder; third, to cash collateralize the Issuing Banks’ LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with this Section; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such 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 pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) cash collateralize the Issuing Banks’ future LC Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with this Section; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or Swingline Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such 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 the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Disbursements in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and LC Disbursements owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or LC Disbursements owed to, such Defaulting

 

123


Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in the Borrower’s obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure and Swingline Loans is held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments without giving effect to clause (d) below. 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 this Section shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto;

(c)    the Revolving Commitment and Revolving Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders or any other requisite Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.02); provided that any amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or all Lenders adversely affected thereby shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.02, require the consent of such Defaulting Lender in accordance with the terms hereof;

(d)    if any Swingline Exposure, Protective Advance Exposure or LC Exposure exists at the time a Revolving Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then:

(i)    [reserved];

(ii)    all or any part of the Swingline Exposure (other than (x) any portion thereof with respect to which such Defaulting Lender shall have funded its participation as contemplated by Section 2.04(c) and (y) the portion of the Swingline Exposure referred to in clause (b) of the definition thereof), Protective Advance Exposure (other than any portion thereof with respect to which such Defaulting Lender shall have funded its participation as contemplated by Section 2.10(b), and LC Exposure (other than any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements with respect to which such Defaulting Lender shall have funded its participation as contemplated by Sections 2.05(e) and 2.05(f)) of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Revolver Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages but only to the extent that (x) the sum of all non-Defaulting Revolving Lenders’ Revolving Exposures plus such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure, Protective Advance Exposure and LC Exposure does not exceed the sum of all non-Defaulting Revolving Lenders’ Revolving Commitments and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Exposure of any non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided that, subject to Section 9.18, no reallocation under this clause (ii) shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation;

 

124


(iii)    if the reallocation described in clause (ii) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within one Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent (A) first, prepay the portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure and/or Protective Advance Exposure that has not been reallocated and (B) second, cash collateralize for the benefit of the Issuing Banks the portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure that has not been reallocated in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.05(i) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;

(iv)    if any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized pursuant to clause (iii) above, the Borrower shall not be required to pay participation fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(b) with respect to such portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure for so long as such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;

(v)    if any portion of the LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender is reallocated pursuant to clause (ii) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Sections 2.12(a) and 2.12(b) shall be adjusted to give effect to such reallocation;

(vi)    [reserved]; and

(vii)    if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither reallocated nor cash collateralized pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of any Issuing Bank or any other Lender hereunder, all participation fees payable under Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Banks (and allocated among them ratably based on the amount of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit issued by each Issuing Bank) until and to the extent that such LC Exposure is reallocated and/or cash collateralized; and

(e)    so long as such Revolving Lender is a Defaulting Lender, no Swingline Lender shall be required to fund any Swingline Loan and no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that the related exposure and the Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding Swingline Exposure (other than the portion of such Swingline Exposure referred to in clause (b) of the definition of such term) or LC Exposure, as applicable will be fully covered by the Revolving Commitments of the non-Defaulting Revolving Lenders and/or cash collateral provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.20(d), and participating interests in any such funded Swingline Loan or in any such issued, amended, renewed or extended Letter of Credit will be allocated among the non-Defaulting Revolving Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.20(d)(ii) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).

 

125


In the event that (i) a Bankruptcy Event with respect to a Revolving Lender Parent shall occur following the Effective Date and for so long as such Bankruptcy Event shall continue or (ii) any Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank has a good faith belief that any Revolving Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, such Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and such Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, unless such Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, shall have entered into arrangements with the Borrower or the applicable Revolving Lender, satisfactory to such Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.

In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, each Swingline Lender and each applicable Issuing Bank each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused the applicable Revolving Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of the Revolving Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment and on such date such Revolving Lender shall purchase at par such of the Revolving Loans of the applicable Class of the other Revolving Lenders of such Class as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Revolving Lender to hold such Revolving Loans of such Class in accordance with its Applicable Percentage; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while such Revolving Lender was a Defaulting Lender; provided further that, except as otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from a Defaulting Lender to a non-Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from such Revolving Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

SECTION 2.21.    Incremental Extensions of Credit. (a) At any time and from time to time, during the Revolving Availability Period, the Borrower may, by notice to the Administrative Agent (whereupon the Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver a copy to each of the Lenders), request (i) one or more increases in the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments (each such increase, a “Revolving Commitment Increase” or (ii) one or more additional tranches of revolving commitments in the form of a “first in, last out” tranche subject to customary terms and conditions satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (each, a “FILO Tranche Incremental Revolving Commitment” and, together with any Revolving Commitment Increase, the “Incremental Extensions of Credit” or the “Incremental Facilities”), in an aggregate amount not to exceed the sum of (x) $350,000,000 plus (y) the amount of any voluntary permanent reductions in the amount of the Revolving Commitments; provided that, at the time of each such request and upon the effectiveness of each Incremental Facility Amendment, (A) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or shall result therefrom (or, in the event the proceeds of any Incremental Extension of Credit in the form of a FILO Tranche Incremental Revolving Commitment are to be used to finance any Limited Condition Transaction permitted hereunder for which the Borrower has made an LCT Election, no Default or Event of Default shall exist and be continuing as of the LCT Test Date for such Limited Condition Transaction), (B) the representations and warranties of the

 

126


Borrower and each other Loan Party, as applicable, set forth in the Loan Documents (other than the representation and warranty set forth in Section 3.04(b)) would be true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of representations and warranties qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on and as of the date of, and immediately after giving effect to, the incurrence of such Incremental Facility (provided that (x) the representation and warranty set forth in Section 3.04(a) shall be deemed to refer to the financial statements most recently delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) and (b), (y) the representation set forth in Section 3.15 shall be made as of the date of such Incremental Facility Amendment) and (z) in the event the proceeds of any Incremental Extension of Credit in the form of a FILO Tranche Incremental Revolving Commitment are to be used to finance any Investment permitted hereunder, such condition precedent related to the making and accuracy of such representations and warranties relating to the drawing of such FILO Tranche Incremental Revolving Commitments may be waived or limited as agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Incremental Extension of Credit, without the consent of any other Lenders) and (C) the Borrower shall have delivered a certificate of a Financial Officer or legal officer to the effect set forth in clauses (A) and (B) above. Each Incremental Facility shall be in an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and be in an aggregate principal amount that is not less than $10,000,000; provided that such amount may be less than $10,000,000 if such amount represents all the remaining availability under the aggregate amount of Incremental Extensions of Credit permitted to be established hereunder as set forth above.

(b)    The Incremental Facilities (i) shall be documented pursuant to an Incremental Facility Amendment and rank pari passu in right of payment in respect of the Collateral and with the Obligations in respect of the Revolving Commitments (other than any FILO Tranche Incremental Revolving Commitment, which shall be subordinate in right of payment to the extent set forth in the applicable Incremental Facility Amendment), (ii) shall not have a borrower other than the Borrower, (iii) shall not be secured by any property or assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the Collateral or guaranteed by any Subsidiaries other than the Loan Parties, and (iv) shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the Revolving Commitments; provided that (x) any FILO Tranche Incremental Revolving Commitment (A) shall be subject to customary “first in last out” terms acceptable to the Administrative Agent, including with respect to greater advance rates under the Borrowing Base and the making and prepayment and repayment of the loans thereunder and (B) shall be subject to such pricing and fees as are agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders in respect of such tranche and (y) the pricing and fees with respect to any Revolving Commitment Increase may be greater than those applicable to the existing Revolving Commitments so long as the pricing or fees, as the case may be, with respect to all Revolving Commitments are increased to such greater amount.

(c)    Any additional bank, financial institution, existing Lender or other Person that elects to extend Incremental Extensions of Credit (i) shall, to the extent a consent would be required under Section 9.04 if such additional bank, financial institution, existing Lender or other Person were taking an assignment of Loans or Commitments, be approved by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing

 

127


Bank and each Swingline Lender (such approval not be unreasonably withheld) (any such bank, financial institution, existing Lender or other Person being called an “Additional Lender”) and (ii) if not already a Lender, shall become a Lender 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, each such Additional Lender and the Administrative Agent. No Lender shall be obligated to provide any Incremental Extension of Credit unless it so agrees. Commitments in respect of any Incremental Extension of Credit shall become Commitments (or in the case of any Revolving Commitment Increase to be provided by an existing Revolving Lender, an increase in such Lender’s Revolving Commitment) under this Agreement upon the effectiveness of the applicable Incremental Facility Amendment. An Incremental Facility Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement or to any other Loan Document as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section (including, with respect to any FILO Tranche Incremental Revolving Commitments, such modifications to the borrowing, prepayment, commitment reduction and waterfall provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are appropriate to reflect the “first in, last out” nature of such tranche). The effectiveness of any Incremental Facility Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the effective date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 4.02 (it being understood and agreed that all references to a Borrowing in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 4.02 shall be deemed to refer to the applicable Incremental Facility Amendment); provided that if the proceeds of the applicable Incremental Extension of Credit in the form of a FILO Tranche Incremental Revolving Commitment are to be used to finance a Limited Condition Transaction, then (i) the condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02(a) relating to the drawing of such FILO Tranche Incremental Revolving Commitment may be limited to (x) customary specified representations and warranties and (y) customary specified acquisition agreement representations and warranties with respect to the Person to be acquired and (ii) the condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02(b) relating to the drawing of such FILO Tranche Incremental Revolving Commitment may be limited to Defaults described in clauses (a), (b), (h) and (i) of Section 7.01).

(d)    On the date of effectiveness of any Revolving Commitment Increase, (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans outstanding (the “Existing Revolving Borrowings”) immediately prior to the effectiveness of such Revolving Commitment Increase shall be deemed to be repaid, (ii) each Revolving Commitment Increase Lender that shall have had a Revolving Commitment prior to the effectiveness of such Revolving Commitment Increase shall pay to the Administrative Agent in same day funds an amount equal to the amount, if any, by which (A) (1) such Revolving Commitment Increase Lender’s Applicable Percentage (calculated after giving effect to the effectiveness of such Revolving Commitment Increase) multiplied by (2) the aggregate principal amount of the Resulting Revolving Borrowings (as hereinafter defined) exceeds (B) (1) such Revolving Commitment Increase Lender’s Applicable Percentage (calculated without giving effect to the effectiveness of such Revolving Commitment Increase) multiplied by (2) the aggregate principal amount of the Existing Revolving Borrowings, (iii) each Revolving Commitment Increase Lender that shall not have had a Revolving Commitment prior to the effectiveness of such Revolving

 

128


Commitment Increase shall pay to the Administrative Agent in same day funds an amount equal to (1) such Revolving Commitment Increase Lender’s Applicable Percentage (calculated after giving effect to the effectiveness of such Revolving Commitment Increase) multiplied by (2) the aggregate principal amount of the Resulting Revolving Borrowings, (iv) after the Administrative Agent receives the funds specified in clauses (ii) and (iii) above, the Administrative Agent shall pay to each Revolving Lender of the applicable Class the portion of such funds that is equal to the amount, if any, by which (A) (1) such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage (calculated without giving effect to the effectiveness of such Revolving Commitment Increase) multiplied by (2) the aggregate principal amount of the Existing Revolving Borrowings, exceeds (B) (1) such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage (calculated after giving effect to the effectiveness of such Revolving Commitment Increase) multiplied by (2) the aggregate principal amount of the Resulting Revolving Borrowings, (v) after the effectiveness of such Revolving Commitment Increase, the Borrower shall be deemed to have made new Revolving Borrowings (the “Resulting Revolving Borrowings”) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Existing Revolving Borrowings and of the Types and for the Interest Periods specified in a Borrowing Request delivered to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 2.03 (and the Borrower shall deliver such Borrowing Request), (vi) each Revolving Lender of the applicable Class shall be deemed to hold its Applicable Percentage of each Resulting Revolving Borrowing (calculated after giving effect to the effectiveness of such Revolving Commitment Increase) and (vii) the Borrower shall pay each Revolving Lender any and all accrued but unpaid interest on its Loans comprising the Existing Revolving Borrowings. The deemed payments of the Existing Revolving Borrowings made pursuant to clause (i) above shall be subject to compensation by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.16 if the date of the effectiveness of such Revolving Commitment Increase occurs other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto. Upon each Revolving Commitment Increase pursuant to this Section, each Revolving Lender immediately prior to such increase will automatically and without further act be deemed to have assigned to each Revolving Commitment Increase Lender, and each such Revolving Commitment Increase Lender will automatically and without further act be deemed to have assumed, a portion of such Revolving Lender’s participations hereunder in outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans such that, after giving effect to such Revolving Commitment Increase and each such deemed assignment and assumption of participations, the percentage of the aggregate outstanding participations hereunder in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans held by each Revolving Lender (including each such Revolving Commitment Increase Lender) will equal such Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage.

SECTION 2.22.    Extension of Maturity Date.

(a)    The Borrower may, by delivery of a Maturity Date Extension Request to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly deliver a copy thereof to each of the Lenders) not less than 30 days prior to the then-existing Revolving Maturity Date for the applicable Class of Commitments and/or Loans hereunder to be extended (the “Existing Maturity Date”), request that the Lenders extend the Existing Maturity Date in accordance with this Section; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, each Lender may

 

129


elect to agree or not agree, in its sole discretion, to an extension of a Revolving Maturity Date. Each Maturity Date Extension Request shall (i) specify the applicable Class of Commitments and/or Loans hereunder to be extended, (ii) specify the date to which the applicable Revolving Maturity Date is sought to be extended, (iii) specify the changes, if any, to the Applicable Rate to be applied in determining the interest payable on the Loans of, and fees payable hereunder to, Consenting Lenders (as defined below) in respect of that portion of their Commitments and/or Loans extended to such new Revolving Maturity Date and the time as of which such changes will become effective (which may be prior to the Existing Maturity Date) and (iv) specify any other amendments or modifications to this Agreement to be effected in connection with such Maturity Date Extension Request; provided that no such changes or modifications requiring approvals pursuant to the provisos to Section 9.02(b) shall become effective prior to the Existing Maturity Date unless such other approvals have been obtained. In the event a Maturity Date Extension Request shall have been delivered by the Borrower, each Lender shall have the right to agree to the extension of the Existing Maturity Date and other matters contemplated thereby on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein (each Lender agreeing to the Maturity Date Extension Request being referred to herein as a “Consenting Lender” and each Lender not agreeing thereto being referred to herein as a “Declining Lender”), which right may be exercised by written notice thereof, specifying the maximum amount of the Commitment and/or Loans of such Lender with respect to which such Lender agrees to the extension of the Revolving Maturity Date, delivered to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) not later than a day to be agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent following the date on which the Maturity Date Extension Request shall have been delivered by the Borrower (it being understood and agreed that any Lender that shall have failed to exercise such right as set forth above shall be deemed to be a Declining Lender). If a Lender elects to extend only a portion of its then existing Commitment and/or Loans, it will be deemed for purposes hereof to be a Consenting Lender in respect of such extended portion and a Declining Lender in respect of the remaining portion of its Commitment and/or Loans, and the aggregate principal amount of each Type and currency of Loans of the applicable Class of such Lender shall be allocated ratably among the extended and non-extended portions of the Loans of such Lender based on the aggregate principal amount of such Loans so extended and not extended. If Consenting Lenders shall have agreed to such Maturity Date Extension Request in respect of Commitments and/or Loans held by them, then, subject to paragraph (d) of this Section, on the date specified in the Maturity Date Extension Request as the effective date thereof (the “Extension Effective Date”), (i) the Existing Maturity Date of the applicable Commitments and/or Loans shall, as to the Consenting Lenders, be extended to such date as shall be specified therein, (ii) the terms and conditions of the applicable Commitments and/or Loans of the Consenting Lenders (including interest and fees (including Letter of Credit fees) payable in respect thereof) shall be modified as set forth in the Maturity Date Extension Request and (iii) such other modifications and amendments hereto specified in the Maturity Date Extension Request shall (subject to any required approvals (including those of the Required Lenders) having been obtained) become effective. For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation of any Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit under this Agreement shall not be extended

 

130


beyond the Revolving Maturity Date applicable thereto without the consent of such Issuing Bank.

(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall have the right, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2.19(b) and 9.04, at any time prior to the Existing Maturity Date, to replace a Declining Lender (for the avoidance of doubt, only in respect of that portion of such Lender’s Commitment and/or Loans subject to a Maturity Date Extension Request that it has not agreed to extend) with a Lender or other financial institution that will agree to such Maturity Date Extension Request, and any such replacement Lender shall for all purposes constitute a Consenting Lender in respect of the Commitment and/or Loans assigned to and assumed by it on and after the effective time of such replacement.

(c)    If a Maturity Date Extension Request has become effective hereunder:

(i)    not later than the fifth Business Day prior to the Existing Maturity Date, the Borrower shall make prepayments of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans and shall provide cash collateral in respect of Letters of Credit, in each case, in the manner set forth in Section 2.05(i), such that, after giving effect to such prepayments and such provision of cash collateral, the Aggregate Revolving Exposure as of such date will not exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments of the Consenting Lenders extended pursuant to this Section (and the Borrower shall not be permitted thereafter to request any Revolving Loan or Swingline Loan or any issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit if, after giving effect thereto, the Aggregate Revolving Exposure would exceed the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments so extended); and

(ii)    on the Existing Maturity Date, the Revolving Commitment of each Declining Lender shall, to the extent not assumed, assigned or transferred as provided in paragraph (b) of this Section, terminate, and the Borrower shall repay all the Revolving Loans made by each Declining Lender to the Borrower to the extent such Loans shall not have been so purchased, assigned and transferred, in each case together with accrued and unpaid interest and all fees and other amounts owing to such Declining Lender hereunder, it being understood and agreed that, subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02, such repayments may be funded with the proceeds of new Revolving Borrowings made simultaneously with such repayments by the Consenting Lenders, which such Revolving Borrowings shall be made ratably by the Consenting Lenders in accordance with their extended Revolving Commitments.

(d)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Maturity Date Extension Request shall become effective hereunder unless, on the Extension Effective Date, the conditions set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 4.02 shall be satisfied (with all references in such Section to a Borrowing being deemed to be references to such

 

131


Maturity Date Extension Request) and the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate to that effect dated such date and executed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower.

(e)    Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, it is hereby agreed that no extension of an Existing Maturity Date in accordance with the express terms of this Section, or any amendment or modification of the terms and conditions of the Commitments and the Loans of the Consenting Lenders effected pursuant thereto, shall be deemed to (i) violate the last sentence of Section 2.08(c) or Section 2.18(b) or 2.18(c) or any other provision of this Agreement requiring the ratable reduction of Commitments or the ratable sharing of payments or (ii) require the consent of all Lenders or all affected Lenders under Section 9.02(b).

(f)    The Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Consenting Lenders may enter into an amendment to this Agreement to effect such modifications as may be necessary to reflect the terms of any Maturity Date Extension Request that has become effective in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

The Borrower (with respect to itself and, where applicable, the Restricted Subsidiaries) represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, each of the Issuing Banks, each of the Swingline Lenders and each of the Lenders that, as of the Effective Date, and as of each date on which such representations and warranties are expressly required to be made hereunder:

SECTION 3.01.    Organization; Powers. Each of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and, to the extent that such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction, in good standing (to the extent such concept exists in the relevant jurisdictions) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization (except, in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary, to the extent the failure to be in good standing could not (either individually or in the aggregate) reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect), (b) has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted, to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each other Loan Document and (c) except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and, to the extent that such concept exists in the relevant jurisdiction, is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

SECTION 3.02.    Authorization; Due Execution and Delivery; 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 applicable, enforceable

 

132


against such Person in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, 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 Approvals; No Conflicts. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.03, the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which it is a party (a) as of the date such Loan Document is executed, do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and except (i) filings necessary to perfect Liens created under the Loan Documents or (ii) where failure to obtain such consent or approval, or make such registration or filing, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) will not violate any Requirement of Law applicable to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other 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, cancelation or acceleration of any obligation thereunder, except with respect to any violation, default, payment, repurchase, redemption, termination, cancellation or acceleration under this clause (c) or clause (b) above that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect 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 or permitted by Section 6.02.

SECTION 3.04.    Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Effect. (a) The Audited Financial Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on a combined consolidated basis as of such dates and their results of operations and cash flows for the period covered thereby, and were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby except as otherwise expressly noted therein, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and, in the case of any unaudited financial statements, the absence of footnotes.

(b)    Except as set forth in the financial statements referred to in this Section 3.04 and except, with respect to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business, financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole as disclosed in the Borrower’s public filings with the SEC or otherwise in writing by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders prior to April 28, 2020, since December 31, 2019, no event, change or condition has occurred that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.05.    Properties. (a) Each of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold (or license or similar) interests in or other limited property interests in, all its real and personal property necessary for the

 

133


conduct of its business (including the Mortgaged Properties), (i) free and clear of Liens, other than Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02 and (ii) except for minor defects in title or interest 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 where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(b)    To the knowledge of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (i) each of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries owns, or has a valid and enforceable right to use all IP Rights that are used in its business as currently conducted, and (ii) the use thereof by the Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary does not infringe upon, misappropriate or otherwise violate the rights of any other Person, except, in each case of (i) and (ii), for any such failures to own or have rights to use, or any such infringements, misappropriations or other violations that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No claim or litigation regarding any IP Rights owned or used by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, threatened in writing against the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.06.    Litigation and Environmental Matters. Except as set forth in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and the Borrower’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2019:

(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 the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b)    Except with respect to any matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, none of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, there is a reasonable basis for any such Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability, or (iv) is reasonably expected to incur any Environmental Liability with respect to any Release on, at or from any real property now or previously owned, leased or operated by it.

SECTION 3.07.    Compliance with Laws. Each of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries is in compliance with all Requirements of Law, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

134


SECTION 3.08.    Sanctions; Anti-Corruption Laws. The Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to promote compliance by the Borrower, the Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers and employees with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers and employees (when acting in their role as directors, officers and employees) are in material compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions. None of the Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary or any of their respective directors, officers or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, employees is a Sanctioned Person.

SECTION 3.09.    Investment Company Status. None of the Borrower or any other Loan Party is required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act.

SECTION 3.10.    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 Federal Reserve Board) 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, for any purpose that violates the provisions of Regulations U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.

SECTION 3.11.    Taxes. Except to the extent that failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each of the Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary (a) has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed by it and (b) has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except where the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and where the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves therefor in conformity with GAAP.

SECTION 3.12.    ERISA. (a) Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur.

(b)    Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Foreign Pension Plan is in compliance in all material respects with all Requirements of Law applicable thereto and the respective requirements of the governing documents for such plan, (ii) with respect to each Foreign Pension Plan, none of the Borrower, its Affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents has engaged in a transaction that could subject the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to a tax or civil penalty and (iii) with respect to each Foreign Pension Plan, any underfunding has been reflected in the financial statements furnished to Lenders in accordance with GAAP.

SECTION 3.13.    Disclosure. As of the Effective Date, none of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information furnished by or on

 

135


behalf of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to the Arrangers, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on or before the Effective Date in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, included herein or therein or furnished hereunder or 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, when taken as a whole, was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by it to be reasonable at the time so furnished (it being understood and agreed that (i) such projected financial information is merely a prediction as to future events and are not to be viewed as facts, (ii) such projected financial information is subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries and (iii) no assurance can be given that any particular projected financial information will be realized and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projected financial information may differ significantly from the projected results and such differences may be material).

SECTION 3.14.    Subsidiaries. As of the Effective Date, Schedule 3.14 sets forth the name of, and the ownership interest of the Borrower and each Subsidiary in, each Subsidiary and identifies each Subsidiary that is a Loan Party.

SECTION 3.15.    Solvency. As of the Effective Date, after giving effect to the Transactions and the rights of indemnification, subrogation and contribution under the Security Documents, (a) the fair value of the assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, at a fair valuation, will exceed their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of their debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured, (c) the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured and (d) the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which they are engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted following the Distribution Date. For purposes of this Section, the amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

SECTION 3.16.    Collateral Matters. (a) Each Security Document, is effective to create (to the extent described therein) in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a legal, valid, enforceable security interest in the Collateral to the extent intended to be created thereby and (x) when all financing statements and other appropriate filings or recordings are made in the appropriate offices

 

136


as may be required under applicable law and filings and recordation with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office (which filings or recordings shall be made to the extent required by the applicable Security Document) and (y) when the taking of possession by the Administrative Agent of such Collateral with respect to which a security interest may be perfected by possession (which possession shall be given to the Administrative Agent to the extent possession by the Administrative Agent is required by the applicable Security Document) occurs, then the security interests created by the Security Documents shall constitute so far as possible under relevant law fully perfected Liens on, and security interests in (in each case with respect to such Liens and security interests, to the extent intended to be created thereby and required to be perfected under the Loan Documents) all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral in each case free and clear of any Liens other than Liens permitted under Section 6.02 (it being understood and agreed, in respect of Collateral constituting IP Rights, that subsequent recordings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office may be necessary pursuant to Section 4.05(e) of the Collateral Agreement or to perfect a security interest in such IP Rights included in the Collateral acquired by the Loan Parties after the Effective Date), in each case, with the priorities required by the Loan Documents.

(b)    Each Mortgage, upon execution and delivery thereof by the parties thereto, will create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in all the applicable mortgagor’s right, title and interest in and to the Mortgaged Properties subject thereto and the proceeds thereof under the laws of the relevant jurisdiction as indicated in the Mortgage, and when the Mortgages have been filed in the jurisdictions specified therein, the Mortgages will constitute a fully perfected security interest in all right, title and interest of the mortgagors in the Mortgaged Properties and the proceeds thereof under the laws of the relevant jurisdiction as indicated in the Mortgage, prior and superior in right to any other Person, but subject to Liens permitted under Section 6.02 and to the ABL/Notes Intercreditor Agreement and any Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement.

(c)    As of the date of any Borrowing Base Certificate, no Account included in the calculation of Eligible Accounts in such Borrowing Base Certificate is excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the excluding criteria (other than any Administrative Agent-discretionary criteria) set forth in the definition of Eligible Accounts, and no Inventory included in the calculation of Eligible Inventory in such Borrowing Base Certificate is excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the excluding criteria (other than any Administrative Agent-discretionary criteria) set forth in the definition of Eligible Inventory.

SECTION 3.17.    Insurance. All material policies of insurance of any kind or nature owned by or issued to any of the Loan Parties are in full force and effect in all material respects and are of a nature and provide such coverage as the Borrower reasonably believes is customarily carried by companies of the size and character of the Loan Parties.

 

137


ARTICLE IV

Conditions

SECTION 4.01.    Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is 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 reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile transmission or other electronic imaging of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

(b)    The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) of each of (i) Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, special New York counsel for the Loan Parties, (ii) K&L Gates LLP, special Pennsylvania counsel for the Loan Parties and (iii) Ryan Rapp Underwood & Pacheco, PLC, special Arizona counsel for the Loan Parties, in each case (A) dated as of the Effective Date and (B) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(c)    The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of (i) each organizational document of each Loan Party certified, to the extent applicable, as of a recent date by the applicable Governmental Authority, (ii) signature and incumbency certificates of the responsible officers of each Loan Party executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (iii) copies of resolutions of the board of directors or managers, shareholders, partners, and/or similar governing bodies of each Loan Party approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of Loan Documents to which it is a party, certified as of the Effective Date by a secretary, an assistant secretary or a responsible officer of such Loan Party as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment and (iv) a good standing certificate (to the extent such concept, or an analogous concept, exists) from the applicable Governmental Authority of each Loan Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation.

(d)    After giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions, the conditions precedent set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4.02 shall have been satisfied, and the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by a Financial Officer or the President or a Vice President of the Borrower, confirming compliance therewith.

(e)    The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts 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 (or such shorter period agreed by the Borrower in its sole discretion), reimbursement or payment of all reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket expenses (including fees, charges

 

138


and disbursements of counsel) required to be reimbursed or paid by any Loan Party hereunder, under any other Loan Document or under any other agreement entered into by any of the Arrangers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the one hand, and any of the Loan Parties, on the other hand.

(f)    The ABL/Notes Intercreditor Agreement and the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall have been duly executed by each party thereto and shall be in full force and effect.

(g)    The Lenders shall have received the unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower for each fiscal quarter ended at least 45 days prior to the Effective Date.

(h)    (i) The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least five Business Days prior to the Effective Date, all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act, that has been requested at least ten Business Days prior to the Effective Date and (ii) to the extent the Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation and a Lender has requested in a written notice to the Borrower at least ten Business Days prior to the Effective Date a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to the Borrower, such Lender shall have received such Beneficial Ownership Certification with respect to the Borrower at least five Business Days prior to the Effective Date (provided that, upon the execution and delivery by such Lender of its signature page to this Agreement, the conditions set forth in this clause (h) shall be deemed to be satisfied).

(i)    Except as provided by Section 5.15 herein, the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement shall have been satisfied, and the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall have a perfected security interest in the Collateral of the type and priority described in each Security Document (except as otherwise set forth in the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement or Section 5.15). The Administrative Agent shall have received a completed Perfection Certificate dated the Effective Date and signed by a Financial Officer or legal officer of Borrower, together with all attachments contemplated thereby.

(j)    The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that the insurance required by Section 5.07 and the Security Documents is in effect.

(k)    The Lenders shall have received a certificate from a Financial Officer of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit L, certifying as to the solvency of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions.

(l)    The First Lien Notes shall have been (or substantially simultaneously with the closing of the Facility shall be) issued and the Borrower shall have received no less than $700,000,000 of gross proceeds therefrom.

 

139


(m)    All amounts outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement shall have been (or substantially simultaneously with the occurrence of the Effective Date shall be) repaid in full and the Existing Credit Agreement and all guarantees and security arrangements relating thereto shall have been terminated, and the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a customary payoff letter with respect thereto. After giving effect to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall have outstanding no Indebtedness other than (a) Letters of Credit outstanding under this Agreement, (b) the First Lien Notes and the Second Lien Notes and (c) other Indebtedness permitted under the Loan Documentation.

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 9.02) at or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Effective Date.

SECTION 4.02.    Each Credit Event. On or after the Effective Date, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans on the occasion of any Borrowing (except for (i) any conversion or continuation of a Borrowing and (ii) the Borrowings under any Incremental Facility in the form of a FILO Tranche Incremental Revolving Commitment, which may be limited to the extent otherwise provided in the applicable Incremental Facility Amendment in accordance with Section 2.21(c)), and of the Issuing Banks to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to receipt of the request therefor in accordance herewith and to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a)    The representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents (other than, with respect to any extension of credit after the Effective Date, the representation and warranty set forth in Section 3.04(b)) shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of representations and warranties qualified as to 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, as applicable, except in the case of any such representation and warranty that expressly relates to a prior date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects (or in all respects, as applicable) as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 4.02, the representation and warranty contained in Section 3.04(a) shall be deemed to refer to the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) and (b).

(b)    At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(c)    After giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, the Aggregate Revolving Exposure shall not exceed the Line Cap.

 

140


(d)    The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a request for Borrowing that complies with the requirements set forth in Section 2.03 or Section 2.04, as applicable.

(e)    Each Borrowing (provided that a conversion or a continuation of a Borrowing shall not constitute a “Borrowing” for purposes of this Section 4.02), 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 (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 4.02.

ARTICLE V

Affirmative Covenants

From and including the Effective Date and until the Commitments shall have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees, expenses and other amounts (other than contingent amounts not yet due) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit (other than those collateralized or back-stopped on terms reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank) shall have expired or been terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 5.01.    Financial Statements; Borrowing Base Certificates and Other Information. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent, which shall furnish to each Lender, the following:

(a)    within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower (or such later date as Form 10-K of the Borrower is required to be filed with the SEC taking into account any extension granted by the SEC, including any extensions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic), its audited combined balance sheet and audited statements of combined operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal year, and related notes thereto, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and reported on by an independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification, exception or statement and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit, but may contain a “going concern” or like qualification that is due to (i) an upcoming maturity date of any Indebtedness occurring within one year from the time such opinion is delivered or (ii) any potential inability to satisfy a financial maintenance covenant on a future date or in any future period) to the effect that such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flow of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of the end of and for such fiscal year and accompanied by a narrative report describing the financial position, results of operations and cash flow of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries;

 

141


(b)    within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower (or such later date as Form 10-Q of the Borrower is required to be filed with the SEC taking into account any extension granted by the SEC, including any extensions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic), its unaudited combined balance sheet and unaudited combined statements of operations and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case 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 of the Borrower as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and such portion of the fiscal year in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes, and accompanied by a narrative report describing the financial position, results of operations and cash flow of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries;

(c)    commencing with the fiscal period ending June 30, 2020, concurrently with each delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and is continuing and, if a Default has occurred and is continuing, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (whether or not the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.12 is then required to be complied with) and (iii) at any time when there is any Unrestricted Subsidiary, including as an attachment with respect to each such financial statement, an Unrestricted Subsidiary Reconciliation Statement (except to the extent that the information required thereby is separately provided with the public filing of such financial statement);

(d)    within 100 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower (or such longer period as permitted under Section 5.01(a)), a detailed consolidated budget for the current fiscal year setting forth such information as the Borrower customarily prepares for its internal reporting purposes or use and setting forth the assumptions used for purposes of preparing such budget;

(e)    as soon as available, but in any event (i) within 15 Business Days after the end of each fiscal month or (ii) if a Cash Dominion Period is in effect, within three Business Days of the end of each calendar week (it being understood that a calendar week ends on Sunday), as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal month or calendar week, as the case may be, a Borrowing Base Certificate which calculates the Borrowing Base as of the end of applicable period then ended, together with supporting information in connection therewith, together with any additional reports with respect to the Borrowing Base as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;

(f)    promptly after the same becomes publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary with the SEC;

 

142


(g)    promptly following any request therefor, but subject to the limitations set forth in the proviso to the last sentence of Section 5.09 and Section 9.12, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs, assets, liabilities (including contingent liabilities) and financial condition of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may reasonably request; provided that none of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary will be required to provide any information (i) that constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or any of their respective customers and suppliers, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives) is prohibited by applicable Requirements of Law or (iii) the revelation of which would violate any confidentiality obligations owed to any third party by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (not created in contemplation thereof); provided, further, that if any information is withheld pursuant to clause (i), (ii), or (iii) above, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such withholding of information and the basis therefor; and

(h)    promptly after any Loan Party obtains knowledge thereof, notice of a material portion of Eligible Accounts or Eligible Inventory becoming ineligible under the Borrowing Base.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, information required to be furnished pursuant to clause (a), (b), (f) or (g) of this Section shall be deemed to have been furnished if such information, or one or more annual or quarterly reports containing such information, shall have been posted by the Administrative Agent on the Platform or shall be available on the website of the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Information required to be furnished pursuant to this Section may also be furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 5.02.    Notices of Material Events. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent, which shall furnish to each Issuing Bank and each Lender, promptly after a responsible officer of the Borrower or any Designated Borrower obtains knowledge thereof, written notice of the following:

(a)    the occurrence of any Default;

(b)    to the extent permitted by the Requirements of Law, 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 Restricted Subsidiary, affecting the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, that in each case would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(c)    the occurrence of any Environmental Liability or ERISA Event that has resulted, or would reasonably be expected to result, in a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

143


(d)    any other development that has resulted, or would 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 Financial Officer or other executive 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. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent written notice within 30 days thereafter of any change (i) in any Loan Party’s legal name, as set forth in such Loan Party’s organizational documents, (ii) in the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of any Loan Party, (iii) in the form of organization of any Loan Party or (iv) in any Loan Party’s organizational identification number, if any, or, with respect to a Loan Party organized under the laws of a jurisdiction that requires such information to be set forth on the face of a Uniform Commercial Code financing statement (or the equivalent thereof in each applicable jurisdiction), the Federal Taxpayer Identification Number of such Loan Party.

SECTION 5.04.    Existence; Conduct of Business. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to maintain, preserve, protect, enforce, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises and IP Rights in each case to the extent necessary for the conduct of its business, except if (A) in the reasonable business judgment of the Borrower, it is in the best economic interest of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, not to preserve and maintain such legal existence, rights, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises or IP Rights or (B) other than with respect to maintaining the legal existence of the Borrower, such failure to preserve the same would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit (i) any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03 or (ii) any sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of any assets permitted under Section 6.05.

SECTION 5.05.    Payment of Taxes. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, pay its Tax liabilities before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) (i) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and (ii) the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP or (b) the failure to make payment would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.06.    Maintenance of Properties. Except if failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, keep and maintain all property necessary for the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted and casualty and condemnation excepted.

 

144


SECTION 5.07.    Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies (or, to the extent consistent with past practices of the Loan Parties and otherwise in accordance with applicable laws and good business practices, self-insurance; provided that in any event, liability insurance (including general, umbrella, product, employers’, and automobile liability insurance), property insurance and business interruption insurance shall be maintained with such third party insurance companies), insurance with risk retentions in such amounts and against such risks as are consistent with the past practices of the Loan Parties or otherwise as is customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. The Borrower shall cause the main property and liability policies (including any renewals thereof) maintained by or on behalf of the Borrower to (a) name the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as an additional insured thereunder and (b) contain a loss payable clause or endorsement (unless such policy does not provide for such a clause or endorsement) that names the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as the loss payee thereunder, and the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent insurance certificates and accompanying endorsements in connection with any renewal of any insurance policies evidencing the foregoing. With respect to each Mortgaged Property that is located in an area determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to have special flood hazards, the applicable Loan Party has obtained, and will maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, such flood insurance as is required under the Flood Insurance Laws. The Borrower will furnish to the Lenders, upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained; provided that no Loan Party shall be required to deliver original copies of any insurance policies.

SECTION 5.08.    [Reserved].

SECTION 5.09.    Books and Records; Inspection and Audit Rights. (a) The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and accounts in conformity with GAAP (or, in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, the local accounting rules applicable to such Person) in all material respects. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its 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, provided that, unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower shall be provided an opportunity to participate in any such discussions with such accountants, all at such reasonable times during regular office hours but no more often than one (1) time during any calendar year absent the existence of an Event of Default; 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 may exercise visitation and inspection rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Section 5.09; provided, further that none of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary will be required to disclose, permit the inspection, examination or making copies or abstracts of, or discussion of, any document, information or other

 

145


matter (i) that constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or their respective representatives or contractors) is prohibited by Requirement of Law or any binding agreement (not created in contemplation thereof) or (iii) that is subject to attorney-client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product.

(b)    (i) No more than once during any consecutive 12-month period or, if the Borrower fails to maintain Excess Availability of at least the greater of (A) $100,000,000 and (B) 20% of the Line Cap in effect at such time for five consecutive Business Days, no more than twice during any 12-month period in which such failure occurs, and (ii) at any time that any Event of Default exists and is continuing, as often as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, the Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit officers and designated representatives of the Administrative Agent or any third-party appraiser or consultant reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to visit and inspect (at the Borrower’s expense), under guidance of officers of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, any of the properties of the Borrower or such Subsidiary and to verify Eligible Accounts and/or Eligible Inventory in order to complete a field examination and inventory appraisal of the Loan Parties, and in connection therewith the Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent and any field examiner or appraiser reasonable access to the books and records and the Collateral and shall reasonably cooperate with such field examiner or appraiser with respect to the foregoing. The Loan Parties shall reimburse the Administrative Agent for all reasonable charges, costs and expenses related to all such appraisals and field examinations. In addition, the Loan Parties shall have the right (but not the obligation), at their expense, at any time and from time to time (but not more than once per year) to provide the Administrative Agent with additional appraisals or updates thereof of any or all of the Collateral from one or more appraisers or consultants reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and prepared in a form and on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in which case such appraisals or updates shall be used in connection with the determination of the Net Recovery Percentage and the calculation of the Borrowing Base hereunder.

SECTION 5.10.    Compliance with Laws. The Borrower will, and will take reasonable action to cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, comply with all Requirements of Law (including ERISA, Environmental Laws and the USA PATRIOT Act) with respect to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.11.    Use of Proceeds; Letters of Credit. (f) The proceeds of the Revolving Loans and the Swingline Loans will be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and other Investments and Restricted Payments permitted by this Agreement, of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used in violation of the representation set forth in Section 3.10. Letters of Credit will be used by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for general corporate purposes.

 

146


(b)    The Borrower will not request any Borrowing or any Letter of Credit, and the Borrower shall not use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers and employees shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit (A) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in material violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) for (i) the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, except to the extent permitted for a Person required to comply with Sanctions, or (ii) in any other manner , in each case if such would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

SECTION 5.12.    Additional Subsidiaries. (c) If any additional Subsidiary (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) is formed or acquired or if any Subsidiary becomes a Designated Subsidiary, in each case after the Effective Date, the Borrower will within 90 days (or in the case of a Designated Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary, 120 days, or in each case, such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) after such Subsidiary is formed or acquired or becomes a Designated Subsidiary, notify the Administrative Agent thereof and, to the extent applicable, cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied with respect to such Subsidiary (and any Material Real Property owned by such Subsidiary) and with respect to any Equity Interest in or Indebtedness of such Subsidiary owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party and such other documents, certificates and opinions consistent with those delivered pursuant to Sections 4.01(b) and (c) that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request with respect to such Subsidiary.

(b)    At its option, the Borrower may designate by writing to the Administrative Agent any wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary that is (x) a U.S. Subsidiary and otherwise an Excluded Subsidiary as a Designated Subsidiary or (y) a Foreign Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of a Designated Jurisdiction and is otherwise an Excluded Subsidiary as a Designated Subsidiary (each such Restricted Subsidiary, a “Designated Subsidiary”); provided that unless this Agreement shall have been amended in accordance with Section 9.02 in order to permit such inclusion, in no event shall the assets of any Designated Subsidiary that is not a U.S. Subsidiary be included in the Borrowing Base, and any reference to the “Loan Parties” in the definitions of the terms “Borrowing Base”, “Eligible Accounts”, “Eligible Inventory” or any component definitions thereof, shall not be deemed to include a reference to any such Designated Subsidiary.

SECTION 5.13.    Further Assurances. (c) The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries that is a 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, and the recording of instruments in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office), that may be required under any applicable law, or that the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request, to cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be and remain satisfied and are necessary in the applicable jurisdiction in

 

147


order for Liens in the Collateral to remain perfected, all at the expense of the Loan Parties. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, no Mortgage shall be executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent with respect to any real property located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency) as a “special flood hazard area” with respect to which flood insurance has been made available under Flood Insurance Laws unless and until each Lender has received, at least 30 calendar days prior to such execution and delivery, a “Life-of-Loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination (together with a notice about special flood hazard area status and flood disaster assistance duly executed by the Borrower and each applicable mortgagor relating thereto) (provided, that in no event shall the Borrower be required to deliver more than one flood determination to the Lenders as a whole) and each such lender has confirmed to the Administrative Agent that flood insurance due diligence and flood insurance compliance has been completed to its reasonable satisfaction (such written confirmation not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided however that the time period for execution and delivery of any such Mortgage (and any related documents pursuant to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement) by the applicable Loan Party shall, to the extent necessary, be automatically extended to the date on which the Administrative Agent is permitted under this Section 5.13 to enter into such Mortgage.

(b)    If any material assets (other than Excluded Property) including any Material Real Property and any IP Rights (other than Excluded Property) that, individually or in the aggregate, are material, for which any additional action to perfect is required under the Security Documents are acquired by a Loan Party after the Effective Date (other than assets constituting Collateral under the applicable Security Document that become subject to the Lien created by such Security Document upon acquisition thereof), the Borrower will notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereof (to the extent applicable, within any timeframe specified therefor in the Collateral Agreement), and, if requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, the Borrower will cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Obligations and will, subject to the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, take, and cause the Loan Parties to take, such actions as shall be necessary to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in paragraph (a) of this Section, and otherwise cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied, all at the expense of the Loan Parties.

(c)    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect to pledges of, or grants of security interests in, assets acquired by a Loan Party after the Effective Date (including Equity Interests of newly-acquired or designated Restricted Subsidiaries and Material Real Property) or that cease to be Excluded Property after the Effective Date, the Loan Parties shall have the timeframe set forth in the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”, or provided for in the Collateral Agreement or other applicable Security Document, or if no timeframe is so provided, ninety (90) days (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may, in its reasonable discretion, agree (such approval or consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) after the date of such acquisition (or after the date such assets cease to be Excluded Property) to comply with the requirements of clauses (a) and (b) above.

 

148


(d)    Each Loan Party shall, upon the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, within 90 days after the Effective Date (or within 90 days after the date on which the applicable Collateral becomes located at a leased property, as the case may be) (or, in each case, such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its Permitted Discretion; provided that to the extent such delay has arisen as a result of circumstances relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Administrative Agent shall agree to appropriate extensions in light of such circumstances), a Collateral Access Agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, from the landlord of such leased property.

SECTION 5.14.    Cash Management. (a) With respect to each Deposit Account (other than Excluded Deposit Accounts), within 90 days (or such later date as Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion; provided that the Administrative Agent shall take into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability of the Loan Parties to deliver such items within such time) of the Effective Date (as such date may be extended, the “Account Control Date”) (or, with respect to any Deposit Account other than Excluded Deposit Accounts opened or acquired following the Effective Date, within the later of the Account Control Date and 60 days of the opening or establishment of such Deposit Account (or of the acquisition of a Loan Party having such Deposit Account) (in each case, or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion)), (A) each Loan Party shall cause each bank or other depository institution at which any Deposit Account other than any Excluded Deposit Account is maintained by such Loan Party, to enter into a Control Agreement that provides for such bank or other depository institution to transfer to the Administrative Agent Account, on a daily basis, all balances in each Deposit Account (other than any Excluded Deposit Account maintained by any Loan Party with such depository institution) for application to the Obligations of the Loan Parties then outstanding following the receipt by such bank or other depository institution of a Control Notice (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall reasonably promptly deliver a copy of such Control Notice to the Borrower), (B) each Loan Party irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as such Loan Party’s attorney-in-fact to collect such balances during a Cash Dominion Period to the extent any such transfer is not so made and (C) each Loan Party shall instruct each Account Debtor of a Loan Party (to the extent such Account Debtor is not already making payments to any such Deposit Account) to make all payments with respect to proceeds of ABL Priority Collateral owned by any Loan Party into (x) Deposit Accounts of Loan Parties subject to (or that will be subject to as provided herein) Control Agreements or (y) an Excluded Deposit Account of the type described in clause (b) of the definition thereof that is swept daily to a Deposit Account subject to a Control Agreement.

(b)    Upon the commencement and during the continuance of a Cash Dominion Period:

(i)    the Administrative Agent shall instruct any or each depositary bank with which any Loan Party shall have any Deposit Account and which is party to any Control Agreement to transfer on each Business Day (or with such other frequency as shall be specified by the Administrative Agent) to one or more

 

149


accounts of the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates specified by it (collectively, the “Administrative Agent Account”) all funds then on deposit in the Deposit Account or Deposit Accounts of any Loan Party subject to such Control Agreement; provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to give such instructions with respect to one or more of such Deposit Accounts if, and to the extent that, the Administrative Agent shall have determined that the aggregate amount of funds that would otherwise be required to be transferred pursuant to instructions given in accordance with this clause (i) on any Business Day would exceed the aggregate principal amount of Loans and LC Exposure (other than LC Exposure that shall have been theretofore cash collateralized in accordance with Section 2.05(i)) outstanding on such Business Day; and

(ii)    on each Business Day immediately following the day of receipt by the Administrative Agent of any funds pursuant to a transfer referred to in clause (i) above, the Administrative Agent shall, subject to Section 2.18(b), apply the amounts so received first, to prepay Protective Advances made to the Borrower, second, to prepay Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans made to the Borrower, third, to cash collateralize outstanding LC Exposure in accordance with Section 2.05(i), and, following such application thereof, shall remit the remaining funds, if any, to the applicable Loan Party;

provided that upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default such funds may be applied as provided in Section 2.18(b) if so determined as provided in such Section (and, pending such application, may be held as cash collateral). The Borrower hereby directs the Administrative Agent to determine the order of application of such funds as among the individual Borrowings and LC Exposures of the Borrower.

SECTION 5.15.    Post-Effective Date Matters. As promptly as practicable, and in any event within the time period specified in Schedule 5.15 (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), after the Effective Date, (i) the Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries that is a Loan Party to, deliver all Mortgages that are required to be delivered pursuant to, and otherwise satisfy, the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement (if any), 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” and (ii) the Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, the items specified in Schedule 5.15 hereof or complete such undertakings described on Schedule 5.15 hereof, if any, on or before the dates specified with respect to such items, or such later dates as may be agreed to by, or as may be waived by, the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.

SECTION 5.16.    [Reserved].

SECTION 5.17.    Designation of Subsidiaries. The Borrower may at any time designate any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (a) immediately before and after such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from such designation, (b) immediately after giving effect to

 

150


such designation, the Payment Conditions are satisfied and (c) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if it is a “restricted subsidiary” or a “guarantor” (or any similar designation) for the First Lien Notes, the Second Lien Notes or any Material Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations. The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by the parent company of such Subsidiary therein under Section 6.04 at the date of designation in an amount equal to the fair market value of such parent company’s investment therein. The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute (i) the incurrence at the time of designation of any Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary, and the making of an Investment by such Subsidiary in any Investments of such Subsidiary, in each case existing at such time, and (ii) a return on any Investment 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.

ARTICLE VI

Negative Covenants

Until the Commitments shall have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees, expenses and other amounts (other than contingent amounts not yet due) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document have been paid in full, and all Letters of Credit (other than those collateralized or back-stopped on terms reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank) have expired or been terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed:

SECTION 6.01.    Indebtedness; Certain Equity Securities. (c) The Borrower will not, nor will the Borrower permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(i)    Indebtedness created hereunder and under the other Loan Documents;

(ii)    (A) the Second Lien Notes and (B) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the Second Lien Notes (it being understood and agreed that, for purposes of this Section, any Indebtedness that is incurred for the purpose of repurchasing or redeeming any Second Lien Notes (or any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) shall, if otherwise meeting the requirements set forth in the definition of the term “Refinancing Indebtedness”, be deemed to be Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the Second Lien Notes (or such Refinancing Indebtedness), and shall be permitted to be incurred and be in existence pursuant to this Section 6.01(a) notwithstanding that the proceeds of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not be applied to make such repurchase or redemption of the Second Lien Notes (or such Refinancing Indebtedness) immediately upon the incurrence thereof, if the proceeds of such Refinancing Indebtedness are applied to make such repurchase or redemption no later than 120 days following the date of the incurrence thereof;

 

151


(iii)    Indebtedness (and Guarantees thereof) existing on the Effective Date and to the extent having a principal amount in excess of $5,000,000 individually or $10,000,000 in the aggregate, set forth in Schedule 6.01 (in each case, except for intercompany Indebtedness), any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(iv)    Indebtedness of the Borrower to any Restricted Subsidiary and of any Restricted Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary so long as (A) such Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall be permitted under Section 6.04 and (B) such Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Loan Party owing to any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on the terms set forth in the Global Intercompany Note (or any other promissory note or agreement with substantially similar terms of subordination reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent); provided that Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties shall not be required to become party to the Global Intercompany Note (or any other promissory note or agreement referred to above in this clause providing for such subordination) until the 120th day after the latest of (x) the Effective Date, (y) the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and (z) the date such Restricted Subsidiary becomes the obligor or lender in respect of intercompany Indebtedness (other than in respect of Investments made pursuant to Section 6.04(ee)) owed by or to a Loan Party (or, in each case, such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion);

(v)    Guarantees by the Borrower of Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary and by any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (a)(iii) or (a)(vii) of this Section 6.01); provided that (A) the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is permitted by this Section, (B) Guarantees by the Borrower or any other Loan Party of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.04, (C) Guarantees permitted under this clause (v) shall be subordinated to the Obligations of the applicable Restricted Subsidiary to the same extent and on the same terms as the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is subordinated to the Obligations (if such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations) and (D) none of the First Lien Notes or the Second Lien Notes (or any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) shall be Guaranteed by any Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary is a Loan Party;

 

152


(vi)    (A) Indebtedness of any member of the Restricted Group incurred to finance the acquisition, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, including Capital Lease Obligations and any Indebtedness assumed by any member of the Restricted Group in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof; provided that such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within 270 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction, repair, replacement or improvement, and (B) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness incurred or assumed pursuant to clause (A) above; provided further that at the time of incurrence thereof, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (vi), together with any Indebtedness in respect of sale and leaseback transactions incurred pursuant to Section 6.06, shall not exceed the greater of (x) $125,000,000 and (y) 17.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period.

(vii)    (A) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or of any Person not previously a Restricted Subsidiary that is merged or consolidated with or into a Restricted Subsidiary in a transaction permitted hereunder) after the Effective Date, or Indebtedness of any Person that is assumed by any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an acquisition of assets by such Restricted Subsidiary in an acquisition permitted by Section 6.04; provided that such Indebtedness exists at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or is so merged or consolidated) or such assets are acquired and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary (or such merger or consolidation) or such assets being acquired and (B) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness incurred or assumed, as applicable, pursuant to clause (A) above;

(viii)    other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount outstanding under this clause (viii) at any time not exceeding the greater of (x) $250,000,000 and (y) 32.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period,

(ix)    (A) the First Lien Notes and (B) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the First Lien Notes (it being understood and agreed that, for purposes of this Section, any Indebtedness that is incurred for the purpose of repurchasing or redeeming any First Lien Notes (or any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) shall, if otherwise meeting the requirements set forth in the definition of the term “Refinancing Indebtedness”, be deemed to be Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the First Lien Notes (or such Refinancing Indebtedness), and shall be permitted to be incurred and be in existence pursuant to this Section 6.01(a) notwithstanding that the proceeds of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not be applied to make such repurchase or redemption of the First Lien Notes (or such Refinancing Indebtedness) immediately upon the incurrence thereof, if the proceeds of such Refinancing Indebtedness are applied to make such repurchase or redemption no later than 120 days following the date of the incurrence thereof;

 

153


(x)    customary Indebtedness and obligations in respect of self-insurance incurred in the ordinary course of business and obligations in respect of bids, tenders, trade contracts (other than for payment of Indebtedness), leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations), public or statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature and similar obligations or obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments related thereto, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business;

(xi)    Indebtedness in respect of Hedging Agreements and Commercial Agreements permitted by Section 6.07 (including any Back to Back Arrangements);

(xii)    Indebtedness in respect of any overdraft facilities, employee credit card programs, netting services, automated clearinghouse arrangements and other cash management and similar arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

(xiii)    Indebtedness in the form of contingent indemnification obligations, obligations in respect of purchase price adjustments, earnouts, non-competition agreements and other similar contingent arrangements incurred in connection with any acquisition or other investment permitted under this Agreement;

(xiv)    Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties incurred pursuant to Permitted Receivables Facilities; provided that the Indebtedness outstanding in reliance on this clause (xiv) shall not exceed, at the time of incurrence thereof, the greater of (x) $300,000,000 and (y) 40.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period in the aggregate;

(xv)    Permitted Additional Debt;

(xvi)    Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to directors, officers, consultants or employees of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(xvii)    Indebtedness consisting of promissory notes issued by any Loan Party to current or former officers, directors, consultants and employees or their respective estates, spouses or former spouses to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Borrower permitted by Section 6.08;

 

154


(xviii)    Indebtedness of any Foreign Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not exceeding the greater of (x) $100,000,000 and (y) 12.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period at the time of incurrence;

(xix)    Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties under bilateral local law credit and other working capital facilities that are not secured by the Collateral in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (x) $150,000,000 and (y) 20% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period at the time of incurrence; provided, further that any such Indebtedness secured by a Letter of Credit issued hereunder in a principal amount not to exceed the face amount of such Indebtedness shall not count toward the aggregate amount permitted under this Section 6.01(a)(xix) (including the Non-Guarantor Debt Basket);

(xx)    other Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries so long as (A) at the time of and after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, the Payment Conditions are satisfied, and (B) such Indebtedness to the extent incurred by Loan Parties shall be unsecured;

(xxi)    Indebtedness constituting obligations arising in respect of Cash Management Services;

(xxii)    [reserved];

(xxiii)    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;

(xxiv)    Indebtedness constituting Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations;

(xxv)    Indebtedness incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with bankers’ acceptances, discounted bills of exchange or the discounting or factoring of receivables for credit management purposes, in each case incurred or undertaken in the ordinary course of business on arm’s length commercial terms on a non-recourse basis;

(xxvi)    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 in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, in each case, 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;

 

155


(xxvii)    Indebtedness in respect of obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay the deferred purchase price of goods or services or progress payments in connection with such goods and services; provided that such obligations are incurred in connection with open accounts extended by suppliers on customary trade terms in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money;

(xxviii)    Indebtedness to a customer to finance the acquisition of any equipment necessary to perform services for such customer; provided that the terms of such Indebtedness are consistent with those entered into with respect to similar Indebtedness prior to the Effective Date, including that (x) the repayment of such Indebtedness is conditional upon such customer ordering a specific volume of goods and (y) such Indebtedness does not bear interest or provide for scheduled amortization or maturity;

(xxix)    (x) tenant improvement loans and allowances in the ordinary course of business and (y) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, guaranties in the ordinary course of business of the obligations of suppliers, customers, franchisees, lessors and licensees of the Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiary;

(xxx)    Indebtedness incurred pursuant to letters of credit issued by any Person other than an Issuing Bank under this Agreement for the account of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (xxx) shall not exceed $50,000,000; and

(xxxi)    all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (i) through (xxx) above.

(b)    For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.01, in the event that an item of Indebtedness at any time, whether at the time of incurrence or upon the application of all or a portion of the proceeds thereof or subsequently, meets the criteria of more than one of the categories (other than ratio-based baskets) of Section 6.01(a), the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall, in their sole discretion, divide, classify or reclassify, or at any later time divide, classify or reclassify, such item of Indebtedness solely between and among such categories and in each case, that would be permitted to be incurred in reliance on the applicable exception as of the date of such reclassification; provided that (i) Indebtedness incurred hereunder shall only be classified as incurred under Section 6.01(a)(i), (ii) the First Lien Notes shall only be classified as incurred under Section 6.01(a)(ix), and (iii) the Second Lien Notes shall only be classified as incurred under Section 6.01(a)(ii)(A). Accrual of interest or dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the payment of dividends on Disqualified Equity Interests in the form of additional shares of Disqualified Equity Interests of the same class, the accretion of liquidation

 

156


preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests for purposes of this covenant. Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness that are otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness permitted by this covenant shall not be included in the determination of such amount of Indebtedness; provided that the incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such guarantee or letter of credit, as the case may be, was in compliance with this covenant.

(c)    For purposes of determining compliance with any dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed or first incurred (at the Borrower’s election), in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced (plus the aggregate amount of premiums (including reasonable tender premiums), defeasance costs and fees, discounts and expenses in connection therewith).

SECTION 6.02.    Liens. (d) The Borrower will not, nor will the Borrower permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except:

(i)    (A) Liens created under the Loan Documents, (B) Liens securing the First Lien Notes (or Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof); provided that Liens incurred under this subclause (B) are subject to the terms of the ABL/Notes Intercreditor Agreement and the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement (or an Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement) and (C) Liens securing the Second Lien Notes (or Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof); provided that Liens incurred under this subclause (C) are subject to the terms of the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement or an Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement;

(ii)    Permitted Encumbrances;

(iii)    any Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary existing on the Effective Date and to the extent securing Indebtedness or obligations (other than intercompany Indebtedness or obligations) having a principal amount in excess of $5,000,000 individually or $10,000,000 in the aggregate, set forth in Schedule 6.02; provided that (A) such Lien shall not apply to any other asset of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than assets financed by the same financing source in the ordinary course of business and

 

157


after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the asset(s) covered by such Lien) and (B) such Lien shall secure only those obligations that it secures on the Effective Date and extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings thereof so long as the principal amount of such extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings does not exceed the principal amount of the obligations being extended, renewed, replaced or refinanced or, in the case of any such obligations constituting Indebtedness, that are permitted under Section 6.01(a)(iii) as Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(iv)    any Lien existing on any asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or existing on any asset of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or of any Person not previously a Restricted Subsidiary that is merged or consolidated with or into a Restricted Subsidiary in a transaction permitted hereunder) after the Effective Date prior to the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or is so merged or consolidated); provided that (A) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary (or such merger or consolidation), (B) such Lien shall not apply to any other asset of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than (x) assets financed by the same financing source in the ordinary course of business and after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the asset(s) covered by such Lien or otherwise required to be pledged pursuant to the provisions governing such Indebtedness as of the time of the relevant acquisition by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and (y) in the case of any such merger or consolidation, the assets of any special purpose merger Subsidiary that is a party thereto) and (C) such Lien shall secure only those obligations that it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or is so merged or consolidated) and extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings thereof so long as the principal amount of such extensions, renewals and replacements does not exceed the principal amount of the obligations being extended, renewed or replaced or, in the case of any such obligations constituting Indebtedness, that are permitted under Section 6.01(a)(vii) as Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(v)    Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed, repaired, replaced or improved (including any such assets made the subject of a Capital Lease Obligation incurred) by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (A) such Liens secure Indebtedness incurred to finance such acquisition, construction, repair, replacement or improvement and permitted by clause (vi)(A) of Section 6.01(a) or any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof permitted by clause (vi)(B) of Section 6.01(a), (B) such Liens and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within 270 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction, repair, replacement or improvement

 

158


(provided that this clause (B) shall not apply to any Refinancing Indebtedness permitted by clause (vi)(B) of Section 6.01(a) or any Lien securing such Refinancing Indebtedness), (C) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of acquiring, constructing, repairing, replacing or improving such fixed or capital asset and in any event, the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed the amount permitted under the second proviso of Section 6.01(a)(vi) at any time outstanding and (D) such Liens shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (except assets financed by the same financing source in the ordinary course of business);

(vi)    customary rights and restrictions contained in agreements relating to such sale or transfer pending the completion thereof in connection with the sale or transfer of any Equity Interests or other assets in a transaction permitted under Section 6.05;

(vii)    any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements, tag, drag, right of first refusal and similar rights) with respect to Equity Interests of any (A) Restricted Subsidiary that is not a wholly owned Subsidiary or (B) joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

(viii)    Liens on any cash advances or cash earnest money deposits, escrow arrangements or similar arrangements made by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement for an acquisition, disposition or other transaction permitted hereunder;

(ix)    Liens on the Collateral securing Permitted Additional Debt; provided that (x) any Liens on ABL Priority Collateral securing such Permitted Additional Debt shall be junior to the Liens on the ABL Priority Collateral securing the Obligations and (y) such Liens shall be subject to the ABL/Notes Intercreditor Agreement, the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement or an Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement, as appropriate;

(x)    Liens granted by a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in respect of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by such Subsidiary under Section 6.01;

(xi)    Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section to the extent that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured thereby outstanding under this clause (xi) at any time does not exceed the greater of (x) $200,000,000 and (y) 25.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period; provided that any such Liens on the ABL Priority Collateral shall rank junior in priority to the Liens securing the Obligations and shall be subject to an Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement;

 

159


(xii)    [reserved];

(xiii)    Liens to secure letters of credit issued pursuant to Section 6.01(a)(xxx); provided that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed $50,000,000; provided that any such Liens on the ABL Priority Collateral shall rank junior in priority to the Obligations and shall be subject to an Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement;

(xiv)    [reserved];

(xv)    [reserved];

(xvi)    Liens on the Collateral securing Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Hedging Obligations and Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations, in each case as contemplated by this Agreement;

(xvii)    Liens on cash and Permitted Investments used to satisfy or discharge Indebtedness pursuant to customary escrow or similar arrangements for a period not to exceed 12 months prior to such satisfaction or discharge; provided such satisfaction or discharge is permitted under the terms of this Agreement at the time such escrow or similar arrangements are established;

(xviii)    Liens on Equity Interests of any joint venture or Unrestricted Subsidiary (a) securing obligations of such joint venture or Unrestricted Subsidiary or (b) pursuant to the relevant joint venture agreement or arrangement;

(xix)    Liens on cash, Permitted Investments or other marketable securities securing letters of credit of any Loan Party that are cash collateralized on or prior to the Effective Date in an amount of cash, Permitted Investments or other marketable securities with a fair market value of up to 105% of the face amount of such letters of credit being secured; and

(xx)    any Liens on cash or deposits granted in favor of any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender to cash collateralize any Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit, Swingline Loans or Protective Advances or other obligations in respect of Letters of Credit, Swingline Loans or Protective Advances, in each case as contemplated by this Agreement;

provided that the expansion of Liens by virtue of accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of dividends in the form of Indebtedness, and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Liens for purposes of this Section 6.02. For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.02, (x) a Lien need not be incurred solely by reference to one category of Liens described in this

 

160


Section 6.02 but may be incurred under any combination of such categories (including in part under one such category and in part under any other such category) and (y) in the event that a Lien (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of such categories hereof the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall, in their sole discretion, classify or reclassify such Lien (or any portion thereof) solely between and among such categories and, in each case, that would be permitted to be incurred in reliance on the applicable exception as of the date of such reclassification.

SECTION 6.03.    Fundamental Changes. (e) The Borrower will not, nor will the Borrower permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve, divide or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person or group of Persons (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not restrict the change in organizational form), except that:

(i)    any Restricted Subsidiary may merge into or consolidate with (A) the Borrower so long as the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person (and continues to be organized under the laws of the same jurisdiction), (B) [reserved] and (C) any other Restricted Subsidiary in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Restricted Subsidiary and, if any party to such merger or consolidation is a Loan Party, either (x) the continuing or surviving entity is a Loan Party or (y) the acquisition of such Loan Party by such continuing or surviving Person is otherwise permitted under 6.04; provided, that, after giving effect to any such activities under this Section 6.03(a)(i), the Loan Parties are in compliance with the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to the extent required by Sections 5.12 and 5.13;

(ii)    any Restricted Subsidiary may dispose of all or any of its properties and assets in a transaction permitted pursuant to Section 6.05, so long as such disposition does not constitute a disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

(iii)    any Restricted Subsidiary that is not the Borrower may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the business of the Restricted Group and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders; provided that any such merger or consolidation involving a Person that is not a wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger or consolidation shall not be permitted unless it is also permitted by Section 6.04 or 6.05;

(iv)    any Restricted Subsidiary may engage in a merger, consolidation, dissolution or liquidation, the purpose of which is to effect an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 6.04 or a disposition permitted pursuant to Section 6.05; and

 

161


(v)    so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or would result therefrom, the Borrower may merge or consolidate with (or dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to) any other Person; provided that (A) the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (B) if (x) the Person formed by or surviving any such merger or consolidation is not the Borrower, (y) the Borrower has been liquidated into another Person or (z) in connection with a disposition of all or substantially all of the Borrower’s assets, the Person that is the transferee of such assets is not the Borrower (any such Person, a “Successor Borrower”), (1) the Successor Borrower shall be an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, (2) (i) 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, amendment or restatement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (ii) each Guarantor shall have executed and delivered a customary reaffirmation agreement with respect to its obligations under the Loan Documents in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (3) at least three Business Days prior to such Successor Borrower becoming the Borrower, (i) the Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act, and (ii) any such Successor Borrower that qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation shall deliver a Beneficial Ownership Certification to any Lender that has requested such certification, in each case, to the extent requested at least seven Business Days prior to such date and (4) if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such merger or consolidation and such supplement, amendment or restatement to this Agreement or any Loan Document comply with this Agreement and with respect to such other customary matters as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request including with respect to the enforceability of the obligations of, and the security interests granted by, the Successor Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided, further, that if the foregoing are satisfied, the Successor Borrower, will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Borrower under this Agreement and the original Borrower will be released.

(b)    The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will not engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Effective Date if as a result thereof the business conducted by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, would be substantially different from the business conducted by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, on the Effective Date;

 

162


provided that businesses reasonably related, incidental or ancillary thereto to the business conducted by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, on the Effective Date or reasonable extensions thereof shall be permitted hereunder.

SECTION 6.04.    Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions. The Borrower will not, nor will the Borrower permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any Investment, except:

(a)    Permitted Investments and cash;

(b)    investments constituting the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the property and assets or business of any Person or of assets constituting a business unit, a line of business or division of such Person, or the Equity Interests in a Person that, upon the consummation thereof, will be a Restricted Subsidiary if, after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, the Payment Conditions are satisfied;

(c)    [reserved];

(d)    Investments existing on the Effective Date (or in the case of replacement guarantees to be provided by the Borrower in lieu of previously existing Howmet parent guarantees or any novation to the Borrower of existing Investments of Howmet, within 90 days after the Distribution Date (or such longer period as may be reasonably agreed by the Administrative Agent)) and to the extent having a principal amount in excess of $5,000,000 individually or $10,000,000 in the aggregate (other than with respect to intercompany Investments) set forth on Schedule 6.04 and any modification, replacement, renewal, reinvestment or extension thereof (including any capitalization of intercompany loans to equity);

(e)    Investments by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in Equity Interests of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that (i) any such Equity Interests held by a Loan Party in any other Loan Party shall be pledged to the extent required by the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” and (ii) the making of such Investment by any Loan Party in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall not, at the time such Investment is made and after giving effect thereto, cause the Non-Guarantor Investment Basket to be exceeded, provided that if any such investment under this subclause (ii) is made for the purpose of making an investment, loan or advance permitted under another clause of this Section, the amount available under this clause (e) shall not be reduced by the amount of any such investment, loan or advance which reduces the basket under another clause of this Section;

(f)    loans or advances made by the Borrower to any Restricted Subsidiary and made by any Restricted Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) any such loans and advances made by a Loan Party shall be evidenced, on and after the Effective Date, by the Global Intercompany Note or other promissory notes reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, provided, that with respect to loans and advances made after the Effective Date, evidence

 

163


of such loans and advances by the Global Intercompany Note or other promissory note shall not be required until 120 days after making of such loan or advance and (ii) the outstanding amount of such loans and advances made by Loan Parties to Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties at the time such loans or advances are made, and after giving effect thereto, shall not cause the Non-Guarantor Investment Basket to be exceeded, provided that (x) any Investment by any Loan Party in any Non-Loan Party Restricted Subsidiary using (or in the case of any Guarantee, deemed to be using) the proceeds of Investments, dividends, returns on capital or returns of capital from Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties for the purpose of funding such Investment which are received no more than 120 days prior to making such Investment, (y) any intercompany advances made by any Loan Party to any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party for the sole purpose of funding (or refunding) payments of interest or principal under intercompany loans owing from such Restricted Subsidiary to such Loan Party which are paid to such Loan Party either prior to or within 90 days of such advance and (z) any intercompany loans or advances made by the Borrower or by Arconic Finance Hungary Kft (including their respective successors, and any entity that is a Loan Party that performs cash-pooling and cash management activities for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) to any Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in connection with ordinary course cash management activities and having a term not exceeding 90 days, in each case, shall not be taken into account in the calculation of any restriction or basket set forth in this subclause (ii) (including the Non-Guarantor Investment Basket); provided further that if any such loan or advance under this subclause (ii) is made for the purpose of making an investment, loan or advance permitted under another clause of this Section, the amount available under this clause (f) shall not be reduced by the amount of any such investment, loan or advance which reduces the basket under another clause of this Section, provided further that for the purposes of calculating usage under this subclause (ii) and the Non-Guarantor Investment Basket, the amount of any loan or advance made by any Loan Party to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be reduced dollar-for-dollar by any amounts owed by such Loan Party to such Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party; provided further that the amount of any Investment, dividend, return on capital, return of capital or other amount applied to increase the aggregate amount of Investments that may be made pursuant to this Section 6.04(f) shall be without duplication of any amount deducted from the calculation of Investments or applied to increase Investment capacity under this Agreement;

(g)    Guarantees by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 and in respect of other obligations not otherwise contemplated by this Section 6.04, in each case of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any such Guarantees of Indebtedness and such other obligations, in each case of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties by any Loan Party (other than with respect to Cash Management Financing Facilities) shall not, at the time any such Guarantee is provided and after giving effect thereto, cause the Non-Guarantor Investment Basket to be exceeded;

(h)    loans or advances to directors, officers, consultants or employees of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary made in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, not exceeding the greater of

 

164


(x) $20,000,000 and (y) 2.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period in the aggregate outstanding at any time (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans or advances);

(i)    payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;

(j)    investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and 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, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(k)    investments in the form of Hedging Agreements permitted by Section 6.07 (including any Back to Back Arrangements);

(l)    investments of any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or consolidates or merges with the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary so long as such investments were not made in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or of such consolidation or merger;

(m)    investments resulting from pledges or deposits described in clause (c) or (d) of the definition of the term “Permitted Encumbrance”;

(n)    investments made as a result of the receipt of noncash consideration from a sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of any asset in compliance with Section 6.05;

(o)    investments that result solely from the receipt by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from any of its Subsidiaries of a dividend or other Restricted Payment in the form of Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities (but not any additions thereto made after the date of the receipt thereof);

(p)    receivables or other trade payables owing to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

(q)    mergers and consolidations permitted under Section 6.03 that do not involve any Person other than the Borrower and Restricted Subsidiaries that are wholly owned Restricted Subsidiaries;

(r)    Investments in the form of letters of credit, bank guarantees, performance bonds or similar instruments or other creditor support or reimbursement obligations made in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower on behalf of any

 

165


Restricted Subsidiary and made by any Restricted Subsidiary on behalf of the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary; provided that at the time such letters of credit, bank guarantees, performance bonds or similar instruments or other creditor support or reimbursement obligations are made by Loan Parties on behalf of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties pursuant to this clause (r), and after giving effect thereto, such obligations shall not cause the Non-Guarantor Investment Basket to be exceeded;

(s)    Guarantees by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(t)    Investments, so long as, after giving effect thereto, the Payment Conditions are satisfied;

(u)    other Investments by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (and loans and advances by the Borrower) in an aggregate amount, as valued at cost at the time each such Investment is made and including all related commitments for future Investments (and the principal amount of any Indebtedness that is assumed or otherwise incurred in connection with such Investment), outstanding under this clause (u) at any time in an aggregate amount not exceeding the greater of (x) $400,000,000 and (y) 50.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period;

(v)    Investments consisting of (i) extensions of trade credit and accommodation guarantees in the ordinary course of business and (ii) loans and advances to customers; provided that the aggregate principal amount of such loans and advances outstanding under this clause (ii) at any time shall not exceed the greater of (x) $15,000,000 and (y) 2.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period;

(w)    [reserved];

(x)    Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and Uniform Commercial Code Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers in the ordinary course of business;

(y)    Investments (A) for utilities, security deposits, leases and similar prepaid expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and (B) in the form of trade accounts created, or prepaid expenses accrued, in the ordinary course of business;

(z)    [reserved];

(aa)    customary Investments in connection with Permitted Receivables Facilities;

(bb)    Investments in joint ventures and Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided that at the time of any such Investment on a Pro Forma Basis, the aggregate amount at any time outstanding of all such Investments made in reliance on this clause (bb) shall not exceed the greater of $25,000,000 and 3.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period;

 

166


(cc)    Investments in the form of loans or advances made to distributors and suppliers in the ordinary course of business;

(dd)    to the extent they constitute Investments, guaranties in the ordinary course of business of the obligations of suppliers, customers, franchisees, lessors and licensees of the Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiary;

(ee)    [reserved];

(ff)    Investments to the extent that payment for such Investments is made solely with the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Borrower; and

(gg)    Permitted Bond Hedge Transactions to the extent constituting Investments.

For purposes of this Section 6.04, if any Investment (or a portion thereof) would be permitted pursuant to one or more of the provisions described above and/or one or more of the exceptions contained in this Section 6.04, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may divide and classify such Investment (or a portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and may later divide and reclassify any such Investment so long as the Investment (as so divided and/or reclassified) would be permitted to be made in reliance on the applicable exception as of the date of such reclassification.

SECTION 6.05.    Asset Sales. The Borrower will not, nor will the Borrower permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any asset (other than assets sold, transferred, leased or otherwise disposed of in a single transaction or a series of related transactions with a fair market value of $30,000,000 or less), including any Equity Interest owned by it, nor will the Borrower permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any additional Equity Interest in such Restricted Subsidiary (other than issuing directors’ qualifying shares and other than issuing Equity Interests to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary), except:

(a)    sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions of (i) inventory, (ii) used, obsolete, damaged, worn out or surplus equipment, (iii) property no longer used, useful or economically practicable to maintain in the conduct of the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (including IP Rights), (iv) immaterial assets, (v) cash and Permitted Investments, in each case in the ordinary course of business and (vi) charitable donations or contributions, in the ordinary course of business;

(b)    sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any such sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions involving a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall, to the extent applicable, be made in compliance with Sections 6.04 and 6.09;

 

167


(c)    sales, transfers and other dispositions or forgiveness of accounts receivable in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof not as part of any accounts receivables financing transaction (including sales to factors and other third parties);

(d)    (i) sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions of assets to the extent that such assets constitute an investment permitted by clause (j), (l) or (n) of Section 6.04 or another asset received as consideration for the disposition of any asset permitted by this Section (in each case, other than Equity Interests in a Restricted Subsidiary, unless all Equity Interests in such Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares) are sold) and (ii) sales, transfers, and other dispositions of the Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such sale, transfer or other disposition would be permissible as an Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary permitted by Section 6.04(e) or (u);

(e)    leases, subleases or license agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, to the extent that they do not materially interfere with the business of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(f)    (i) non-exclusive licenses, sublicenses or other similar grants of IP Rights granted in the ordinary course of business or (ii) other licenses or sublicenses of IP Rights granted in the ordinary course of business, in each case that do not materially interfere with the business of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(g)    dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, and transfers of property arising from foreclosure or similar action with regard to, any asset of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(h)    dispositions of assets to the extent that (i) such assets are exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement assets or (ii) the proceeds of such disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement assets;

(i)    dispositions permitted by Section 6.08;

(j)    [reserved];

(k)    sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions of assets that are not permitted by any other clause of this Section; provided that all sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions permitted hereby shall be made for fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), and at least 75% of the consideration from each such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition is in the form of cash or Permitted Investments; provided further that (i) any consideration in the form of Permitted Investments that are disposed of for cash consideration within 30 Business Days after such sale, transfer or other disposition shall be deemed to be cash consideration in an amount equal to the amount of such cash consideration for purposes of this proviso, (ii) any liabilities (as shown on the Borrower’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet

 

168


provided hereunder or in the footnotes thereto) of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the payment in cash of the Obligations, that are assumed by the transferee with respect to the applicable sale, transfer, lease or other disposition and for which the Borrower and all the Restricted Subsidiaries shall have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing shall be deemed to be cash consideration in an amount equal to the liabilities so assumed and (iii) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in respect of such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (iii) that is at that time outstanding, not in excess of $50,000,000, 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 consideration;

(l)    [reserved];

(m)    sales, transfers or other dispositions of any assets (including Equity Interests) (A) acquired in connection with any acquisition or other investment permitted under Section 6.04, which assets are not used or useful to the core or principal business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and/or (B) made to obtain the approval of any applicable antitrust authority in connection with an acquisition permitted under Section 6.04;

(n)    sales, transfers or other 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; and

(o)    to the extent constituting a disposition governed by this Section, the unwinding or early termination or settlement of any Hedging Agreement or any Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction or other option, forward or other derivative contract;

provided that the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent an updated Borrowing Base Certificate within five Business Days after any sale, transfer, lease or other disposition outside the ordinary course of business in a single transaction or series of related transactions of any ABL Priority Collateral having an aggregate book value in excess of $50,000,000 in the aggregate, prepared after giving effect to such sale or other disposition.

SECTION 6.06.    Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Borrower will not, nor will the Borrower, permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly (other than intercompany arrangements between or among the Borrower and any other Loan Party or between or among Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties), whereby it shall sell or transfer any real property used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred, except for any such sale or transfer made in

 

169


accordance with Section 6.05; provided that, if such sale and leaseback results in a Capital Lease Obligation, such Capital Lease Obligation is permitted by Section 6.01(a)(vi) and any Lien made the subject of such Capital Lease Obligation is permitted by Section 6.02(a)(v).

SECTION 6.07.    Hedging Agreements and Commercial Agreements.

The Borrower shall not, nor shall the Borrower permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Hedging Agreement or Commercial Agreements other than Hedging Agreements (including any Back to Back Arrangements) and Commercial Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes.

SECTION 6.08.    Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Junior Indebtedness. (p) The Borrower will not, nor will the Borrower permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that:

(i)    [reserved];

(ii)    any Restricted Subsidiary may declare and pay dividends or make other distributions with respect to its Equity Interests, or make other Restricted Payments in respect of its Equity Interests, in each case ratably to the holders of such Equity Interests;

(iii)    [reserved];

(iv)    the Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in shares of Qualified Equity Interests or Disqualified Equity Interests permitted hereunder;

(v)    the Borrower may make Restricted Payments, not exceeding the greater of (A) $30,000,000 and (B) 4.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period (with unused amounts being carried over to the succeeding fiscal years) during any fiscal year, pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit or stock based compensation plans for directors, officers, consultants or employees of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(vi)    so long as no Default or Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, the Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests and/or repurchase its Equity Interests in an aggregate amount per annum not to exceed the greater of (x) $140,000,000 or (y) 6% of Market Capitalization;

(vii)    [reserved];

 

170


(viii)    the Borrower may make cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise or settlement of any warrants or other option or forward contract with respect to the Borrower’s capital stock or the conversion or exchange of Convertible Indebtedness or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests in the Borrower;

(ix)    the Borrower may repurchase Equity Interests upon the exercise of stock options if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such stock options (and related redemption or cancellation of shares for payment of taxes or other amounts relating to the exercise under such stock option or other benefit plans);

(x)    concurrently with any issuance of Qualified Equity Interests, the Borrower may redeem, purchase or retire any Equity Interests of the Borrower using the proceeds of, or convert or exchange any Equity Interests of the Borrower for, such Qualified Equity Interests;

(xi)    the Borrower may declare and make Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed, at the time such Restricted Payments are made and after giving effect thereto, the greater of (x) $50,000,000 and (y) 6.25% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period; provided that the Borrower may only make Restricted Payments under this clause (xi) if no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (or would result therefrom);

(xii)    the Borrower may declare and make Restricted Payments in an unlimited amount so long as after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, the Payment Conditions are satisfied;

(xiii)    [reserved];

(xiv)    (i) any non-cash repurchases or withholdings of Equity Interests in connection with the exercise of stock options, warrants or similar rights if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise of, or withholding obligations with respect to, such options, warrants or similar rights (for the avoidance of doubt, it being understood that any required withholding or similar tax related thereto may be paid by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash), and (ii) loans or advances to officers, directors and employees of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Borrower, provided that no cash is actually advanced pursuant to this clause (ii) other than to pay taxes due in connection with such purchase, unless immediately repaid;

(xv)    the Borrower may make payments pursuant to and required under the Tax Matters Agreement in an amount not to exceed the payments required thereunder pursuant to the form thereof provided to the Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date;

 

171


(xvi)    the Borrower may make cash payments in connection with any conversion or exchange of Convertible Indebtedness in amount equal to the sum of (i) the principal amount of such Convertible Indebtedness and (ii) the proceeds of any payments received by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the exercise, settlement or termination of any related Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction; and

(xvii)    the Borrower may make payments in connection with a Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction (i) by delivery of shares of the Borrower’s Equity Interests upon net share settlement thereof or (ii) by (A) set-off against the related Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction and (B) payment of an early termination amount thereof in common Equity Interests of the Borrower upon any early termination thereof;

(b)    The Borrower will not, nor will the Borrower permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, prepay, redeem, purchase or otherwise satisfy any Indebtedness that is unsecured or that is secured by a Lien on all or any portion of the Collateral ranking junior to the Lien on the Collateral securing the Obligations (excluding (x) any obligations owing to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and (y) the First Lien Notes) (collectively, “Restricted Debt Payments”), except for:

(i)    any prepayment, redemption, purchase or other satisfaction of Indebtedness so long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied;

(ii)    regularly scheduled interest and principal payments as and when due in respect of any such Indebtedness, other than payments in respect of such Indebtedness prohibited by the subordination provisions thereof;

(iii)    refinancings of Indebtedness with the proceeds of other Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01;

(iv)    payments of or in respect of Indebtedness in an amount equal to, at the time such payments are made and after giving effect thereto, (A) the greater of (x) $75,000,000 and (y) 9.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period;

(v)    payments required by the terms of the relevant Indebtedness, which terms are designed solely to ensure such instrument would not be treated, at issuance, as an “applicable high yield discount obligation” within the meaning of Section 163(i) of the Code;

(vi)    the conversion of such Indebtedness to, or exchange of such Indebtedness for, Qualified Equity Interests of the Borrower; and

(vii)    with respect to the Second Lien Notes, any other payments thereof expressly required by the terms of the Second Lien Notes Indenture as in effect on the date hereof.

 

172


For purposes of this Section 6.08, if any Restricted Payment (or a portion thereof) would be permitted pursuant to one or more provisions described above and/or one or more of the exceptions contained in this Section 6.08, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may divide and classify such Restricted Payment (or a portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and may later divide and reclassify (other than with respect to ratio-based baskets, if any) any such Restricted Payment so long as the Restricted Payment (as so divided and/or reclassified) would be permitted to be made in reliance on the applicable exception as of the date of such reclassification.

SECTION 6.09.    Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower will not, nor will the Borrower permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $30,000,000 with, any of its Affiliates, except (i) transactions that are at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, taken as a whole, than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (ii) transactions (A) between or among the Loan Parties not involving any other Affiliate or (B) between or among Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, (iii) advances, equity issuances, repurchases, retirements or other acquisitions or retirements of Equity Interests and other Restricted Payments permitted under Section 6.08 and Investments in Subsidiaries (and in any other Person that is an Affiliate of the Borrower solely by virtue of the Borrower owning, directly or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries, Equity Interests in such Person and Controlling such person) permitted under Section 6.04 and any other transaction involving the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries permitted under Section 6.03 to the extent such transaction is between the Borrower and one or more Restricted Subsidiaries or between two or more Restricted Subsidiaries or Section 6.05 (to the extent such transaction is not required to be for fair market value thereunder), (iv) the payment of reasonable fees to directors of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary who are not employees of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, and compensation and employee benefit arrangements paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, directors, officers, consultants or employees of the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (v) any issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment agreements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by the Borrower’s board of directors, (vi) employment and severance arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business between the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and any employee thereof and approved by the Borrower’s board of directors, (vii) payments made to other Restricted Subsidiaries arising from or in connection with any customary tax consolidation and grouping arrangements and (viii) any transaction that has been approved by a majority of the disinterested directors on the Borrower’s board of directors.

SECTION 6.10.    Restrictive Agreements. The Borrower will not, nor will the Borrower permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its assets that are Collateral or

 

173


required to be Collateral to secure the Obligations or (b) the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests, to make or repay loans or advances to the Borrower or any Loan Party or to transfer any of its properties or assets to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or to grant Liens on its assets (including Equity Interests) to the Administrative Agent; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to (A) restrictions and conditions imposed by law or by this Agreement, any Spin-Off Document in the form thereof provided to the Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date, any other Loan Document, any Incremental Facility Amendment, or any document governing Permitted Additional Debt, (B) restrictions and conditions imposed by the First Lien Notes Documents or the Second Lien Notes Documents as in effect on the Effective Date or any agreement or document evidencing Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the First Lien Notes Documents or the Second Lien Notes Documents permitted under clause (ix) and clause (ii) of Section 6.01(a), respectively; provided that the restrictions and conditions contained in any such agreement or document taken as a whole are not materially less favorable (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) to the Lenders than the restrictions and conditions imposed by the First Lien Notes Documents or the Second Lien Notes Documents, as the case may be, or restrictions otherwise customary for the relevant type of Indebtedness (which may be in the form of “high-yield-style” notes or term loans), (C) in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary, restrictions and conditions imposed by its organizational documents or any related joint venture or similar agreements; provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to such Restricted Subsidiary and to the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary, (D) customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Restricted Subsidiary or any assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case pending such sale; provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to such Restricted Subsidiary or the assets that are to be sold and, in each case, such sale is permitted hereunder, (E) restrictions and conditions existing on the Effective Date and identified on Schedule 6.10 (and any extension or renewal of, or any amendment, modification or replacement of the documents set forth on such schedule that do not expand the scope of, any such restriction or condition in any material respect), (F) restrictions and conditions imposed by any agreement relating to Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary in existence at the time such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary and otherwise permitted by clause (vii) of Section 6.01(a) or to any restrictions in any Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party permitted by Section 6.01(a), in each case if such restrictions and conditions apply only to such Restricted Subsidiary and its subsidiaries, (G) customary prohibitions, restrictions and conditions (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) contained in agreements relating to a Permitted Receivables Facility, (H) any encumbrance or restriction under documentation governing other Indebtedness of the Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.01, provided that such encumbrances or restrictions will not materially impair (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) (1) the Borrower’s ability to make principal and interest payments hereunder or (2) the ability of the Loan Party to provide any Lien upon any of its assets that are Collateral or required to be Collateral, (I) customary provisions in leases, licenses, sublicenses and other contracts (including

 

174


non-exclusive licenses and sublicenses of IP Rights) restricting the assignment thereof, (J) restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness or other Liens permitted by this Agreement to the extent such restriction applies only to the property securing such Indebtedness or covered by such Liens (and for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any property that constitutes ABL Priority Collateral), (K) 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), (L) customary restrictions contained in leases, subleases, licenses, sublicenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such restrictions relate only to the assets subject thereto, (M) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and (N) 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 would not reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to meet their ongoing obligations; and (ii) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to (A) restrictions and conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by clause (vi) of Section 6.01(a) if such restrictions and conditions apply only to the assets securing such Indebtedness and (B) customary provisions in leases and other agreements restricting the assignment thereof.

SECTION 6.11.    Amendment of Material Documents, Etc. The Borrower will not, nor will the Borrower permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, amend, modify or waive (i) its certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents or (ii) any of the Spin-Off Documents, in each case if the effect of such amendment, modification or waiver would be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders without the consent of the Required Lenders.

SECTION 6.12.    Financial Covenant. During each Covenant Testing Period, the Borrower will not permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) (commencing with the fiscal quarter most recently ended immediately prior thereto for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b)) to be less than 1.00 to 1.00.

SECTION 6.13.    Changes in Fiscal Periods. The Borrower will not make any change in 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.

 

175


ARTICLE VII

Events of Default

SECTION 7.01.    Events of Default. If any of the following events (each such event, an “Event of Default”) shall occur:

(a)    the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement 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)    the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Section 7.01) payable under this Agreement or any other 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 Restricted Subsidiary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or in any report, certificate or financial statement furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made and, to the extent capable of being cured, such incorrect representation or warranty shall remain incorrect for a period of 30 days following written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower;

(d)    the Borrower shall (i) fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02(a), 5.04 (with respect to the existence of the Borrower), 5.11, 5.14 (at any time when a Cash Dominion Period is in effect) or Article VI or (ii) fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.14 at any time when a Cash Dominion Period is not in effect, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days;

(e)    any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than those specified in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section), and such failure shall continue unremedied (i) with respect to Section 5.01(e), for a period of five Business Days (or, if a Cash Dominion Period is in effect, three Business Days), and (ii) with respect to any other covenant, condition or agreement, for a period of 30 days after written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent or any Lender to the Borrower;

(f)    the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal, interest, premium 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 under the documentation representing such Material Indebtedness);

 

176


(g)    any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due or being terminated or required to be prepaid, repurchased, redeemed or defeased prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods in respect of such event or condition under the documentation representing such Material Indebtedness having expired); the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf, or, in the case of any Hedging Agreement, the applicable counterparty, to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to terminate or require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to (w) any secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale, transfer or other disposition (including as a result of a casualty or condemnation event) of the assets securing such Indebtedness (to the extent such sale, transfer or other disposition is not prohibited under this Agreement), (x) any Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of a voluntary refinancing thereof permitted under Section 6.01, (y) any conversion of, or trigger of conversion rights with respect to, any Convertible Indebtedness in accordance with its terms (whether or not such conversion is to be settled in cash or capital stock or a combination thereof) unless such conversion results from any event of default thereunder or a “change of control”, “fundamental change” or similar occurrence thereunder or (z) termination events or similar events occurring under any Hedging Agreement (other than a termination event or similar event as to which the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is the defaulting party) that constitutes Material Indebtedness (it being understood that paragraph (f) of this Section 7.01 will apply to any failure to make any payment required as a result of such termination or similar event);

(h)    except as otherwise provided in Section 7.02, (i) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (A) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, State or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (B) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator, liquidator, administrative receiver, administrator, receiver and manager or similar official for the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered or (ii) the Borrower or any Loan Party that is a Material Subsidiary (A) admits publicly its inability to pay its debts as they fall due or (B) has a moratorium declared in relation to any of its Indebtedness;

(i)    except as otherwise provided in Section 7.02, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation (other than any liquidation permitted under Section 6.03(a)(iv)), reorganization or other relief under any Federal, State or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership 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 clause (h) of this Section, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or for a substantial 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;

 

177


(j)    [reserved];

(k)    one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $100,000,000 (other than any such judgment covered by insurance (other than under a self-insurance program) to the extent a claim therefor has been made in writing and liability therefor has not been denied by the insurer) shall be rendered against the Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary 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 action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that are material to the business and operations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, taken as a whole, to enforce any such judgment;

(l)    an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred and are continuing and remain uncured, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(m)    any Lien purported to be created under any Security Document shall cease to be, or shall be asserted in writing by any Loan Party not to be, a valid and perfected Lien on any material portion of the Collateral, with the priority required by the applicable Security Document, except as a result of (i) permission under any Loan Document (including the sale or other disposition of the applicable Collateral in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents), (ii) the release thereof as provided in Section 9.14, (iii) the Administrative Agent’s failure to (A) maintain possession of any stock certificate, promissory note or other instrument delivered to it under any Security Document or (B) file Uniform Commercial Code continuation statements (or equivalent statements in any other relevant jurisdiction) or (iv) as to Collateral consisting of Mortgaged Property, to the extent that such losses are covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and such insurer has not denied coverage;

(n)    any material Security Document shall cease to be, or shall be asserted in writing by any Loan Party not to be a legal, valid and binding obligation of any Loan Party party thereto, except as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or as a result of the release thereof as provided in the applicable Loan Document or Section 9.14;

(o)    any Guarantee purported to be created under any Loan Document shall cease to be or shall be asserted in writing by any Loan Party not to be, in full force and effect, except as in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents (including a result of the release thereof as provided in the applicable Loan Document or Section 9.14); or

(p)    a Change in Control shall occur;

 

178


then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article), 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 any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part (but ratably as among the Classes of Loans and the Loans of each Class at such time outstanding), 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 hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately and (iii) require the deposit of cash collateral in respect of LC Exposure as provided in Section 2.05(i), in each case, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and in the case of any event with respect to the Borrower described in clause (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 hereunder, shall immediately and automatically become due and payable and the deposit of such cash collateral in respect of LC Exposure shall immediately and automatically become due, in each case, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

SECTION 7.02.    Exclusion of Certain Subsidiaries. Solely for the purposes of determining whether a Default has occurred under clause (h) or (i) of Section 7.01, any reference in any such paragraph to any Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed not to include any Restricted Subsidiary affected by any event or circumstance referred to in such paragraph that is not a Material Subsidiary; provided that (i) if it is necessary to exclude more than one Restricted Subsidiary from clause (h) or (i) of Section 7.01 pursuant to this paragraph in order to avoid a Default, the aggregate consolidated assets of all such excluded Restricted Subsidiaries as of such last day may not exceed 10.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and the aggregate consolidated revenues of all such excluded Restricted Subsidiaries for such four fiscal quarter period may not exceed 10.0% of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) in no circumstance shall the Borrower be excluded from clause (h) or (i) of Section 7.01.

ARTICLE VIII

The Administrative Agent

SECTION 8.01.    Appointment and Other Matters.

(a)    Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints the entity named as Administrative Agent in the heading of this Agreement and its successors to serve as administrative agent and collateral agent 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

 

179


Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. In addition, to the extent required under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America, each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby grants to the Administrative Agent any required powers of attorney to execute and enforce any Security Document governed by the laws of such jurisdiction on such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s behalf. Without limiting the foregoing, each Lender and each Issuing Bank hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, each of the Loan Documents to which the Administrative Agent is a party, and to exercise all rights, powers and remedies that the Administrative Agent may have under such Loan Documents.

(b)    In performing its functions and duties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent is acting solely on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks (except in limited circumstances expressly provided for herein relating to the maintenance of the Register), and its duties are entirely mechanical and administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

(i)    the Administrative Agent does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation or duty or any other relationship as the agent, fiduciary or trustee of or for any Lender, Issuing Bank or holder of any other obligation other than as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, regardless of whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (and it is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” (or any similar term) herein or in any other Loan Document with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary duty or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law, and that such term is used as a matter of market custom and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties); additionally, each Lender agrees that it will not assert any claim against the Administrative Agent based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby;

(ii)    where the Administrative Agent is required or deemed to act as a trustee in respect of any Collateral over which a security interest has been created pursuant to a Loan Document expressed to be governed by the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, the obligations and liabilities of the Administrative Agent to the Secured Parties in its capacity as trustee shall be excluded to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law;

(iii)    nothing in this Agreement or any Loan Document shall require the Administrative Agent to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by the Administrative Agent for its own account.

 

180


(c)    The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender, a Swingline Lender or an Issuing Bank as any other Lender or Issuing Bank and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent. The terms “Issuing Banks”, “Lenders”, “Required Lenders” and any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender, Issuing Bank or as one of the Required Lenders, as applicable. The Person serving as Administrative Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, 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 the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or the Issuing Banks.

(d)    The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. 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, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith to 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 (i) the Administrative Agent in good faith believes exposes it to liability unless the Administrative Agent receives an indemnification satisfactory to it from the Lenders and the Issuing Banks with respect to such action or (ii) is contrary to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or applicable law, including any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors; provided, further, that the Administrative Agent may seek clarification or direction from the Required Lenders prior to the exercise of any such instructed action and may refrain from acting until such clarification or direction has been provided, and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Affiliate of any of the foregoing that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

(e)    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 respective duties and exercise their respective rights and powers by or through their respective

 

181


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 Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

(f)    In case of the pendency of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any Federal, State or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or any LC Disbursement shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(i)    to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, LC Exposure and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent (including any claim under Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(ii)    to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each other Secured Party to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or the other Secured Parties, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due to it, in its capacity as the Administrative Agent, under the Loan Documents (including under Section 9.03). Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or Issuing Bank or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or Issuing Bank in any such proceeding.

(g)    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Arrangers shall not have any duties or obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except in its capacity, as applicable, as a Lender or an Issuing Bank), but all such Persons shall have the benefit of the indemnities provided for hereunder.

 

182


(h)    The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, and, except solely to the extent of the Borrower’s rights to consent pursuant to and subject to the conditions set forth in this Article, none of the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any such provisions. Each Secured Party, whether or not a party hereto, will be deemed, by its acceptance of the benefits of the Collateral and the Guarantees of the Obligations provided under the Loan Documents, to have agreed to the provisions of this Article.

SECTION 8.02.    Administrative Agents Reliance, Indemnification, Etc.

(a)    Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be (i) liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (x) with the consent of 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 the Loan Documents) or (y) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct (such absence to be presumed unless otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any failure of any Loan Party to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.

(b)    The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof (stating that it is a “notice of default”) is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Bank, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the sufficiency, validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in this Agreement or any other 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 acceptable or satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or (vi) the creation, perfection or priority of Liens on the Collateral. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be liable for, or be responsible for any loss, cost or expense suffered by the Borrower, any Subsidiary, any Lender or any Issuing Bank as a

 

183


result of, any determination of the Revolving Exposure or the component amounts thereof or any portion thereof attributable to each Lender or Issuing Bank, or of the Weighted Average Yield.

(c)    Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrative Agent (i) may treat the payee of any promissory note as its holder until such promissory note has been assigned in accordance with Section 9.04, (ii) may rely on the Register to the extent set forth in Section 9.04(b), (iii) may consult with legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrower), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts, (iv) makes no warranty or representation to any Lender or Issuing Bank and shall not be responsible to any Lender or Issuing Bank for any statements, warranties or representations made by or on behalf of any Loan Party in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (v) in determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or Issuing Bank unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or Issuing Bank sufficiently in advance of the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit and (vi) shall be entitled to rely on, and shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by acting upon, any notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which writing may be a fax, any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) or any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper party or parties (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents for being the maker thereof).

SECTION 8.03.    Successor Administrative Agent.

(a)    Subject to the terms of this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign from its capacity as such upon 30 days’ notice of its intent to resign to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Borrower (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to appoint a successor. If no 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 intent to resign, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed by the Borrower and such successor.

 

184


(b)    Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Section, in the event no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its intent to resign, the retiring Administrative Agent may give notice of the effectiveness of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower, whereupon, on the date of effectiveness of such resignation stated in such notice, (i) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided that, solely for purposes of maintaining any security interest granted to the Administrative Agent under any Security Document for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to be vested with such security interest as collateral agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and continue to be entitled to the rights set forth in such Security Document and, in the case of any Collateral in the possession of the Administrative Agent, shall continue to hold such Collateral, in each case until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed and accepts such appointment in accordance with this paragraph (it being understood and agreed that the retiring Administrative Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any further action under any Security Document, including any action required to maintain the perfection of any such security interest), and (ii) the Required Lenders shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent; provided that (A) all payments required to be made hereunder or under any other Loan Document to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Person other than the Administrative Agent shall be made directly to such Person and (B) all notices and other communications required or contemplated to be given or made to the Administrative Agent shall also directly be given or made to each Lender and each Issuing Bank. Following the effectiveness of the Administrative Agent’s resignation from its capacity as such, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03, as well as any exculpatory, reimbursement and indemnification provisions set forth in any other Loan Document, shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring 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 it was acting as Administrative Agent and in respect of the matters referred to in the proviso under clause (i) above.

SECTION 8.04.    Acknowledgments of Lenders and Issuing Banks.

(a)    Each Lender and each Issuing Bank acknowledges that it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business and that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any other Lender or Issuing Bank, 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 as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, or any other Lender or Issuing Bank, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates) as it shall from time to

 

185


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.

(b)    Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement or delivering its signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it shall become a Lender hereunder, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, this Agreement and each other 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.

SECTION 8.05.    Collateral Matters.

(a)    Except (x) with respect to the exercise of setoff rights of any Lender in accordance with Section 9.08 or (y) with respect to a Secured Party’s right to file a proof of claim in an insolvency proceeding, no Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce any Guarantee of the Obligations, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies under the Loan Documents may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms thereof.

(b)    In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation thereof, no arrangements in respect of Cash Management Services the obligations under which constitute Secured Cash Management Obligations, no Hedging Agreement the obligations under which constitute Secured Hedging Obligations and no Supply Chain Financings the obligations under which constitute Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations will create (or be deemed to create) in favor of any Secured Party that is a party thereto any rights in connection with the management or release of any Collateral or of the obligations of any Loan Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. By accepting the benefits of the Collateral, each Secured Party that is a party to any such arrangement in respect of Cash Management Services, Hedging Agreement or Supply Chain Financing shall be deemed to have appointed the Administrative Agent to serve as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Loan Documents and agreed to be bound by the Loan Documents as a Secured Party thereunder, subject to the limitations set forth in this paragraph.

(c)    The Secured Parties party hereto irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release or subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document and any Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 6.02(a)(v). The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.

 

186


(d)    The Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Obligations (including by accepting some or all of the applicable Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of such Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Loan Party is subject, or (b) at any other sale, foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any applicable law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Obligations owed to the Secured Parties shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid by the Administrative Agent at the direction of the Required Lenders on a ratable basis (with Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that shall vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) for the asset or assets so purchased (or for the equity interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are issued in connection with such purchase). In connection with any such bid, (i) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles and to assign any successful credit bid to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, (ii) each of the Secured Parties’ ratable interests in the Obligations which were credit bid shall be deemed without any further action under this Agreement to be assigned to such vehicle or vehicles for the purpose of closing such sale, (iii) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles (provided that any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any disposition of the assets or equity interests thereof, shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by, and the governing documents shall provide for, control by the vote of the Required Lenders or their permitted assignees under the terms of this Agreement or the governing documents of the applicable acquisition vehicle or vehicles, as the case may be, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Required Lenders contained in Section 9.02 of this Agreement), (iv) the Administrative Agent on behalf of such acquisition vehicle or vehicles shall be authorized to issue to each of the Secured Parties, ratably on account of the relevant Obligations which were credit bid, interests, whether as equity, partnership, limited partnership interests or membership interests, in any such acquisition vehicle and/or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle, all without the need for any Secured Party or acquisition vehicle to take any further action, and (v) to the extent that Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason (as a result of another bid being higher or better, because the amount of Obligations assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of Obligations credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the applicable Secured Parties pro rata with their original interest in such Obligations and the equity interests and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of such Obligations shall automatically be cancelled, without the need

 

187


for any Secured Party or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action. Notwithstanding that the ratable portion of the Obligations of each Secured Party are deemed assigned to the acquisition vehicle or vehicles as set forth in clause (ii) above, each Secured Party shall execute such documents and provide such information regarding the Secured Party (and/or any designee of the Secured Party which will receive interests in or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the formation of any acquisition vehicle, the formulation or submission of any credit bid or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such credit bid.

(e)    The Lenders and the other Secured Parties party hereto hereby irrevocably authorize and instruct the Administrative Agent to, without any further consent of any Lender or any other Secured Party, enter into the ABL/Notes Intercreditor Agreement and the Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, and to enter into (or acknowledge and consent to) or amend, renew, extend, supplement, restate, replace, waive or otherwise modify any Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement; provided that the specific consent of counterparties to any Hedging Agreement the obligations under which constitute Secured Hedging Obligations, each provider of Cash Management Services the obligations under which constitute Secured Cash Management Obligations, each Supply Chain Bank in respect of any outstanding Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations or each Issuing Bank shall be required for any amendment, renewal, extension, supplement, restatement, replacement or waiver to the extent its rights and obligations solely in its capacity as such are materially adversely affected. The Lenders and the other Secured Parties (by acceptance of the benefits of the Security Documents) irrevocably agree that the ABL/Notes Intercreditor Agreement, the Second Lien Credit Agreement and any Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement entered into by the Administrative Agent shall be binding on the Secured Parties, and each Lender and each of the other Secured Parties hereby agrees that it will take no actions contrary to the provisions of any thereof. The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to any provider of any Indebtedness not prohibited by Section 6.01 hereof to extend credit to the Loan Parties and such persons are intended third-party beneficiaries of such provisions.

SECTION 8.06.    Certain ERISA Matters.

(a)    Each Lender (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 each Arranger and their respective 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:

(i)    such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments,

(ii)    the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined

 

188


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 this Agreement, and the conditions for exemptive relief thereunder are and will continue to be satisfied in connection therewith,

(iii)    (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 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 this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this 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 this Agreement, or

(iv)    such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

(b)    In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), 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 Revolving 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).

(c)    The Administrative Agent and each Arranger hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby,

 

189


and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments, this Agreement and any other Loan Document, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.

ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous

SECTION 9.01.    Notices. (a) General. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (b) of this Section), 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 (to the extent fax information is provided below), as follows:

(i)    if to the Borrower, to it at c/o Arconic Corporation, 201 Isabella Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, Attention: Treasurer (Email: Jason.Secore@arconic.com, David.Crawford@arconic.com, Richard.Xu@arconic.com); with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice), Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, 125 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004, Attention: Ari Blaut (blauta@sullcrom.com);

(ii)    if to the Administrative Agent in respect of (i) Borrowings and all other matters, to it at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, Attention: James Valenti (Email: james.valenti@db.com), (ii) in its capacity as Issuing Bank to it at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, Attention: James Valenti (Email: james.valenti@db.com), and (iii) in its capacity as Swingline Lender, to it at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, Attention: James Valenti (Email: james.valenti@db.com);

(iii)    if to any Issuing Bank, to it at its address or email address (or fax number) most recently specified by it in a notice delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (or, in the absence of any such notice, to the address or email address (or fax number) set forth in the Administrative Questionnaire of the Lender that is serving as such Issuing Bank or is an Affiliate thereof); and

 

190


(iv)    if to any other Lender, to it at its address or email address (or fax number) 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 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). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) of this Section, shall be effective as provided in such paragraph.

(b)    Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet and intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices under Article II to any Lender or any Issuing Bank if such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent, the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications or may be rescinded by any such Person by notice to each other such Person.

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgment) and (ii) notices and other communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefore; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.

(c)    Change of Address, etc. Any party hereto may change its address or fax number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

(d)    Platform.

(i)    The Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make any Communications by posting such Communications on Debt Domain, IntraLinks, SyndTrak, ClearPar or any other electronic platform chosen by the Administrative Agent to be its electronic transmission system (the “Platform”).

 

191


(ii)    Although the 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 user ID/password authorization system) and the Platform is secured through a per-deal authorization method whereby each user may access the Platform only on a deal-by-deal basis, each of the Lenders, each of the Issuing Banks and the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure, that the Administrative Agent is not responsible for approving or vetting the representatives or contacts of any Lender that are added to the Platform, and that there are confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution. Each of the Lenders, each of the Issuing Banks and the Borrower hereby approves distribution of the Communications through the Platform and understands and assumes the risks of such distribution.

(iii)    THE PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. THE APPLICABLE PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS, OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY THE APPLICABLE PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE PLATFORM. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY ARRANGER OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RELATED PARTIES (COLLECTIVELY, “APPLICABLE PARTIES”) HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY LENDER, ANY ISSUING BANK OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF ANY LOAN PARTY’S OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR THE PLATFORM EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SUCH DAMAGES ARE FOUND IN A FINAL AND NON-APPEALABLE JUDGMENT OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO HAVE RESULTED FROM THE BAD FAITH, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE OF AN APPLICABLE PARTY OR ANY OF ITS RELATED PARTIES.

 

192


(iv)    Each Lender and each Issuing Bank agrees that notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) specifying that Communications have been posted to the Platform shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender or Issuing Bank (as applicable) for purposes of the Loan Documents. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank agrees (i) to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (which could be in the form of electronic communication) from time to time of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s (as applicable) email address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission and (ii) that the foregoing notice may be sent to such email address.

(v)    Each of the Lenders, each of the Issuing Banks and the Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but (except as may be required by applicable law) shall not be obligated to, store the Communications on the Platform in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s generally applicable document retention procedures and policies.

(vi)    Nothing herein shall prejudice the right of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner specified in such Loan Document.

SECTION 9.02.    Waivers; Amendments. (a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other 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, the Issuing Banks 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 this Agreement or any other 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 specific purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the making of a Loan or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank 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.

(b)    Except as provided in Sections 2.14(b), 2.21, 2.22 and 9.02(c), none of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof

 

193


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 and the Required Lenders and, 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 and agreed that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default will not constitute an increase in the Commitment of any Lender), (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, in each case without the written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default will not constitute a reduction in the principal amount of any Loan), (iii) postpone the scheduled maturity date of any Loan or the required date of reimbursement of any LC Disbursement, 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 adversely affected thereby (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default will not constitute a postponement of the scheduled maturity date of any loan, or the date of any scheduled payment of principal, interest or fees payable hereunder), (iv) change the last sentence of Section 2.08(c), Section 2.18(a), Section 2.18(b), Section 2.18(c) or any other Section hereof or any other Loan Document providing for the ratable treatment of the Lenders, in each case in a manner that would alter the pro rata termination of commitments or sharing of payments required thereby, or change Section 5.02 of the Collateral Agreement in a manner that would alter the priorities or sharing of payments required thereby, in each case without the written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of the term “Required Lenders”, “Supermajority Lenders” or “Majority in Interest” or any other provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or otherwise modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder (for the avoidance of doubt, including pursuant to the definition of the term “Permitted Foreign Currency” or the proviso set forth at the end of the first paragraph of Section 9.22), without the written consent of each Lender (or each Lender of such Class, as applicable); provided that, with the consent of the Required Lenders, the provisions of this Section and the definition of the term “Required Lenders”, “Supermajority Lenders” or “Majority in Interest” may be amended to include references to any new class of loans created under this Agreement (or to lenders extending such loans) on substantially the same basis as the corresponding references relating to the existing Classes of Loans or Lenders, (vi) release all or substantially all of the value of the Guarantees provided by the Loan Parties under the Security Documents, in each case without the written consent of each Lender (except as expressly provided in Section 9.14 or the Security Documents (including any such release by the Administrative Agent in connection with any sale or other disposition of any Subsidiary upon the exercise of remedies under the Security Documents)), (vii) release all or substantially all the Collateral or all or substantially all of the ABL Priority

 

194


Collateral from the Liens of the Security Documents or subordinate the Liens on all or substantially all of the Collateral or all or substantially all of the ABL Priority Collateral, in each case without the written consent of each Lender (except as expressly provided in Section 9.14 or the applicable Security Document (including any such release by the Administrative Agent in connection with any sale or other disposition of the Collateral upon the exercise of remedies under the Security Documents)), (viii) increase the advance rates set forth in the definition of the term “Borrowing Base”, or make any change to the definitions of “Borrowing Base”, “Eligible Accounts” or “Eligible Inventory” (or any component definitions thereof) that would have the effect of increasing the amount of the Borrowing Base, in each case without the consent of the Supermajority Lenders; provided that the Administrative Agent may increase or decrease the amount of, or otherwise modify or eliminate, any Reserves that it implements in its Permitted Discretion in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in any such case, such change will not be deemed to require any Supermajority Lender or other Lender consent; or (ix) change any provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document in a manner that by its terms adversely affects the rights in respect of Collateral securing the obligations owed to, or payments due to, Lenders holding Loans of any Class differently than those holding Loans of any other Class, without the written consent of Lenders representing a Majority in Interest of each affected Class; provided further that (A) no such agreement shall amend, modify, extend or otherwise affect the rights or obligations of the Administrative Agent, any Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, such Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, (B) any waiver, amendment or other modification of this Agreement that by its terms affects the rights or duties under this Agreement of the Lenders of one or more Classes (but not the Lenders of any other Class) may be effected by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the requisite number or percentage in interest of each affected Class of Lenders that would be required to consent thereto under this Section if such Class of Lenders were the only Class of Lenders hereunder at the time (provided that any change that would directly and adversely affect a Class of Lenders hereunder shall require the written consent of the Majority in Interest with respect to each such Class directly and adversely affected thereby) and (C) if the terms of any waiver, amendment or other modification of this Agreement or any other Loan Document provide that any Class of Loans (together with all accrued interest thereon and all accrued fees payable with respect to the Commitments of such Class) will be repaid or paid in full, and the Commitments of such Class (if any) terminated, as a condition to the effectiveness of such waiver, amendment or other modification, then so long as the Loans of such Class (together with such accrued interest and fees) are in fact repaid or paid in full and such Commitments are in fact terminated, in each case prior to or substantially simultaneously with the effectiveness of such amendment, then such Loans and Commitments shall not be included in the determination of the Required Lenders with respect to such amendment. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, (1) no consent with respect to any waiver, amendment or other modification of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be required of any Defaulting Lender, except with respect to any waiver, amendment or other modification referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the first proviso of this paragraph and then only in the event such Defaulting Lender shall be affected by

 

195


such waiver, amendment or other modification, (2) 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 (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency (so long as the Lenders shall have received at least five Business Days prior written notice thereof and the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five Business Days of the date of such notice to the Lenders, a written notice from (x) the Required Lenders stating that the Required Lenders object to such amendment or (y) if affected by such amendment, any Issuing Bank stating that it objects (in its capacity as an Issuing Bank) to such amendment), (ii) to comply with local law or advice of local counsel, (iii) to cause any guarantee, collateral security document (including Mortgages) or other document to be consistent with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and each Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement, (iv) to give effect to the provisions of Section 2.14(b) or to amend time periods, minimum amounts and currency exchange rate calculations mechanics with respect to borrowing and payment mechanics for the Revolving Loans and Revolving Commitments solely to the extent necessary to implement a Permitted Foreign Currency or (v) upon a Designated Borrower becoming party hereto, to reflect that there are multiple borrowers party hereto and (3) this Agreement may be amended to provide for Incremental Extensions of Credit in the manner contemplated by Section 2.21 (including, for the avoidance of doubt, to set forth the terms applicable to any FILO Tranche Incremental Revolving Commitments) and the extension of the Revolving Maturity Date as provided in Section 2.22, in each case without any additional consents, and such amendments may effect such changes to the Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to give effect to the existence and the terms of the Incremental Extensions of Credit or the extension of the Revolving Maturity Date, as applicable, and to the extent permitted under the terms of this Agreement, will be effective to amend the terms of this Agreement and the other applicable Loan Documents (including 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 applicable Loan Documents with the other Term Loans and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders), in each case, without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document.

(c)    In connection with any Proposed Change requiring the consent of all Lenders or all affected Lenders, if the consent of the Required Lenders (and, to the extent any Proposed Change requires the consent of Lenders holding Loans of any Class pursuant to clause (iv) of paragraph (b) of this Section, the consent of a Majority in Interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Commitments of such Class) 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” for purposes of this clause (c)), then 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, 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 assignee that shall assume such obligations

 

196


(which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) if the Administrative Agent is not such Non-Consenting Lender, the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and, if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, each Issuing Bank and each Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, (ii) such Non-Consenting Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements, Swingline Loans and Protective Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder (with such assignment being deemed to be an optional prepayment for purposes of determining the applicability of such Section) from the assignee (in the case of such principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts), (iii) the Borrower or such assignee shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.04(b), (iv) such assignment does not conflict with applicable law and (v) the assignee shall have given its consent to such Proposed Change and, as a result of such assignment and delegation and any contemporaneous assignments and delegations and consents, such Proposed Change can be effected. Any assignment required pursuant to this Section 9.02(c) may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the assignee, and the Lender required to make such assignment shall not be required to be a party to such Assignment and Assumption.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent may, without the consent of any Secured Party, consent to a departure by any Loan Party from any covenant of such Loan Party set forth in this Agreement or any Security Document to the extent such departure is consistent with the authority of the Administrative Agent set forth in the definition of the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement”.

(e)    The Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, with the concurrence of any Lender, execute waivers, amendments or other modifications on behalf of such Lender. Any waiver, amendment or other modification effected in accordance with this Section, shall be binding upon each Person that is at the time thereof a Lender and each Person that subsequently becomes a Lender.

SECTION 9.03.    Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver. (a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates (without duplication), including the reasonable fees and documented charges and disbursements of a single primary counsel and to the extent reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be necessary, one local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction, in connection with the structuring, arrangement and syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein and any credit or similar facility refinancing or replacing, in whole or in part, any of the credit facilities provided for herein, as well as the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any waiver, amendments or modifications of the provisions hereof or thereof (including all such expenses incurred in connection with inventory appraisals,

 

197


field examinations and collateral monitoring (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 5.09(b)), (ii) all reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all reasonable, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any Arranger, including the reasonable, documented and invoiced fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for any of the foregoing, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

(b)    The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks 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, penalties, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of one firm of counsel for all such Indemnitees, taken as a whole, and, if reasonably necessary, of a single firm of local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) for all such Indemnitees, taken as a whole (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest where the Indemnitee affected by such conflict informs the Borrower of such conflict and thereafter retains its own counsel, of another firm of counsel for such affected Indemnitee and, if reasonably necessary, of another firm of local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) for such affected Indemnitee)), incurred by or asserted against such Indemnitees arising out of, in connection with or as a result of any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to (i) the structuring, arrangement and syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by any Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit) or (iii) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on, at, to or from any Mortgaged Property or any other property currently or formerly owned or operated by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any other Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or such Subsidiary, in each case, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and whether initiated against or by any party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any Affiliate of any of the foregoing or any third party (and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto); provided that the foregoing indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, apply to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses to the extent they are found in a final and non-appealable judgment of

 

198


a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from (A) the bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Indemnitee, (B) a claim brought by the Borrower or any Subsidiary against such Indemnitee for material breach of such Indemnitee’s obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (C) a proceeding that does not involve an act or omission by the Borrower or any of its Affiliates and that is brought by an Indemnitee against any other Indemnitee (other than a proceeding that is brought against the Administrative Agent or any other agent or any Arranger in its capacity or in fulfilling its roles as an agent or arranger hereunder or any similar role with respect to the Indebtedness incurred or to be incurred hereunder). This paragraph shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.

(c)    To the extent that the Borrower fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required to be paid by it under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Swingline Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing (and without limiting its obligation to do so), each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank, such Swingline Lender or such Related Party, as applicable, 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 (it being understood and agreed that the Borrower’s failure to pay any such amount shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof); provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as applicable, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Swingline Lender in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank in connection with such capacity. For purposes of this Section, a Lender’s “pro rata share” shall be determined by its share of the sum of the total Revolving Exposure and unused Revolving Commitments, in each case at that time. The obligations of the Lenders under this paragraph are subject to the last sentence of Section 2.02(a) (which shall apply mutatis mutandis to the Lenders’ obligations under this paragraph).

(d)    To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, (i) the Borrower shall not assert, or permit any of its Affiliates or Related Parties to assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee 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 Internet), except to the extent such damages are found in a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence of any Indemnitee or Related Party of any Indemnitee or (ii) neither any Indemnitee nor any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be liable 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, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that nothing in this clause (ii) shall limit the expense reimbursement and indemnification obligations of the Borrower set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 9.03.

 

199


(e)    All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.

SECTION 9.04.    Successors and Assigns. (a) General. 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 (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and (ii) no Lender may assign, delegate 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 (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section), the Arrangers and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of any of the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Issuing Bank and any Lender) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b)    Assignments by Lenders. (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign and delegate 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) with the prior written consent of (A) the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required (1) for assignments of Commitments or Loans to another Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund and (2) if an Event of Default of the type set forth in Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing, for any other assignment and delegation; provided further that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to an assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten Business Days after having received notice thereof, (B) the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), (C) each Issuing Bank (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and (D) each Swingline Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

(ii)    Assignments and delegations shall be subject to the following additional conditions: (A) except in the case of an assignment and delegation to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment and delegation 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 and delegation (determined as of the trade date specified in the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment and delegation or, if no trade date is so specified, as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment and delegation is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 (treating contemporaneous assignments by or to two or more Approved

 

200


Funds as a single assignment for purposes of such minimum transfer amount), unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consents (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 of the type set forth in Section 7.01(a), (b), (h) or (i) has occurred and is continuing, (B) each partial assignment and delegation shall be made as an assignment and delegation 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 the assignment and delegation 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 and delegation shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; provided that (1) the Administrative Agent may waive or reduce such fee in its sole discretion and (2) with respect to any assignment and delegation pursuant to Section 2.19(b) or 9.02(c), the parties hereto agree that such assignment and delegation may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the assignee and that the Lender required to make such assignment and delegation need not be a party thereto, and (D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent any tax forms required by Section 2.17(f) and an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain MNPI) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable law, including Federal, State and foreign securities laws. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, assignments between Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC shall not require consent of or prior notice to any party hereunder; provided that such entities shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent upon the effectiveness of any such assignment.

(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 and delegated 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 and delegated by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all 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 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and to any fees payable hereunder that have accrued for such Lender’s account but have not yet been paid). Any

 

201


assignment, delegation or other 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 Section 9.04(c).

(iv)    The Administrative Agent, acting solely 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 a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and LC Disbursements 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, the Issuing Banks 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. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and, as to entries pertaining to it, any Issuing Bank or any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(v)    Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent 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 2.17(f) (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 and delegation 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; provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to accept such Assignment and Assumption or so record the information contained therein if the Administrative Agent reasonably believes that such Assignment and Assumption lacks any written consent required by this Section or is otherwise not in proper form, it being acknowledged that the Administrative Agent shall have no duty or obligation (and shall incur no liability) with respect to obtaining (or confirming the receipt) of any such written consent or with respect to the form of (or any defect in) such Assignment and Assumption, any such duty and obligation being solely with the assigning Lender and the assignee. No assignment or delegation shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph and, following such recording, unless otherwise determined by the Administrative Agent (such determination to be made in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent, which determination may be conditioned on the consent of the assigning Lender and the assignee), shall be effective notwithstanding any

 

202


defect in the Assignment and Assumption relating thereto. Each assigning Lender and the assignee, by its execution and delivery of an Assignment and Assumption, shall be deemed to have represented to the Administrative Agent that all written consents required by this Section with respect thereto (other than the consent of the Administrative Agent) have been obtained and that such Assignment and Assumption is otherwise duly completed and in proper form, and each assignee, by its execution and delivery of an Assignment and Assumption, shall be deemed to have represented to the assigning Lender and the Administrative Agent that such assignee is an Eligible Assignee.

(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 applicable, 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)    Participations. Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more Eligible Assignees (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and Loans of any Class); 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 (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks 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 and (D) the Participant will under no circumstances (x) be subrogated to, or substituted in respect of, the Lender’s claims under this Agreement and (y) have otherwise any contractual relationship with, or rights against, the Borrower under or in relation to 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 this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; 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 clause (i), (ii), (iii), (vi) or (vii) in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant or requires the approval of all the Lenders. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.17(f) (it being understood and agreed that the documentation required under Section 2.17(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment and delegation pursuant to

 

203


paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 2.18 and 2.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15 or 2.17, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.19(b) with respect to any Participant. 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 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender. 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 this Agreement or any other Loan Document (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit 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 such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(d)    Certain Pledges. Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Swingline Lender, at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (other than to a natural person) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or any 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)    [Reserved].

(f)    Disqualified Institutions. The Administrative Agent (i) shall have no obligation with respect to, and shall bear no responsibility or liability for, the ascertaining, monitoring, inquiring or enforcing of the list of Persons who are Disqualified Institutions (or any provisions relating thereto) at any time, and shall have no liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of any Loans to any Disqualified Institution and (ii) may share a list of Persons who are Disqualified

 

204


Institutions with any Lender, Participant, or any prospective assignee or Participant, upon request. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, if the Borrower consents in writing to an Assignment and Assumption to any Person or to otherwise permit any Person to become a Lender or Participant hereunder, such Person shall not be considered a Disqualified Institution, whether or not they would otherwise be considered a Disqualified Institution pursuant to this Agreement.

SECTION 9.05.    Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time this Agreement or any other Loan Document is executed and delivered or 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 or any LC Exposure is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, 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(d) or 2.05(e). The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17, 2.18 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 or prepayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

SECTION 9.06.    Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness(a) . (a) 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

 

205


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 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 transmission or other electronic imaging shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

(b)    The words “execution”, “signed”, “signature”, “delivery” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries 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, physical delivery thereof 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. Each of the parties hereto represents and warrants to each other party that it has the corporate capacity and authority to execute this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party through electronic means and there are no restrictions for doing so in that party’s constitutive documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby (i) agrees that, for all purposes, including in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Loan Parties, electronic images of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents (in each case, including with respect to any signature pages thereto) shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, and (ii) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents based solely on the lack of paper original copies of any Loan Documents, including with respect to any signature pages thereto.

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 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 applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) or other amounts at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender or such Issuing Bank to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations then due of

 

206


the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender or such Issuing Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or such Issuing Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations of the Borrower are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or such Issuing Bank different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such Indebtedness. Each Lender and each Issuing Bank agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the 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 such Issuing Bank may have.

SECTION 9.09.    Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. (a) This Agreement and any claim, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) based upon, arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

(b)    The Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that it will not, and will not permit any controlled Subsidiary to, commence any action, litigation or proceeding of any kind or description, whether in law or equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, against the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any Related Party of any of the foregoing in any way relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, in any forum other than the courts 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, and any appellate court from any thereof, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the jurisdiction of such courts and agrees that all claims in respect of any action, litigation or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in such Federal court. Each party hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action, litigation 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 this Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may otherwise have to bring any action, litigation or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any Loan Party or any of its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c)    Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action, litigation or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other 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 this Agreement or any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

207


SECTION 9.10.    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY 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 THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR 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 AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

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. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Related Parties, including accountants, legal counsel and other agents and advisors, it being understood and agreed 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 acting on behalf of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the relevant Lender to comply with this Section 9.12 shall constitute a breach of this Section 9.12 by the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or the relevant Lender, as applicable, (b) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority or central bank, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process (provided, that to the extent practicable and permitted by law, the Borrower has been notified prior to such disclosure so that the Borrower may seek, at the Borrower’s sole expense, a protective order or other appropriate remedy), (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, provided that each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that such Information is kept confidential in connection with the exercise of such remedies (f) subject to an agreement containing confidentiality undertakings substantially similar to

 

208


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 Related Parties) to any Hedging Agreement relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary and its obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (g) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided for herein or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the credit facilities provided for herein, (h) with the consent of the Borrower, (i) 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, any Lender or any Issuing Bank or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary, which source is not known by the recipient of such information to be subject to a confidentiality obligation or (j) to any credit insurance provider relating to the Borrower or its Obligations. For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or their businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank 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.

SECTION 9.13.    Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan or participation in any LC Disbursement, together with all fees, charges and other amounts that are treated as interest on such Loan or LC Disbursement or participation therein under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) that may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender or Issuing Bank holding such Loan or LC Disbursement or participation therein in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan or LC Disbursement or participation therein but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender or Issuing Bank in respect of other Loans or LC Disbursements or participation therein or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender or Issuing Bank.

SECTION 9.14.    Release of Liens and Guarantees. Subject to the reinstatement provisions set forth in any applicable Security Document, 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 Loan Party shall be automatically released, upon the consummation of any transaction

 

209


permitted by this Agreement as a result of which such Loan Party ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary (or in case of any Designated Subsidiary, when the Borrower elects that any Designated Subsidiary cease to be Designated Subsidiary and such Designated Subsidiary would otherwise constitute an Excluded Subsidiary); provided that (a) immediately before and after such election with respect to a Designated Subsidiary, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from such designation, (b) all Indebtedness, Liens and Investments of such Subsidiary, and all Investments by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in such Subsidiary, in each case, at the time of such election, shall comply with the provisions of Article VI after giving effect to such election and such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Loan Party, in each case as though incurred or made at such time and (c) the Borrower shall have delivered an officer’s certificate certifying as to the foregoing; provided further that, if so required by this Agreement, the Required Lenders (or if applicable, the Lenders) shall have consented to such transaction and the terms of such consent shall not have provided otherwise. Upon any sale, transfer or other disposition by any Loan Party (other than to the Borrower or any other Loan Party) of any Collateral in a transaction permitted under this Agreement (including such sale, transfer or other disposition under or in connection with Permitted Receivables Facilities), or upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest created under any Security Document in any Collateral pursuant to Section 9.02, the security interests in such Collateral created by the Security Documents shall be automatically released. Upon the release of any Loan Party from its Guarantee in compliance with this Agreement, the security interest in any Collateral owned by such Loan Party created by the Security Documents shall be automatically released. Upon the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with this Agreement, the security interest created by the Security Documents in the Equity Interests of such Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be automatically released. On the date on which all (1) Obligations have been paid in full in cash (other than (w) Secured Hedging Obligations not yet due and payable, (x) Secured Cash Management Obligations not yet due and payable, (y) Secured Supply Chain Financing Obligations not yet due and payable and (z) contingent indemnification obligations not yet accrued and payable) and (2) all Letters of Credit have expired or been terminated (other than Letters of Credit that have been cash collateralized or backstopped in an amount, by an institution and otherwise pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank), all obligations under the Loan Documents and all security interests under the Security Documents shall be automatically released. In connection with any termination or release pursuant to this Section 9.14 or in connection with any Collateral becoming Excluded Property, 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 file or register in any office, or to evidence, such termination or release, or, in the case of Collateral becoming Excluded Property, to effect, to file or register in any office, or to evidence the release of any security interest created by the Security Documents in such assets. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent. Each of the Secured Parties irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to effect the releases set forth in this Section.

 

210


SECTION 9.15.    USA PATRIOT Act Notice. 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 the USA PATRIOT Act and the requirements of the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender, such Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, and each Loan Party agrees to provide such information from time to time to such Lender, such Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent, as applicable.

SECTION 9.16.    No Fiduciary Relationship. The Borrower, 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, the Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and their respective Affiliates, 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 Arrangers, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or their respective Affiliates, and no such duty will be deemed to have arisen in connection with any such transactions or communications. The Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and their respective Affiliates may be engaged, for their own accounts or the accounts of customers, in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower, the Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates, and none of the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or any of their respective Affiliates has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower, the Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it or any of its Affiliates may have against the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

SECTION 9.17.    Non-Public Information. (a) Each Lender acknowledges that all information, including requests for waivers and amendments, furnished by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent pursuant to or in connection with, or in the course of administering, this Agreement will be syndicate-level information, which may contain MNPI. Each Lender represents to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that (i) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of MNPI and that it will handle MNPI in accordance with such procedures and applicable law, including Federal, State and foreign securities laws, and (ii) it has identified in its Administrative Questionnaire a credit contact who may receive information that may contain MNPI in accordance with its compliance procedures and applicable law, including Federal, State and foreign securities laws.

(b)    The Borrower and each Lender acknowledge that, if information furnished by the Borrower pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement is being distributed by the Administrative Agent through the Platform, (i) the Administrative

 

211


Agent may post any information that the Borrower has indicated as containing MNPI solely on that portion of the Platform as is designated for Lenders’ employees and representatives willing to receive such MNPI (such employees and representatives, “Private-Siders”); and (ii) if the Borrower has not indicated whether any information furnished by it pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement contains MNPI, the Administrative Agent reserves the right to post such information solely on that portion of the Platform as is designated for Private-Siders. The Borrower agrees to clearly designate all information provided to the Administrative Agent by or on behalf of the Borrower that is suitable to be made available to Lenders’ public-side employees and representatives who do not wish to receive MNPI (such employees and representatives, “Public-Siders”), and the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely on any such designation by the Borrower without liability or responsibility for the independent verification thereof.

SECTION 9.18.    Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected 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 Affected 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 the applicable 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 the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected 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 Affected 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 the applicable Resolution Authority.

SECTION 9.19.    Judgment Currency. If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could

 

212


purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Administrative Agent may in accordance with normal banking procedures 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 Administrative Agent from the Borrower in the Agreement Currency, the Borrower agree, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Administrative Agent or the Person to whom such obligation was owing against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent in such currency, the Administrative Agent agrees to return the amount of any excess to the Borrower (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).

SECTION 9.20.    Cashless Settlement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any Lender may exchange, continue or rollover all or a portion of its Loans in connection with any refinancing, extension, loan modification or similar transaction permitted by the terms of this Agreement, pursuant to a cashless settlement mechanism approved by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such Lender.

SECTION 9.21.    Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Hedging 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):

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

 

213


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.

SECTION 9.22.    Designated Borrowers. A Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.03 may become a Designated Borrower by (x) delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Designated Borrower Joinder executed by such Subsidiary and the Borrower and approved by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the next sentence and (y) compliance with the other provisions of this Section 9.22 and thereupon such Subsidiary shall for all purposes of this Agreement be a party to and a Designated Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent may, to the extent reasonable, condition such approval on the receipt of information required by law, customary closing opinions and certificates, and the satisfaction of other reasonable and customary documentary conditions, in each case, no more burdensome with respect to the Designated Borrower than those set forth in Section 4.01 with respect to the Borrower. Schedule 1.03 may be supplemented by the Borrower by written notice to the Administrative Agent, from time to time to add Subsidiaries that may become additional Designated Borrowers so long as any such Designated Borrower is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. A Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.03 shall become a Designated Borrower upon delivery of the Designated Borrower Joinder described above if:

(a)    the Borrower shall have provided at least ten (10) Business Days’ written notice to the Administrative Agent of its intention to have a Person listed on Schedule 1.03 become a Designated Borrower (which notice shall specify the name of such Designated Borrower and its jurisdiction of organization) (with the Administrative Agent hereby agreeing to promptly furnish any such notice received from the Borrower to each Lender);

(b)    if the requirements applicable to a Designated Borrower contained in the definition of “Designated Borrower” are satisfied; and

(c)    at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date such Subsidiary becomes a Designated Borrower, (i) the Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act, and (ii) any such Subsidiary that qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation shall deliver a Beneficial Ownership Certification to any Lender that has requested such certification at least seven (7) Business Days in advance of such Subsidiary becoming a Designated Borrower;

 

214


provided, that if prior thereto, in the case of a Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary, the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from any Lender that it is unlawful under Federal or applicable state or foreign law for such Lender to make Loans or otherwise extend credit to or do business with such Subsidiary, directly or through a Lender Affiliate, as provided herein (a “Notice of Objection”), in which case such Designated Borrower Joinder shall not become effective until such time as such Lender withdraws such Notice of Objection or ceases to be a Lender hereunder.

Upon the execution by the Borrower and delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Designated Borrower Termination with respect to any Designated Borrower, such Domestic Subsidiary shall cease to be a Designated Borrower; provided that (a) immediately before and after giving effect to such Designated Borrower Termination, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (b) no Designated Borrower Termination shall be effective as to any Designated Borrower (other than to terminate its right to borrow additional Revolving Loans under this Agreement) at any time when any principal of or interest on any Revolving Loan or any Letter of Credit to such Designated Borrower shall be outstanding hereunder, unless the obligations of such Designated Borrower shall have been assumed by the Borrower or another Designated Borrower on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. In the event that any Designated Borrower shall cease to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, the Borrower shall promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Designated Borrower Termination terminating its status as a Designated Borrower, subject to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence. Promptly following its receipt of any Designated Borrower Joinder or Designated Borrower Termination, the Administrative Agent shall provide a copy thereof to the Lenders.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

215


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

ARCONIC CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Jason Secore

  Name:Jason Secore
  Title:  Vice President and Treasurer

[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK
BRANCH, as Administrative Agent,
Lender, Swingline Lender and Issuing
Bank,
by      
 

  /s/ Michael Strobel

    Name: Michael Strobel
    Title:Vice President

 

by      
 

  /s/ Suzan Onal

    Name: Suzan Onal
    Title: Vice President


LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO

THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OF

ARCONIC CORPORATION

 

Name of Institution:

 

Citibank, N.A.

  as a Lender and as an Issuing Bank,
  by  
   

  /s/ Brendan Mackay

      Name: Brendan Mackay
      Title: Vice President & Director


LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO

THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OF

ARCONIC CORPORATION

 

Name of Institution:

  Truist Bank
  as a Lender and as an Issuing Bank,
  by      
   

  /s/ Mark Fidati

      Name: Mark Fidati
      Title: Managing Director


LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO

THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OF

ARCONIC CORPORATION

 

Name of Institution:

  ABN AMRO CAPITAL USA LLC
  as a Lender,
  by      
   

  /s/ Jamie Matos

      Name: Jamie Matos
      Title: Director
  For any instituion that requires a second signature line:
  by      
   

  /s/ Amit Wynalda

      Name: Amit Wynalda
      Title: Executive Director


LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO

THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OF

ARCONIC CORPORATION

 

Name of Institution:

  BNP Paribas
  as a Lender,
  by      
   

  /s/ John McCulloch

      Name: John McCulloch
      Title: Vice President
  For any instituion that requires a second signature line:
  by  
   

  /s/ Mark A Renaud

      Name: Mark A Renaud
      Title: Managing Director


LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO

THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OF

ARCONIC CORPORATION

 

Name of Institution:

 

CREDIT SUISSE AG,

CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH

  as a Lender,
  by      
   

  /s/ Judy Smith

      Name: Judy Smith
      Title: Authorized Signatory
  For any instituion that requires a second signature line:
  by  
   

  /s/ Bastien Dayer

      Name: Bastien Dayer
      Title: Authorized Signatory


LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO

THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OF

ARCONIC CORPORATION

 

Name of Institution:

  Goldman Sachs Bank USA
  as a Lender and as Issuing Bank,
  by      
   

  /s/ Robert Ehudin

      Name: Robert Ehudin
      Title: Authorized Signatory


LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO

THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OF

ARCONIC CORPORATION

 

Name of Institution:

  CIBC Bank USA
  as a Lender,
  by      
   

  /s/ Samir D. Desai

      Name: Samir D. Desai
      Title: Managing Director


LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO

THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OF

ARCONIC CORPORATION

 

Name of Institution:

  PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
  as a Lender,
  by      
   

  /s/ Joseph McElhinny

      Name: Joseph McElhinny
      Title: Vice President


LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO

THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OF

ARCONIC CORPORATION

 

Name of Institution:

  STANDARD CHARTERED BANK
  as a Lender,
  by      
   

  /s/ James Beck

      Name: James Beck
      Title: Associate Director

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Arconic Announces Closing of $700 Million Notes Offering and $800 Million ABL

Facility Replacing Existing Term Loan and Revolver Facilities

PITTSBURGH – May 13, 2020 – Arconic Corp. (NYSE: ARNC) (“Arconic” or “the Company”) announced today that it closed its offering of first lien notes (the “Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of $700 million at 6.000% interest per annum, with a maturity date of May 15, 2025.

The Company also replaced its cash flow revolver with a new asset-based credit facility (the “ABL Facility”) with aggregate commitments of $800 million. Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch is Administrative Agent for the ABL Facility. Availability under the ABL Facility is subject to a borrowing base calculation generally based upon a set percentage of eligible accounts receivable and inventory, less customary reserves.

Chief Executive Officer Tim Myers said, “This recapitalization provides us with the right capital structure for our Company moving forward. Demand for the Notes and participation in the ABL Facility was exceptionally strong, and as a result, we were able to upsize the recapitalization from $1.35 billion to $1.5 billion in the aggregate without any increase to pricing.”

The Company used the net proceeds from the offering, together with cash on hand, to prepay in full the obligations outstanding under its senior secured first-lien term loan B facility, and prepay in full the obligations outstanding under its revolving credit facility and terminate in full the commitments thereunder. The Notes and the ABL Facility are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by each of the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. Each of the Notes and the related guarantees are secured on a first-priority basis by liens on certain assets of the Company and the guarantors and on a second-priority basis by certain other assets of the Company and the guarantors that constitute first-priority collateral for the ABL Facility. The ABL Facility is secured on a first-priority basis by liens on accounts receivable, inventory and certain other ABL priority collateral and on a second-priority basis by certain other assets.

The Notes and related guarantees were sold in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act.

The Notes and related guarantees have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration under, or an applicable exemption from, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.


About Arconic Corporation

Arconic Corporation (NYSE: ARNC), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading provider of aluminum sheet, plate and extrusions, as well as innovative architectural products, that advance the ground transportation, aerospace, industrial, packaging and building, and construction markets.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements that relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include those containing such words as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “guidance,” “intends,” “may,” “outlook,” “plans,” “projects,” “seeks,” “sees,” “should,” “targets,” “will,” “would,” or other words of similar meaning. All statements that reflect Arconic Corporation’s expectations, assumptions or projections about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including the Company’s capital structure and use of proceeds. These statements reflect beliefs and assumptions that are based on Arconic Corporation’s perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors Arconic Corporation believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Although Arconic Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that these expectations will be attained and it is possible that actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the risk factors summarized in Arconic Corporation’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

###

 

Investor Contacts    Media Contact
Jason Secore    Tracie Gliozzi
Shane Rourke    (412) 992-2525
(412) 315-2984    Tracie.Gliozzi@arconic.com
Investor.Relations@arconic.com