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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, 2021

 

 

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Ohio   1-1927   34-0253240

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

200 Innovation Way, Akron, Ohio   44316-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (330) 796-2121

Not Applicable

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, Without Par Value   GT   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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

Emerging growth company  ☐

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Indenture and Notes

On May 18, 2021, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (the “Company”) issued $850,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 5.000% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes”) and $600,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 5.250% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “2031 Notes” and together with the 2029 Notes, the “Notes”). The Notes are guaranteed, jointly and severally, on an unsecured basis, by the Company’s wholly owned U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries that also guarantee the Company’s obligations under certain of its senior secured credit facilities and senior unsecured notes (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”).

The Notes were offered and sold pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Notes were offered and sold only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and outside the United States to persons other than U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.

The Notes were issued pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of August 13, 2010 (the “Base Indenture”), among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by a Tenth Supplemental Indenture, in respect of the 2029 Notes, dated as of May 18, 2021 (the “Tenth Supplemental Indenture”), and an Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, in respect of the 2031 Notes, dated as of May 18, 2021 (the “Eleventh Supplemental Indenture”) (the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Tenth Supplemental Indenture with respect to the 2029 Notes and as supplemented by the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture with respect to the 2031 Notes, as applicable, the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee.

The Tenth Supplemental Indenture and the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture together are referred to in this Current Report on Form 8-K as the “Supplemental Indentures.” The Indenture provides, among other things, that the Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and rank equally with all of the Company’s other senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt.

Interest is payable on the Notes on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2022. The 2029 Notes will mature on July 15, 2029, and the 2031 Notes will mature on July 15, 2031. The Company has the option to redeem some or all of the Notes at any time or from time to time prior to their maturity. If the Company elects to redeem (i) the 2029 Notes prior to April 15, 2029 or (ii) the 2031 Notes prior to April 15, 2031, the Company will pay a redemption price in respect of the Notes to be redeemed equal to the greater of 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes redeemed or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes redeemed (as if the 2029 Notes matured on April 15, 2029 and the 2031 Notes matured on April 15, 2031), discounted using a defined treasury rate plus 50 basis points, plus in either case accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, if any. If the Company elects to redeem (i) the 2029 Notes on or after April 15, 2029 or (ii) the 2031 Notes on or after April 15, 2031, the Company will pay a redemption price in respect of the Notes to be redeemed equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, if any. The optional redemption provisions are set forth in the Supplemental Indentures and the applicable Notes.

The terms of the Indenture, among other things, limit the ability of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries to (i) incur certain liens, (ii) enter into certain sale/leaseback transactions and (iii) consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of their assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications set forth in the Supplemental Indentures. Also, if the Notes of a series are assigned an investment grade rating by at least two of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings, Inc., and no default has occurred and is continuing, the Company may elect to suspend the guarantees with respect to such Notes.

The Indenture provides for customary events of default that include (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), among others: nonpayment of principal or interest, breach of certain covenants or other agreements in the Indenture, defaults in or failure to pay certain other indebtedness or certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. Generally, if an event of default occurs, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then-outstanding Notes of the applicable series may declare the principal of and the accrued but unpaid interest on all of the Notes of such series to be due and payable. In addition, if the Company experiences


a change of control triggering event (as defined in the applicable Supplemental Indenture) with respect to a series of Notes, the Company will be required to make an offer to purchase such Notes at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes, together with cash on hand and borrowings under its revolving credit facility, to fund the cash portion of the consideration for its acquisition (the “Acquisition”) of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (“Cooper Tire”) and related costs. The offering was not conditioned upon the consummation of the Acquisition. However, if (i) the Acquisition does not occur on or prior to May 31, 2022, (ii) the Company notifies the Trustee in writing that the merger agreement pursuant to which the Company will acquire Cooper Tire has terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the consummation of the Acquisition or (iii) the Company notifies the Trustee in writing and publicly announces that the Company will not pursue consummation of the Acquisition (the earliest to occur of clause (i), (ii) and (iii), a “Special Mandatory Redemption Event”), then the Company will be required to redeem all of the outstanding Notes of each series on the date that is no later than 10 business days following any Special Mandatory Redemption Event (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Date”) at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of such Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount of such Notes to, but not including, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date.

A copy of the Base Indenture was originally filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 13, 2010. Copies of the Tenth Supplemental Indenture and the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture are respectively attached as Exhibits 4.2 and 4.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The descriptions of the material terms of the Indenture and the Notes are qualified in their entirety by reference to such exhibits.

Registration Rights Agreements

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors entered into registration rights agreements with respect to the 2029 Notes and the 2031 Notes with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the initial purchasers, on May 18, 2021. In these registration rights agreements, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors agreed for the benefit of the holders of the applicable series of Notes to file an exchange offer registration statement registering exchange notes and the related guarantees with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that have substantially identical terms as the Notes and the original guarantees and to use its and their commercially reasonable best efforts to consummate an offer to exchange these freely tradable exchange notes for the Notes on or prior to the 366th calendar day following the date the Notes were issued. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have also agreed to file and to use commercially reasonable best efforts to cause to become effective a shelf registration statement relating to the resale of the Notes under certain circumstances. Holders of the Notes will be entitled to the payment of additional interest in certain circumstances if the Company does not complete the exchange offer or, if the shelf registration statement is not declared effective, in each case, within the specified time periods in the applicable registration rights agreement. Copies of these registration rights agreements are attached as Exhibits 4.6 and 4.7 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The description of the material terms of the registration rights agreements is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibits.

 

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 in Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

Item 8.01

Other Events.

On May 13, 2021, the Company issued a news release announcing the commencement of the offering of the Notes, which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

On May 14, 2021, the Company issued a news release announcing the pricing of the offering of the Notes, which is attached as Exhibit. 99.2 hereto.


Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

  4.1    Indenture, dated as of August 13, 2010, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 13, 2010).
  4.2*    Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 18, 2021, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee.
  4.3*    Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 18, 2021, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee.
  4.4*    Form of global note for 5.000% Senior Notes due 2029 (set forth as Exhibit 1 to the Tenth Supplemental Indenture attached as Exhibit 4.2 hereto).
  4.5*    Form of global note for 5.250% Senior Notes due 2031 (set forth as Exhibit 1 to the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture attached as Exhibit 4.3 hereto).
  4.6*    Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the Senior Notes due 2029, dated as of May 18, 2021, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC.
  4.7*    Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the Senior Notes due 2031, dated as of May 18, 2021, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC.
99.1*    News Release, dated May 13, 2021, relating to the commencement of the offering of the Notes.
99.2*    News Release, dated May 14, 2021, relating to the pricing of the offering of the Notes.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

*

Filed herewith.


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 18, 2021     THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
    By:  

/s/ Daniel T. Young

      Daniel T. Young
      Secretary

Exhibit 4.2

 

 

 

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

5.000% Senior Notes due 2029

 

 

TENTH

SUPPLEMENTAL

INDENTURE

Dated as of May 18, 2021

TO THE INDENTURE

Dated as of August 13, 2010

 

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,

as Trustee

 

 

 

 


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA

Section

      

Supplemental

Indenture

Section

310(a)(1)

     7.10

(a)(2)

     7.10

(a)(3)

     N.A.

(a)(4)

     N.A.

(a)(5)

     7.10

(b)

     7.08; 7.10

(c)

     N.A.

311(a)

     7.11

(b)

     7.11

(c)

     N.A.

312(a)

     2.05

(b)

     11.03

(c)

     11.03

313(a)

     7.06

(b)(1)

     N.A.

(b)(2)

     7.06

(c)

     11.02

(d)

     7.06

314(a)

     4.02; 4.08; 11.02

(b)

     N.A.

(c)(1)

     11.04

(c)(2)

     11.04

(c)(3)

     N.A.

(d)

     N.A.

(e)

     11.05

(f)

     4.09

315(a)

     7.01

(b)

     7.05; 11.02

(c)

     7.01

(d)

     7.01

(e)

     6.11

316(a)(last sentence)

     11.06

(a)(1)(A)

     6.05

(a)(1)(B)

     6.04

(a)(2)

     N.A.

(b)

     6.07

317(a)(1)

     6.08

(a)(2)

     6.09

(b)

     2.04

318(a)

     11.01

N.A. means Not Applicable.

 

 

Note:

This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of this Supplemental Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
ARTICLE 1   

Application of Supplemental Indenture and Creation of Notes;

Definitions and Incorporation by Reference

  

SECTION 1.01.

   Application of this Supplemental Indenture      1  

SECTION 1.02.

   Effect of Supplemental Indenture      2  

SECTION 1.03.

   Definitions      3  

SECTION 1.04.

   Other Definitions      20  

SECTION 1.05.

   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act      20  

SECTION 1.06.

   Rules of Construction      21  
ARTICLE 2   
The Notes   

SECTION 2.01.

   Form and Dating      22  

SECTION 2.02.

   Execution and Authentication      22  

SECTION 2.03.

   Registrar and Paying Agent      23  

SECTION 2.04.

   Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust      24  

SECTION 2.05.

   Lists of Holders of Notes      24  

SECTION 2.06.

   Transfer and Exchange      24  

SECTION 2.07.

   Replacement Notes      25  

SECTION 2.08.

   Outstanding Notes      25  

SECTION 2.09.

   Temporary Notes      26  

SECTION 2.10.

   Cancellation      26  

SECTION 2.11.

   Defaulted Interest      26  

SECTION 2.12.

   CUSIP Numbers and ISINs      26  

SECTION 2.13.

   Issuance of Additional Notes      26  
ARTICLE 3   
Optional Redemption   

SECTION 3.01.

   Notices to Trustee      27  

SECTION 3.02.

   Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed      27  

SECTION 3.03.

   Notice of Redemption      28  

SECTION 3.04.

   Effect of Notice of Redemption      29  

SECTION 3.05.

   Deposit of Redemption Price      29  

SECTION 3.06.

   Notes Redeemed in Part      29  

 

i


ARTICLE 4   
Covenants   

SECTION 4.01.

   Payment of Notes      29  

SECTION 4.02.

   SEC Reports and Rule 144A Information      30  

SECTION 4.03.

   Change of Control Triggering Event      30  

SECTION 4.04.

   Limitation on Liens      32  

SECTION 4.05.

   Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions      32  

SECTION 4.06.

   Future Subsidiary Guarantors      32  

SECTION 4.07.

   Fall Away of Future Subsidiary Guarantors Covenant      33  

SECTION 4.08.

   Compliance Certificate      34  

SECTION 4.09.

   Special Mandatory Redemption      34  

SECTION 4.10.

   Further Instruments and Acts      34  
ARTICLE 5   
Successor Company   

SECTION 5.01.

   When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets      35  
ARTICLE 6   
Defaults and Remedies   

SECTION 6.01.

   Events of Default      36  

SECTION 6.02.

   Acceleration      38  

SECTION 6.03.

   Other Remedies      38  

SECTION 6.04.

   Waiver of Past Defaults      39  

SECTION 6.05.

   Control by Majority      39  

SECTION 6.06.

   Limitation on Suits      39  

SECTION 6.07.

   Rights of Holders to Receive Payment      40  

SECTION 6.08.

   Collection Suit by Trustee      40  

SECTION 6.09.

   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      40  

SECTION 6.10.

   Priorities      40  

SECTION 6.11.

   Undertaking for Costs      41  

SECTION 6.12.

   Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws      41  
ARTICLE 7   
Trustee   

SECTION 7.01.

   Duties of Trustee      41  

SECTION 7.02.

   Rights of Trustee      42  

SECTION 7.03.

   Individual Rights of Trustee      44  

SECTION 7.04.

   Trustee’s Disclaimer      44  

SECTION 7.05.

   Notice of Defaults      44  

 

ii


SECTION 7.06.

   Reports by Trustee to Holders      44  

SECTION 7.07.

   Compensation and Indemnity      45  

SECTION 7.08.

   Replacement of Trustee      45  

SECTION 7.09.

   Successor Trustee by Merger      46  

SECTION 7.10.

   Eligibility; Disqualification      47  

SECTION 7.11.

   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company      47  
ARTICLE 8   
Discharge of Supplemental Indenture; Defeasance   

SECTION 8.01.

   Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance      47  

SECTION 8.02.

   Conditions to Defeasance      48  

SECTION 8.03.

   Application of Trust Money      49  

SECTION 8.04.

   Repayment to Company      49  

SECTION 8.05.

   Indemnity for Government Obligations      49  

SECTION 8.06.

   Reinstatement      49  
ARTICLE 9   
Amendments   

SECTION 9.01.

   Without Consent of Holders      50  

SECTION 9.02.

   With Consent of Holders      51  

SECTION 9.03.

   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act      52  

SECTION 9.04.

   Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers      52  

SECTION 9.05.

   Notation on or Exchange of Notes      52  

SECTION 9.06.

   Trustee To Sign Amendments      52  

SECTION 9.07.

   Payment for Consent      53  
ARTICLE 10   
Subsidiary Guarantees   

SECTION 10.01.

   Guarantees      53  

SECTION 10.02.

   Limitation on Liability      54  

SECTION 10.03.

   Successors and Assigns      54  

SECTION 10.04.

   No Waiver      54  

SECTION 10.05.

   Modification      55  

SECTION 10.06.

   Release of Subsidiary Guarantor      55  

SECTION 10.07.

   Contribution      56  
ARTICLE 11   
Miscellaneous   

SECTION 11.01.

   Trust Indenture Act Controls      56  

SECTION 11.02.

   Notices      56  

 

iii


SECTION 11.03.

   Communication by Holders with Other Holders      57  

SECTION 11.04.

   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      57  

SECTION 11.05.

   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      57  

SECTION 11.06.

   When Notes Disregarded      58  

SECTION 11.07.

   Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar      58  

SECTION 11.08.

   Legal Holidays      58  

SECTION 11.09.

   Governing Law; Jury Trial Waiver      58  

SECTION 11.10.

   No Recourse Against Others      58  

SECTION 11.11.

   Successors      59  

SECTION 11.12.

   Multiple Originals; Electronic Signatures      59  

SECTION 11.13.

   Table of Contents; Headings      59  

SECTION 11.14.

   Ratification of Base Indenture      59  

SECTION 11.15.

   Consent to Jurisdiction      59  

SECTION 11.16.

   U.S.A. Patriot Act      60  

 

Appendix A

  

Provisions Relating to Notes

Exhibit 1

  

  

Form of Note

Exhibit 2

  

  

Form of Supplemental Indenture

Exhibit 3

  

  

Form of Notice of Special Mandatory Redemption

 

 

iv


TENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE dated as of May 18, 2021 to the Indenture dated as of August 13, 2010, among The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, an Ohio corporation, the Subsidiary Guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national banking association, as Trustee.

WHEREAS, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have executed and delivered to the Trustee the Base Indenture providing for the issuance from time to time of one or more series of Securities;

WHEREAS, Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture provides for the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee to enter into a supplemental indenture to the Base Indenture without notice to or the consent of any Holders to establish the forms or terms of Securities of any series issued thereunder as permitted by Section 2.01 and Section 2.02 of the Base Indenture;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Base Indenture, the Company wishes to provide for the issuance of the Notes, the forms and terms of the Notes and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in this Supplemental Indenture; and

WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture, and all requirements necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding and enforceable instrument in accordance with its terms, and to make the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, when the Notes are executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, have been done and performed, and the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized in all respects;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

Application of Supplemental Indenture and Creation of Notes;

Definitions and Incorporation by Reference

SECTION 1.01. Application of this Supplemental Indenture. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Supplemental Indenture, the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture, including as provided in Section 1.02, and any amendments or modifications to the terms of the Base Indenture made herein, are expressly and solely for the benefit of the Holders (and not for the benefit of any other Series of Securities (as defined in the Base Indenture)). The Notes constitute a series of Securities as provided in Section 2.01 of the Base Indenture. Unless otherwise expressly specified, references in this Supplemental Indenture to specific Article numbers or Section numbers refer to Articles and Sections contained in this Supplemental Indenture, and not the Base Indenture or any other document. All the Notes issued under this Supplemental Indenture shall be treated as a single class for all purposes of the Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.

 


The Notes shall constitute a Series of Securities (as defined in the Base Indenture) having the title “5.000% Senior Notes due 2029”. The initial aggregate principal amount of the Notes is $850,000,000. Additional Notes may be issued as provided for in Section 2.13 hereof. The Notes shall have the terms provided for in this Supplemental Indenture and set forth in Appendix A and Exhibit 1. The Notes shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.

SECTION 1.02. Effect of Supplemental Indenture. With respect to the Notes only, the Base Indenture shall be supplemented pursuant to Section 9.01 thereof to establish the terms of the Notes as set forth in this Supplemental Indenture, including as follows:

(a) Definitions. The definitions and other provisions of general application set forth in Article 1 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Sections 1.03, 1.04, 1.05 and 1.06 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(b) The Notes. The provisions of Article 2 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 2 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(c) Redemption. The provisions of Article 3 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 3 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(d) Covenants. The provisions of Article 4 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 4 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(e) Successors. The provisions of Article 5 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 5 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(f) Defaults and Remedies. The provisions of Article 6 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 6 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(g) Trustee. The provisions of Article 7 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 7 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(h) Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance. The provisions of Article 8 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 8 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(i) Amendments. The provisions of Article 9 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 9 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(j) Subsidiary Guarantors. The provisions of Article 10 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 10 of this Supplemental Indenture; and

 

2


(k) Miscellaneous. The provisions of Article 11 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 11 of this Supplemental Indenture.

To the extent that the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture (including those referred to in clauses (a) through (k) above) conflict with any provision of the Base Indenture, the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture shall govern and be controlling solely with respect to the Notes.

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes:

SECTION 1.03. Definitions. For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“Acquisition” means the acquisition by the Company of Cooper Tire, through the merger of Merger Sub, with and into Cooper Tire pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

“Additional Assets” means:

 

  (1)

any property or assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) to be used by the Company or a Subsidiary;

 

  (2)

the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or another Subsidiary; or

 

  (3)

Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Subsidiary;

provided, however, that any such Subsidiary described in clauses (2) or (3) above is primarily engaged in a Permitted Business.

“Additional Interest” means the additional interest then owing pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement.

“Additional Notes” means Notes issued under this Supplemental Indenture after the Closing Date and in compliance with Sections 2.13 and 4.04, it being understood that any Notes issued in exchange for or replacement of any Note issued on the Closing Date (including any such Notes issued pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement) shall not be an Additional Note.

“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 the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

3


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

“Attributable Debt” means, with respect to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction that does not result in a Finance Lease Obligation, the present value (computed in accordance with GAAP) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended). In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon payment of a penalty, the Attributable Debt shall be the lesser of:

 

  (1)

the Attributable Debt determined assuming termination upon the first date such lease may be terminated (in which case the Attributable Debt shall also include the amount of the penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated), and

 

  (2)

the Attributable Debt determined assuming no such termination.

“Average Life” means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any Indebtedness, the quotient obtained by dividing:

 

  (1)

the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness multiplied by the amount of such payment by

 

  (2)

the sum of all such payments.

“Base Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of August 13, 2010, as amended or supplemented from time to time, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee.

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of the board of directors of the Company.

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

“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests (however designated) in equity of such Person, including any preferred stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

  (1)

any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes of this clause (1) such person shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company;

 

4


  (2)

the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

 

  (3)

the sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (as determined on a Consolidated basis) to another Person (other than to the Company and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries).

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Event.

“Closing Date” means May 18, 2021.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Company” means The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, an Ohio corporation, until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor and, for purposes of any provision contained herein and required by the TIA, each other obligor on the indenture securities.

“Consolidated Assets of the Company and Subsidiaries” means, as at the date as of which any determination is being or to be made, the consolidated total assets of the Company and Subsidiaries as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company for the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company (which consolidated balance sheet has been filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act).

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, as of the date of determination, the Consolidated Assets of the Company and Subsidiaries after deducting therefrom all goodwill and other intangibles, all as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company for the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company (which consolidated balance sheet has been filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act).

“Consolidation” means, unless the context otherwise requires, the consolidation of (1) in the case of the Company, the accounts of each of the Subsidiaries with those of the Company and (2) in the case of a Subsidiary (the “Specified Subsidiary”), the accounts of each Subsidiary of such Specified Subsidiary with those of such Specified Subsidiary, in each case in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; provided, however, that “Consolidation” will not include consolidation of the accounts of any Excluded Subsidiary, but the interest of the Company or any Subsidiary in an Excluded Subsidiary will be accounted for as an investment. The term “Consolidated” has a correlative meaning.

“Cooper Tire” means Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, a Delaware corporation.

“Credit Agreements” means the U.S. Credit Agreements and the European Credit Agreement.

 

5


“Currency Agreement” means, with respect to any Person, any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement to which such Person is a party or of which it is a beneficiary.

“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable or exercisable) or upon the happening of any event:

 

  (1)

matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;

 

  (2)

is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock (excluding Capital Stock convertible or exchangeable solely at the option of the Company or a Subsidiary; provided, however, that any such conversion or exchange shall be deemed an Incurrence of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, as applicable); or

 

  (3)

is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part;

in the case of each of clauses (1), (2) and (3), on or prior to 180 days after the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided, however, that any Capital Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an “asset sale” or “change of control” occurring on or prior to the date that is 180 days after the Stated Maturity of the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the “asset sale” or “change of control” provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are not more favorable in any material respect to the holders of such Capital Stock than the “asset sale” and “change of control” provisions contained in the 2015 Euro Indenture, the 2016 Indenture, the 2017 Indenture, the 2020 Indenture and the 2021 Indentures; provided further, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company 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 Company in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, retirement, death or disability.

The amount of any Disqualified Stock that does not have a fixed redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock as if such Disqualified Stock were redeemed, repaid or repurchased on any date on which the amount of such Disqualified Stock is to be determined pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture; provided, however, that if such Disqualified Stock could not be required to be redeemed, repaid or repurchased at the time of such determination, the redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be the book value of such Disqualified Stock as reflected in the most recent financial statements of such Person.

“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.

 

6


“European Credit Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2019, among the Company, Goodyear Europe B.V., Goodyear Dunlop Tires Germany GmbH, Goodyear Dunlop Tires Operations S.A., the lenders party thereto, J.P. Morgan Europe Limited, as Administrative Agent, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), refinanced, restructured or otherwise modified from time to time (except to the extent that any such amendment, restatement, supplement, waiver, replacement, refinancing, restructuring or other modification thereto would be prohibited by the terms of this Supplemental Indenture, unless otherwise agreed to by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of Notes at the time outstanding).

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Excluded Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that (i) is an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” for purposes of each of the Credit Agreements and each of the Specified Notes, and any Refinancing (or successive Refinancings) of the same, in each case as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, and (ii) does not guarantee any Indebtedness under any of the debt facilities or securities described in clause (i).

“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s-length, free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction as such price is, unless specified otherwise in this Supplemental Indenture, determined in good faith by a Financial Officer of the Company or by the Board of Directors.

“Finance Lease Obligations” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a finance lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Financial Officer” means the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer or the Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, or any Senior Vice President or higher ranking executive to whom any of the foregoing report.

“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings, Inc., and any successor thereto.

“Funded Debt” of any Person means, as at any date as of which any determination thereof is being or to be made, any Indebtedness of such Person that by its terms (i) will mature more than one year after the date it was Incurred by such Person, or (ii) will mature one year or less after the date it was Incurred which at such date of determination may be renewed or extended at the election or option of such Person so as to mature more than one year after such date of determination.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect as of the Closing Date set forth in:

 

7


  (1)

the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants,

 

  (2)

statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board,

 

  (3)

such other statements by such other entities as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, and

 

  (4)

the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC.

All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Supplemental Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.

“Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

 

  (1)

to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise), or

 

  (2)

entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);

provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. The term “Guarantor” means any Person Guaranteeing any obligation.

“Guaranteed Obligations” means the principal of and interest, if any, on the Notes when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and all other obligations, monetary or otherwise, of the Company under this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes (including expenses and indemnification).

“Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or raw materials hedge agreement.

“Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

 

8


“Incur” means issue, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. The term “Incurrence” when used as a noun shall have a correlative meaning. The accretion of principal of a non-interest bearing or other discount security shall not be deemed the Incurrence of Indebtedness.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, without duplication:

 

  (1)

the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;

 

  (2)

the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

 

  (3)

all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, bank guarantee, bankers’ acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances or similar credit transactions securing obligations (other than obligations described in clauses (1), (2) and (5)) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances or similar credit transactions are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the tenth Business Day following payment on the letter of credit, bank guarantee, bankers’ acceptance or similar credit transaction);

 

  (4)

all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services (except Trade Payables), which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of placing such property in service or taking delivery and title thereto or the completion of such services;

 

  (5)

all Finance Lease Obligations and all Attributable Debt of such Person;

 

  (6)

the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary of such Person, any preferred stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued and unpaid dividends);

 

  (7)

all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; provided, however, that the amount of Indebtedness of such Person shall be the lesser of:

 

  (A)

the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination, and

 

  (B)

the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Persons;

 

9


  (8)

Hedging Obligations of such Person; and

 

  (9)

all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (8) of other Persons for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any Guarantee.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the purchase by the Company or any Subsidiary of any business, the term “Indebtedness” shall exclude post-closing payment adjustments to which the seller may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet or such payment depends on the performance of such business after the closing; provided, however, that, at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid within 30 days thereafter.

The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above; provided, however, that in the case of Indebtedness sold at a discount, the amount of such Indebtedness at any time will be the accreted value thereof at such time.

“Indenture” means the Base Indenture, dated as of August 13, 2010, as amended or supplemented from time to time, together with this Supplemental Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee.

“Interest Rate Agreement” means, with respect to any Person, any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement to which such Person is a party or of which it is a beneficiary.

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

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

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge in the nature of an encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof).

“Manufacturing Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary engaged primarily in manufacturing tires or other automotive products (i) that was formed under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (ii) substantially all the assets of which are located within, and substantially all the operations of which are conducted within, any one or more of the states of the United States of America, and (iii) which has assets in excess of 5% of the total amount of Consolidated Assets of the Company and Subsidiaries, as

 

10


shown on the consolidated balance sheet for the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company (which consolidated balance sheet has been filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act); except that such term shall not include any Subsidiary the principal business of which is financing accounts receivable, leasing, owning and developing real estate, engaging in transportation activities, or engaging in distribution, sales and related activities.

“Merger Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 22, 2021, by and among the Company, Merger Sub and Cooper Tire, as such agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Merger Sub” means Vulcan Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and any successor thereto.

“Obligations” means with respect to any Indebtedness, all obligations for principal, premium, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, and other amounts payable pursuant to the documentation governing such Indebtedness.

“Offering Memorandummeans the final version of the offering memorandum related to the offering of the Initial Notes, dated May 13, 2021.

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company. “Officer” of a Subsidiary Guarantor has a correlative meaning.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, or other counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee.

“Permitted Business” means any business engaged in by the Company or any Subsidiary on the Closing Date and any Related Business.

“Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

 

  (1)

Liens to secure U.S. Bank Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $3,500,000,000;

 

  (2)

pledges or deposits by such Person under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness for borrowed money) 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 United States government bonds to secure surety 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, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

11


  (3)

Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case for sums not yet due 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;

 

  (4)

Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet due or payable or subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

  (5)

Liens in favor of issuers of surety or performance bonds or letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances or similar credit transactions issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

 

  (6)

survey exceptions, encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties 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 securing Indebtedness for borrowed money Incurred to finance the construction, purchase or lease of, or repairs, improvements or additions to, property of such Person (including Finance Lease Obligations) and Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof; provided, however, that the Lien may not extend to any other property (other than accessions thereto, proceeds and products thereof and property related to the property being financed or through cross-collateralization of individual financings of equipment provided by the same lender) owned by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries at the time the Lien is Incurred, and the Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than any interest thereon) secured by the Lien may not be Incurred more than one year after the later of the acquisition, completion of construction, repair, improvement, addition or commencement of full operation of the property subject to the Lien;

 

  (8)

Liens existing on the Closing Date (other than Liens referred to in the foregoing clause (1));

 

  (9)

Liens on property or shares of stock of another Person at the time such other Person becomes a Subsidiary of such Person; provided, however, that such Liens are not created, Incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided further, however, that such Liens do not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries, except pursuant to after-acquired property clauses existing in the applicable agreements at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary which do not extend to property transferred to such Person by the Company or a Manufacturing Subsidiary;

 

12


  (10)

Liens on property at the time such Person or any of its Subsidiaries acquires the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person; provided, however, that such Liens are not created, Incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided further, however, that the Liens do not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

  (11)

Liens securing Indebtedness for borrowed money or other obligations of the Company or of a Subsidiary owing to the Company or to a Subsidiary of the Company;

 

  (12)

Liens to secure any Refinancing (or successive Refinancings) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness for borrowed money secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (7), (8), (9) and (10); provided, however, that:

 

  (A)

such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds, dividends or distributions in respect thereof), and

 

  (B)

the Indebtedness for borrowed money secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of:

 

  (i)

the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the applicable Indebtedness for borrowed money secured by Liens described under clauses (7), (8), (9) or (10) hereof at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Supplemental Indenture; and

 

  (ii)

an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such Refinancings;

 

  (13)

judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default so long as any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

 

  (14)

landlords’ liens on fixtures located on premises leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (15)

leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries; and

 

13


  (16)

other Liens to secure Indebtedness for borrowed money as long as the amount of outstanding Indebtedness for borrowed money secured by Liens Incurred pursuant to this clause (16), when aggregated with the amount of Attributable Debt outstanding and Incurred in reliance on clause (4) of Section 4.05, does not exceed 12.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time any such Lien is granted.

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

“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.

“Principal Property” means any manufacturing plant or equipment owned by the Company or a Manufacturing Subsidiary which satisfies each of the following: (a) is used primarily to manufacture tires or other automotive products, (b) is located within any one or more of the states of the United States of America and (c) has a net book value as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company for the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company (which consolidated balance sheet has been filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act) that exceeds 1% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; provided, however, that “Principal Property” shall not include (i) tire retreading plants, facilities or equipment, (ii) manufacturing plants, facilities or equipment which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, are not of material importance to the total business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) plants, facilities or equipment which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, are used primarily for transportation, distribution, sales or warehousing.

“Rating Agency” means Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch or, if any one or more of Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s or Fitch shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of the Board of Directors) which shall be substituted for any one or more of Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s or Fitch, as the case may be.

“Rating Event” means:

 

  (1)

if the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the three Rating Agencies on the first day of the Trigger Period, the Notes are downgraded by at least one rating category (e.g., from BB+ to BB or Ba1 to Ba2) from the applicable rating of the Notes on the first day of the Trigger Period (and/or cease to be rated) by at least two of the Rating Agencies on any date during the Trigger Period;

 

  (2)

if the Notes are rated an Investment Grade Rating by each of the three Rating Agencies on the first day of the Trigger Period, the Notes are downgraded to below an Investment Grade Rating (i.e., below BBB- or Baa3) (and/or cease to be rated) by at least two of the Rating Agencies on any date during the Trigger Period; or

 

  (3)

if the Notes are not rated an Investment Grade Rating by each of the three Rating Agencies and are not rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the three Rating Agencies, in each case on the first day of the Trigger Period, and with respect to at least two of the Rating Agencies:

 

14


  (A)

if the Notes are rated an Investment Grade Rating by such Rating Agency on the first day of the Trigger Period, the Notes are downgraded to below an Investment Grade Rating (i.e., below BBB- or Baa3) (and/or cease to be rated) by such Rating Agency on any date during the Trigger Period, and

 

  (B)

if the Notes are not rated an Investment Grade Rating by such Rating Agency on the first day of the Trigger Period, the Notes are downgraded by at least one rating category (e.g., from BB+ to BB or Ba1 to Ba2) from the applicable rating of the Notes on the first day of the Trigger Period (and/or cease to be rated) by such Rating Agency on any date during the Trigger Period;

provided that a Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular downgrade in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event hereunder) if the Rating Agency making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply does not announce or publicly confirm or inform the Company that the reduction was the result of the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Rating Event); provided, further, that, for purposes of clauses (1), (2) and (3) above, (i) in the event that one Rating Agency does not provide a rating of the Notes on the first day of the Trigger Period, such absence of rating shall not be treated as a downgrade in the rating of the Notes by such Rating Agency and shall instead be treated as an Investment Grade Rating of the Notes by such Rating Agency that is not downgraded during the Trigger Period and (ii) in the event that more than one Rating Agency does not provide a rating of the Notes on the first day of the Trigger Period, such absence of rating shall be treated as both a downgrade in the rating of the Notes by at least one rating category by such Rating Agencies and a downgrade that results in the Notes no longer having an Investment Grade Rating by such Rating Agencies for purposes of clauses (1), (2) and (3) above and shall not be subject to the immediately preceding proviso.

“Refinance” means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness, including, in any such case from time to time, after the discharge of the Indebtedness being Refinanced. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

“Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness that is Incurred to Refinance (including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism) any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary existing on the Closing Date or Incurred in compliance with this Supplemental Indenture (including Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary that Refinances Refinancing Indebtedness); provided, however, that:

 

  (1)

the Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced,

 

15


  (2)

the Refinancing Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being refinanced,

 

  (3)

such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred in an aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced (or if issued with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding (or that would be outstanding if the entire committed amount of any credit facility being Refinanced were fully drawn) (plus fees and expenses, including any premium and defeasance costs), and

 

  (4)

if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

provided further, however, that Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) that Refinances Indebtedness of an Excluded Subsidiary.

“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the initial purchasers party thereto, and any similar agreement entered into in connection with any Additional Notes.

“Related Business” means any business reasonably related, ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date.

“Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to property, plant or equipment owned by the Company or a Manufacturing Subsidiary on the Closing Date whereby the Company or a Manufacturing Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Company or such Manufacturing Subsidiary leases it from such Person, other than (i) leases between the Company and a Subsidiary or between Subsidiaries or (ii) any such transaction entered into with respect to any property, plant or equipment or any improvements thereto at the time of, or within 180 days after, the acquisition or completion of construction of such property, plant or equipment or such improvements (or, if later, the commencement of commercial operation of any such property, plant or equipment), as the case may be, to finance the cost of such property, plant or equipment or such improvements, as the case may be.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities” means the securities issued under the Base Indenture.

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

 

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“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

“Specified Notes” means the Company’s 5% Senior Notes due 2026 and 9.5% Senior Notes due 2025 and Goodyear Europe B.V.’s 3.75% Senior Notes due 2023.

“Standard & Poor’s” means S&P Global Ratings, an S&P Financial Services LLC business, and any successor thereto.

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

“Subsidiary” of any Person means any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:

 

  (1)

such Person,

 

  (2)

such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or

 

  (3)

one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Supplemental Indenture shall refer to a direct or indirect Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.

“Subsidiary Guarantee” means each Guarantee of the Obligations with respect to the Notes issued by a Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Supplemental Indenture.

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means any Subsidiary that has issued a Subsidiary Guarantee.

“Supplemental Indenture” means this Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 18, 2021, as amended or supplemented from time to time, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the Closing Date.

 

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“Trade Payables” means, with respect to any Person, any accounts payable or any indebtedness or monetary obligation to trade creditors created, assumed or Guaranteed by such Person arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the acquisition of goods or services.

“Trigger Period” means the period commencing on the first public announcement by the Company of the occurrence of a Change of Control or of the Company’s intention to effect a Change of Control and continuing until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of such Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies).

“Trust Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the President or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters having direct responsibility for administering this Supplemental Indenture, and any other officer of the Trustee to whom a matter arising under this Supplemental Indenture may be referred.

“Trustee” means Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national banking association, until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

“2015 Euro Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of December 15, 2015, among Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe B.V. (now known as Goodyear Europe B.V.), the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, Deutsche Trustee Company Limited, as trustee, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, as principal paying agent and transfer agent, and Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., as registrar and Luxembourg paying agent and transfer agent.

“2016 Indenture” means the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 13, 2016, among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee.

“2017 Indenture” means the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 7, 2017, among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee.

“2020 Indenture” means the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 18, 2020, among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee.

“2021 Indentures” means (i) the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 6, 2021, among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, and (ii) the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Ninth Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 6, 2021, among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee.

“Uniform Commercial Code” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

 

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“U.S. Bank Indebtedness” means any and all amounts payable under or in respect of the U.S. Credit Agreements and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto or with respect to such Refinancing Indebtedness, as amended from time to time, including principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof.

“U.S. Credit Agreements” means:

(i) (A) the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2020, among the Company, the lenders party thereto, the issuing banks party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and (B) the Amended and Restated Second Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2018, among the Company, the lenders party thereto, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Collateral Agent, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and

(ii) whether or not the agreements referred to in clause (i) remain outstanding, if designated by the Company to be included in the definition of “U.S. Credit Agreements”, one or more (A) debt facilities providing for revolving credit loans, term loans or letters of credit (including bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances) or (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of capital markets debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments), in each case of this clause (ii), with the same or different borrowers or issuers,

in each case of clauses (i) and (ii), each as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), refinanced, restructured or otherwise modified from time to time.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer’s option.

“Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company, all the Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) is owned by the Company or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary.

 

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SECTION 1.04. Other Definitions.

 

Term

  

Defined in

Section

“Appendix A”

   2.01

“Bankruptcy Law”

   6.01

“Change of Control Offer”

   4.03(b)

“Change of Control Payment Date”

   4.03(b)(3)

“covenant defeasance option”

   8.01(b)

“Custodian”

   6.01

“Definitive Notes”

   Appendix A

“Distribution Compliance Period”

   Appendix A

“Event of Default”

   6.01

“Exchange Notes”

   Appendix A

“Exhibit 1”

   2.01

“Global Notes”

   Appendix A

“Global Notes Legend”

   Appendix A

“Initial Lien”

   4.04

“Initial Purchasers”

   Appendix A

“Initial Notes”

   Appendix A

“legal defeasance option”

   8.01(b)

“Notes”

   Appendix A

“Paying Agent”

   2.03

“Permanent Regulation S Global Note”

   Appendix A

“Purchase Agreement”

   Appendix A

“QIB”

   Appendix A

“Registrar”

   2.03

“Registered Exchange Offer”

   Appendix A

“Regulation S”

   Appendix A

“Regulation S Global Notes”

   Appendix A

“Remaining Scheduled Payments”

   Exhibit 1

“Reversion Date”

   4.07(b)

“Securities Custodian”

   Appendix A

“Special Mandatory Redemption Date”

   4.09

“Special Mandatory Redemption Event”

   4.09

“Special Mandatory Redemption Price”

   4.09

“Successor Company”

   5.01(a)(1)

“Suspension Date”

   4.07(a)

“Suspension Period”

   4.07(b)

“Temporary Regulation S Global Note”

   Appendix A

“Transfer Restricted Notes”

   Appendix A

SECTION 1.05. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. This Supplemental Indenture is subject to the mandatory provisions of the TIA which are incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Supplemental Indenture. The following TIA terms have the following meanings:

 

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“Commission” means the SEC;

“indenture securities” means the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees;

“indenture security holder” means a Holder;

“indenture to be qualified” means this Supplemental Indenture;

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor and any other obligor on the indenture securities.

All other TIA terms used in this Supplemental Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the meanings assigned to them by such definitions.

SECTION 1.06. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

  (1)

a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

  (2)

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

 

  (3)

“or” is not exclusive;

 

  (4)

“including” means including without limitation;

 

  (5)

words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;

 

  (6)

unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Indebtedness;

 

  (7)

secured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to any other secured Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral;

 

  (8)

the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

  (9)

the principal amount of any preferred stock shall be (A) the maximum liquidation value of such preferred stock or (B) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such preferred stock, whichever is greater;

 

21


  (10)

all references to the date the Notes were originally issued shall refer to the Closing Date; and

 

  (11)

for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any Note, any references to “interest” shall include any applicable Additional Interest that may be payable on such Note.

ARTICLE 2

The Notes

SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating. Provisions relating to the Notes are set forth in Appendix A attached hereto (“Appendix A”) which is hereby incorporated in, and expressly made part of, this Supplemental Indenture. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 to this Supplemental Indenture (“Exhibit 1”), which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Supplemental Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the Notes set forth in Appendix A and Exhibit 1 are part of the terms of this Supplemental Indenture. The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without interest coupons and only in denominations of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication. Two Officers shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual signature, which may be provided to the Trustee by facsimile or electronically, in portable document format (“PDF”).

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

A Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Supplemental Indenture.

The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery Notes as set forth in Appendix A.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Notes. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Supplemental Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

 

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SECTION 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent. (a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents; provided, however, that so long as Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. shall be the Trustee, without the consent of the Trustee, there shall be no more than one Registrar or Paying Agent. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar not a party to this Supplemental Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary incorporated or organized within the United States of America may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.

The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by this Supplemental Indenture. The Registrar need not register transfers or exchanges of Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of Notes to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or any Notes for a period of 15 days before an interest payment date. The Holder of a Note may be treated as the owner of such Note for all purposes.

(b) The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent in connection with the Notes and Securities Custodian with respect to the Global Notes. The Company has entered into a letter of representations with DTC in the form provided by DTC, and the Trustee and each such agent are hereby authorized to act in accordance with such letter and Applicable Procedures.

(c) The Company may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided, however, that no such removal shall become effective until (i) acceptance of an appointment by a successor as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Company and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above.

(d) Except as the Company and the Trustee may otherwise agree, the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee by each January 15th a written notice specifying the amount of the original issue discount accrued on the Notes for the previous calendar year for which original issue discount reporting is required, including daily rates and accrual periods, and such other information relating to original issue discount as may be required under the Code and applicable regulations, as amended from time to time.

 

23


(e) The Company shall be responsible for making calculations called for under the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture, including but not limited to determination of interest, redemption price, Remaining Scheduled Payments, premium if any, and any additional amounts or other amounts payable on the Notes. The Company will make the calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, its calculations will be final and binding on the Holders. The Company will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee when requested by the Trustee, and the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification. The Trustee shall forward the Company’s calculations to any Holder of the Notes upon the written request of such Holder.

SECTION 2.04. Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust. Prior to each due date of the principal of and interest on any Note, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or if the Company or a Subsidiary is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of Holders entitled thereto) a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

SECTION 2.05. Lists of Holders of Notes. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders. If neither the Trustee nor an Affiliate of the Trustee is the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders.

SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange. (a) The Notes shall be issued in registered form and shall be transferable only in compliance with Appendix A and upon the surrender of a Note for registration of transfer. When a Note is presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of this Supplemental Indenture and Section 8-401(1) of the Uniform Commercial Code are met. When Notes are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met.

(b) To permit registration of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the Registrar’s request. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental charges in connection with any transfer or exchange pursuant to this Section. The Company shall not be required to make and the Registrar need not register transfers or exchanges of Notes selected for redemption in accordance with the terms of this Supplemental Indenture (except, in the case of Notes to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or any Notes for a period of 15 days before an interest payment date.

 

24


Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and 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 (subject to paragraph 2 of the Notes) interest, if any, on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

Any Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such beneficial interest, agree that transfers of beneficial interest in such Global Note may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by (a) the Holder of such Global Note (or its agent) or (b) any Holder of a beneficial interest in such Global Note, and that ownership of a beneficial interest in such Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

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

SECTION 2.07. Replacement Notes. If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met and the Holder satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or the Company, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and any co-registrar from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note is an additional Obligation of the Company. The provisions of this Section 2.07 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Notes.

SECTION 2.08. Outstanding Notes. Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Subject to Section 11.06, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.

If the Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Supplemental Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

 

25


SECTION 2.09. Temporary Notes. Until definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes and deliver them in exchange for temporary Notes upon surrender of such temporary Notes at the office or agency of the Company, without charge to the Holder.

SECTION 2.10. Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and deliver a certificate of such cancellation to the Company upon request. The Trustee shall retain all canceled securities in accordance with its standard procedures (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act). The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Trustee shall not authenticate Notes in place of cancelled Notes other than pursuant to the terms of this Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 2.11. Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, the Company shall pay defaulted interest (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful manner. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail or send or cause to be mailed or sent to each Holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

SECTION 2.12. CUSIP Numbers and ISINs. The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” numbers and ISINs (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers and ISINs in notices 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 (including a notice of redemption) and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such notice or notice of redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.

SECTION 2.13. Issuance of Additional Notes. After the Closing Date, the Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance, at the time of and after giving effect to such issuance, with Section 4.04, to issue Additional Notes under this Supplemental Indenture, which Notes shall have identical terms as the Notes issued on the Closing Date, other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price; provided that any such Additional Notes will be treated, for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, as fungible with the Notes or shall be issued with a different CUSIP number and ISIN for such Additional Notes. All the Notes issued under this Supplemental Indenture (including any Exchange Notes and Additional Notes) shall be treated as a single class for all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture, including in respect of any amendment, waiver, other modification or optional redemption by the Company.

 

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With respect to any Additional Notes, the Company shall set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Trustee (along with a copy of the resolutions of the Board of Directors authorizing the Additional Notes), the following information:

 

  (1)

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

 

  (2)

the issue price, the issue date, the CUSIP number and ISIN of such Additional Notes; and

 

  (3)

whether such Additional Notes shall be Transfer Restricted Notes and issued in the form of Initial Notes or shall be issued in the form of Exchange Notes.

ARTICLE 3

Optional Redemption

SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Notes, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the redemption date, the redemption price (or manner of calculation if not then known), the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the paragraph of the Notes pursuant to which the redemption will occur. If the redemption price is not known at the time such notice is to be given, the actual redemption price calculated as described in the terms of the Notes will be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the redemption date.

The Company shall give each notice to the Trustee provided for in this Section at least 30 days before the redemption date unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein. Any such notice may be cancelled by the Company at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed (or with respect to Global Notes, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, sent electronically) to any Holder and shall thereby be void and of no effect unless the Trustee has sent the notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.03 below.

SECTION 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. If fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee, subject to the procedures of DTC, shall select the Notes to be redeemed pro rata or by lot or by a method that complies with applicable legal and securities exchange requirements, if any, and that the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal amount of Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000. Notes and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be in principal amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Provisions of this Supplemental Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of the Notes or portions of Notes to be redeemed.

 

27


SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption. In the case of an optional redemption by the Company under this Article 3, at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before a date for redemption of Notes, the Company, or the Trustee (at the request of the Company, pursuant to the terms set forth below), shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address (or with respect to Global Notes, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, send such notice electronically). Any notice of optional redemption may be conditioned on the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. The Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee prior to the close of business two Business Days prior to the redemption date (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Trustee) if any such redemption has been rescinded or delayed, and 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 notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

 

  (1)

the redemption date;

 

  (2)

the redemption price;

 

  (3)

the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

  (4)

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

 

  (5)

if fewer than all the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the identification and principal amounts of the particular Notes to be redeemed;

 

  (6)

that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

  (7)

that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number or ISIN, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

 

  (8)

if the notice of redemption is conditioned on the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, a description of such condition or conditions precedent.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 3.01 requests that the Trustee give such notice and attaches a form of such notice setting forth the information to be stated therein as provided in the preceding paragraph.

 

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SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed to Holders (or with respect to Global Notes, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, sent electronically), Notes called for redemption shall, subject to any condition precedent set forth in such notice, become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the related interest payment date if the redemption date is after a regular record date and on or prior to the 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. Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption which have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation. Interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on and after the date the Company has deposited with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes to be redeemed, unless the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder (at the Company’s expense) a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered, or such amount shall be transferred by book-entry.

ARTICLE 4

Covenants

SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes. The Company shall promptly pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and in this Supplemental Indenture. Principal and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds in accordance with this Supplemental Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due. If any Additional Interest will be due, prior to the time such Additional Interest is payable, the Company shall deliver an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee and the Paying Agent setting forth the Additional Interest per $1,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes and the date from which such Additional Interest shall accrue. The Company shall also deliver an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee and the Paying Agent setting forth the date after which such Additional Interest shall cease accruing. Neither the Trustee nor the Paying Agent shall have any responsibility or liability for the determination, verification or calculation of any Additional Interest.

The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified therefor in the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

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SECTION 4.02. SEC Reports and Rule 144A Information. (a) Notwithstanding that the Company may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the SEC and provide the Trustee and Holders and prospective Holders (upon request) within 15 days after it files them with the SEC, copies of its annual report and the information, documents and other reports that are specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. In addition, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and the Holders, promptly upon their becoming available, copies of the annual report to shareholders and any other information provided by the Company to its public shareholders generally. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of Section 314(a) of the TIA. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company has filed the reports and information referred to in this Section 4.02 with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system (or any successor thereto) and such reports and information are publicly available, then the Company will be deemed to have provided and furnished such reports and information to the Trustee and the Holders in satisfaction of the requirements to “provide” and “furnish” such applicable reports or information as set forth in this Section 4.02. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee hereunder is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such reports, information and documents does not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder or under the Notes (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates or certificates delivered pursuant to Section 4.08). The Trustee shall not be obligated to (i) monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, the Company’s compliance with its covenants hereunder or with respect to any reports or other documents filed by the Company with the SEC, the EDGAR filing system (or any successor thereto) or any website, or (ii) participate in any conference calls.

(b) At any time the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall, so long as any of the Notes, at such time, constitute “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, promptly provide to the Trustee and shall, upon written request, provide to any Holder, beneficial owner or prospective purchaser of such Notes the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act to facilitate the resale of such Notes pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

SECTION 4.03. Change of Control Triggering Event. (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, each Holder shall have the right to require the Company to purchase all or any part of such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to 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), in accordance with Section 4.03(b).

(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control but after public announcement of the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control, the Company shall mail (or with respect to Global Notes, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, send electronically) a notice to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee (the “Change of Control Offer”), stating:

 

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  (1)

that a Change of Control Triggering Event has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to purchase all or a portion of such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date);

 

  (2)

the circumstances and relevant facts and financial information regarding such Change of Control Triggering Event;

 

  (3)

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”); and

 

  (4)

the instructions determined by the Company, consistent with this Section 4.03, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.

The notice of the Change of Control Offer, if mailed or sent prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, will state that the Change of Control Offer is conditioned on the Change of Control being consummated on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date.

(c) The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.03 applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer. In addition, the Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if the Notes have been or are called for redemption by the Company prior to it being required to deliver notice of the Change of Control Offer, and thereafter redeems all Notes called for redemption in accordance with the terms set forth in the redemption notice for such redemption.

(d) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the purchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 4.03. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 4.03, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.03 by virtue thereof.

(e) On the Change of Control Payment Date, all Notes purchased by the Company under this Section 4.03 shall be delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Holders entitled thereto.

 

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SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Liens. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Manufacturing Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, Incur or permit to exist any Lien (the “Initial Lien”) of any nature whatsoever on any Principal Property or Capital Stock of a Manufacturing Subsidiary, whether owned at the Closing Date or thereafter acquired, which Initial Lien secures any Indebtedness for borrowed money, other than Permitted Liens, without effectively providing that the Notes shall be secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) the obligations so secured for so long as such obligations are so secured.

Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders pursuant to the preceding sentence 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.

SECTION 4.05. Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Manufacturing Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction with respect to any Principal Property owned on the Closing Date unless:

 

  (1)

the Company or such Manufacturing Subsidiary would be entitled as described in clauses (1) through (15) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”, without equally and ratably securing the Notes then outstanding, to Incur Indebtedness for borrowed money secured by a Lien on such Principal Property in the amount equal to the Attributable Debt arising from such Sale/Leaseback Transaction;

 

  (2)

the Company or such Manufacturing Subsidiary, within 360 days after the sale of such Principal Property in connection with which such Sale/Leaseback Transaction is completed, applies an amount equal to the net proceeds of the sale of such Principal Property to either (or a combination of) (i) the retirement of the Notes or other Funded Debt of the Company or a Subsidiary or (ii) the purchase of Additional Assets;

 

  (3)

the lease is for a period not in excess of three years; or

 

  (4)

the Attributable Debt of the Company and its Manufacturing Subsidiaries in respect of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction and all other Sale/Leaseback Transactions entered into after the Closing Date (other than any such Sale/Leaseback Transaction as would be permitted as described in clauses (1) through (3) of this Section 4.05), plus the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness for borrowed money then outstanding secured by Liens on any Principal Property or Capital Stock of a Manufacturing Subsidiary (not including any such Indebtedness for borrowed money secured by Liens described in clauses (1) through (15) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”) which do not equally and ratably secure such outstanding Notes (or secure such outstanding Notes on a basis that is prior to other Indebtedness for borrowed money secured thereby), would not exceed 12.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

SECTION 4.06. Future Subsidiary Guarantors. The Company shall cause each Subsidiary (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) that Guarantees any Indebtedness of the Company or of any Subsidiary Guarantor (provided, however, that the outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness of the Company and of such Subsidiary Guarantors, in the

 

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aggregate, exceeds $100,000,000) to become a Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the Notes and, if applicable, execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in the form set forth in Exhibit 2 hereto pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall Guarantee payment of the Notes. Each Subsidiary Guarantee shall be limited to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be Guaranteed by that Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering the Subsidiary Guarantee, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

SECTION 4.07. Fall Away of Future Subsidiary Guarantors Covenant. (a) Following the first day (the “Suspension Date”) that:

 

  (1)

the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from at least two of the Rating Agencies, and

 

  (2)

no Default has occurred and is continuing hereunder with respect to the Notes,

the Company and its Subsidiaries will not be subject to Section 4.06. In addition, upon and following the Suspension Date, the Company may elect to suspend the Subsidiary Guarantees.

(b) In the event that the Company and its Subsidiaries are not subject to Section 4.06 for any period of time as a result of the foregoing and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) both (1) one or more of the Rating Agencies withdraws its Investment Grade Rating or downgrades the rating assigned to the Notes below an Investment Grade Rating resulting in the Notes no longer having an Investment Grade Rating from at least two of the Rating Agencies and (2) the terms of any other debt securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries then outstanding include a future subsidiary guarantors covenant (that is substantially the same as Section 4.06) that was previously suspended and that has become applicable upon a substantially concurrent reversion as a result of substantially the same ratings withdrawal or downgrade with respect to such debt securities (provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of such debt securities exceeds $100,000,000), then the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) shall thereafter again be subject to Section 4.06 with respect to future events and the Subsidiary Guarantees shall be reinstated (for the avoidance of doubt, it is understood and agreed that the “Future Subsidiary Guarantors” covenant in each of the 2015 Euro Indenture, the 2016 Indenture, the 2017 Indenture, the 2020 Indenture and the 2021 Indentures is substantially the same as Section 4.06). The period of time between the Suspension Date and the Reversion Date is referred to herein as the “Suspension Period”.

(c) Notwithstanding that Section 4.06 may be reinstated, no Default shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of a failure to comply with Section 4.06 during the Suspension Period.

(d) The Company shall provide written notice signed by an Officer to the Trustee of the occurrence of any Suspension Date or Reversion Date and of any election made pursuant to this Section 4.07; provided that the failure to provide such notice shall not affect the operation of this Section 4.07 or the Company’s rights hereunder. The Trustee shall have no obligation to independently determine or verify if such events have occurred or to notify the Holders of any Suspension Date or Reversion Date.

 

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SECTION 4.08. Compliance Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company a certificate signed by a Financial Officer complying with TIA § 314(a)(4) stating (i) that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made with a view to determining whether the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have fulfilled their obligations under this Supplemental Indenture and (ii) that, to the knowledge of such Financial Officer, no Default or Event of Default occurred during such period (or, if a Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default hereunder of which such Financial Officer may have knowledge and what action the Company has taken, is taking and/or proposes to take with respect thereto).

SECTION 4.09. Special Mandatory Redemption. If (i) the Acquisition does not occur on or prior to May 31, 2022, (ii) the Company notifies the Trustee in writing that the Merger Agreement has terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the consummation of the Acquisition or (iii) the Company notifies the Trustee in writing and publicly announces that the Company will not pursue consummation of the Acquisition (the earliest to occur of clause (i), (ii) or (iii), a “Special Mandatory Redemption Event”), then the Company shall be required to redeem all of the outstanding Notes on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date (as defined below) at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of such Notes (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Price”), plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount of such Notes to, but not including, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on Notes that are due and payable on interest payment dates falling on or prior to the Special Mandatory Redemption Date will be payable on such interest payment dates to the Holders of such Notes as of the close of business on the relevant record dates in accordance with the terms of the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture. The Company shall cause any notice of special mandatory redemption pursuant to this Section 4.09 to be sent to each Holder of the Notes, with a copy to the Trustee, within five Business Days after the occurrence of a Special Mandatory Redemption Event. The “Special Mandatory Redemption Date” shall be the date that is no later than 10 Business Days following any Special Mandatory Redemption Event and shall be specified in the notice of special mandatory redemption sent to Holders of the Notes. At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give notice of special mandatory redemption to the Holders of the Notes, provided such request is made at least two Business Days prior to the date the notice is to be sent (or such shorter time as the Trustee may agree) and is accompanied by the notice of special mandatory redemption to be given, such notice to be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit 3 hereto.

If funds sufficient to pay the Special Mandatory Redemption Price of the Notes on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date are deposited with the Trustee or a Paying Agent on or before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such Special Mandatory Redemption Date, then, on and after such Special Mandatory Redemption Date, such Notes shall cease to bear interest.

SECTION 4.10. Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

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ARTICLE 5

Successor Company

SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets. (a) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets, in one or a series of related transactions, to any Person, unless:

(1) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Supplemental Indenture.

(b) The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Supplemental Indenture, and the predecessor Company, other than in the case of a lease, shall be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes.

(c) The Company shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets, in one or a series of related transactions, to any Person, unless:

(1) except in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor (i) that has been disposed of in its entirety to another Person (other than to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company), whether through a merger, consolidation or sale of Capital Stock or assets or (ii) that, as a result of the disposition of all or a portion of its Capital Stock, ceases to be a Subsidiary, the resulting, surviving or transferee Person shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any other jurisdiction under which such Subsidiary Guarantor was organized, and such Person (if not such Subsidiary Guarantor) shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee;

 

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(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Supplemental Indenture.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(1) any Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor; and

(2) the Company may merge with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction within the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia to realize tax or other benefits.

ARTICLE 6

Defaults and Remedies

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. An “Event of Default” occurs if:

(1) the Company defaults in any payment of interest on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for 30 days;

(2) the Company defaults in the payment of principal of any Note when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption or required repurchase or redemption, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

(3) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor fails to comply with its obligations under Section 5.01;

(4) the Company fails to comply with Section 4.03 (other than a failure to purchase Notes), and such failure continues for 45 days after receipt of the notice from the Trustee or the Holders specified below;

(5) the Company or any Manufacturing Subsidiary fails to comply with its covenants or agreements with respect to the Notes contained in this Supplemental Indenture (other than those referred to in clauses (1), (2), (3) or (4) above), and such failure continues for 60 days after receipt of the notice from the Trustee or the Holders specified below;

(6) the Company or any Manufacturing Subsidiary fails to pay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owing to the Company or a Subsidiary) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $150,000,000 or its foreign currency equivalent;

 

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(7) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case;

(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency;

(8) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case;

(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for any substantial part of its property; or

(C) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company;

or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;

(9) any final and nonappealable judgment or decree (not covered by insurance) for the payment of money in excess of $150,000,000 or its foreign currency equivalent (treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so covered) is rendered against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary and such final judgment or decree remains outstanding and is not satisfied, discharged or waived within a period of 60 days following such judgment; or

(10) any Subsidiary Guarantee by any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary or a group of Subsidiary Guarantors which collectively (as of the then most recent audited consolidated financial statements for the Company) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in each case ceases to be in full force and effect in all material respects (except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or any such Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under this Supplemental Indenture or any Subsidiary Guarantee and such Default continues for 10 days after receipt of the notice specified below.

The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether such Event of Default is voluntary or involuntary or is 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.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, a default under Section 6.01(4), 6.01(5), 6.01(6), 6.01(9) or 6.01(10) shall not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes notify the Company and the Trustee of the default and the Company or the Subsidiary, as applicable, does not cure such default within any applicable time specified in Section 6.01(4), 6.01(5), 6.01(6), 6.01(9) or 6.01(10) hereof after receipt of such notice.

The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any Event of Default under Section 6.01(6) or 6.01(10) and any event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would become an Event of Default under Section 6.01(4), 6.01(5) or 6.01(9), its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

SECTION 6.02. Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or 6.01(8) with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to the Company and the Trustee may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or 6.01(8) with respect to the Company occurs, the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes shall become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders. The Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. Promptly following any such rescission, the Company shall pay all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Supplemental Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.

 

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SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default and its consequences except (a) a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on a Note, (b) a Default arising from the failure to redeem or purchase any Note when required pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture or (c) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.

SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority. The Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may 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. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Supplemental Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such Holders), subject to Section 7.01, or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Subject to Section 7.01, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under this Supplemental Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense, including by way of pre-funding, which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes unless:

(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice stating that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

(5) the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request during such 60-day period.

A Holder may not use this Supplemental Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.

 

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SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Supplemental Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Notes held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Notes, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or 6.01(2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07.

SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may 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 and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or its property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make 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 it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. To the extent that the payment of any such reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its 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.

SECTION 6.10. Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

SECOND: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal and interest ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest respectively; and

THIRD: to the Company.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section. At least 15 days before such record date, the Company shall mail or send to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

 

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SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Supplemental Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as 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, 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 pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes.

SECTION 6.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) 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 Supplemental Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and 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 7

Trustee

SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee. (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Supplemental Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their 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:

(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Supplemental Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Supplemental Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) 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 certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Supplemental Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Supplemental Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own wilful misconduct, except that:

(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

(2) 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

 

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(3) 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.

(d) Every provision of this Supplemental Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.

(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(g) No provision of this Supplemental Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(h) Every provision of this Supplemental 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 and to the provisions of the TIA.

SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may rely on any document (whether in its original, facsimile or electronic form) 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 the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ 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 the Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel, or on any written notice, request, order or instruction from the Company signed by an Officer.

(c) The Trustee may act through 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 which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided, however, that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute wilful misconduct or negligence.

(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes, including any Opinion of Counsel, shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel, including any Opinion of Counsel.

(f) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

 

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(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 Company, except as otherwise set forth herein, but the Trustee may require of the Company full information and advice as to the performance of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein.

(h) The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Supplemental Indenture shall not be construed as a duty and, with respect to such permissive rights, the Trustee shall not be answerable for other than its negligence or willful misconduct.

(i) Except for a default under Sections 6.01(1) or (2) hereof, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer shall have received from the Company or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding written notice thereof at its address set forth in Section 11.02 hereof, and such notice references the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture. In the absence of any such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume that no Default or Event of Default exists.

(j) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Supplemental Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(k) 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.

(l) In no event shall the Trustee 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 any act or provision of any present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, natural disaster, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, labor dispute, disease, epidemic or pandemic, quarantine, national emergency and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, communications system failure, malware or ransomware or other unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or facsimile or telex system or other funds transfer system or other wire or communication facility or unavailability of any securities clearing system.

(m) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to furnish the Trustee with Officers’ Certificates, written notices, requests, orders or instructions from the Company and any other matters or directions pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture.

(n) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any 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.

 

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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 Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

SECTION 7.04. Trustees Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Supplemental Indenture or the Offering Memorandum or in any other document issued in connection with the sale of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Supplemental Indenture and it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee. 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 Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors but the Trustee may require full information and advice as to the performance of the aforementioned covenants. Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees. Neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent (other than the Company or a Subsidiary if such Person is acting as Paying Agent) shall be responsible for monitoring the Company’s rating status, making any request upon any Rating Agency, or determining whether any rating event based upon any Change of Control Triggering Event or any other rating event based upon the rating of the Notes by any Rating Agency has occurred.

SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a Trust Officer, the Trustee shall mail or deliver to each Holder notice of the Default within 90 days after it is actually known to a Trust Officer. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of or interest on any Note (including payments pursuant to the redemption provisions of such Note), the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the Holders.

SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders. At the expense of the Company, as promptly as practicable after each January 1 beginning with January 1, 2022, and in any event prior to March 1 in each such year, the Trustee shall mail or send to each Holder a brief report dated as of such January 1 that complies with TIA § 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing or sending to Holders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Notes are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Notes become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

 

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SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services as shall be agreed to in writing from time to time by the Company and the Trustee. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Company shall indemnify the Trustee, its agents, representatives, officers, directors, employees and attorneys against any and all loss, liability or expense (including reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s counsel) incurred by it in connection with the administration of this trust and the performance of its duties or in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its rights or powers hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall provide reasonable cooperation in such defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company, provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if the Company assumes such defense unless there is a conflict of interest between the Company and the Trustee in connection with such defense as determined by Trustee in consultation with counsel. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction.

To secure the Company’s 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 other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes.

The Company’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the discharge of this Supplemental Indenture. When the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law. “Trustee” for the purposes of this Section 7.07 shall include any predecessor Trustee and each Paying Agent and Registrar; provided, however, that the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.

SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company. The Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Company shall remove the Trustee if:

 

  (1)

the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

  (2)

the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

 

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  (3)

a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

  (4)

the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee .

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. 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 Supplemental Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail or send a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, unless the Trustee’s duty to resign is stayed as provided in TIA Section 310(b), any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Supplemental Indenture any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Supplemental Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

 

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SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA § 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA § 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA § 310(b)(1) are met.

SECTION 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated.

ARTICLE 8

Discharge of Supplemental Indenture; Defeasance

SECTION 8.01. Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance.

(a) When (1) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Notes (other than Notes replaced pursuant to Section 2.07) for cancellation or (2) all outstanding Notes have become due and payable, whether at maturity or on a redemption date as a result of the mailing or giving of a notice of redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof and, in the case of clause (2), the Company irrevocably deposits with the Trustee funds or U.S. Government Obligations (or any combination thereof) sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all outstanding Notes, including premium, if any, and interest thereon to maturity or such redemption date (other than Notes replaced pursuant to Section 2.07), and if in either case the Company pays all other sums payable under this Supplemental Indenture by the Company, then this Supplemental Indenture shall, subject to Section 8.01(c), cease to be of further effect; provided, however, that if U.S. Government Obligations are deposited, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and interest when due on all the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be. Upon satisfaction of the above conditions, the Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of this Supplemental Indenture.

(b) Subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Company at any time may terminate (1) all its obligations under the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture with respect to any Notes (“legal defeasance option”) or (2) its obligations under Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07 and 5.01 and the operation of Sections 6.01(3), 6.01(4), 6.01(5), 6.01(6), 6.01(9) and 6.01(10) (“covenant defeasance option”). The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(3), 6.01(4), 6.01(5), 6.01(6), 6.01(9) or 6.01(10). In the event that the Company exercises its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, each Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from all of its obligations with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

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Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 11.04, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Company terminates.

(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 7.07 and 7.08 and in this Article 8 shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Company’s obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.04 and 8.05 shall survive.

SECTION 8.02. Conditions to Defeasance. The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:

(1) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee money in U.S. Dollars in an amount sufficient or U.S. Government Obligations, the principal of and interest on which shall be sufficient, or a combination thereof sufficient, to pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest in respect of the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be;

(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and interest when due on all the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(3) 91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no Default specified in Sections 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;

(4) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other material agreement binding on the Company;

(5) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

(6) in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (B) since the date of this Supplemental Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred; and

 

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(7) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance had not occurred.

Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Notes at a future date in accordance with Article 3.

SECTION 8.03. Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article 8. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations, as the case may be, through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Supplemental Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes.

SECTION 8.04. Repayment to Company. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors, and the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

SECTION 8.05. Indemnity for Government Obligations. The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and each Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under this Supplemental Indenture and each Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to such Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 8 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8; provided, however, that, if the Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE 9

Amendments

SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Notes without notice to or consent of any Holder:

(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate;

(2) to provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Supplemental Indenture in compliance with Article 5;

(3) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes; provided, however, that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for Federal income tax purposes;

(4) to add Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any Guarantee when such release, termination or discharge is permitted under this Supplemental Indenture;

(5) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;

(6) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect, subject to the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture, as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate;

(7) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture relating to the form, authentication, transfer and legending of Notes; provided, however, that (A) compliance with this Supplemental Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law, and (B) such amendment does not materially affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes;

(8) to provide for the issuance of Exchange Notes or Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of this Supplemental Indenture;

(9) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of, the Indenture under the TIA;

(10) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge as security for the Notes any property or assets in accordance with Section 4.04; or

(11) conform any provision of this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes to the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum.

 

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For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Supplemental Indenture shall be construed to require any consent of any Holder to amend or supplement the Base Indenture in any manner that does not relate to the Notes.

After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail or send to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Subsidiary Guarantors shall not be required to sign any amendment or supplemental indenture hereto pursuant to which a Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor as contemplated by Section 4.06 or the penultimate sentence of Section 10.06.

SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders. (a) The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture (as it relates to the Notes) or the Notes with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for such Notes). Any existing Default or compliance with any provisions of the Indenture with respect to the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class, subject to the restrictions of Section 6.04 and this Section 9.02. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of each Holder affected thereby, an amendment or waiver may not:

(1) reduce the amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment;

(2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note;

(3) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Note ;

(4) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which such Note may be redeemed pursuant to Article 3 hereto or paragraph 6 of the Notes;

(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in such Note;

(6) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and 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;

(7) make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 or the third sentence of this Section 9.02(a); or

(8) make any change in, or release other than in accordance with this Supplemental Indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee that would adversely affect the Holders.

 

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(b) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment under this Section becomes effective , the Company shall mail or send to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.

SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment or supplement to this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

SECTION 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers. A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Note shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such Holder’s Note or portion of the Note if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the execution of such amendment or waiver by the Trustee.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.

SECTION 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes. If an amendment changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Note to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Note regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Note shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

SECTION 9.06. Trustee To Sign Amendments. The Trustee shall sign any amendment authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Supplemental Indenture.

 

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SECTION 9.07. Payment for Consent. Neither the Company nor any Affiliate of the Company shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid to all Holders that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

ARTICLE 10

Subsidiary Guarantees

SECTION 10.01. Guarantees. (a) Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, the due and punctual payment and performance of all of the Guaranteed Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor, jointly with the other Subsidiary Guarantors and severally. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors further agrees that its Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice to or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any such Guaranteed Obligation. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors waives presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor of any of its Guaranteed Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of its guarantee, notice of protest for nonpayment and all similar formalities.

(b) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors further agrees that its guarantee hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment when due and not of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by the Trustee or any Holder to any security held for the payment of its Guaranteed Obligations or to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Trustee or any Holder in favor of the Company.

(c) Except for (x) termination of a Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, (y) suspension of a Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder pursuant to Section 4.07 or (z) a release of such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 10.06, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense or set-off, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by (i) the failure of the Trustee or any Holder to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy under the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture or otherwise; (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any release from any of the terms or provisions of, this Supplemental Indenture or any other agreement, including with respect to any other Subsidiary Guarantor under this Supplemental Indenture; (iii) any default, failure or delay, wilful or otherwise, in the performance of the Guaranteed Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor; or (iv) any other act or omission that may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Subsidiary Guarantor or otherwise operate as a discharge of such Subsidiary Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations of such Guarantor).

 

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(d) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Subsidiary Guarantor waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor, other than the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor. The Trustee may, at its election, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or exercise any other right or remedy available to it against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor have been fully and indefeasibly paid in full in cash. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Subsidiary Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though such election operates, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or to extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Subsidiary Guarantor against the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be.

(e) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors agrees that its guarantee hereunder shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Guaranteed Obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company, any other Subsidiary Guarantor or otherwise.

SECTION 10.02. Limitation on Liability. Any term or provision of this Supplemental Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed without rendering this Supplemental Indenture, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

SECTION 10.03. Successors and Assigns. This Article 10 shall be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors, transferees and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Supplemental 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 Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 10.04. No Waiver. Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee 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 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.

 

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SECTION 10.05. Modification. No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article 10, nor the consent to any departure by any Subsidiary Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any Subsidiary Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Subsidiary Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

SECTION 10.06. Release of Subsidiary Guarantor. A Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released from its obligations under this Article 10 (other than any obligation that may have arisen under Section 10.07):

(1) upon the sale (including any sale pursuant to any exercise of remedies by a holder of Indebtedness of the Company or of such Subsidiary Guarantor) or other disposition (including by way of consolidation or merger) of such Subsidiary Guarantor;

(2) upon the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor;

(3) upon such Subsidiary Guarantor becoming an Excluded Subsidiary;

(4) unless there is an existing Event of Default on the date the Subsidiary Guarantee would be released, at such time and for so long as such Subsidiary Guarantor does not Guarantee (other than a Guarantee that will be released upon the release of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee) any Indebtedness of the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor (other than Indebtedness of the Company or other Subsidiary Guarantors the outstanding principal amount of which, in the aggregate, does not exceed $100,000,000);

(5) at any time during a Suspension Period if the Company provides an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee stating that the Company elects to have such Subsidiary Guarantor released from this Article 10; or

(6) upon the exercise by the Company of its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option or if the Obligations of the Company under this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes are discharged pursuant to Article 8;

provided, however, that in the case of clauses (1) and (2) above, (i) such sale or other disposition is made to a Person other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) such sale or disposition is otherwise permitted by this Supplemental Indenture.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.06, the Company, at its option, may cause any Subsidiary of the Company to become a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Notes, and if such Subsidiary is not otherwise required under this Supplemental Indenture to provide a Subsidiary Guarantee, the Company, at its option, may cause any such Subsidiary Guarantee to be released, subject to applicable law.

 

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At the request of the Company, and upon delivery to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions provided for in this Supplemental Indenture to the release of a Subsidiary Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee have been complied with, the Trustee shall execute and deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing such release (it being understood that the failure to obtain any such instrument shall not impair any release pursuant to this Section 10.06).

SECTION 10.07. Contribution. Each Subsidiary Guarantor that makes a payment under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations under this Supplemental Indenture to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Subsidiary Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Subsidiary Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

ARTICLE 11

Miscellaneous

SECTION 11.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Supplemental Indenture by the TIA, the required provision shall control.

SECTION 11.02. Notices. Any notice or communication shall be in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows or, other than in the case of notices or communications to the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, transmitted by facsimile transmission or other means of unsecured electronic transmission to the following:

if to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor:

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

200 Innovation Way

Akron, Ohio 44316-0001

Attention of Treasurer

if to the Trustee:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

CTSO Mail Operations, MAC: N9300-070

600 South Fourth Street, Seventh Floor

Minneapolis, MN 55415

Attention: Corporate Trust Services, Goodyear Administrator

The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

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Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to the Holder at the Holder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed. With respect to Global Notes, any notice or communication to a Holder may, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, be sent electronically.

Failure to mail (or with respect to Global Notes, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, send electronically) 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 or sent in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

SECTION 11.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes. The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

SECTION 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Supplemental Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(1) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Supplemental Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with (provided, however, that such counsel may rely as to matters of fact on Officers’ Certificates),

except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Supplemental Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

SECTION 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate (other than a certificate delivered pursuant to Section 4.08) or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Supplemental Indenture shall include:

(1) a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(2) 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;

 

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(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.

SECTION 11.06. When Notes Disregarded. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes which the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Also, subject to the foregoing, only Notes outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

SECTION 11.07. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

SECTION 11.08. Legal Holidays. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.

SECTION 11.09. Governing Law; Jury Trial Waiver. (a) This Supplemental Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the application of the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.

(b) EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY, AND EACH HOLDER OF A NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, 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 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

SECTION 11.10. No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer, employee or shareholder, as such, of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or this Supplemental Indenture or of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee or this Supplemental Indenture, or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder shall waive and release all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.

 

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SECTION 11.11. Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

SECTION 11.12. Multiple Originals; Electronic Signatures. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture by manual signature, which may be provided by facsimile or electronically, with PDF. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Supplemental Indenture. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. This Supplemental Indenture shall be valid, binding and enforceable against a party when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) an original manual signature, (ii) a faxed, scanned or photocopied manual signature or (iii) any other electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including any relevant provisions of the UCC (collectively, “Signature Law”), in each case to the extent applicable. Each faxed, scanned or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, of any other party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the UCC or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings.

SECTION 11.13. Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

SECTION 11.14. Ratification of Base Indenture. The Base Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed part of the Base Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.

SECTION 11.15. Consent to Jurisdiction. Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Supplemental Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City of New York (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

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SECTION 11.16. U.S.A. Patriot Act. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Supplemental Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
  By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
   

Title: Vice President, Finance and

Treasurer

Signature Page to Tenth Supplemental Indenture


WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as Trustee,
  By:  

/s/ Gregory S. Clarke

    Name: Gregory S. Clarke
    Title: Vice President

Signature Page to Tenth Supplemental Indenture


SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
CELERON CORPORATION
  By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer
DIVESTED COMPANIES HOLDING COMPANY
  By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer
  By:  

/s/ Daniel T. Young

    Name: Daniel T. Young
    Title: Secretary
DIVESTED LITCHFIELD PARK PROPERTIES, INC.
  By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer
  By:  

/s/ Daniel T. Young

    Name: Daniel T. Young
    Title: Secretary

Signature Page to Tenth Supplemental Indenture


GOODYEAR CANADA INC.
  By:  

/s/ Samuel M. Pillow

    Name: Samuel M. Pillow
    Title: President
  By:  

/s/ Frank Lamie

    Name: Frank Lamie
    Title: Secretary
GOODYEAR EXPORT INC.
  By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GOODYEAR FARMS, INC.
  By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GOODYEAR INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
  By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GOODYEAR WESTERN HEMISPHERE CORPORATION
  By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer

Signature Page to Tenth Supplemental Indenture


RABEN TIRE CO., LLC
  By:   THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, its sole member
  By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
   

Title: Vice President, Finance and

Treasurer

T&WA, INC.
  By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer

Signature Page to Tenth Supplemental Indenture


APPENDIX A

PROVISIONS RELATING TO NOTES

1. Definitions

1.1 Definitions

For the purposes of this Appendix A the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

“Definitive Note” means a certificated Initial Note, Exchange Note or Additional Note that does not include the Global Notes Legend.

“Depository” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.

“Distribution Compliance Period”, with respect to any Notes, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (i) the day on which such Notes are first offered to Persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S and (ii) the issue date with respect to such Notes.

“Exchange Notes” means (1) the 5.000% Senior Notes due 2029 issued pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture in connection with the Registered Exchange Offer pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement and (2) Additional Notes, if any, issued pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act.

“Global Notes Legend” means the legend set forth under that caption in Exhibit 1 to this Supplemental Indenture.

“Initial Purchasers” means (1) with respect to the Initial Notes issued on the Closing Date, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Fifth Third Securities, Inc., MUFG Securities Americas Inc., PNC Capital Markets LLC, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., Huntington Securities, Inc., Regions Securities LLC, BBVA Securities Inc., Capital One Securities, Inc., Citizens Capital Markets, Inc. and KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the Persons purchasing or underwriting such Additional Notes under the related Purchase Agreement.

“Initial Notes” means (1) $850,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.000% Senior Notes due 2029 issued on the Closing Date and (2) Additional Notes, if any, issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

“Notes” means the Initial Notes, the Exchange Notes and any Additional Notes, treated as a single class.

“Purchase Agreement” means (1) with respect to the Initial Notes issued on the Closing Date, the Purchase Agreement dated May 13, 2021, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the initial purchasers of the


Notes, as amended and supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the purchase agreement or underwriting agreement among the Company and the Persons purchasing or underwriting such Additional Notes.

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

“Registered Exchange Offer” means the offer by the Company, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, to certain Holders of Initial Notes, to issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for the Initial Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes registered under the Securities Act.

“Securities Custodian” means the custodian with respect to a Global Note (as appointed by the Depository) or any successor person thereto, who shall initially be the Trustee.

“Shelf Registration Statement” means the registration statement filed by the Company in connection with the offer and sale of Initial Notes by certain Holders thereof pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement.

“Transfer Restricted Notes” means Notes that bear or are required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.3(e) hereof.

1.2 Other Definitions

 

Term:

Defined in Section:

“Agent Members”

   2.1(b)

“Global Note”

   2.1(a)

“Permanent Regulation S Global Note”

   2.1(a)

“Regulation S”

   2.1(a)

“Regulation S Global Notes”

   2.1(a)

“Rule 144A”

   2.1(a)

“Rule 144A Global Note”

   2.1(a)

“Temporary Regulation S Global Note”

   2.1(a)

2. The Notes

2.1 Form and Dating

(a) The Initial Notes will be resold initially only to (i) persons reasonably believed to be QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”) and (ii) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) outside the United States in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act (“Regulation S”). Initial Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, persons reasonably believed to be QIBs and purchasers in reliance on Regulation S, in each case, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein. Initial Notes initially resold pursuant to Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the

 

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form of one or more permanent global Notes in definitive, fully registered form (collectively, the “Rule 144A Global Note”) and Initial Notes initially resold pursuant to Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more temporary global notes in fully registered form (collectively, the “Temporary Regulation S Global Note”), in each case without interest coupons and with the global notes legend and restricted notes legend set forth in this Appendix A, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Initial Notes represented thereby with the Securities Custodian, and registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in this Supplemental Indenture. Except as set forth in this Section 2.1(a), beneficial ownership interests in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note (x) will not be exchangeable for interests in the Rule 144A Global Note, a permanent global note (the “Permanent Regulation S Global Note” and, together with the Temporary Regulation S Global Notes, the “Regulation S Global Notes”), or any other Note prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period and (y) may be exchanged for interests in a Rule 144A Global Note or the Permanent Regulation S Global Note after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period in accordance with instructions from the Company.

Beneficial interests in a Temporary Regulation S Global Note may be exchanged for interests in a Rule 144A Global Note if (1) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of Notes in compliance with Rule 144A, and (2) the transferor of the beneficial interest in such Temporary Regulation S Global Note first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form set forth on the reverse of the Initial Notes) to the effect that the beneficial interest in such Temporary Regulation S Global Note is being transferred (a) to a Person who the transferor reasonably believes to be a QIB, (b) to a Person who is purchasing for its own account or the account of a QIB in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and (c) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the states of the United States and other jurisdictions.

Beneficial interests in a Rule 144A Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Regulation S Global Note, whether before or after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form set forth on the reverse of the Initial Notes) to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with all applicable requirements and conditions of Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if applicable) under the Securities Act.

The Rule 144A Global Note, the Temporary Regulation S Global Note, the Permanent Regulation S Global Note and any Exchange Notes in global form issued in the name of the Depository are collectively referred to herein as “Global Notes”. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depository or its nominee and on the schedules thereto as hereinafter provided.

(b) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 2.1(b) shall apply only to a Global Note deposited with or on behalf of the Depository.

The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.1(b) and Section 2.2 and pursuant to an order of the Company signed by one Officer, authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Notes that (i) shall be registered in the name of the Depository for such Global Note or Global Notes or the nominee of such Depository and (ii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depository or pursuant to such Depository’s instructions or held by the Trustee as Securities Custodian.

 

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Members of, or participants in, the Depository (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Supplemental Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository or by the Trustee as Securities Custodian or under such Global Note, and the Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Depository governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.

(c) Definitive Notes. Except as provided in this Section 2.1 or Sections 2.3 or 2.4, owners of beneficial interests in Global Notes shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Notes.

2.2 Authentication. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery upon a written order of the Company signed by one Officer: (1) Initial Notes for original issue on the Closing Date in an aggregate principal amount of $850,000,000, (2) subject to the terms of this Supplemental Indenture, Additional Notes in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that the Trustee shall be entitled to receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of the Company addressing such matters as the Trustee may reasonably request in connection with such authentication of such Notes, and (3) Exchange Notes for issue only in a Registered Exchange Offer for a like principal amount of Initial Notes. Such order shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Appendix A or otherwise in this Supplemental Indenture, any issuance of Additional Notes after the Closing Date shall be in a principal amount of at least $2,000.

2.3 Transfer and Exchange. (a) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes. When Definitive Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request:

(i) to register the transfer of such Definitive Notes; or

(ii) to exchange such Definitive Notes for an equal principal amount of Definitive Notes of other authorized denominations,

the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Definitive Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange:

(i) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and

 

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(ii) if such Definitive Notes are required to bear a restricted securities legend, are being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 2.3(b) or pursuant to clause (A), (B) or (C) below, and are accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable:

(A) if such Definitive Notes are being delivered to the Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect;

(B) if such Definitive Notes are being transferred to the Company, a certification to that effect; or

(C) if such Definitive Notes are being transferred (x) pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144A, Regulation S or Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or (y) in reliance upon another exemption from the requirements of the Securities Act: (i) a certification to that effect (in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note) and (ii) if the Company so requests, an opinion of counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legend set forth in Section 2.3(e)(i).

(b) Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Note for a Beneficial Interest in a Global Note. A Definitive Note may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note or a Permanent Regulation S Global Note except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate written instruments of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar, together with:

(i) certification, in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note, that such Definitive Note is either (A) being transferred to a person reasonably believed to be a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A or (B) is being transferred after expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period by a Person who initially purchased such Note in reliance on Regulation S to a buyer who elects to hold its interest in such Note in the form of a beneficial interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note; and

(ii) written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct the Securities Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Rule 144A Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(A)) or Permanent Regulation S Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(B)) to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented by the Rule 144A Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, such instructions to contain information regarding the Depository account to be credited with such increase,

then the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Note and cause, or direct the Securities Custodian to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depository and the Securities Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by the Rule 144A Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, to be

 

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increased by the aggregate principal amount of the Definitive Note to be exchanged and shall credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, equal to the principal amount of the Definitive Note so canceled. If no Rule 144A Global Notes or Permanent Regulation S Global Notes, as applicable, are then outstanding and the applicable Global Note has not been previously exchanged for certificated securities pursuant to Section 2.4, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, a new applicable Global Note in the appropriate principal amount.

(c) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depository in accordance with this Supplemental Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depository therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall deliver a written order given in accordance with the Depository’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depository to be credited with a beneficial interest in such Global Note or another Global Note and such account shall be credited in accordance with such order with a beneficial interest in the applicable Global Note and the account of the Person making the transfer shall be debited by an amount equal to the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred.

(i) If the proposed transfer is a transfer of a beneficial interest in one Global Note to a beneficial interest in another Global Note, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Global Note to which such interest is being transferred in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interest to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a corresponding decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note from which such interest is being transferred.

(ii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Appendix A (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.4), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository, or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.

(iii) In the event that a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes pursuant to Section 2.4 of this Appendix A prior to the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Notes, such Notes may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.3 (including the certification requirements set forth on the reverse of the Initial Notes intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A or Regulation S, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Company.

 

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(d) Restrictions on Transfer of Temporary Regulation S Global Notes. During the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial ownership interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes may be sold, pledged or transferred only (i) to the Company, (ii) in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S (other than a transaction resulting in an exchange for interest in a Permanent Regulation S Global Note) or (iii) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States.

(e) Legend.

(i) Except as permitted by the following paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv), each Note certificate evidencing the Rule 144A Global Notes, the Temporary Regulation S Global Notes and the Permanent Regulation S Global Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: THE DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER NOTIFIES THE TRUSTEE THAT THIS RESTRICTIVE LEGEND SHALL BE DEEMED REMOVED (WHICH NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BE GIVEN ON OR ABOUT THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ISSUANCE OF THIS NOTE)] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE)], ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE

 

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SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE DEEMED REMOVED WITHOUT FURTHER ACTION OF THE ISSUER, THE TRUSTEE OR ANY HOLDER AT SUCH TIME AS THE ISSUER NOTIFIES THE TRUSTEE IN WRITING THAT SUCH LEGEND SHALL BE DEEMED REMOVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE.

Each Temporary Regulation S Global Note shall, in addition to the foregoing, bear a legend in substantially the following form:

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 NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

UNTIL 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF COMMENCEMENT OR COMPLETION OF THE OFFERING, AN OFFER OR SALE OF SECURITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES BY A DEALER (AS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT) MAY VIOLATE THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IF SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS MADE OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

Each Definitive Note will also bear the following additional legend:

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

 

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(ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Note (including any Transfer Restricted Note represented by a Global Note) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Registrar shall permit the transferee thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a certificated Note that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Note, if the transferor thereof certifies in writing to the Registrar that such sale or transfer was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note) and provides such legal opinion and other information as the Company has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

(iii) After a transfer of any Initial Notes pursuant to and during the period of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Initial Notes, as the case may be, all requirements pertaining to legends on such Initial Note will cease to apply, the requirements requiring any such Initial Note issued to certain Holders be issued in global form will cease to apply, and a certificated Initial Note or an Initial Note in global form, in each case without restrictive transfer legends, will be available to the transferee of the Holder of such Initial Notes upon exchange of such transferring Holder’s certificated Initial Note or appropriate directions to transfer such Holder’s interest in the Global Note, as applicable.

(iv) Upon the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer with respect to the Initial Notes, all requirements pertaining to such Initial Notes that Initial Notes issued to certain Holders be issued in global form will still apply with respect to Holders of such Initial Notes that do not exchange their Initial Notes, and Exchange Notes in certificated or global form, in each case without the restrictive securities legend set forth in this Appendix A, will be available to Holders that exchange such Initial Notes in such Registered Exchange Offer.

(d) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note. At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Note have either been exchanged for Definitive Notes, transferred, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, such Global Note shall be returned by the Depository to the Trustee for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Trustee. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes, transferred in exchange for an interest in another Global Note, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the Schedule of Increases and Decreases on such Global Note and on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is then the Securities Custodian for such Global Note) with respect to such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Securities Custodian, to reflect such reduction.

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

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate, Definitive Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar’s request if the requirements of this Supplemental Indenture are met.

 

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(ii) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.06, 3.06, 4.03 and 9.05 of this Supplemental Indenture).

(iii) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Company, 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 Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

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

(v) In connection with any proposed transfer or exchange of Notes, each transferring or exchanging Holder shall provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045. The Trustee may rely on such information and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

(f) No Obligation of the Trustee.

(i) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depository or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository 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 Depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes or any other act or omission of the Depository. 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 the Holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depository, subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

 

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(ii) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Supplemental Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among the Depository, 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 Supplemental Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

2.4 Definitive Notes

(a) A Global Note deposited with the Depository or with the Trustee as Securities Custodian pursuant to Section 2.1 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note, in exchange for such Global Note, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.3 and (i) the Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a Depository for such Global Note or if at any time the Depository ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depository is not appointed by the Company within 120 days of such notice or after the Company becomes aware of such cessation, or (ii) the Depository so requests, or any beneficial owner thereof requests such exchange in writing delivered through the Depository in either case, following an Event of Default under this Supplemental Indenture or (iii) the Company, in its sole discretion, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of certificated Notes under this Supplemental Indenture. In connection with any proposed transfer or exchange of a Global Note for a Definitive Note, there shall be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

(b) Any Global Note that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be surrendered by the Depository to the Trustee, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Global Note transferred pursuant to this Section shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in denominations of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof and registered in such names as the Depository shall direct. Any Definitive Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the Transfer Restricted Note shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.3(e) hereof, bear the restricted securities legend and definitive note legend set forth in this Appendix A.

(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.4(b), the Holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes.

(d) In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 2.4(a)(i), (ii) or (iii), the Company will promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Definitive Notes in fully registered form without interest coupons.

 

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EXHIBIT 1

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

[Global Notes Legend]

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY 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 IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS 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.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

[For Temporary Regulation S Global Note Only]

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 NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

UNTIL 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF COMMENCEMENT OR COMPLETION OF THE OFFERING, AN OFFER OR SALE OF SECURITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES BY A DEALER (AS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT) MAY VIOLATE THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IF SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS MADE OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A THEREUNDER.


[Restricted Notes Legend]

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: THE DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER NOTIFIES THE TRUSTEE THAT THIS RESTRICTIVE LEGEND SHALL BE DEEMED REMOVED (WHICH NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BE GIVEN ON OR ABOUT THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ISSUANCE OF THIS NOTE)] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE)], ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE DEEMED REMOVED WITHOUT FURTHER ACTION OF THE ISSUER, THE TRUSTEE OR ANY HOLDER AT SUCH TIME AS THE ISSUER NOTIFIES THE TRUSTEE IN WRITING THAT SUCH LEGEND SHALL BE DEEMED REMOVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE.

[Definitive Notes Legend]

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

[OID Legend]


FOR PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 1272, 1273 AND 1275 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT. THE ISSUE PRICE OF EACH SECURITY IS $[ ] PER $1,000 OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT, THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT IS $[ ], THE ISSUE DATE IS [ ], [ ] AND THE INITIAL YIELD TO MATURITY OF THIS SECURITY IS [ ]%.


No. -    $__________

5.000% Senior Note due 2029

CUSIP No. [                ]

ISIN No. [                ]

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, an Ohio corporation, promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum [of $                ] [listed on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto]1 on July 15, 2029.

Interest Payment Dates: January 15 and July 15, commencing January 15, 2022

Record Dates: January 1 or July 1

 

1 

Use the Schedule of Increases and Decreases language if Note is in Global Form.


Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY,
by  

 

  Name:
  Title:
by  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,

as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes referred to in the Indenture.

 

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

*/ 

If the Note is to be issued in global form, add the Global Notes Legend and the attachment from Exhibit 1 captioned “TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES- SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE”.


[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY]

5.000% Senior Note due 2029

1. Interest

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, an Ohio corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above[; provided, however, that if a Registration Default (as defined in any Registration Rights Agreement) occurs, additional interest (“Additional Interest”) shall accrue on this Note in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement.]2 The Company shall pay interest semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on January 15, 2022. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from May 18, 2021 until the principal hereof is due. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful. [All references to any amount of “interest” payable on or with respect to this Note in the Indenture or this Note shall be deemed to include any applicable Additional Interest that may be payable on this Note.]

2. Method of Payment

The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are Holders at the close of business on January 1 or July 1 next preceding the interest payment date even if Notes are canceled after the record date and on or before the interest payment date. Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company or any successor Depository. The Company will make all payments in respect of a certificated Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest), at the office of the Paying Agent, except that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on a Note will be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States of America if such Holder has elected payment by wire transfer by providing written wire instructions to the Trustee or the Paying Agent on or after the Closing Date but, in any event, no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

 

2 

All references to “Additional Interest” in the Note shall be deleted in an Exchange Note unless if, at the date of issuance of the Exchange Note, any Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) has occurred with respect to the related Transfer Restricted Notes during the interest period in which such date of issuance occurs.


3. Paying Agent and Registrar

Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national banking association (the “Trustee”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar upon written notice to such Paying Agent or Registrar and to the Trustee. The Company or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

4. Indenture

The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of August 13, 2010 (the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented by the Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 18, 2021 (the “Supplemental Indenture”, and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Supplemental Indenture and those made part of the Supplemental Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Supplemental Indenture (the “TIA”). Terms defined in the Supplemental Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Supplemental Indenture. The Notes are subject to all terms and provisions of the Supplemental Indenture, and Holders (as defined in the Supplemental Indenture) are referred to the Supplemental Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms and provisions. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Supplemental Indenture, the provisions of the Supplemental Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Supplemental Indenture. The Supplemental Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Company and its Manufacturing Subsidiaries to, among other things, create or Incur certain Liens and enter into certain Sale/Leaseback Transactions. The Supplemental Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property.

Following the first day (the “Suspension Date”) that (i) the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from at least two of the Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing under the Supplemental Indenture, the Company and its Subsidiaries will not be subject to Section 4.06 of the Supplemental Indenture with respect to the Notes. In addition, upon and following the Suspension Date, the Company may elect to suspend the Subsidiary Guarantees with respect to the Notes. Upon and following any Reversion Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) shall again be subject to Section 4.06 of the Supplemental Indenture with respect to the Notes with respect to future events and the Subsidiary Guarantees with respect to the Notes shall be reinstated.


5. Guarantee

The payment by the Company of the principal of, and premium and interest on, the Notes is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior unsecured basis by each Subsidiary Guarantor to the extent set forth in the Supplemental Indenture. The precise terms of the Guarantee of the Notes and the Guaranteed Obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to the Notes are expressly set forth in Article 10 of the Supplemental Indenture.

6. Optional Redemption

At the Company’s option, the Company may redeem the Notes at any time, in whole or in part. If the Company elects to redeem the Notes prior to April 15, 2029, the Company shall pay a redemption price equal to the greater of the following amounts, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date:

1. 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and

2. the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments.

In determining the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments of Notes being redeemed, the Company shall discount such payments to the redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points.

If the Company elects to redeem the Notes on or after April 15, 2029, the Company shall pay a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date.

Notice of redemption must be mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address (or with respect to Global Notes, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, sent electronically), not less than 15 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date. With respect to any such redemption, if applicable, the Company shall notify the Trustee of the redemption amount promptly after it is calculated by the Company and the Trustee shall not be responsible for such calculation.

Any notice of optional redemption may be conditioned on the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. The Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee prior to the close of business two Business Days prior to the redemption date (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Trustee) if any such redemption has been rescinded or delayed, and 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.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes from the redemption date to April 15, 2029 that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of U.S. Dollar denominated corporate debt securities of a maturity most nearly equal to April 15, 2029.

 

3


“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, the average of three, or if not possible, such lesser number as is obtained by the Company, Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date.

“Quotation Agent” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers selected by the Company.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and its successors and assigns and two other nationally recognized investment banking firms selected by the Company that are primary U.S. Government Obligation securities dealers.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue, expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount, quoted in writing to the Company by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day immediately preceding such redemption date.

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to the Notes to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof and interest thereon that would be due after the related redemption date but for such redemption if such Notes matured on April 15, 2029; provided, however, that, if such redemption date is not an interest payment date with respect to the Notes, the amount of the next scheduled interest payment thereon will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such redemption date.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity (computed as of the third Business Day immediately preceding that redemption date) of the Comparable Treasury Issue. In determining this rate, the Company shall assume a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

7. Sinking Fund

The Notes are not subject to any sinking fund.

8. Notice of Optional Redemption

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to paragraph 6 above, at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date, notice of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at his, her or its registered address (or with respect to Global Notes, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, such notice shall be sent electronically). Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with the Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date interest ceases to accrue on such Notes (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.

 

4


9. Purchase of Notes at the Option of Holders

Upon a Change of Control Triggering Event, any Holder of Notes will have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Supplemental Indenture, to cause the Company to purchase all or any part of the Notes of such Holder at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased plus accrued and unpaid interest to 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 that is on or prior to the date of purchase) as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Supplemental Indenture.

10. Special Mandatory Redemption.

Upon the occurrence of a Special Mandatory Redemption Event, the Company shall redeem the Notes upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.09 of the Supplemental Indenture. The Supplemental Indenture provides that the Company will cause the notice of redemption pursuant to Section 4.09 of the Supplemental Indenture to be sent to each Holder of the Notes, with a copy to the Trustee, within five Business Days after the occurrence of a Special Mandatory Redemption Event.

11. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

The Notes are in registered form without interest coupons in denominations of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Supplemental Indenture. Upon any transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Supplemental Indenture. The Registrar need not register transfers or exchanges of Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of Notes to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or any Notes for a period of 15 days before an interest payment date.

12. Persons Deemed Owners

Except as provided in paragraph 2 hereof, the Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

13. Unclaimed Money

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors, and the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

 

5


14. Discharge and Defeasance

Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time may terminate some or all of its obligations under the Notes and the Supplemental Indenture with respect to the Notes if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations (or any combination thereof) for the payment of principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

15. Amendment, Waiver

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Supplemental Indenture, (i) the Indenture (as it relates to the Notes) or the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class and (ii) any existing Default or compliance with any provisions of the Indenture with respect to the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class.

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Supplemental Indenture, without notice to or consent of any Holder of Notes, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Notes (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate; (ii) to provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Supplemental Indenture in compliance with Article 5 of the Supplemental Indenture; (iii) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes; provided, however, that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for Federal income tax purposes; (iv) to add Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any Guarantee when such release, termination or discharge is permitted under the Supplemental Indenture; (v) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company in the Supplemental Indenture; (vi) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of Notes in any material respect, subject to the provisions of the Supplemental Indenture, as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate; (vii) to make any amendment to the provisions of the Supplemental Indenture relating to the form, authentication, transfer and legending of Notes; provided, however, that (A) compliance with the Supplemental Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law, and (B) such amendment does not materially affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes; (viii) to provide for the issuance of Exchange Notes or Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture; (ix) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of, the Indenture under the TIA; (x) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge as security for the Notes any property or assets in accordance with Section 4.04 of the Supplemental Indenture or (xi) conform any provision of the Supplemental Indenture or the Notes to the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum.

 

6


16. Defaults and Remedies

An “Event of Default” with respect to the Notes occurs if: (i) the Company defaults in any payment of interest on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for 30 days; (ii) the Company defaults in the payment of principal of any Note when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption or required repurchase or redemption, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise; (iii) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor fails to comply with its obligations under Section 5.01 of the Supplemental Indenture; (iv) the Company fails to comply with Section 4.03 of the Supplemental Indenture (other than a failure to purchase Notes), and such failure continues for 45 days after receipt of the notice from the Trustee or the Holders specified below; (v) the Company or any Manufacturing Subsidiary fails to comply with its covenants or agreements with respect to such Notes contained in the Supplemental Indenture (other than those referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above), and such failure continues for 60 days after receipt of the notice from the Trustee or the Holders specified below; (vi) the Company or any Manufacturing Subsidiary fails to pay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owing to the Company or a Subsidiary) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $150,000,000 or its foreign currency equivalent; (vii) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company under Sections 6.01(7) and 6.01(8) of the Supplemental Indenture; (viii) any final and nonappealable judgment or decree (not covered by insurance) for the payment of money in excess of $150,000,000 or its foreign currency equivalent (treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so covered) is rendered against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary and such final judgment or decree remains outstanding and is not satisfied, discharged or waived within a period of 60 days following such judgment; or (ix) any Subsidiary Guarantee by any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary or a group of Subsidiary Guarantors which collectively (as of the then most recent audited consolidated financial statements for the Company) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in each case with respect to the Notes ceases to be in full force and effect in all material respects (except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or any such Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under the Supplemental Indenture or any Subsidiary Guarantee and such Default continues for 10 days after receipt of the notice specified below.

The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether such Event of Default is voluntary or involuntary or is 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.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a default under clause (iv), (v), (vi), (viii) or (ix) above shall not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes notify the Company and the Trustee of the default and the Company or the Subsidiary, as applicable, does not cure such default within any applicable time specified in clause (iv), (v), (vi), (viii) or (ix) above after receipt of such notice.

 

7


If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company under Section 6.01(7) or Section 6.01(8) of the Supplemental Indenture) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to the Company and the Trustee may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company under Section 6.01(7) or Section 6.01(8) of the Supplemental Indenture occurs, the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes shall become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders. Under certain circumstances, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

17. Trustee Dealings with the Company

Subject to certain limitations imposed by the TIA, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

18. No Recourse Against Others

A director, officer, employee or shareholder, as such, of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Supplemental Indenture or of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee or the Supplemental Indenture, or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.

19. Authentication

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

20. Abbreviations

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

21. Governing Law; Jury Trial Waiver

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

8


BY ACCEPTING THIS NOTE, THE HOLDER HEREOF 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 NOTE, THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

22. CUSIP Numbers and ISINs

The Company has caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the Notes and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices 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 or notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Company will furnish to any Holder of Notes upon written request and without charge to the Holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note.

 

9


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Note to

Assignee’s Legal Name, Address, and Zip Code

Assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.

and irrevocably appoint                  agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date: ________________ Your Signature: ____________________

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

 

 

Signature

 

Signature Guarantee:     

 

    

 

Signature must be guaranteed      Signature

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

[Include the following only if the Restricted Notes legend is included hereon]

In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the period referred to in Rule 144 under the Securities Act after the later of the date of original issuance of such Notes and the last date, if any, on which such Notes were owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

 

10


(1)       to the Company; or
(2)       to a person reasonably believed to be a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act; or
(3)       to a non-U.S. person outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act; or
(4)       pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or
(5)       pursuant to another available exemption from registration under the Securities Act; or
(6)       pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act;

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (3), (4) or (5) is checked, the Trustee shall be entitled to require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF BOX (2) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Dated:  

 

    

 

 

 

    

NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer

 

11


[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $__________. The following increases or decreases 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
signatory of Trustee or
Securities Custodian

 

12


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.03 (Change of Control Triggering Event) of the Supplemental Indenture, check the box:

Change of Control

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.03 of the Supplemental Indenture, state the amount ($2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof):

$__________

Date: __________________ Your Signature: __________________

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of the Note)

Signature Guarantee:_______________________________________

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee

 

13


EXHIBIT 2

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE]

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”) dated as of                , among [GUARANTOR] (the “New Guarantor”), a subsidiary of THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY (or its successor), an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), the Company and WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS the Company and the subsidiary guarantors party thereto (the “Existing Guarantors”) have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee the tenth supplemental indenture dated as of May 18, 2021 (the “Tenth Supplemental Indenture”) to the Indenture dated as of August 13, 2010 (the “Base Indenture”, and together with the Tenth Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Company’s 5.000% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”), initially in the aggregate principal amount of $850,000,000.

WHEREAS Section 4.06 of the Tenth Supplemental Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Company is required to cause the New Guarantor to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all the Company’s obligations under the Notes pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Tenth Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee and the Company are 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 New Guarantor, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes as follows:

1. Agreement to Guarantee. The New Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all Existing Guarantors, to unconditionally guarantee the Company’s obligations under the Notes on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article 10 of the Tenth Supplemental Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture with respect to the Notes and of the Notes themselves.


2. Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture with respect to the Notes only is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture with respect to the Notes only for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

3. Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

4. Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.

5. Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture by manual signature, which may be provided by facsimile or electronically, with PDF. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. This Supplemental Indenture shall be valid, binding and enforceable against a party when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) an original manual signature, (ii) a faxed, scanned or photocopied manual signature or (iii) any other electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including any relevant provisions of the UCC (collectively, “Signature Law”), in each case to the extent applicable. Each faxed, scanned or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, of any other party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the UCC or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings.

6. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

[NEW GUARANTOR],
by  

 

  Name:
  Title:
THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY,
by  

 

  Name:
  Title:
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as Trustee,
by  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

3


EXHIBIT 3

[FORM OF NOTICE OF SPECIAL MANDATORY REDEMPTION]

NOTICE OF FULL SPECIAL MANDATORY REDEMPTION

TO THE HOLDERS OF

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY

5.000% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029

(CUSIP No. 382550BL4 / Reg S: U38255AN2)

(ISIN No. US382550BL42 / Reg S: USU38255AN24)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, an Ohio corporation (the “Issuer”), pursuant to the [ ] Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 18, 2021 (the “Supplemental Indenture”) to the Indenture, dated as of August 13, 2010 (the “Base Indenture” and as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”), among the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”), shall redeem all of its outstanding 5.000% Senior Notes due July 15, 2029 (the “Notes”) on [    ], 202[ ] (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Date”) pursuant to Section 4.09 of the Indenture. The redemption price for each Note will be $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount thereof (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Price”), plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon from the [[Issue Date][insert most recent Interest Payment Date on which interest has been paid]] to, but excluding, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date. Capitalized terms used herein (but otherwise not defined herein) shall have such meanings as set forth in the Indenture.

The Indenture provides that upon the deposit of funds sufficient to pay the Special Mandatory Redemption Price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, in respect of the Notes to be redeemed on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date with the Trustee or a Paying Agent prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes.

In order to receive the redemption payment, the Notes called for redemption must be surrendered for payment at the following location of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., the Trustee and Paying Agent. Notes to be redeemed must be surrendered for payment: (a) in book-entry form by transferring the Notes to be redeemed to the Trustee’s account at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) in accordance with DTC’s procedures; or (b) by delivering the Notes to be redeemed to the Trustee at:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Corporate Trust Operations

MAC N9300-070

600 South Fourth Street, 7th Floor

Minneapolis, MN 55415


The method of delivery of the Notes is at the election and risk of the Holder. If delivered by mail, certified or registered mail, properly insured, is recommended. Direct inquiries related to procedures to redeem the Notes should be directed to the Trustee by telephone at 1-800-344-5128 or by fax at 1-877-407-4679 or to bondholdercommunications@wellsfargo.com.

No representation is being made as to the correctness of the CUSIP numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in this notice. Holders should rely only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

For Holders of Notes who have not established an exemption, payments made upon the redemption of the Notes may be subject to U.S. federal withholding of 24% of the payments to be made, as and to the extent required by the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. To establish an exemption from such withholding, Holders of Notes should submit a completed and signed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or applicable Form W-8) when surrendering their Notes for payment.

Date: [    ], 202[ ]

By: [THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY/WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.]

 

2

Exhibit 4.3

 

 

 

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

5.250% Senior Notes due 2031

 

 

ELEVENTH

SUPPLEMENTAL

INDENTURE

Dated as of May 18, 2021

TO THE INDENTURE

Dated as of August 13, 2010

 

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,

as Trustee

 

 

 


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA

Section

      

Supplemental

Indenture

Section

310(a)(1)

     7.10

(a)(2)

     7.10

(a)(3)

     N.A.

(a)(4)

     N.A.

(a)(5)

     7.10

(b)

     7.08; 7.10

(c)

     N.A.

311(a)

     7.11

(b)

     7.11

(c)

     N.A.

312(a)

     2.05

(b)

     11.03

(c)

     11.03

313(a)

     7.06

(b)(1)

     N.A.

(b)(2)

     7.06

(c)

     11.02

(d)

     7.06

314(a)

     4.02; 4.08; 11.02

(b)

     N.A.

(c)(1)

     11.04

(c)(2)

     11.04

(c)(3)

     N.A.

(d)

     N.A.

(e)

     11.05

(f)

     4.09

315(a)

     7.01

(b)

     7.05; 11.02

(c)

     7.01

(d)

     7.01

(e)

     6.11

316(a)(last sentence)

     11.06

(a)(1)(A)

     6.05

(a)(1)(B)

     6.04

(a)(2)

     N.A.

(b)

     6.07

317(a)(1)

     6.08

(a)(2)

     6.09

(b)

     2.04

318(a)

     11.01

N.A. means Not Applicable.

 

 

Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of this Supplemental Indenture.

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  
ARTICLE 1  
Application of Supplemental Indenture and Creation of Notes;  
Definitions and Incorporation by Reference  

SECTION 1.01.

  Application of this Supplemental Indenture      1  

SECTION 1.02.

  Effect of Supplemental Indenture      2  

SECTION 1.03.

  Definitions      3  

SECTION 1.04.

  Other Definitions      20  

SECTION 1.05.

  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act      20  

SECTION 1.06.

  Rules of Construction      21  
ARTICLE 2  
The Notes  

SECTION 2.01.

  Form and Dating      22  

SECTION 2.02.

  Execution and Authentication      22  

SECTION 2.03.

  Registrar and Paying Agent      23  

SECTION 2.04.

  Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust      24  

SECTION 2.05.

  Lists of Holders of Notes      24  

SECTION 2.06.

  Transfer and Exchange      24  

SECTION 2.07.

  Replacement Notes      25  

SECTION 2.08.

  Outstanding Notes      25  

SECTION 2.09.

  Temporary Notes      26  

SECTION 2.10.

  Cancellation      26  

SECTION 2.11.

  Defaulted Interest      26  

SECTION 2.12.

  CUSIP Numbers and ISINs      26  

SECTION 2.13.

  Issuance of Additional Notes      26  
ARTICLE 3  
Optional Redemption  

SECTION 3.01.

  Notices to Trustee      27  

SECTION 3.02.

  Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed      27  

SECTION 3.03.

  Notice of Redemption      28  

SECTION 3.04.

  Effect of Notice of Redemption      29  

SECTION 3.05.

  Deposit of Redemption Price      29  

SECTION 3.06.

  Notes Redeemed in Part      29  

 

i


ARTICLE 4  
Covenants  

SECTION 4.01.

  Payment of Notes      29  

SECTION 4.02.

  SEC Reports and Rule 144A Information      30  

SECTION 4.03.

  Change of Control Triggering Event      30  

SECTION 4.04.

  Limitation on Liens      32  

SECTION 4.05.

  Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions      32  

SECTION 4.06.

  Future Subsidiary Guarantors      32  

SECTION 4.07.

  Fall Away of Future Subsidiary Guarantors Covenant      33  

SECTION 4.08.

  Compliance Certificate      34  

SECTION 4.09.

  Special Mandatory Redemption      34  

SECTION 4.10.

  Further Instruments and Acts      34  
ARTICLE 5  
Successor Company  

SECTION 5.01.

  When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets      35  
ARTICLE 6  
Defaults and Remedies  

SECTION 6.01.

  Events of Default      36  

SECTION 6.02.

  Acceleration      38  

SECTION 6.03.

  Other Remedies      38  

SECTION 6.04.

  Waiver of Past Defaults      39  

SECTION 6.05.

  Control by Majority      39  

SECTION 6.06.

  Limitation on Suits      39  

SECTION 6.07.

  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment      40  

SECTION 6.08.

  Collection Suit by Trustee      40  

SECTION 6.09.

  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      40  

SECTION 6.10.

  Priorities      40  

SECTION 6.11.

  Undertaking for Costs      41  

SECTION 6.12.

  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws      41  
ARTICLE 7  
Trustee  

SECTION 7.01.

  Duties of Trustee      41  

SECTION 7.02.

  Rights of Trustee      42  

SECTION 7.03.

  Individual Rights of Trustee      44  

SECTION 7.04.

  Trustee’s Disclaimer      44  

SECTION 7.05.

  Notice of Defaults      44  

 

ii


SECTION 7.06.

  Reports by Trustee to Holders      44  

SECTION 7.07.

  Compensation and Indemnity      45  

SECTION 7.08.

  Replacement of Trustee      45  

SECTION 7.09.

  Successor Trustee by Merger      46  

SECTION 7.10.

  Eligibility; Disqualification      47  

SECTION 7.11.

  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company      47  
ARTICLE 8  
Discharge of Supplemental Indenture; Defeasance  

SECTION 8.01.

  Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance      47  

SECTION 8.02.

  Conditions to Defeasance      48  

SECTION 8.03.

  Application of Trust Money      49  

SECTION 8.04.

  Repayment to Company      49  

SECTION 8.05.

  Indemnity for Government Obligations      49  

SECTION 8.06.

  Reinstatement      49  
ARTICLE 9  
Amendments  

SECTION 9.01.

  Without Consent of Holders      50  

SECTION 9.02.

  With Consent of Holders      51  

SECTION 9.03.

  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act      52  

SECTION 9.04.

  Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers      52  

SECTION 9.05.

  Notation on or Exchange of Notes      52  

SECTION 9.06.

  Trustee To Sign Amendments      52  

SECTION 9.07.

  Payment for Consent      53  
ARTICLE 10  
Subsidiary Guarantees  

SECTION 10.01.

  Guarantees      53  

SECTION 10.02.

  Limitation on Liability      54  

SECTION 10.03.

  Successors and Assigns      54  

SECTION 10.04.

  No Waiver      54  

SECTION 10.05.

  Modification      55  

SECTION 10.06.

  Release of Subsidiary Guarantor      55  

SECTION 10.07.

  Contribution      56  
ARTICLE 11  
Miscellaneous  

SECTION 11.01.

  Trust Indenture Act Controls      56  

SECTION 11.02.

  Notices      56  

 

iii


SECTION 11.03.

  Communication by Holders with Other Holders      57  

SECTION 11.04.

  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      57  

SECTION 11.05.

  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      57  

SECTION 11.06.

  When Notes Disregarded      58  

SECTION 11.07.

  Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar      58  

SECTION 11.08.

  Legal Holidays      58  

SECTION 11.09.

  Governing Law; Jury Trial Waiver      58  

SECTION 11.10.

  No Recourse Against Others      58  

SECTION 11.11.

  Successors      59  

SECTION 11.12.

  Multiple Originals; Electronic Signatures      59  

SECTION 11.13.

  Table of Contents; Headings      59  

SECTION 11.14.

  Ratification of Base Indenture      59  

SECTION 11.15.

  Consent to Jurisdiction      59  

SECTION 11.16.

  U.S.A. Patriot Act      60  

 

Appendix A       Provisions Relating to Notes
Exhibit 1       Form of Note
Exhibit 2       Form of Supplemental Indenture
Exhibit 3       Form of Notice of Special Mandatory Redemption

 

 

iv


ELEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE dated as of May 18, 2021 to the Indenture dated as of August 13, 2010, among The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, an Ohio corporation, the Subsidiary Guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national banking association, as Trustee.

WHEREAS, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have executed and delivered to the Trustee the Base Indenture providing for the issuance from time to time of one or more series of Securities;

WHEREAS, Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture provides for the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee to enter into a supplemental indenture to the Base Indenture without notice to or the consent of any Holders to establish the forms or terms of Securities of any series issued thereunder as permitted by Section 2.01 and Section 2.02 of the Base Indenture;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Base Indenture, the Company wishes to provide for the issuance of the Notes, the forms and terms of the Notes and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in this Supplemental Indenture; and

WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture, and all requirements necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding and enforceable instrument in accordance with its terms, and to make the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, when the Notes are executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, have been done and performed, and the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized in all respects;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

Application of Supplemental Indenture and Creation of Notes;

Definitions and Incorporation by Reference

SECTION 1.01. Application of this Supplemental Indenture. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Supplemental Indenture, the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture, including as provided in Section 1.02, and any amendments or modifications to the terms of the Base Indenture made herein, are expressly and solely for the benefit of the Holders (and not for the benefit of any other Series of Securities (as defined in the Base Indenture)). The Notes constitute a series of Securities as provided in Section 2.01 of the Base Indenture. Unless otherwise expressly specified, references in this Supplemental Indenture to specific Article numbers or Section numbers refer to Articles and Sections contained in this Supplemental Indenture, and not the Base Indenture or any other document. All the Notes issued under this Supplemental Indenture shall be treated as a single class for all purposes of the Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.

 


The Notes shall constitute a Series of Securities (as defined in the Base Indenture) having the title “5.250% Senior Notes due 2031”. The initial aggregate principal amount of the Notes is $600,000,000. Additional Notes may be issued as provided for in Section 2.13 hereof. The Notes shall have the terms provided for in this Supplemental Indenture and set forth in Appendix A and Exhibit 1. The Notes shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.

SECTION 1.02. Effect of Supplemental Indenture. With respect to the Notes only, the Base Indenture shall be supplemented pursuant to Section 9.01 thereof to establish the terms of the Notes as set forth in this Supplemental Indenture, including as follows:

(a) Definitions. The definitions and other provisions of general application set forth in Article 1 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Sections 1.03, 1.04, 1.05 and 1.06 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(b) The Notes. The provisions of Article 2 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 2 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(c) Redemption. The provisions of Article 3 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 3 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(d) Covenants. The provisions of Article 4 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 4 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(e) Successors. The provisions of Article 5 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 5 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(f) Defaults and Remedies. The provisions of Article 6 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 6 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(g) Trustee. The provisions of Article 7 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 7 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(h) Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance. The provisions of Article 8 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 8 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(i) Amendments. The provisions of Article 9 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 9 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(j) Subsidiary Guarantors. The provisions of Article 10 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 10 of this Supplemental Indenture; and

 

2


(k) Miscellaneous. The provisions of Article 11 of the Base Indenture are deleted and replaced in their entirety by the provisions of Article 11 of this Supplemental Indenture.

To the extent that the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture (including those referred to in clauses (a) through (k) above) conflict with any provision of the Base Indenture, the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture shall govern and be controlling solely with respect to the Notes.

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes:

SECTION 1.03. Definitions. For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“Acquisition” means the acquisition by the Company of Cooper Tire, through the merger of Merger Sub, with and into Cooper Tire pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

“Additional Assets” means:

 

  (1)

any property or assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) to be used by the Company or a Subsidiary;

 

  (2)

the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or another Subsidiary; or

 

  (3)

Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Subsidiary;

provided, however, that any such Subsidiary described in clauses (2) or (3) above is primarily engaged in a Permitted Business.

“Additional Interest” means the additional interest then owing pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement.

“Additional Notes” means Notes issued under this Supplemental Indenture after the Closing Date and in compliance with Sections 2.13 and 4.04, it being understood that any Notes issued in exchange for or replacement of any Note issued on the Closing Date (including any such Notes issued pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement) shall not be an Additional Note.

“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 the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

3


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

“Attributable Debt” means, with respect to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction that does not result in a Finance Lease Obligation, the present value (computed in accordance with GAAP) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended). In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon payment of a penalty, the Attributable Debt shall be the lesser of:

 

  (1)

the Attributable Debt determined assuming termination upon the first date such lease may be terminated (in which case the Attributable Debt shall also include the amount of the penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated), and

 

  (2)

the Attributable Debt determined assuming no such termination.

“Average Life” means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any Indebtedness, the quotient obtained by dividing:

 

  (1)

the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness multiplied by the amount of such payment by

 

  (2)

the sum of all such payments.

“Base Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of August 13, 2010, as amended or supplemented from time to time, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee.

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of the board of directors of the Company.

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

“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests (however designated) in equity of such Person, including any preferred stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

  (1)

any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes of this clause (1) such person shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company;

 

4


  (2)

the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

 

  (3)

the sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (as determined on a Consolidated basis) to another Person (other than to the Company and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries).

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Event.

“Closing Date” means May 18, 2021.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Company” means The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, an Ohio corporation, until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor and, for purposes of any provision contained herein and required by the TIA, each other obligor on the indenture securities.

“Consolidated Assets of the Company and Subsidiaries” means, as at the date as of which any determination is being or to be made, the consolidated total assets of the Company and Subsidiaries as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company for the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company (which consolidated balance sheet has been filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act).

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, as of the date of determination, the Consolidated Assets of the Company and Subsidiaries after deducting therefrom all goodwill and other intangibles, all as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company for the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company (which consolidated balance sheet has been filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act).

“Consolidation” means, unless the context otherwise requires, the consolidation of (1) in the case of the Company, the accounts of each of the Subsidiaries with those of the Company and (2) in the case of a Subsidiary (the “Specified Subsidiary”), the accounts of each Subsidiary of such Specified Subsidiary with those of such Specified Subsidiary, in each case in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; provided, however, that “Consolidation” will not include consolidation of the accounts of any Excluded Subsidiary, but the interest of the Company or any Subsidiary in an Excluded Subsidiary will be accounted for as an investment. The term “Consolidated” has a correlative meaning.

“Cooper Tire” means Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, a Delaware corporation.

“Credit Agreements” means the U.S. Credit Agreements and the European Credit Agreement.

 

5


“Currency Agreement” means, with respect to any Person, any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement to which such Person is a party or of which it is a beneficiary.

“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable or exercisable) or upon the happening of any event:

 

  (1)

matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;

 

  (2)

is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock (excluding Capital Stock convertible or exchangeable solely at the option of the Company or a Subsidiary; provided, however, that any such conversion or exchange shall be deemed an Incurrence of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, as applicable); or

 

  (3)

is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part;

in the case of each of clauses (1), (2) and (3), on or prior to 180 days after the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided, however, that any Capital Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an “asset sale” or “change of control” occurring on or prior to the date that is 180 days after the Stated Maturity of the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the “asset sale” or “change of control” provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are not more favorable in any material respect to the holders of such Capital Stock than the “asset sale” and “change of control” provisions contained in the 2015 Euro Indenture, the 2016 Indenture, the 2017 Indenture, the 2020 Indenture and the 2021 Indentures; provided further, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company 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 Company in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, retirement, death or disability.

The amount of any Disqualified Stock that does not have a fixed redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock as if such Disqualified Stock were redeemed, repaid or repurchased on any date on which the amount of such Disqualified Stock is to be determined pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture; provided, however, that if such Disqualified Stock could not be required to be redeemed, repaid or repurchased at the time of such determination, the redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be the book value of such Disqualified Stock as reflected in the most recent financial statements of such Person.

“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.

 

6


“European Credit Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2019, among the Company, Goodyear Europe B.V., Goodyear Dunlop Tires Germany GmbH, Goodyear Dunlop Tires Operations S.A., the lenders party thereto, J.P. Morgan Europe Limited, as Administrative Agent, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), refinanced, restructured or otherwise modified from time to time (except to the extent that any such amendment, restatement, supplement, waiver, replacement, refinancing, restructuring or other modification thereto would be prohibited by the terms of this Supplemental Indenture, unless otherwise agreed to by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of Notes at the time outstanding).

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Excluded Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that (i) is an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” for purposes of each of the Credit Agreements and each of the Specified Notes, and any Refinancing (or successive Refinancings) of the same, in each case as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, and (ii) does not guarantee any Indebtedness under any of the debt facilities or securities described in clause (i).

“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s-length, free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction as such price is, unless specified otherwise in this Supplemental Indenture, determined in good faith by a Financial Officer of the Company or by the Board of Directors.

“Finance Lease Obligations” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a finance lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Financial Officer” means the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer or the Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, or any Senior Vice President or higher ranking executive to whom any of the foregoing report.

“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings, Inc., and any successor thereto.

“Funded Debt” of any Person means, as at any date as of which any determination thereof is being or to be made, any Indebtedness of such Person that by its terms (i) will mature more than one year after the date it was Incurred by such Person, or (ii) will mature one year or less after the date it was Incurred which at such date of determination may be renewed or extended at the election or option of such Person so as to mature more than one year after such date of determination.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect as of the Closing Date set forth in:

 

7


  (1)

the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants,

 

  (2)

statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board,

 

  (3)

such other statements by such other entities as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, and

 

  (4)

the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC.

All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Supplemental Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.

“Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

 

  (1)

to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise), or

 

  (2)

entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);

provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. The term “Guarantor” means any Person Guaranteeing any obligation.

“Guaranteed Obligations” means the principal of and interest, if any, on the Notes when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and all other obligations, monetary or otherwise, of the Company under this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes (including expenses and indemnification).

“Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or raw materials hedge agreement.

“Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

 

8


“Incur” means issue, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. The term “Incurrence” when used as a noun shall have a correlative meaning. The accretion of principal of a non-interest bearing or other discount security shall not be deemed the Incurrence of Indebtedness.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, without duplication:

 

  (1)

the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;

 

  (2)

the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

 

  (3)

all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, bank guarantee, bankers’ acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances or similar credit transactions securing obligations (other than obligations described in clauses (1), (2) and (5)) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances or similar credit transactions are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the tenth Business Day following payment on the letter of credit, bank guarantee, bankers’ acceptance or similar credit transaction);

 

  (4)

all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services (except Trade Payables), which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of placing such property in service or taking delivery and title thereto or the completion of such services;

 

  (5)

all Finance Lease Obligations and all Attributable Debt of such Person;

 

  (6)

the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary of such Person, any preferred stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued and unpaid dividends);

 

  (7)

all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; provided, however, that the amount of Indebtedness of such Person shall be the lesser of:

 

  (A)

the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination, and

 

  (B)

the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Persons;

 

9


  (8)

Hedging Obligations of such Person; and

 

  (9)

all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (8) of other Persons for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any Guarantee.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the purchase by the Company or any Subsidiary of any business, the term “Indebtedness” shall exclude post-closing payment adjustments to which the seller may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet or such payment depends on the performance of such business after the closing; provided, however, that, at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid within 30 days thereafter.

The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above; provided, however, that in the case of Indebtedness sold at a discount, the amount of such Indebtedness at any time will be the accreted value thereof at such time.

“Indenture” means the Base Indenture, dated as of August 13, 2010, as amended or supplemented from time to time, together with this Supplemental Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee.

“Interest Rate Agreement” means, with respect to any Person, any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement to which such Person is a party or of which it is a beneficiary.

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

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

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge in the nature of an encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof).

“Manufacturing Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary engaged primarily in manufacturing tires or other automotive products (i) that was formed under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (ii) substantially all the assets of which are located within, and substantially all the operations of which are conducted within, any one or more of the states of the United States of America, and (iii) which has assets in excess of 5% of the total amount of Consolidated Assets of the Company and Subsidiaries, as

 

10


shown on the consolidated balance sheet for the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company (which consolidated balance sheet has been filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act); except that such term shall not include any Subsidiary the principal business of which is financing accounts receivable, leasing, owning and developing real estate, engaging in transportation activities, or engaging in distribution, sales and related activities.

“Merger Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 22, 2021, by and among the Company, Merger Sub and Cooper Tire, as such agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Merger Sub” means Vulcan Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and any successor thereto.

“Obligations” means with respect to any Indebtedness, all obligations for principal, premium, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, and other amounts payable pursuant to the documentation governing such Indebtedness.

“Offering Memorandummeans the final version of the offering memorandum related to the offering of the Initial Notes, dated May 13, 2021.

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company. “Officer” of a Subsidiary Guarantor has a correlative meaning.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, or other counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee.

“Permitted Business” means any business engaged in by the Company or any Subsidiary on the Closing Date and any Related Business.

“Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

 

  (1)

Liens to secure U.S. Bank Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $3,500,000,000;

 

  (2)

pledges or deposits by such Person under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness for borrowed money) 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 United States government bonds to secure surety 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, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

11


  (3)

Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case for sums not yet due 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;

 

  (4)

Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet due or payable or subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

  (5)

Liens in favor of issuers of surety or performance bonds or letters of credit, bank guarantees, bankers’ acceptances or similar credit transactions issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

 

  (6)

survey exceptions, encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties 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 securing Indebtedness for borrowed money Incurred to finance the construction, purchase or lease of, or repairs, improvements or additions to, property of such Person (including Finance Lease Obligations) and Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof; provided, however, that the Lien may not extend to any other property (other than accessions thereto, proceeds and products thereof and property related to the property being financed or through cross-collateralization of individual financings of equipment provided by the same lender) owned by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries at the time the Lien is Incurred, and the Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than any interest thereon) secured by the Lien may not be Incurred more than one year after the later of the acquisition, completion of construction, repair, improvement, addition or commencement of full operation of the property subject to the Lien;

 

  (8)

Liens existing on the Closing Date (other than Liens referred to in the foregoing clause (1));

 

  (9)

Liens on property or shares of stock of another Person at the time such other Person becomes a Subsidiary of such Person; provided, however, that such Liens are not created, Incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided further, however, that such Liens do not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its

 

12


 

Subsidiaries, except pursuant to after-acquired property clauses existing in the applicable agreements at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary which do not extend to property transferred to such Person by the Company or a Manufacturing Subsidiary;

 

  (10)

Liens on property at the time such Person or any of its Subsidiaries acquires the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person; provided, however, that such Liens are not created, Incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided further, however, that the Liens do not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

  (11)

Liens securing Indebtedness for borrowed money or other obligations of the Company or of a Subsidiary owing to the Company or to a Subsidiary of the Company;

 

  (12)

Liens to secure any Refinancing (or successive Refinancings) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness for borrowed money secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (7), (8), (9) and (10); provided, however, that:

 

  (A)

such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds, dividends or distributions in respect thereof), and

 

  (B)

the Indebtedness for borrowed money secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of:

 

  (i)

the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the applicable Indebtedness for borrowed money secured by Liens described under clauses (7), (8), (9) or (10) hereof at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Supplemental Indenture; and

 

  (ii)

an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such Refinancings;

 

  (13)

judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default so long as any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

 

  (14)

landlords’ liens on fixtures located on premises leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (15)

leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries; and

 

13


  (16)

other Liens to secure Indebtedness for borrowed money as long as the amount of outstanding Indebtedness for borrowed money secured by Liens Incurred pursuant to this clause (16), when aggregated with the amount of Attributable Debt outstanding and Incurred in reliance on clause (4) of Section 4.05, does not exceed 12.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at the time any such Lien is granted.

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

“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.

“Principal Property” means any manufacturing plant or equipment owned by the Company or a Manufacturing Subsidiary which satisfies each of the following: (a) is used primarily to manufacture tires or other automotive products, (b) is located within any one or more of the states of the United States of America and (c) has a net book value as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company for the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company (which consolidated balance sheet has been filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act) that exceeds 1% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; provided, however, that “Principal Property” shall not include (i) tire retreading plants, facilities or equipment, (ii) manufacturing plants, facilities or equipment which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, are not of material importance to the total business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) plants, facilities or equipment which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, are used primarily for transportation, distribution, sales or warehousing.

“Rating Agency” means Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch or, if any one or more of Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s or Fitch shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of the Board of Directors) which shall be substituted for any one or more of Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s or Fitch, as the case may be.

“Rating Event” means:

 

  (1)

if the Notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the three Rating Agencies on the first day of the Trigger Period, the Notes are downgraded by at least one rating category (e.g., from BB+ to BB or Ba1 to Ba2) from the applicable rating of the Notes on the first day of the Trigger Period (and/or cease to be rated) by at least two of the Rating Agencies on any date during the Trigger Period;

 

  (2)

if the Notes are rated an Investment Grade Rating by each of the three Rating Agencies on the first day of the Trigger Period, the Notes are downgraded to below an Investment Grade Rating (i.e., below BBB- or Baa3) (and/or cease to be rated) by at least two of the Rating Agencies on any date during the Trigger Period; or

 

  (3)

if the Notes are not rated an Investment Grade Rating by each of the three Rating Agencies and are not rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the three Rating Agencies, in each case on the first day of the Trigger Period, and with respect to at least two of the Rating Agencies:

 

14


  (A)

if the Notes are rated an Investment Grade Rating by such Rating Agency on the first day of the Trigger Period, the Notes are downgraded to below an Investment Grade Rating (i.e., below BBB- or Baa3) (and/or cease to be rated) by such Rating Agency on any date during the Trigger Period, and

 

  (B)

if the Notes are not rated an Investment Grade Rating by such Rating Agency on the first day of the Trigger Period, the Notes are downgraded by at least one rating category (e.g., from BB+ to BB or Ba1 to Ba2) from the applicable rating of the Notes on the first day of the Trigger Period (and/or cease to be rated) by such Rating Agency on any date during the Trigger Period;

provided that a Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular downgrade in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event hereunder) if the Rating Agency making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply does not announce or publicly confirm or inform the Company that the reduction was the result of the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Rating Event); provided, further, that, for purposes of clauses (1), (2) and (3) above, (i) in the event that one Rating Agency does not provide a rating of the Notes on the first day of the Trigger Period, such absence of rating shall not be treated as a downgrade in the rating of the Notes by such Rating Agency and shall instead be treated as an Investment Grade Rating of the Notes by such Rating Agency that is not downgraded during the Trigger Period and (ii) in the event that more than one Rating Agency does not provide a rating of the Notes on the first day of the Trigger Period, such absence of rating shall be treated as both a downgrade in the rating of the Notes by at least one rating category by such Rating Agencies and a downgrade that results in the Notes no longer having an Investment Grade Rating by such Rating Agencies for purposes of clauses (1), (2) and (3) above and shall not be subject to the immediately preceding proviso.

“Refinance” means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness, including, in any such case from time to time, after the discharge of the Indebtedness being Refinanced. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

“Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness that is Incurred to Refinance (including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism) any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary existing on the Closing Date or Incurred in compliance with this Supplemental Indenture (including Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary that Refinances Refinancing Indebtedness); provided, however, that:

 

  (1)

the Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced,

 

15


  (2)

the Refinancing Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being refinanced,

 

  (3)

such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred in an aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced (or if issued with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding (or that would be outstanding if the entire committed amount of any credit facility being Refinanced were fully drawn) (plus fees and expenses, including any premium and defeasance costs), and

 

  (4)

if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

provided further, however, that Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) that Refinances Indebtedness of an Excluded Subsidiary.

“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the initial purchasers party thereto, and any similar agreement entered into in connection with any Additional Notes.

“Related Business” means any business reasonably related, ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date.

“Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to property, plant or equipment owned by the Company or a Manufacturing Subsidiary on the Closing Date whereby the Company or a Manufacturing Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Company or such Manufacturing Subsidiary leases it from such Person, other than (i) leases between the Company and a Subsidiary or between Subsidiaries or (ii) any such transaction entered into with respect to any property, plant or equipment or any improvements thereto at the time of, or within 180 days after, the acquisition or completion of construction of such property, plant or equipment or such improvements (or, if later, the commencement of commercial operation of any such property, plant or equipment), as the case may be, to finance the cost of such property, plant or equipment or such improvements, as the case may be.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities” means the securities issued under the Base Indenture.

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

 

16


“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

“Specified Notes” means the Company’s 5% Senior Notes due 2026 and 9.5% Senior Notes due 2025 and Goodyear Europe B.V.’s 3.75% Senior Notes due 2023.

“Standard & Poor’s” means S&P Global Ratings, an S&P Financial Services LLC business, and any successor thereto.

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

“Subsidiary” of any Person means any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:

 

  (1)

such Person,

 

  (2)

such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or

 

  (3)

one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Supplemental Indenture shall refer to a direct or indirect Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.

“Subsidiary Guarantee” means each Guarantee of the Obligations with respect to the Notes issued by a Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Supplemental Indenture.

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means any Subsidiary that has issued a Subsidiary Guarantee.

“Supplemental Indenture” means this Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 18, 2021, as amended or supplemented from time to time, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the Closing Date.

 

17


“Trade Payables” means, with respect to any Person, any accounts payable or any indebtedness or monetary obligation to trade creditors created, assumed or Guaranteed by such Person arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the acquisition of goods or services.

“Trigger Period” means the period commencing on the first public announcement by the Company of the occurrence of a Change of Control or of the Company’s intention to effect a Change of Control and continuing until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of such Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies).

“Trust Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the President or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters having direct responsibility for administering this Supplemental Indenture, and any other officer of the Trustee to whom a matter arising under this Supplemental Indenture may be referred.

“Trustee” means Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national banking association, until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

“2015 Euro Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of December 15, 2015, among Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe B.V. (now known as Goodyear Europe B.V.), the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, Deutsche Trustee Company Limited, as trustee, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, as principal paying agent and transfer agent, and Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., as registrar and Luxembourg paying agent and transfer agent.

“2016 Indenture” means the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 13, 2016, among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee.

“2017 Indenture” means the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 7, 2017, among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee.

“2020 Indenture” means the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 18, 2020, among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee.

“2021 Indentures” means (i) the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 6, 2021, among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, and (ii) the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Ninth Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 6, 2021, among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee.

“Uniform Commercial Code” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

 

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“U.S. Bank Indebtedness” means any and all amounts payable under or in respect of the U.S. Credit Agreements and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto or with respect to such Refinancing Indebtedness, as amended from time to time, including principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof.

“U.S. Credit Agreements” means:

(i) (A) the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2020, among the Company, the lenders party thereto, the issuing banks party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and (B) the Amended and Restated Second Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2018, among the Company, the lenders party thereto, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Collateral Agent, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and

(ii) whether or not the agreements referred to in clause (i) remain outstanding, if designated by the Company to be included in the definition of “U.S. Credit Agreements”, one or more (A) debt facilities providing for revolving credit loans, term loans or letters of credit (including bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances) or (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of capital markets debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments), in each case of this clause (ii), with the same or different borrowers or issuers,

in each case of clauses (i) and (ii), each as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), refinanced, restructured or otherwise modified from time to time.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer’s option.

“Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company, all the Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) is owned by the Company or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary.

 

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SECTION 1.04. Other Definitions.

 

Term

  

Defined in Section

“Appendix A”    2.01
“Bankruptcy Law”    6.01
“Change of Control Offer”    4.03(b)
“Change of Control Payment Date”    4.03(b)(3)
“covenant defeasance option”    8.01(b)
“Custodian”    6.01
“Definitive Notes”    Appendix A
“Distribution Compliance Period”    Appendix A
“Event of Default”    6.01
“Exchange Notes”    Appendix A
“Exhibit 1”    2.01
“Global Notes”    Appendix A
“Global Notes Legend”    Appendix A
“Initial Lien”    4.04
“Initial Purchasers”    Appendix A
“Initial Notes”    Appendix A
“legal defeasance option”    8.01(b)
“Notes”    Appendix A
“Paying Agent”    2.03
“Permanent Regulation S Global Note”    Appendix A
“Purchase Agreement”    Appendix A
“QIB”    Appendix A
“Registrar”    2.03
“Registered Exchange Offer”    Appendix A
“Regulation S”    Appendix A
“Regulation S Global Notes”    Appendix A
“Remaining Scheduled Payments”    Exhibit 1
“Reversion Date”    4.07(b)
“Securities Custodian”    Appendix A
“Special Mandatory Redemption Date”    4.09
“Special Mandatory Redemption Event”    4.09
“Special Mandatory Redemption Price”    4.09
“Successor Company”    5.01(a)(1)
“Suspension Date”    4.07(a)
“Suspension Period”    4.07(b)
“Temporary Regulation S Global Note”    Appendix A
“Transfer Restricted Notes”    Appendix A

SECTION 1.05. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. This Supplemental Indenture is subject to the mandatory provisions of the TIA which are incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Supplemental Indenture. The following TIA terms have the following meanings:

 

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“Commission” means the SEC;

“indenture securities” means the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees;

“indenture security holder” means a Holder;

“indenture to be qualified” means this Supplemental Indenture;

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor and any other obligor on the indenture securities.

All other TIA terms used in this Supplemental Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the meanings assigned to them by such definitions.

SECTION 1.06. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

  (1)

a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

  (2)

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

 

  (3)

“or” is not exclusive;

 

  (4)

“including” means including without limitation;

 

  (5)

words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;

 

  (6)

unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Indebtedness;

 

  (7)

secured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to any other secured Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral;

 

  (8)

the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

  (9)

the principal amount of any preferred stock shall be (A) the maximum liquidation value of such preferred stock or (B) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such preferred stock, whichever is greater;

 

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  (10)

all references to the date the Notes were originally issued shall refer to the Closing Date; and

 

  (11)

for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any Note, any references to “interest” shall include any applicable Additional Interest that may be payable on such Note.

ARTICLE 2

The Notes

SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating. Provisions relating to the Notes are set forth in Appendix A attached hereto (“Appendix A”) which is hereby incorporated in, and expressly made part of, this Supplemental Indenture. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 to this Supplemental Indenture (“Exhibit 1”), which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Supplemental Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the Notes set forth in Appendix A and Exhibit 1 are part of the terms of this Supplemental Indenture. The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without interest coupons and only in denominations of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication. Two Officers shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual signature, which may be provided to the Trustee by facsimile or electronically, in portable document format (“PDF”).

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

A Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Supplemental Indenture.

The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery Notes as set forth in Appendix A.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Notes. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Supplemental Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

 

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SECTION 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent. (a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents; provided, however, that so long as Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. shall be the Trustee, without the consent of the Trustee, there shall be no more than one Registrar or Paying Agent. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar not a party to this Supplemental Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary incorporated or organized within the United States of America may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.

The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by this Supplemental Indenture. The Registrar need not register transfers or exchanges of Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of Notes to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or any Notes for a period of 15 days before an interest payment date. The Holder of a Note may be treated as the owner of such Note for all purposes.

(b) The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent in connection with the Notes and Securities Custodian with respect to the Global Notes. The Company has entered into a letter of representations with DTC in the form provided by DTC, and the Trustee and each such agent are hereby authorized to act in accordance with such letter and Applicable Procedures.

(c) The Company may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided, however, that no such removal shall become effective until (i) acceptance of an appointment by a successor as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Company and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above.

(d) Except as the Company and the Trustee may otherwise agree, the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee by each January 15th a written notice specifying the amount of the original issue discount accrued on the Notes for the previous calendar year for which original issue discount reporting is required, including daily rates and accrual periods, and such other information relating to original issue discount as may be required under the Code and applicable regulations, as amended from time to time.

 

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(e) The Company shall be responsible for making calculations called for under the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture, including but not limited to determination of interest, redemption price, Remaining Scheduled Payments, premium if any, and any additional amounts or other amounts payable on the Notes. The Company will make the calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, its calculations will be final and binding on the Holders. The Company will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee when requested by the Trustee, and the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification. The Trustee shall forward the Company’s calculations to any Holder of the Notes upon the written request of such Holder.

SECTION 2.04. Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust. Prior to each due date of the principal of and interest on any Note, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or if the Company or a Subsidiary is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of Holders entitled thereto) a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

SECTION 2.05. Lists of Holders of Notes. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders. If neither the Trustee nor an Affiliate of the Trustee is the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders.

SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange. (a) The Notes shall be issued in registered form and shall be transferable only in compliance with Appendix A and upon the surrender of a Note for registration of transfer. When a Note is presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of this Supplemental Indenture and Section 8-401(1) of the Uniform Commercial Code are met. When Notes are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met.

(b) To permit registration of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the Registrar’s request. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental charges in connection with any transfer or exchange pursuant to this Section. The Company shall not be required to make and the Registrar need not register transfers or exchanges of Notes selected for redemption in accordance with the terms of this Supplemental Indenture (except, in the case of Notes to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or any Notes for a period of 15 days before an interest payment date.

 

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Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and 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 (subject to paragraph 2 of the Notes) interest, if any, on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

Any Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such beneficial interest, agree that transfers of beneficial interest in such Global Note may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by (a) the Holder of such Global Note (or its agent) or (b) any Holder of a beneficial interest in such Global Note, and that ownership of a beneficial interest in such Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

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

SECTION 2.07. Replacement Notes. If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met and the Holder satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or the Company, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and any co-registrar from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note is an additional Obligation of the Company. The provisions of this Section 2.07 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Notes.

SECTION 2.08. Outstanding Notes. Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Subject to Section 11.06, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.

If the Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Supplemental Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

 

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SECTION 2.09. Temporary Notes. Until definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes and deliver them in exchange for temporary Notes upon surrender of such temporary Notes at the office or agency of the Company, without charge to the Holder.

SECTION 2.10. Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and deliver a certificate of such cancellation to the Company upon request. The Trustee shall retain all canceled securities in accordance with its standard procedures (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act). The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Trustee shall not authenticate Notes in place of cancelled Notes other than pursuant to the terms of this Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 2.11. Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, the Company shall pay defaulted interest (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful manner. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail or send or cause to be mailed or sent to each Holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

SECTION 2.12. CUSIP Numbers and ISINs. The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” numbers and ISINs (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers and ISINs in notices 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 (including a notice of redemption) and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such notice or notice of redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.

SECTION 2.13. Issuance of Additional Notes. After the Closing Date, the Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance, at the time of and after giving effect to such issuance, with Section 4.04, to issue Additional Notes under this Supplemental Indenture, which Notes shall have identical terms as the Notes issued on the Closing Date, other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price; provided that any such Additional Notes will be treated, for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, as fungible with the Notes or shall be issued with a different CUSIP number and ISIN for such Additional Notes. All the Notes issued under this Supplemental Indenture (including any Exchange Notes and Additional Notes) shall be treated as a single class for all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture, including in respect of any amendment, waiver, other modification or optional redemption by the Company.

 

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With respect to any Additional Notes, the Company shall set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Trustee (along with a copy of the resolutions of the Board of Directors authorizing the Additional Notes), the following information:

 

  (1)

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

 

  (2)

the issue price, the issue date, the CUSIP number and ISIN of such Additional Notes; and

 

  (3)

whether such Additional Notes shall be Transfer Restricted Notes and issued in the form of Initial Notes or shall be issued in the form of Exchange Notes.

ARTICLE 3

Optional Redemption

SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to paragraph 6 of the Notes, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the redemption date, the redemption price (or manner of calculation if not then known), the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the paragraph of the Notes pursuant to which the redemption will occur. If the redemption price is not known at the time such notice is to be given, the actual redemption price calculated as described in the terms of the Notes will be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the redemption date.

The Company shall give each notice to the Trustee provided for in this Section at least 30 days before the redemption date unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein. Any such notice may be cancelled by the Company at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed (or with respect to Global Notes, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, sent electronically) to any Holder and shall thereby be void and of no effect unless the Trustee has sent the notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.03 below.

SECTION 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. If fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee, subject to the procedures of DTC, shall select the Notes to be redeemed pro rata or by lot or by a method that complies with applicable legal and securities exchange requirements, if any, and that the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal amount of Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000. Notes and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be in principal amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Provisions of this Supplemental Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of the Notes or portions of Notes to be redeemed.

 

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SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption. In the case of an optional redemption by the Company under this Article 3, at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before a date for redemption of Notes, the Company, or the Trustee (at the request of the Company, pursuant to the terms set forth below), shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address (or with respect to Global Notes, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, send such notice electronically). Any notice of optional redemption may be conditioned on the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. The Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee prior to the close of business two Business Days prior to the redemption date (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Trustee) if any such redemption has been rescinded or delayed, and 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 notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

(1) the redemption date;

(2) the redemption price;

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

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

(5) if fewer than all the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the identification and principal amounts of the particular Notes to be redeemed;

(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

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

(8) if the notice of redemption is conditioned on the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, a description of such condition or conditions precedent.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 3.01 requests that the Trustee give such notice and attaches a form of such notice setting forth the information to be stated therein as provided in the preceding paragraph.

 

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SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed to Holders (or with respect to Global Notes, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, sent electronically), Notes called for redemption shall, subject to any condition precedent set forth in such notice, become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the related interest payment date if the redemption date is after a regular record date and on or prior to the 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. Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption which have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation. Interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on and after the date the Company has deposited with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes to be redeemed, unless the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder (at the Company’s expense) a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered, or such amount shall be transferred by book-entry.

ARTICLE 4

Covenants

SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes. The Company shall promptly pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and in this Supplemental Indenture. Principal and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds in accordance with this Supplemental Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due. If any Additional Interest will be due, prior to the time such Additional Interest is payable, the Company shall deliver an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee and the Paying Agent setting forth the Additional Interest per $1,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes and the date from which such Additional Interest shall accrue. The Company shall also deliver an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee and the Paying Agent setting forth the date after which such Additional Interest shall cease accruing. Neither the Trustee nor the Paying Agent shall have any responsibility or liability for the determination, verification or calculation of any Additional Interest.

The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified therefor in the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

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SECTION 4.02. SEC Reports and Rule 144A Information. (a) Notwithstanding that the Company may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the SEC and provide the Trustee and Holders and prospective Holders (upon request) within 15 days after it files them with the SEC, copies of its annual report and the information, documents and other reports that are specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. In addition, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and the Holders, promptly upon their becoming available, copies of the annual report to shareholders and any other information provided by the Company to its public shareholders generally. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of Section 314(a) of the TIA. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company has filed the reports and information referred to in this Section 4.02 with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system (or any successor thereto) and such reports and information are publicly available, then the Company will be deemed to have provided and furnished such reports and information to the Trustee and the Holders in satisfaction of the requirements to “provide” and “furnish” such applicable reports or information as set forth in this Section 4.02. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee hereunder is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such reports, information and documents does not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder or under the Notes (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates or certificates delivered pursuant to Section 4.08). The Trustee shall not be obligated to (i) monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, the Company’s compliance with its covenants hereunder or with respect to any reports or other documents filed by the Company with the SEC, the EDGAR filing system (or any successor thereto) or any website, or (ii) participate in any conference calls.

(b) At any time the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall, so long as any of the Notes, at such time, constitute “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, promptly provide to the Trustee and shall, upon written request, provide to any Holder, beneficial owner or prospective purchaser of such Notes the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act to facilitate the resale of such Notes pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

SECTION 4.03. Change of Control Triggering Event. (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, each Holder shall have the right to require the Company to purchase all or any part of such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to 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), in accordance with Section 4.03(b).

(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control but after public announcement of the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control, the Company shall mail (or with respect to Global Notes, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, send electronically) a notice to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee (the “Change of Control Offer”), stating:

 

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(1) that a Change of Control Triggering Event has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to purchase all or a portion of such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date);

(2) the circumstances and relevant facts and financial information regarding such Change of Control Triggering Event;

(3) 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”); and

(4) the instructions determined by the Company, consistent with this Section 4.03, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.

The notice of the Change of Control Offer, if mailed or sent prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, will state that the Change of Control Offer is conditioned on the Change of Control being consummated on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date.

(c) The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.03 applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer. In addition, the Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if the Notes have been or are called for redemption by the Company prior to it being required to deliver notice of the Change of Control Offer, and thereafter redeems all Notes called for redemption in accordance with the terms set forth in the redemption notice for such redemption.

(d) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the purchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 4.03. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 4.03, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.03 by virtue thereof.

(e) On the Change of Control Payment Date, all Notes purchased by the Company under this Section 4.03 shall be delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Holders entitled thereto.

 

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SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Liens. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Manufacturing Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, Incur or permit to exist any Lien (the “Initial Lien”) of any nature whatsoever on any Principal Property or Capital Stock of a Manufacturing Subsidiary, whether owned at the Closing Date or thereafter acquired, which Initial Lien secures any Indebtedness for borrowed money, other than Permitted Liens, without effectively providing that the Notes shall be secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) the obligations so secured for so long as such obligations are so secured.

Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders pursuant to the preceding sentence 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.

SECTION 4.05. Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Manufacturing Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction with respect to any Principal Property owned on the Closing Date unless:

 

  (1)

the Company or such Manufacturing Subsidiary would be entitled as described in clauses (1) through (15) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”, without equally and ratably securing the Notes then outstanding, to Incur Indebtedness for borrowed money secured by a Lien on such Principal Property in the amount equal to the Attributable Debt arising from such Sale/Leaseback Transaction;

 

  (2)

the Company or such Manufacturing Subsidiary, within 360 days after the sale of such Principal Property in connection with which such Sale/Leaseback Transaction is completed, applies an amount equal to the net proceeds of the sale of such Principal Property to either (or a combination of) (i) the retirement of the Notes or other Funded Debt of the Company or a Subsidiary or (ii) the purchase of Additional Assets;

 

  (3)

the lease is for a period not in excess of three years; or

 

  (4)

the Attributable Debt of the Company and its Manufacturing Subsidiaries in respect of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction and all other Sale/Leaseback Transactions entered into after the Closing Date (other than any such Sale/Leaseback Transaction as would be permitted as described in clauses (1) through (3) of this Section 4.05), plus the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness for borrowed money then outstanding secured by Liens on any Principal Property or Capital Stock of a Manufacturing Subsidiary (not including any such Indebtedness for borrowed money secured by Liens described in clauses (1) through (15) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”) which do not equally and ratably secure such outstanding Notes (or secure such outstanding Notes on a basis that is prior to other Indebtedness for borrowed money secured thereby), would not exceed 12.5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

SECTION 4.06. Future Subsidiary Guarantors. The Company shall cause each Subsidiary (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) that Guarantees any Indebtedness of the Company or of any Subsidiary Guarantor (provided, however, that the outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness of the Company and of such Subsidiary Guarantors, in the

 

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aggregate, exceeds $100,000,000) to become a Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the Notes and, if applicable, execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in the form set forth in Exhibit 2 hereto pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall Guarantee payment of the Notes. Each Subsidiary Guarantee shall be limited to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be Guaranteed by that Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering the Subsidiary Guarantee, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

SECTION 4.07. Fall Away of Future Subsidiary Guarantors Covenant. (a) Following the first day (the “Suspension Date”) that:

 

  (1)

the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from at least two of the Rating Agencies, and

 

  (2)

no Default has occurred and is continuing hereunder with respect to the Notes,

the Company and its Subsidiaries will not be subject to Section 4.06. In addition, upon and following the Suspension Date, the Company may elect to suspend the Subsidiary Guarantees.

(b) In the event that the Company and its Subsidiaries are not subject to Section 4.06 for any period of time as a result of the foregoing and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) both (1) one or more of the Rating Agencies withdraws its Investment Grade Rating or downgrades the rating assigned to the Notes below an Investment Grade Rating resulting in the Notes no longer having an Investment Grade Rating from at least two of the Rating Agencies and (2) the terms of any other debt securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries then outstanding include a future subsidiary guarantors covenant (that is substantially the same as Section 4.06) that was previously suspended and that has become applicable upon a substantially concurrent reversion as a result of substantially the same ratings withdrawal or downgrade with respect to such debt securities (provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of such debt securities exceeds $100,000,000), then the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) shall thereafter again be subject to Section 4.06 with respect to future events and the Subsidiary Guarantees shall be reinstated (for the avoidance of doubt, it is understood and agreed that the “Future Subsidiary Guarantors” covenant in each of the 2015 Euro Indenture, the 2016 Indenture, the 2017 Indenture, the 2020 Indenture and the 2021 Indentures is substantially the same as Section 4.06). The period of time between the Suspension Date and the Reversion Date is referred to herein as the “Suspension Period”.

(c) Notwithstanding that Section 4.06 may be reinstated, no Default shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of a failure to comply with Section 4.06 during the Suspension Period.

(d) The Company shall provide written notice signed by an Officer to the Trustee of the occurrence of any Suspension Date or Reversion Date and of any election made pursuant to this Section 4.07; provided that the failure to provide such notice shall not affect the operation of this Section 4.07 or the Company’s rights hereunder. The Trustee shall have no obligation to independently determine or verify if such events have occurred or to notify the Holders of any Suspension Date or Reversion Date.

 

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SECTION 4.08. Compliance Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company a certificate signed by a Financial Officer complying with TIA § 314(a)(4) stating (i) that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made with a view to determining whether the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have fulfilled their obligations under this Supplemental Indenture and (ii) that, to the knowledge of such Financial Officer, no Default or Event of Default occurred during such period (or, if a Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default hereunder of which such Financial Officer may have knowledge and what action the Company has taken, is taking and/or proposes to take with respect thereto).

SECTION 4.09. Special Mandatory Redemption. If (i) the Acquisition does not occur on or prior to May 31, 2022, (ii) the Company notifies the Trustee in writing that the Merger Agreement has terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the consummation of the Acquisition or (iii) the Company notifies the Trustee in writing and publicly announces that the Company will not pursue consummation of the Acquisition (the earliest to occur of clause (i), (ii) or (iii), a “Special Mandatory Redemption Event”), then the Company shall be required to redeem all of the outstanding Notes on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date (as defined below) at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of such Notes (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Price”), plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount of such Notes to, but not including, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on Notes that are due and payable on interest payment dates falling on or prior to the Special Mandatory Redemption Date will be payable on such interest payment dates to the Holders of such Notes as of the close of business on the relevant record dates in accordance with the terms of the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture. The Company shall cause any notice of special mandatory redemption pursuant to this Section 4.09 to be sent to each Holder of the Notes, with a copy to the Trustee, within five Business Days after the occurrence of a Special Mandatory Redemption Event. The “Special Mandatory Redemption Date” shall be the date that is no later than 10 Business Days following any Special Mandatory Redemption Event and shall be specified in the notice of special mandatory redemption sent to Holders of the Notes. At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give notice of special mandatory redemption to the Holders of the Notes, provided such request is made at least two Business Days prior to the date the notice is to be sent (or such shorter time as the Trustee may agree) and is accompanied by the notice of special mandatory redemption to be given, such notice to be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit 3 hereto.

If funds sufficient to pay the Special Mandatory Redemption Price of the Notes on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date are deposited with the Trustee or a Paying Agent on or before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such Special Mandatory Redemption Date, then, on and after such Special Mandatory Redemption Date, such Notes shall cease to bear interest.

SECTION 4.10. Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

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ARTICLE 5

Successor Company

SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets. (a) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets, in one or a series of related transactions, to any Person, unless:

(1) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Supplemental Indenture.

(b) The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Supplemental Indenture, and the predecessor Company, other than in the case of a lease, shall be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes.

(c) The Company shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets, in one or a series of related transactions, to any Person, unless:

(1) except in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor (i) that has been disposed of in its entirety to another Person (other than to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company), whether through a merger, consolidation or sale of Capital Stock or assets or (ii) that, as a result of the disposition of all or a portion of its Capital Stock, ceases to be a Subsidiary, the resulting, surviving or transferee Person shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any other jurisdiction under which such Subsidiary Guarantor was organized, and such Person (if not such Subsidiary Guarantor) shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee;

 

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(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Supplemental Indenture.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing:

(1) any Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor; and

(2) the Company may merge with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction within the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia to realize tax or other benefits.

ARTICLE 6

Defaults and Remedies

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. An “Event of Default” occurs if:

(1) the Company defaults in any payment of interest on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for 30 days;

(2) the Company defaults in the payment of principal of any Note when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption or required repurchase or redemption, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;

(3) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor fails to comply with its obligations under Section 5.01;

(4) the Company fails to comply with Section 4.03 (other than a failure to purchase Notes), and such failure continues for 45 days after receipt of the notice from the Trustee or the Holders specified below;

(5) the Company or any Manufacturing Subsidiary fails to comply with its covenants or agreements with respect to the Notes contained in this Supplemental Indenture (other than those referred to in clauses (1), (2), (3) or (4) above), and such failure continues for 60 days after receipt of the notice from the Trustee or the Holders specified below;

(6) the Company or any Manufacturing Subsidiary fails to pay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owing to the Company or a Subsidiary) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $150,000,000 or its foreign currency equivalent;

 

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(7) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case;

(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency;

(8) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case;

(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for any substantial part of its property; or

(C) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company;

or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;

(9) any final and nonappealable judgment or decree (not covered by insurance) for the payment of money in excess of $150,000,000 or its foreign currency equivalent (treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so covered) is rendered against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary and such final judgment or decree remains outstanding and is not satisfied, discharged or waived within a period of 60 days following such judgment; or

(10) any Subsidiary Guarantee by any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary or a group of Subsidiary Guarantors which collectively (as of the then most recent audited consolidated financial statements for the Company) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in each case ceases to be in full force and effect in all material respects (except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or any such Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under this Supplemental Indenture or any Subsidiary Guarantee and such Default continues for 10 days after receipt of the notice specified below.

The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether such Event of Default is voluntary or involuntary or is 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.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, a default under Section 6.01(4), 6.01(5), 6.01(6), 6.01(9) or 6.01(10) shall not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes notify the Company and the Trustee of the default and the Company or the Subsidiary, as applicable, does not cure such default within any applicable time specified in Section 6.01(4), 6.01(5), 6.01(6), 6.01(9) or 6.01(10) hereof after receipt of such notice.

The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any Event of Default under Section 6.01(6) or 6.01(10) and any event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would become an Event of Default under Section 6.01(4), 6.01(5) or 6.01(9), its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

SECTION 6.02. Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or 6.01(8) with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to the Company and the Trustee may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or 6.01(8) with respect to the Company occurs, the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes shall become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders. The Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. Promptly following any such rescission, the Company shall pay all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Supplemental Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.

 

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SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default and its consequences except (a) a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on a Note, (b) a Default arising from the failure to redeem or purchase any Note when required pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture or (c) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.

SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority. The Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may 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. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Supplemental Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such Holders), subject to Section 7.01, or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Subject to Section 7.01, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under this Supplemental Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense, including by way of pre-funding, which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes unless:

(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice stating that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

(5) the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request during such 60-day period.

A Holder may not use this Supplemental Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.

 

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SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Supplemental Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Notes held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Notes, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or 6.01(2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07.

SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may 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 and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or its property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make 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 it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. To the extent that the payment of any such reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its 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.

SECTION 6.10. Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

SECOND: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal and interest ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest respectively; and

THIRD: to the Company.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section. At least 15 days before such record date, the Company shall mail or send to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

 

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SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Supplemental Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as 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, 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 pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes.

SECTION 6.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) 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 Supplemental Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and 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 7

Trustee

SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee. (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Supplemental Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their 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:

(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Supplemental Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Supplemental Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) 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 certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Supplemental Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Supplemental Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own wilful misconduct, except that:

(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;

(2) 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

 

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(3) 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.

(d) Every provision of this Supplemental Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.

(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(g) No provision of this Supplemental Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(h) Every provision of this Supplemental 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 and to the provisions of the TIA.

SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may rely on any document (whether in its original, facsimile or electronic form) 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 the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ 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 the Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel, or on any written notice, request, order or instruction from the Company signed by an Officer.

(c) The Trustee may act through 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 which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided, however, that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute wilful misconduct or negligence.

(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes, including any Opinion of Counsel, shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel, including any Opinion of Counsel.

(f) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

 

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(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 Company, except as otherwise set forth herein, but the Trustee may require of the Company full information and advice as to the performance of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein.

(h) The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Supplemental Indenture shall not be construed as a duty and, with respect to such permissive rights, the Trustee shall not be answerable for other than its negligence or willful misconduct.

(i) Except for a default under Sections 6.01(1) or (2) hereof, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer shall have received from the Company or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding written notice thereof at its address set forth in Section 11.02 hereof, and such notice references the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture. In the absence of any such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume that no Default or Event of Default exists.

(j) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Supplemental Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(k) 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.

(l) In no event shall the Trustee 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 any act or provision of any present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, natural disaster, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, labor dispute, disease, epidemic or pandemic, quarantine, national emergency and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, communications system failure, malware or ransomware or other unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or facsimile or telex system or other funds transfer system or other wire or communication facility or unavailability of any securities clearing system.

(m) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to furnish the Trustee with Officers’ Certificates, written notices, requests, orders or instructions from the Company and any other matters or directions pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture.

 

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(n) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any 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.

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 Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

SECTION 7.04. Trustees Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Supplemental Indenture or the Offering Memorandum or in any other document issued in connection with the sale of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Supplemental Indenture and it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee. 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 Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors but the Trustee may require full information and advice as to the performance of the aforementioned covenants. Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees. Neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent (other than the Company or a Subsidiary if such Person is acting as Paying Agent) shall be responsible for monitoring the Company’s rating status, making any request upon any Rating Agency, or determining whether any rating event based upon any Change of Control Triggering Event or any other rating event based upon the rating of the Notes by any Rating Agency has occurred.

SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a Trust Officer, the Trustee shall mail or deliver to each Holder notice of the Default within 90 days after it is actually known to a Trust Officer. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of or interest on any Note (including payments pursuant to the redemption provisions of such Note), the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the Holders.

SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders. At the expense of the Company, as promptly as practicable after each January 1 beginning with January 1, 2022, and in any event prior to March 1 in each such year, the Trustee shall mail or send to each Holder a brief report dated as of such January 1 that complies with TIA § 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing or sending to Holders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Notes are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Notes become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

 

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SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services as shall be agreed to in writing from time to time by the Company and the Trustee. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Company shall indemnify the Trustee, its agents, representatives, officers, directors, employees and attorneys against any and all loss, liability or expense (including reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s counsel) incurred by it in connection with the administration of this trust and the performance of its duties or in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its rights or powers hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall provide reasonable cooperation in such defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company, provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if the Company assumes such defense unless there is a conflict of interest between the Company and the Trustee in connection with such defense as determined by Trustee in consultation with counsel. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction.

To secure the Company’s 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 other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes.

The Company’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the discharge of this Supplemental Indenture. When the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law. “Trustee” for the purposes of this Section 7.07 shall include any predecessor Trustee and each Paying Agent and Registrar; provided, however, that the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.

SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company. The Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Company shall remove the Trustee if:

(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(2) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

 

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(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee .

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. 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 Supplemental Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail or send a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, unless the Trustee’s duty to resign is stayed as provided in TIA Section 310(b), any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Supplemental Indenture any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Supplemental Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

 

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SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA § 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA § 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA § 310(b)(1) are met.

SECTION 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated.

ARTICLE 8

Discharge of Supplemental Indenture; Defeasance

SECTION 8.01. Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance.

(a) When (1) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Notes (other than Notes replaced pursuant to Section 2.07) for cancellation or (2) all outstanding Notes have become due and payable, whether at maturity or on a redemption date as a result of the mailing or giving of a notice of redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof and, in the case of clause (2), the Company irrevocably deposits with the Trustee funds or U.S. Government Obligations (or any combination thereof) sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all outstanding Notes, including premium, if any, and interest thereon to maturity or such redemption date (other than Notes replaced pursuant to Section 2.07), and if in either case the Company pays all other sums payable under this Supplemental Indenture by the Company, then this Supplemental Indenture shall, subject to Section 8.01(c), cease to be of further effect; provided, however, that if U.S. Government Obligations are deposited, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and interest when due on all the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be. Upon satisfaction of the above conditions, the Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of this Supplemental Indenture.

(b) Subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Company at any time may terminate (1) all its obligations under the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture with respect to any Notes (“legal defeasance option”) or (2) its obligations under Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07 and 5.01 and the operation of Sections 6.01(3), 6.01(4), 6.01(5), 6.01(6), 6.01(9) and 6.01(10) (“covenant defeasance option”). The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(3), 6.01(4), 6.01(5), 6.01(6), 6.01(9) or 6.01(10). In the event that the Company exercises its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, each Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from all of its obligations with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

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Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 11.04, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Company terminates.

(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 7.07 and 7.08 and in this Article 8 shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Company’s obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.04 and 8.05 shall survive.

SECTION 8.02. Conditions to Defeasance. The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:

(1) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee money in U.S. Dollars in an amount sufficient or U.S. Government Obligations, the principal of and interest on which shall be sufficient, or a combination thereof sufficient, to pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest in respect of the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be;

(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and interest when due on all the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(3) 91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no Default specified in Sections 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;

(4) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other material agreement binding on the Company;

(5) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

(6) in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (B) since the date of this Supplemental Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred; and

 

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(7) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance had not occurred.

Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Notes at a future date in accordance with Article 3.

SECTION 8.03. Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article 8. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations, as the case may be, through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Supplemental Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes.

SECTION 8.04. Repayment to Company. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors, and the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

SECTION 8.05. Indemnity for Government Obligations. The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and each Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under this Supplemental Indenture and each Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to such Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 8 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8; provided, however, that, if the Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE 9

Amendments

SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Notes without notice to or consent of any Holder:

(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate;

(2) to provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Supplemental Indenture in compliance with Article 5;

(3) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes; provided, however, that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for Federal income tax purposes;

(4) to add Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any Guarantee when such release, termination or discharge is permitted under this Supplemental Indenture;

(5) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;

(6) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect, subject to the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture, as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate;

(7) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture relating to the form, authentication, transfer and legending of Notes; provided, however, that (A) compliance with this Supplemental Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law, and (B) such amendment does not materially affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes;

(8) to provide for the issuance of Exchange Notes or Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of this Supplemental Indenture;

(9) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of, the Indenture under the TIA;

(10) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge as security for the Notes any property or assets in accordance with Section 4.04; or

(11) conform any provision of this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes to the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum.

 

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For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Supplemental Indenture shall be construed to require any consent of any Holder to amend or supplement the Base Indenture in any manner that does not relate to the Notes.

After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail or send to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Subsidiary Guarantors shall not be required to sign any amendment or supplemental indenture hereto pursuant to which a Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor as contemplated by Section 4.06 or the penultimate sentence of Section 10.06.

SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders. (a) The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture (as it relates to the Notes) or the Notes with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for such Notes). Any existing Default or compliance with any provisions of the Indenture with respect to the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class, subject to the restrictions of Section 6.04 and this Section 9.02. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of each Holder affected thereby, an amendment or waiver may not:

(1) reduce the amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment;

(2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note;

(3) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Note ;

(4) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which such Note may be redeemed pursuant to Article 3 hereto or paragraph 6 of the Notes;

(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in such Note;

(6) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and 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;

(7) make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 or the third sentence of this Section 9.02(a); or

(8) make any change in, or release other than in accordance with this Supplemental Indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee that would adversely affect the Holders.

 

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(b) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment under this Section becomes effective , the Company shall mail or send to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.

SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment or supplement to this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

SECTION 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers. A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Note shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such Holder’s Note or portion of the Note if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the execution of such amendment or waiver by the Trustee.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.

SECTION 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes. If an amendment changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Note to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Note regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Note shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

SECTION 9.06. Trustee To Sign Amendments. The Trustee shall sign any amendment authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Supplemental Indenture.

 

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SECTION 9.07. Payment for Consent. Neither the Company nor any Affiliate of the Company shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid to all Holders that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

ARTICLE 10

Subsidiary Guarantees

SECTION 10.01. Guarantees. (a) Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, the due and punctual payment and performance of all of the Guaranteed Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor, jointly with the other Subsidiary Guarantors and severally. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors further agrees that its Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice to or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any such Guaranteed Obligation. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors waives presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor of any of its Guaranteed Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of its guarantee, notice of protest for nonpayment and all similar formalities.

(b) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors further agrees that its guarantee hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment when due and not of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by the Trustee or any Holder to any security held for the payment of its Guaranteed Obligations or to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Trustee or any Holder in favor of the Company.

(c) Except for (x) termination of a Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, (y) suspension of a Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder pursuant to Section 4.07 or (z) a release of such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 10.06, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense or set-off, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by (i) the failure of the Trustee or any Holder to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy under the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture or otherwise; (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any release from any of the terms or provisions of, this Supplemental Indenture or any other agreement, including with respect to any other Subsidiary Guarantor under this Supplemental Indenture; (iii) any default, failure or delay, wilful or otherwise, in the performance of the Guaranteed Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor; or (iv) any other act or omission that may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Subsidiary Guarantor or otherwise operate as a discharge of such Subsidiary Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations of such Guarantor).

 

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(d) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Subsidiary Guarantor waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor, other than the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor. The Trustee may, at its election, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or exercise any other right or remedy available to it against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor have been fully and indefeasibly paid in full in cash. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Subsidiary Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though such election operates, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or to extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Subsidiary Guarantor against the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be.

(e) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors agrees that its guarantee hereunder shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Guaranteed Obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company, any other Subsidiary Guarantor or otherwise.

SECTION 10.02. Limitation on Liability. Any term or provision of this Supplemental Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed without rendering this Supplemental Indenture, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

SECTION 10.03. Successors and Assigns. This Article 10 shall be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors, transferees and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Supplemental 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 Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 10.04. No Waiver. Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee 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 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.

 

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SECTION 10.05. Modification. No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article 10, nor the consent to any departure by any Subsidiary Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any Subsidiary Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Subsidiary Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

SECTION 10.06. Release of Subsidiary Guarantor. A Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released from its obligations under this Article 10 (other than any obligation that may have arisen under Section 10.07):

(1) upon the sale (including any sale pursuant to any exercise of remedies by a holder of Indebtedness of the Company or of such Subsidiary Guarantor) or other disposition (including by way of consolidation or merger) of such Subsidiary Guarantor;

(2) upon the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor;

(3) upon such Subsidiary Guarantor becoming an Excluded Subsidiary;

(4) unless there is an existing Event of Default on the date the Subsidiary Guarantee would be released, at such time and for so long as such Subsidiary Guarantor does not Guarantee (other than a Guarantee that will be released upon the release of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee) any Indebtedness of the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor (other than Indebtedness of the Company or other Subsidiary Guarantors the outstanding principal amount of which, in the aggregate, does not exceed $100,000,000);

(5) at any time during a Suspension Period if the Company provides an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee stating that the Company elects to have such Subsidiary Guarantor released from this Article 10; or

(6) upon the exercise by the Company of its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option or if the Obligations of the Company under this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes are discharged pursuant to Article 8;

provided, however, that in the case of clauses (1) and (2) above, (i) such sale or other disposition is made to a Person other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) such sale or disposition is otherwise permitted by this Supplemental Indenture.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.06, the Company, at its option, may cause any Subsidiary of the Company to become a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Notes, and if such Subsidiary is not otherwise required under this Supplemental Indenture to provide a Subsidiary Guarantee, the Company, at its option, may cause any such Subsidiary Guarantee to be released, subject to applicable law.

 

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At the request of the Company, and upon delivery to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions provided for in this Supplemental Indenture to the release of a Subsidiary Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee have been complied with, the Trustee shall execute and deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing such release (it being understood that the failure to obtain any such instrument shall not impair any release pursuant to this Section 10.06).

SECTION 10.07. Contribution. Each Subsidiary Guarantor that makes a payment under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations under this Supplemental Indenture to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Subsidiary Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Subsidiary Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

ARTICLE 11

Miscellaneous

SECTION 11.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Supplemental Indenture by the TIA, the required provision shall control.

SECTION 11.02. Notices. Any notice or communication shall be in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows or, other than in the case of notices or communications to the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, transmitted by facsimile transmission or other means of unsecured electronic transmission to the following:

if to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor:

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

200 Innovation Way

Akron, Ohio 44316-0001

Attention of Treasurer

if to the Trustee:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

CTSO Mail Operations, MAC: N9300-070

600 South Fourth Street, Seventh Floor

Minneapolis, MN 55415

Attention: Corporate Trust Services, Goodyear Administrator

The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

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Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to the Holder at the Holder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed. With respect to Global Notes, any notice or communication to a Holder may, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, be sent electronically.

Failure to mail (or with respect to Global Notes, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, send electronically) 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 or sent in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

SECTION 11.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes. The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

SECTION 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Supplemental Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(1) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Supplemental Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with (provided, however, that such counsel may rely as to matters of fact on Officers’ Certificates),

except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Supplemental Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

SECTION 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate (other than a certificate delivered pursuant to Section 4.08) or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Supplemental Indenture shall include:

(1) a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(2) 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;

 

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(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.

SECTION 11.06. When Notes Disregarded. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes which the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Also, subject to the foregoing, only Notes outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

SECTION 11.07. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

SECTION 11.08. Legal Holidays. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.

SECTION 11.09. Governing Law; Jury Trial Waiver. (a) This Supplemental Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the application of the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.

(b) EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY, AND EACH HOLDER OF A NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, 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 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

SECTION 11.10. No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer, employee or shareholder, as such, of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or this Supplemental Indenture or of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee or this Supplemental Indenture, or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder shall waive and release all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.

 

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SECTION 11.11. Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

SECTION 11.12. Multiple Originals; Electronic Signatures. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture by manual signature, which may be provided by facsimile or electronically, with PDF. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Supplemental Indenture. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. This Supplemental Indenture shall be valid, binding and enforceable against a party when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) an original manual signature, (ii) a faxed, scanned or photocopied manual signature or (iii) any other electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including any relevant provisions of the UCC (collectively, “Signature Law”), in each case to the extent applicable. Each faxed, scanned or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, of any other party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the UCC or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings.

SECTION 11.13. Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

SECTION 11.14. Ratification of Base Indenture. The Base Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed part of the Base Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.

SECTION 11.15. Consent to Jurisdiction. Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Supplemental Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City of New York (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit,

 

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action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

SECTION 11.16. U.S.A. Patriot Act. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Supplemental Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name:   Christina L. Zamarro
  Title:   Vice President, Finance and Treasurer

Signature Page to Eleventh Supplemental Indenture


WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as Trustee,
    By:  

/s/ Gregory S. Clarke

  Name: Gregory S. Clarke
  Title: Vice President

Signature Page to Eleventh Supplemental Indenture


SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
CELERON CORPORATION
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
DIVESTED COMPANIES HOLDING COMPANY
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
    By:  

/s/ Daniel T. Young

  Name: Daniel T. Young
  Title: Secretary
DIVESTED LITCHFIELD PARK PROPERTIES, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
    By:  

/s/ Daniel T. Young

  Name: Daniel T. Young
  Title: Secretary

Signature Page to Eleventh Supplemental Indenture


GOODYEAR CANADA INC.
    By:  

/s/ Samuel M. Pillow

  Name: Samuel M. Pillow
  Title: President
    By:  

/s/ Frank Lamie

  Name: Frank Lamie
  Title: Secretary
GOODYEAR EXPORT INC.
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GOODYEAR FARMS, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GOODYEAR INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GOODYEAR WESTERN HEMISPHERE CORPORATION
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer

Signature Page to Eleventh Supplemental Indenture


RABEN TIRE CO., LLC

By: THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, its sole member

    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
 

Title: Vice President, Finance and

Treasurer

T&WA, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer

Signature Page to Eleventh Supplemental Indenture


APPENDIX A

PROVISIONS RELATING TO NOTES

1. Definitions

1.1 Definitions

For the purposes of this Appendix A the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

“Definitive Note” means a certificated Initial Note, Exchange Note or Additional Note that does not include the Global Notes Legend.

“Depository” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.

“Distribution Compliance Period”, with respect to any Notes, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (i) the day on which such Notes are first offered to Persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S and (ii) the issue date with respect to such Notes.

“Exchange Notes” means (1) the 5.250% Senior Notes due 2031 issued pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture in connection with the Registered Exchange Offer pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement and (2) Additional Notes, if any, issued pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act.

“Global Notes Legend” means the legend set forth under that caption in Exhibit 1 to this Supplemental Indenture.

“Initial Purchasers” means (1) with respect to the Initial Notes issued on the Closing Date, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Fifth Third Securities, Inc., MUFG Securities Americas Inc., PNC Capital Markets LLC, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., Huntington Securities, Inc., Regions Securities LLC, BBVA Securities Inc., Capital One Securities, Inc., Citizens Capital Markets, Inc. and KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the Persons purchasing or underwriting such Additional Notes under the related Purchase Agreement.

“Initial Notes” means (1) $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.250% Senior Notes due 2031 issued on the Closing Date and (2) Additional Notes, if any, issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

“Notes” means the Initial Notes, the Exchange Notes and any Additional Notes, treated as a single class.


“Purchase Agreement” means (1) with respect to the Initial Notes issued on the Closing Date, the Purchase Agreement dated May 13, 2021, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the initial purchasers of the Notes, as amended and supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the purchase agreement or underwriting agreement among the Company and the Persons purchasing or underwriting such Additional Notes.

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

“Registered Exchange Offer” means the offer by the Company, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, to certain Holders of Initial Notes, to issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for the Initial Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes registered under the Securities Act.

“Securities Custodian” means the custodian with respect to a Global Note (as appointed by the Depository) or any successor person thereto, who shall initially be the Trustee.

“Shelf Registration Statement” means the registration statement filed by the Company in connection with the offer and sale of Initial Notes by certain Holders thereof pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement.

“Transfer Restricted Notes” means Notes that bear or are required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.3(e) hereof.

1.2 Other Definitions

 

  

Term:

Defined in Section:

“Agent Members”    2.1(b)
“Global Note”    2.1(a)
“Permanent Regulation S Global Note”    2.1(a)
“Regulation S”    2.1(a)
“Regulation S Global Notes”    2.1(a)
“Rule 144A”    2.1(a)
“Rule 144A Global Note”    2.1(a)
“Temporary Regulation S Global Note”    2.1(a)

2. The Notes

2.1 Form and Dating

(a) The Initial Notes will be resold initially only to (i) persons reasonably believed to be QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”) and (ii) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) outside the United States in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act (“Regulation S”). Initial Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, persons reasonably believed to be QIBs and purchasers in reliance on Regulation S, in each case, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein. Initial Notes initially resold pursuant to Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the

 

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form of one or more permanent global Notes in definitive, fully registered form (collectively, the “Rule 144A Global Note”) and Initial Notes initially resold pursuant to Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more temporary global notes in fully registered form (collectively, the “Temporary Regulation S Global Note”), in each case without interest coupons and with the global notes legend and restricted notes legend set forth in this Appendix A, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Initial Notes represented thereby with the Securities Custodian, and registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in this Supplemental Indenture. Except as set forth in this Section 2.1(a), beneficial ownership interests in the Temporary Regulation S Global Note (x) will not be exchangeable for interests in the Rule 144A Global Note, a permanent global note (the “Permanent Regulation S Global Note” and, together with the Temporary Regulation S Global Notes, the “Regulation S Global Notes”), or any other Note prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period and (y) may be exchanged for interests in a Rule 144A Global Note or the Permanent Regulation S Global Note after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period in accordance with instructions from the Company.

Beneficial interests in a Temporary Regulation S Global Note may be exchanged for interests in a Rule 144A Global Note if (1) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of Notes in compliance with Rule 144A, and (2) the transferor of the beneficial interest in such Temporary Regulation S Global Note first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form set forth on the reverse of the Initial Notes) to the effect that the beneficial interest in such Temporary Regulation S Global Note is being transferred (a) to a Person who the transferor reasonably believes to be a QIB, (b) to a Person who is purchasing for its own account or the account of a QIB in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and (c) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the states of the United States and other jurisdictions.

Beneficial interests in a Rule 144A Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Regulation S Global Note, whether before or after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form set forth on the reverse of the Initial Notes) to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with all applicable requirements and conditions of Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if applicable) under the Securities Act.

The Rule 144A Global Note, the Temporary Regulation S Global Note, the Permanent Regulation S Global Note and any Exchange Notes in global form issued in the name of the Depository are collectively referred to herein as “Global Notes”. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depository or its nominee and on the schedules thereto as hereinafter provided.

(b) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 2.1(b) shall apply only to a Global Note deposited with or on behalf of the Depository.

 

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The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.1(b) and Section 2.2 and pursuant to an order of the Company signed by one Officer, authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Notes that (i) shall be registered in the name of the Depository for such Global Note or Global Notes or the nominee of such Depository and (ii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depository or pursuant to such Depository’s instructions or held by the Trustee as Securities Custodian.

Members of, or participants in, the Depository (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Supplemental Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository or by the Trustee as Securities Custodian or under such Global Note, and the Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Depository governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.

(c) Definitive Notes. Except as provided in this Section 2.1 or Sections 2.3 or 2.4, owners of beneficial interests in Global Notes shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Notes.

2.2 Authentication. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery upon a written order of the Company signed by one Officer: (1) Initial Notes for original issue on the Closing Date in an aggregate principal amount of $600,000,000, (2) subject to the terms of this Supplemental Indenture, Additional Notes in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that the Trustee shall be entitled to receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of the Company addressing such matters as the Trustee may reasonably request in connection with such authentication of such Notes, and (3) Exchange Notes for issue only in a Registered Exchange Offer for a like principal amount of Initial Notes. Such order shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Appendix A or otherwise in this Supplemental Indenture, any issuance of Additional Notes after the Closing Date shall be in a principal amount of at least $2,000.

2.3 Transfer and Exchange. (a) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes. When Definitive Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request:

(i) to register the transfer of such Definitive Notes; or

(ii) to exchange such Definitive Notes for an equal principal amount of Definitive Notes of other authorized denominations,

the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Definitive Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange:

(i) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and

 

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(ii) if such Definitive Notes are required to bear a restricted securities legend, are being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 2.3(b) or pursuant to clause (A), (B) or (C) below, and are accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable:

(A) if such Definitive Notes are being delivered to the Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect;

(B) if such Definitive Notes are being transferred to the Company, a certification to that effect; or

(C) if such Definitive Notes are being transferred (x) pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144A, Regulation S or Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or (y) in reliance upon another exemption from the requirements of the Securities Act: (i) a certification to that effect (in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note) and (ii) if the Company so requests, an opinion of counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legend set forth in Section 2.3(e)(i).

(b) Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Note for a Beneficial Interest in a Global Note. A Definitive Note may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note or a Permanent Regulation S Global Note except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate written instruments of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar, together with:

(i) certification, in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note, that such Definitive Note is either (A) being transferred to a person reasonably believed to be a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A or (B) is being transferred after expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period by a Person who initially purchased such Note in reliance on Regulation S to a buyer who elects to hold its interest in such Note in the form of a beneficial interest in the Permanent Regulation S Global Note; and

(ii) written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct the Securities Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Rule 144A Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(A)) or Permanent Regulation S Global Note (in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (b)(i)(B)) to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented by the Rule 144A Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, such instructions to contain information regarding the Depository account to be credited with such increase,

then the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Note and cause, or direct the Securities Custodian to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depository and the Securities Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by the Rule 144A Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, to be

 

5


increased by the aggregate principal amount of the Definitive Note to be exchanged and shall credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note or Permanent Regulation S Global Note, as applicable, equal to the principal amount of the Definitive Note so canceled. If no Rule 144A Global Notes or Permanent Regulation S Global Notes, as applicable, are then outstanding and the applicable Global Note has not been previously exchanged for certificated securities pursuant to Section 2.4, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, a new applicable Global Note in the appropriate principal amount.

(c) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depository in accordance with this Supplemental Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depository therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall deliver a written order given in accordance with the Depository’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depository to be credited with a beneficial interest in such Global Note or another Global Note and such account shall be credited in accordance with such order with a beneficial interest in the applicable Global Note and the account of the Person making the transfer shall be debited by an amount equal to the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred.

(i) If the proposed transfer is a transfer of a beneficial interest in one Global Note to a beneficial interest in another Global Note, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Global Note to which such interest is being transferred in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interest to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a corresponding decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note from which such interest is being transferred.

(ii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Appendix A (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.4), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository, or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.

(iii) In the event that a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes pursuant to Section 2.4 of this Appendix A prior to the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Notes, such Notes may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.3 (including the certification requirements set forth on the reverse of the Initial Notes intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A or Regulation S, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Company.

 

6


(d) Restrictions on Transfer of Temporary Regulation S Global Notes. During the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial ownership interests in Temporary Regulation S Global Notes may be sold, pledged or transferred only (i) to the Company, (ii) in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S (other than a transaction resulting in an exchange for interest in a Permanent Regulation S Global Note) or (iii) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States.

(e) Legend.

(i) Except as permitted by the following paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv), each Note certificate evidencing the Rule 144A Global Notes, the Temporary Regulation S Global Notes and the Permanent Regulation S Global Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: THE DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER NOTIFIES THE TRUSTEE THAT THIS RESTRICTIVE LEGEND SHALL BE DEEMED REMOVED (WHICH NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BE GIVEN ON OR ABOUT THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ISSUANCE OF THIS NOTE)] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE)], ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE

 

7


SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE DEEMED REMOVED WITHOUT FURTHER ACTION OF THE ISSUER, THE TRUSTEE OR ANY HOLDER AT SUCH TIME AS THE ISSUER NOTIFIES THE TRUSTEE IN WRITING THAT SUCH LEGEND SHALL BE DEEMED REMOVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE.

Each Temporary Regulation S Global Note shall, in addition to the foregoing, bear a legend in substantially the following form:

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 NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

UNTIL 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF COMMENCEMENT OR COMPLETION OF THE OFFERING, AN OFFER OR SALE OF SECURITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES BY A DEALER (AS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT) MAY VIOLATE THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IF SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS MADE OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

Each Definitive Note will also bear the following additional legend:

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

 

8


(ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Note (including any Transfer Restricted Note represented by a Global Note) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Registrar shall permit the transferee thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a certificated Note that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Note, if the transferor thereof certifies in writing to the Registrar that such sale or transfer was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note) and provides such legal opinion and other information as the Company has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

(iii) After a transfer of any Initial Notes pursuant to and during the period of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Initial Notes, as the case may be, all requirements pertaining to legends on such Initial Note will cease to apply, the requirements requiring any such Initial Note issued to certain Holders be issued in global form will cease to apply, and a certificated Initial Note or an Initial Note in global form, in each case without restrictive transfer legends, will be available to the transferee of the Holder of such Initial Notes upon exchange of such transferring Holder’s certificated Initial Note or appropriate directions to transfer such Holder’s interest in the Global Note, as applicable.

(iv) Upon the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer with respect to the Initial Notes, all requirements pertaining to such Initial Notes that Initial Notes issued to certain Holders be issued in global form will still apply with respect to Holders of such Initial Notes that do not exchange their Initial Notes, and Exchange Notes in certificated or global form, in each case without the restrictive securities legend set forth in this Appendix A, will be available to Holders that exchange such Initial Notes in such Registered Exchange Offer.

(d) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note. At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Note have either been exchanged for Definitive Notes, transferred, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, such Global Note shall be returned by the Depository to the Trustee for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Trustee. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes, transferred in exchange for an interest in another Global Note, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the Schedule of Increases and Decreases on such Global Note and on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is then the Securities Custodian for such Global Note) with respect to such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Securities Custodian, to reflect such reduction.

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

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate, Definitive Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar’s request if the requirements of this Supplemental Indenture are met.

 

9


(ii) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.06, 3.06, 4.03 and 9.05 of this Supplemental Indenture).

(iii) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Company, 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 Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

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

(v) In connection with any proposed transfer or exchange of Notes, each transferring or exchanging Holder shall provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045. The Trustee may rely on such information and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

(f) No Obligation of the Trustee.

(i) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depository or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository 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 Depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes or any other act or omission of the Depository. 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 the Holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depository, subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

(ii) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Supplemental Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among the Depository,

 

10


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

2.4 Definitive Notes

(a) A Global Note deposited with the Depository or with the Trustee as Securities Custodian pursuant to Section 2.1 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note, in exchange for such Global Note, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.3 and (i) the Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a Depository for such Global Note or if at any time the Depository ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depository is not appointed by the Company within 120 days of such notice or after the Company becomes aware of such cessation, or (ii) the Depository so requests, or any beneficial owner thereof requests such exchange in writing delivered through the Depository in either case, following an Event of Default under this Supplemental Indenture or (iii) the Company, in its sole discretion, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of certificated Notes under this Supplemental Indenture. In connection with any proposed transfer or exchange of a Global Note for a Definitive Note, there shall be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

(b) Any Global Note that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be surrendered by the Depository to the Trustee, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Global Note transferred pursuant to this Section shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in denominations of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof and registered in such names as the Depository shall direct. Any Definitive Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the Transfer Restricted Note shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.3(e) hereof, bear the restricted securities legend and definitive note legend set forth in this Appendix A.

(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.4(b), the Holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes.

(d) In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 2.4(a)(i), (ii) or (iii), the Company will promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Definitive Notes in fully registered form without interest coupons.

 

11


EXHIBIT 1

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

[Global Notes Legend]

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY 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 IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS 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.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

[For Temporary Regulation S Global Note Only]

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 NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

UNTIL 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF COMMENCEMENT OR COMPLETION OF THE OFFERING, AN OFFER OR SALE OF SECURITIES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES BY A DEALER (AS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT) MAY VIOLATE THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IF SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS MADE OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A THEREUNDER.


[Restricted Notes Legend]

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: THE DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER NOTIFIES THE TRUSTEE THAT THIS RESTRICTIVE LEGEND SHALL BE DEEMED REMOVED (WHICH NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BE GIVEN ON OR ABOUT THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ISSUANCE OF THIS NOTE)] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE)], ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE DEEMED REMOVED WITHOUT FURTHER ACTION OF THE ISSUER, THE TRUSTEE OR ANY HOLDER AT SUCH TIME AS THE ISSUER NOTIFIES THE TRUSTEE IN WRITING THAT SUCH LEGEND SHALL BE DEEMED REMOVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE.

[Definitive Notes Legend]

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

[OID Legend]


FOR PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 1272, 1273 AND 1275 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT. THE ISSUE PRICE OF EACH SECURITY IS $[ ] PER $1,000 OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT, THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT IS $[ ], THE ISSUE DATE IS [ ], [ ] AND THE INITIAL YIELD TO MATURITY OF THIS SECURITY IS [ ]%.


No. -    $__________

5.250% Senior Note due 2031

CUSIP No. [                ]

ISIN No. [                ]

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, an Ohio corporation, promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum [of $                ] [listed on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto]1 on July 15, 2031.

Interest Payment Dates: January 15 and July 15, commencing January 15, 2022

Record Dates: January 1 or July 1

 

1 

Use the Schedule of Increases and Decreases language if Note is in Global Form.


Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY,

    by

   
 

Name:

Title:

    by

   
 

Name:

Title:

Dated:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,

as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes referred to in the Indenture.

 

By:                                                                  

Authorized Signatory

*/ If the Note is to be issued in global form, add the Global Notes Legend and the attachment from Exhibit 1 captioned “TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES- SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE”.


[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY]

5.250% Senior Note due 2031

1. Interest

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, an Ohio corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above[; provided, however, that if a Registration Default (as defined in any Registration Rights Agreement) occurs, additional interest (“Additional Interest”) shall accrue on this Note in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement.]2 The Company shall pay interest semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on January 15, 2022. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from May 18, 2021 until the principal hereof is due. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful. [All references to any amount of “interest” payable on or with respect to this Note in the Indenture or this Note shall be deemed to include any applicable Additional Interest that may be payable on this Note.]

2. Method of Payment

The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are Holders at the close of business on January 1 or July 1 next preceding the interest payment date even if Notes are canceled after the record date and on or before the interest payment date. Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company or any successor Depository. The Company will make all payments in respect of a certificated Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest), at the office of the Paying Agent, except that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on a Note will be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States of America if such Holder has elected payment by wire transfer by providing written wire instructions to the Trustee or the Paying Agent on or after the Closing Date but, in any event, no later than 30 days

immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

 

2 

All references to “Additional Interest” in the Note shall be deleted in an Exchange Note unless if, at the date of issuance of the Exchange Note, any Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) has occurred with respect to the related Transfer Restricted Notes during the interest period in which such date of issuance occurs.


3. Paying Agent and Registrar

Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national banking association (the “Trustee”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar upon written notice to such Paying Agent or Registrar and to the Trustee. The Company or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

4. Indenture

The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of August 13, 2010 (the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented by the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 18, 2021 (the “Supplemental Indenture”, and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Supplemental Indenture and those made part of the Supplemental Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Supplemental Indenture (the “TIA”). Terms defined in the Supplemental Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Supplemental Indenture. The Notes are subject to all terms and provisions of the Supplemental Indenture, and Holders (as defined in the Supplemental Indenture) are referred to the Supplemental Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms and provisions. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Supplemental Indenture, the provisions of the Supplemental Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Supplemental Indenture. The Supplemental Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Company and its Manufacturing Subsidiaries to, among other things, create or Incur certain Liens and enter into certain Sale/Leaseback Transactions. The Supplemental Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property.

Following the first day (the “Suspension Date”) that (i) the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from at least two of the Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing under the Supplemental Indenture, the Company and its Subsidiaries will not be subject to Section 4.06 of the Supplemental Indenture with respect to the Notes. In addition, upon and following the Suspension Date, the Company may elect to suspend the Subsidiary Guarantees with respect to the Notes. Upon and following any Reversion Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) shall again be subject to Section 4.06 of the Supplemental Indenture with respect to the Notes with respect to future events and the Subsidiary Guarantees with respect to the Notes shall be reinstated.

 

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5. Guarantee

The payment by the Company of the principal of, and premium and interest on, the Notes is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior unsecured basis by each Subsidiary Guarantor to the extent set forth in the Supplemental Indenture. The precise terms of the Guarantee of the Notes and the Guaranteed Obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to the Notes are expressly set forth in Article 10 of the Supplemental Indenture.

6. Optional Redemption

At the Company’s option, the Company may redeem the Notes at any time, in whole or in part. If the Company elects to redeem the Notes prior to April 15, 2031, the Company shall pay a redemption price equal to the greater of the following amounts, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date:

1. 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and

2. the sum of the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments.

In determining the present values of the Remaining Scheduled Payments of Notes being redeemed, the Company shall discount such payments to the redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points.

If the Company elects to redeem the Notes on or after April 15, 2031, the Company shall pay a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date.

Notice of redemption must be mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address (or with respect to Global Notes, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, sent electronically), not less than 15 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date. With respect to any such redemption, if applicable, the Company shall notify the Trustee of the redemption amount promptly after it is calculated by the Company and the Trustee shall not be responsible for such calculation.

Any notice of optional redemption may be conditioned on the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. The Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee prior to the close of business two Business Days prior to the redemption date (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Trustee) if any such redemption has been rescinded or delayed, and 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.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Notes from the redemption date to April 15, 2031 that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of U.S. Dollar denominated corporate debt securities of a maturity most nearly equal to April 15, 2031.

 

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“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, the average of three, or if not possible, such lesser number as is obtained by the Company, Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date.

“Quotation Agent” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers selected by the Company.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and its successors and assigns and two other nationally recognized investment banking firms selected by the Company that are primary U.S. Government Obligation securities dealers.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue, expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount, quoted in writing to the Company by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day immediately preceding such redemption date.

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to the Notes to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof and interest thereon that would be due after the related redemption date but for such redemption if such Notes matured on April 15, 2031; provided, however, that, if such redemption date is not an interest payment date with respect to the Notes, the amount of the next scheduled interest payment thereon will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to such redemption date.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity (computed as of the third Business Day immediately preceding that redemption date) of the Comparable Treasury Issue. In determining this rate, the Company shall assume a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

7. Sinking Fund

The Notes are not subject to any sinking fund.

8. Notice of Optional Redemption

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to paragraph 6 above, at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date, notice of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at his, her or its registered address (or with respect to Global Notes, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, such notice shall be sent electronically). Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with the Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date interest ceases to accrue on such Notes (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.

 

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9. Purchase of Notes at the Option of Holders

Upon a Change of Control Triggering Event, any Holder of Notes will have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Supplemental Indenture, to cause the Company to purchase all or any part of the Notes of such Holder at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased plus accrued and unpaid interest to 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 that is on or prior to the date of purchase) as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Supplemental Indenture.

10. Special Mandatory Redemption.

Upon the occurrence of a Special Mandatory Redemption Event, the Company shall redeem the Notes upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.09 of the Supplemental Indenture. The Supplemental Indenture provides that the Company will cause the notice of redemption pursuant to Section 4.09 of the Supplemental Indenture to be sent to each Holder of the Notes, with a copy to the Trustee, within five Business Days after the occurrence of a Special Mandatory Redemption Event.

11. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

The Notes are in registered form without interest coupons in denominations of $2,000 and whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Supplemental Indenture. Upon any transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Supplemental Indenture. The Registrar need not register transfers or exchanges of Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of Notes to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or any Notes for a period of 15 days before an interest payment date.

12. Persons Deemed Owners

Except as provided in paragraph 2 hereof, the Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

13. Unclaimed Money

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors, and the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

 

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14. Discharge and Defeasance

Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time may terminate some or all of its obligations under the Notes and the Supplemental Indenture with respect to the Notes if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations (or any combination thereof) for the payment of principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

15. Amendment, Waiver

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Supplemental Indenture, (i) the Indenture (as it relates to the Notes) or the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class and (ii) any existing Default or compliance with any provisions of the Indenture with respect to the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class.

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Supplemental Indenture, without notice to or consent of any Holder of Notes, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Notes (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate; (ii) to provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Supplemental Indenture in compliance with Article 5 of the Supplemental Indenture; (iii) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes; provided, however, that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for Federal income tax purposes; (iv) to add Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any Guarantee when such release, termination or discharge is permitted under the Supplemental Indenture; (v) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company in the Supplemental Indenture; (vi) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of Notes in any material respect, subject to the provisions of the Supplemental Indenture, as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate; (vii) to make any amendment to the provisions of the Supplemental Indenture relating to the form, authentication, transfer and legending of Notes; provided, however, that (A) compliance with the Supplemental Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law, and (B) such amendment does not materially affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes; (viii) to provide for the issuance of Exchange Notes or Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture; (ix) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of, the Indenture under the TIA; (x) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge as security for the Notes any property or assets in accordance with Section 4.04 of the Supplemental Indenture or (xi) conform any provision of the Supplemental Indenture or the Notes to the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum.

 

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16. Defaults and Remedies

An “Event of Default” with respect to the Notes occurs if: (i) the Company defaults in any payment of interest on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for 30 days; (ii) the Company defaults in the payment of principal of any Note when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption or required repurchase or redemption, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise; (iii) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor fails to comply with its obligations under Section 5.01 of the Supplemental Indenture; (iv) the Company fails to comply with Section 4.03 of the Supplemental Indenture (other than a failure to purchase Notes), and such failure continues for 45 days after receipt of the notice from the Trustee or the Holders specified below; (v) the Company or any Manufacturing Subsidiary fails to comply with its covenants or agreements with respect to such Notes contained in the Supplemental Indenture (other than those referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above), and such failure continues for 60 days after receipt of the notice from the Trustee or the Holders specified below; (vi) the Company or any Manufacturing Subsidiary fails to pay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owing to the Company or a Subsidiary) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $150,000,000 or its foreign currency equivalent; (vii) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company under Sections 6.01(7) and 6.01(8) of the Supplemental Indenture; (viii) any final and nonappealable judgment or decree (not covered by insurance) for the payment of money in excess of $150,000,000 or its foreign currency equivalent (treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so covered) is rendered against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary and such final judgment or decree remains outstanding and is not satisfied, discharged or waived within a period of 60 days following such judgment; or (ix) any Subsidiary Guarantee by any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary or a group of Subsidiary Guarantors which collectively (as of the then most recent audited consolidated financial statements for the Company) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in each case with respect to the Notes ceases to be in full force and effect in all material respects (except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or any such Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under the Supplemental Indenture or any Subsidiary Guarantee and such Default continues for 10 days after receipt of the notice specified below.

The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether such Event of Default is voluntary or involuntary or is 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.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a default under clause (iv), (v), (vi), (viii) or (ix) above shall not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes notify the Company and the Trustee of the default and the Company or the Subsidiary, as applicable, does not cure such default within any applicable time specified in clause (iv), (v), (vi), (viii) or (ix) above after receipt of such notice.

 

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If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company under Section 6.01(7) or Section 6.01(8) of the Supplemental Indenture) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to the Company and the Trustee may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company under Section 6.01(7) or Section 6.01(8) of the Supplemental Indenture occurs, the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes shall become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders. Under certain circumstances, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

17. Trustee Dealings with the Company

Subject to certain limitations imposed by the TIA, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

18. No Recourse Against Others

A director, officer, employee or shareholder, as such, of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Supplemental Indenture or of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee or the Supplemental Indenture, or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.

19. Authentication

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

20. Abbreviations

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

21. Governing Law; Jury Trial Waiver

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

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BY ACCEPTING THIS NOTE, THE HOLDER HEREOF 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 NOTE, THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

22. CUSIP Numbers and ISINs

The Company has caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the Notes and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices 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 or notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Company will furnish to any Holder of Notes upon written request and without charge to the Holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note.

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Note to

Assignee’s Legal Name, Address, and Zip Code

Assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.

and irrevocably appoint                  agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

 

 

Date: ___________________________________    Your Signature: ________________________________

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

 

     
   

Signature

     

Signature Guarantee:

   
       

Signature must be guaranteed

   

Signature

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

    

[Include the following only if the Restricted Notes legend is included hereon]

In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the period referred to in Rule 144 under the Securities Act after the later of the date of original issuance of such Notes and the last date, if any, on which such Notes were owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW


(1)

      to the Company; or

(2)

      to a person reasonably believed to be a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act; or

(3)

      to a non-U.S. person outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act; or

(4)

      pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or

(5)

      pursuant to another available exemption from registration under the Securities Act; or

(6)

      pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act;
      Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (3), (4) or (5) is checked, the Trustee shall be entitled to require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

    

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF BOX (2) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Dated:                                                                                                        

      

                                                                                                                   

    

NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer


[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $__________. The following increases or decreases 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
signatory of Trustee or
Securities Custodian

 

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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.03 (Change of Control Triggering Event) of the Supplemental Indenture, check the box:

Change of Control

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.03 of the Supplemental Indenture, state the amount ($2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof):

$__________

 

Date: _______________________________    Your Signature: _____________________________

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of the Note)

 

Signature Guarantee:        

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee

 

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EXHIBIT 2

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE]

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”) dated as of                , among [GUARANTOR] (the “New Guarantor”), a subsidiary of THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY (or its successor), an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), the Company and WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS the Company and the subsidiary guarantors party thereto (the “Existing Guarantors”) have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee the eleventh supplemental indenture dated as of May 18, 2021 (the “Eleventh Supplemental Indenture”) to the Indenture dated as of August 13, 2010 (the “Base Indenture”, and together with the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Company’s 5.250% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “Notes”), initially in the aggregate principal amount of $600,000,000.

WHEREAS Section 4.06 of the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Company is required to cause the New Guarantor to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all the Company’s obligations under the Notes pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee and the Company are 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 New Guarantor, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes as follows:

1. Agreement to Guarantee. The New Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all Existing Guarantors, to unconditionally guarantee the Company’s obligations under the Notes on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article 10 of the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture with respect to the Notes and of the Notes themselves.

2. Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture with respect to the Notes only is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture with respect to the Notes only for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.


3. Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

4. Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.

5. Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture by manual signature, which may be provided by facsimile or electronically, with PDF. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. This Supplemental Indenture shall be valid, binding and enforceable against a party when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) an original manual signature, (ii) a faxed, scanned or photocopied manual signature or (iii) any other electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including any relevant provisions of the UCC (collectively, “Signature Law”), in each case to the extent applicable. Each faxed, scanned or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, of any other party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the UCC or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings.

6. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

[NEW GUARANTOR],

by

   
 

Name:

Title:

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY,

by

   
 

Name:

Title:

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as Trustee,

by

   
 

Name:

Title:

 

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EXHIBIT 3

[FORM OF NOTICE OF SPECIAL MANDATORY REDEMPTION]

NOTICE OF FULL SPECIAL MANDATORY REDEMPTION

TO THE HOLDERS OF

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY

5.250% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2031

(CUSIP No. 382550BP5 / Reg S: U38255AP7)

(ISIN No. US382550BP55 / Reg S: USU38255AP71)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, an Ohio corporation (the “Issuer”), pursuant to the [ ] Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 18, 2021 (the “Supplemental Indenture”) to the Indenture, dated as of August 13, 2010 (the “Base Indenture” and as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”), among the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”), shall redeem all of its outstanding 5.250% Senior Notes due July 15, 2031 (the “Notes”) on [    ], 202[ ] (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Date”) pursuant to Section 4.09 of the Indenture. The redemption price for each Note will be $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount thereof (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Price”), plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon from the [[Issue Date][insert most recent Interest Payment Date on which interest has been paid]] to, but excluding, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date. Capitalized terms used herein (but otherwise not defined herein) shall have such meanings as set forth in the Indenture.

The Indenture provides that upon the deposit of funds sufficient to pay the Special Mandatory Redemption Price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, in respect of the Notes to be redeemed on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date with the Trustee or a Paying Agent prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes.

In order to receive the redemption payment, the Notes called for redemption must be surrendered for payment at the following location of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., the Trustee and Paying Agent. Notes to be redeemed must be surrendered for payment: (a) in book-entry form by transferring the Notes to be redeemed to the Trustee’s account at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) in accordance with DTC’s procedures; or (b) by delivering the Notes to be redeemed to the Trustee at:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Corporate Trust Operations

MAC N9300-070

600 South Fourth Street, 7th Floor

Minneapolis, MN 55415


The method of delivery of the Notes is at the election and risk of the Holder. If delivered by mail, certified or registered mail, properly insured, is recommended. Direct inquiries related to procedures to redeem the Notes should be directed to the Trustee by telephone at 1-800-344-5128 or by fax at 1-877-407-4679 or to bondholdercommunications@wellsfargo.com.

No representation is being made as to the correctness of the CUSIP numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in this notice. Holders should rely only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

For Holders of Notes who have not established an exemption, payments made upon the redemption of the Notes may be subject to U.S. federal withholding of 24% of the payments to be made, as and to the extent required by the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. To establish an exemption from such withholding, Holders of Notes should submit a completed and signed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or applicable Form W-8) when surrendering their Notes for payment.

Date: [    ], 202[ ]

By: [THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY/WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.]

 

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Exhibit 4.6

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

5.000% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated May 18, 2021 (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and among The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), the Subsidiary Guarantors listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative (the “Representative”) of the initial purchasers (the “Initial Purchasers”) listed in Schedule I to the Purchase Agreement dated May 13, 2021 (the “Purchase Agreement”).

The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Representatives are parties to the Purchase Agreement which provides for the sale by the Company to the Initial Purchasers of $850,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.000% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Securities”), which will be guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors. As an inducement to the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have agreed to provide to the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.

In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Subsidiary Guarantor” shall mean any subsidiary of the Company that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture after the date of this Agreement.

Business Day” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed.

Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include the Company’s successors.

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

Exchange Dates” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(ii) hereof.

Exchange Offer” shall mean the exchange offer by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors of Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Offer Registration” shall mean a registration under the Securities Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement” shall mean an exchange offer registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate form) and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.


Exchange Securities” shall mean senior notes issued by the Company and guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Indenture containing terms identical to the Securities (except that the Exchange Securities will not be subject to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate for failure to comply with this Agreement) and to be offered to Holders of Securities in exchange for Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

Free Writing Prospectus” means each free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) prepared by or on behalf of the Company or used or referred to by the Company in connection with the sale of the Securities or the Exchange Securities.

Subsidiary Guarantors” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include any Additional Subsidiary Guarantors.

Holders” shall mean the Initial Purchasers, for so long as they own any Registrable Securities, and each of their successors, assigns and direct and indirect transferees who become owners of Registrable Securities under the Indenture; provided that for purposes of Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement, the term “Holders” shall include Participating Broker-Dealers.

Indemnified Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.

Indemnifying Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.

Indenture” shall mean the Indenture relating to the Securities dated as of August 13, 2010, as supplemented by the Tenth Supplemental Indenture dated May 18, 2021 among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, and as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Initial Purchasers” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Inspector” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(xiii) hereof.

Issuer Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a) hereof.

Majority Holders” shall mean the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities; provided that whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, any Registrable Securities owned directly or indirectly by the Company or any of its affiliates shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage or amount; and provided further that if the Company shall issue any additional Securities under the Indenture prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer or, if applicable, the effectiveness of any Shelf Registration Statement, such additional Securities and the Registrable Securities to which this Agreement relates shall be treated together as one class for purposes of determining whether the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities has been obtained.

 

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Participating Broker-Dealers” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof.

Person” shall mean an individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in, or, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities Act, deemed a part of, a Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all other amendments and supplements to such prospectus, and in each case including any document incorporated by reference therein.

Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Registrable Securities” shall mean the Securities; provided that the Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities (i) when a Registration Statement with respect to such Securities has become effective under the Securities Act and such Securities have been exchanged or disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) when such Securities have been sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, (iii) when such securities cease to be outstanding or (iv) when the Exchange Offer is consummated, except in the case of Securities that would otherwise remain Registrable Securities that are held by a Holder that (x) was ineligible to participate in the Exchange Offer or (y) validly tendered and did not properly withdraw Registrable Securities in the Exchange Offer and did not receive fully tradeable Exchange Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

Registration Default” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(d) hereof.

Registration Expenses” shall mean any and all expenses incident to performance of or compliance by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors with this Agreement, including without limitation: (i) all SEC, stock exchange or Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Holders (which counsel shall be selected by the Majority Holders and which counsel may also be counsel for the Underwriters) in connection with blue sky qualification of any Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities), (iii) all reasonable expenses of any Persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, any underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements or other similar agreements and any other documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) all fees and disbursements relating to the qualification of the Indenture under applicable securities laws, (vi) the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel, (vii) the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Holders (which counsel shall be selected by the Majority Holders and which counsel may also be counsel for the Initial Purchasers) and (viii) the reasonable fees and disbursements of the independent public

 

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accountants of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, including the expenses of any special audits or “comfort” letters required by or incident to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, but excluding fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters (other than fees and expenses set forth in clause (ii) above) or the Holders and underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable Securities by a Holder.

Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors that covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and all amendments and supplements to any such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.

Representative” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

Shelf Effectiveness Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof.

Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof.

Shelf Registration Statement” shall mean a “shelf” registration statement (or post-effective amendment or supplement to an existing shelf registration statement) of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors that covers all or a portion of the Registrable Securities on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.

Shelf Request” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof.

Staff” shall mean the staff of the SEC.

Subsidiary Guarantees” shall mean the guarantees of the Securities and Exchange Securities by the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Indenture.

Target Registration Date” shall mean the date which is 366 days from the date hereof.

Trust Indenture Act” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time.

Trustee” shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under the Indenture.

 

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Underwriter” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(e) hereof.

Underwritten Offering” shall mean an offering in which Registrable Securities are sold to an Underwriter for reoffering to the public.

SECTION 2. Registration Under the Securities Act. (a) To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable best efforts to (i) cause to be filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement covering an offer to the Holders to exchange all the Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities (which registration statement, for the avoidance of doubt, may provide for the registration of other securities of the Company and Subsidiary Guarantors), (ii) cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective and (iii) have such Registration Statement remain effective until 180 days after the last Exchange Date for use by one or more Participating Broker-Dealers. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall commence the Exchange Offer promptly after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC and use their commercially reasonable best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer not later than (1) 30 days after such effective date (or if such 30th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) and (2) the Target Registration Date.

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall commence the Exchange Offer by mailing in compliance with the applicable procedures of the depositary the related Prospectus, appropriate letters of transmittal and other accompanying documents to each Holder stating, in addition to such other disclosures as are required by applicable law, substantially the following:

(i) that the Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to this Agreement and that all Registrable Securities validly tendered and not properly withdrawn will be accepted for exchange;

(ii) the dates of acceptance for exchange (which shall be a period of at least 20 Business Days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “Exchange Dates”);

(iii) that any Registrable Security not tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest but will not retain any rights under this Agreement, except as otherwise specified herein;

(iv) that any Holder electing to have a Registrable Security exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be required to (A) surrender such Registrable Security, together with the appropriate letters of transmittal, to the institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York) and in the manner specified in the notice, or (B) effect such exchange otherwise in compliance with the applicable procedures of the depositary for such Registrable Security, in each case prior to the close of business on the last Exchange Date; and

(v) that any Holder will be entitled to withdraw its election, not later than the close of business on the last Exchange Date, by (A) delivering to the institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York) specified in the notice, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Registrable Securities delivered for exchange and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Securities exchanged or (B) effecting such withdrawal in compliance with the applicable procedures of the depositary for the Registrable Securities.

 

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As a condition to participating in the Exchange Offer, a Holder will be required to represent to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors that (i) any Exchange Securities to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) at the time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer it has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Securities in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act, (iii) it is not an “affiliate” (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor and (iv) if such Holder is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Registrable Securities that were acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities, then such Holder will deliver a Prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make available a Prospectus to purchasers) in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.

As soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall:

(i) accept for exchange Registrable Securities or portions thereof validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and

(ii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by the Company and issue, and cause the Trustee to promptly authenticate and deliver to each Holder, Exchange Securities equal in principal amount to the principal amount of the Registrable Securities tendered by such Holder.

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer as provided above and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and other applicable laws and regulations in connection with the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that the Exchange Offer does not violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff.

(b) In the event that (i) the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors determine that the Exchange Offer Registration provided for in Section 2(a) above is not available or may not be completed as soon as reasonably practicable after the last Exchange Date because it would violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not for any other reason completed by the Target Registration Date or (iii) upon receipt of a written request (a “Shelf Request”) from any Initial Purchaser representing that it holds Registrable Securities that were ineligible to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable best efforts to (x) cause to be filed as soon as practicable after such determination date or Shelf Request, as the case may be, a Shelf Registration Statement providing for the sale of all the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof and (y) cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become effective (which registration statement, for the avoidance of doubt, may provide for the registration of other securities of the Company and Subsidiary Guarantors).

 

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In the event that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable best efforts to file and cause to become effective both an Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) with respect to all Registrable Securities and a Shelf Registration Statement (which may be a combined Registration Statement with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) with respect to offers and sales of Registrable Securities held by the Initial Purchasers after completion of the Exchange Offer.

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors agree to use their commercially reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until the date on which the Securities registered thereunder cease to constitute Registrable Securities (the “Shelf Effectiveness Period”). The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors further agree to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement, the related Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder or if reasonably requested by a Holder of Registrable Securities with respect to information relating to such Holder, and to use their commercially reasonable best efforts to cause any such amendment to become effective, if required, and such Shelf Registration Statement, Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, to become usable as soon as thereafter practicable. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors agree to furnish to the Holders of Registrable Securities (or file on EDGAR) copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC.

(c) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(b) hereof. Each Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.

(d) An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC. A Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC or is automatically effective upon filing with the SEC as provided by Rule 462 under the Securities Act.

In the event that neither the Exchange Offer has been completed nor, if required in lieu thereof pursuant to Section 2(b)(i) or 2(b)(ii) hereof, the Shelf Registration Statement has become effective, on or prior to the Target Registration Date (such event, a “Registration Default”), the annual interest rate on the Registrable Securities will be increased by 0.25% per annum from the date of such Registration Default to but excluding the earlier of the date such Registration Default is cured or the Securities cease to be Registrable Securities. In the event

 

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that the Company receives a Shelf Request pursuant to Section 2(b)(iii), and the Shelf Registration Statement required to be filed thereby has not become effective by the later of (a) the Target Registration Date or (b) 90 days after delivery of such Shelf Request, then the annual interest rate on the Registrable Securities will be increased by 0.25% per annum for the period from such date to but excluding the earlier of (i) the date on which such Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective and (ii) the date that the Securities cease to be Registrable Securities.

If the Shelf Registration Statement, if required hereby, has become effective and thereafter either ceases to be effective or the Prospectus contained therein ceases to be usable, in each case whether or not permitted by this Agreement, at any time during the Shelf Effectiveness Period, then the annual interest rate on the Registrable Securities will be increased by 0.25% per annum commencing on the day that the Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective or the Prospectus ceases to be usable to but excluding the earlier of (i) the date that the Shelf Registration Statement has again become effective or the Prospectus again becomes usable and (ii) the date that the Shelf Effectiveness Period ends; provided that if the failure of the Shelf Registration Statement to be effective or the Prospectus to be usable is otherwise permitted by this Agreement, then the increase in interest rate will only be effective if such failure to be effective or usable exists for more than 30 days (whether or not consecutive) in any 12-month period and such increase will commence on the 31st day that such failure to be effective or usable exists in such 12-month period.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall in no event be required to pay additional interest in excess of 0.25% per annum even if more than one Registration Default exists at any given time and (2) a Holder of Securities who is not entitled to the benefits of a Shelf Registration Statement shall not be entitled to additional interest with respect to a Registration Default that pertains to such Shelf Registration Statement.

(e) Without limiting the remedies available to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors acknowledge that any failure by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors to comply with their obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof.

(f) The Company represents, warrants and covenants that it (including its agents and representatives) will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act), other than any communication pursuant to Rule 134 under the Securities Act, any document constituting an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Securities or the Exchange Securities that falls within the exception from the definition of prospectus in Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or a prospectus satisfying the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act or of Rule 430, Rule 430A, Rule 430B, Rule 430C or Rule 431 under the Securities Act.

 

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(g) The additional interest provided for above shall be payable at the same times, in the same manner and to the same persons as ordinary interest on the Registrable Securities.

SECTION 3. Registration Procedures. (a) In connection with their obligations pursuant to Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall as expeditiously as reasonably possible:

(i) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form (x) shall be selected by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, (y) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof and (z) shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith; and use their commercially reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof;

(ii) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof and cause each Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement and, as so supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act; and keep each Prospectus current during the period described in Section 4(3) of, and Rule 174 under, the Securities Act that is applicable to transactions by brokers or dealers with respect to the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities; to the extent any Free Writing Prospectus is used, file with the SEC any Free Writing Prospectus that is required to be filed by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act and to retain any Free Writing Prospectus not required to be filed;

(iii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, to counsel for the Initial Purchasers, to counsel for such Holders and to each Underwriter of an Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, upon request, as many copies of each Prospectus, preliminary prospectus, or Free Writing Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, as such Holder, counsel or Underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities thereunder; and the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors consent to the use of such Prospectus, preliminary prospectus or such Free Writing Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law by each of the Holders of Registrable Securities and any such Underwriters in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by and in the manner described in such Prospectus, preliminary prospectus or such Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law;

 

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(iv) use their commercially reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement shall reasonably request in writing by the time the applicable Registration Statement becomes effective; cooperate with such Holders in connection with any filings required to be made with the FINRA; and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each Holder to complete the disposition in each such jurisdiction of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided that neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be required to (1) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (2) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction, (3) subject itself to taxation or tariff in any such jurisdiction if it is not so subject or (4) make any change to its charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents;

(v) notify counsel for the Initial Purchasers and, in the case of a Shelf Registration, notify each Holder of Registrable Securities and counsel for such Holders promptly and, if requested by any such Holder or counsel, confirm such advice in writing (1) when a Registration Statement has become effective, when any post-effective amendment thereto has been filed and becomes effective and when any Free Writing Prospectus has been filed or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus has been filed, (2) of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement, Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus or for additional information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (3) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, including the receipt by the Company of any notice of objection of the SEC to the use of a Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act, (4) if, between the applicable effective date of a Shelf Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities covered thereby, the representations and warranties of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor contained in any underwriting agreement, securities sales agreement or other similar agreement, if any, relating to an offering of such Registrable Securities cease to be true and correct in all material respects or if the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor receives any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose, (5) of the happening of any event during the period a Registration Statement is effective that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading and (6) of any determination by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus would be appropriate;

 

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(vi) use their commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or, in the case of a Shelf Registration, the resolution of any objection of the SEC pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act, including by filing an amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement on the proper form, as soon as practicable and provide prompt notice to each Holder of the withdrawal of any such order or such resolution;

(vii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon request, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (without any documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested);

(viii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends and enable such Registrable Securities to be issued in such denominations and registered in such names (consistent with the provisions of the Indenture) as such Holders may reasonably request at least two Business Days prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities;

(ix) in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(a)(v)(5) hereof, use their reasonable best efforts to prepare and file with the SEC a supplement or post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered (or, to the extent permitted by law, made available) to purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall notify the Holders of Registrable Securities to suspend use of the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, and such Holders hereby agree to suspend use of the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, until the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have amended or supplemented the Prospectus or the Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, to correct such misstatement or omission;

(x) a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus, any amendment to a Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to a Prospectus or a Free Writing Prospectus (other than documents that will be incorporated by reference therein), provide copies of such document to the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, to the Holders of Registrable Securities and their counsel) and make such of the representatives of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors as shall be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities or their counsel) available for discussion of such document; and the Company and the Subsidiary

 

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Guarantors shall not, at any time after initial filing of a Registration Statement, use or file any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus, any amendment of or supplement to a Registration Statement or a Prospectus or a Free Writing Prospectus (other than documents that will be incorporated by reference therein), of which the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities and their counsel) shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy or to which the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities or their counsel) shall reasonably object;

(xi) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, not later than the initial effective date of a Registration Statement;

(xii) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act in connection with the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be; cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and execute, and use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;

(xiii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, make available for inspection prior to the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement and during the Shelf Effectiveness Period by a representative of the Holders of the Registrable Securities (an “Inspector”), any Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, any attorney and accountant designated by a majority of the Holders of Registrable Securities to be included in such Shelf Registration and any attorney and accountant designated by such Underwriter, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner, all pertinent financial and other records, documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, and cause the respective officers, directors and employees of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement; provided that if any such information is identified by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor as being confidential or proprietary, each Person receiving such information shall agree to keep such information confidential and shall otherwise take such actions as are reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of such information to the extent such action is otherwise not inconsistent with, an impairment of or in derogation of the rights and interests of any Inspector, Holder or Underwriter;

(xiv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use their commercially reasonable best efforts to cause all Registrable Securities to be listed on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system on which similar securities issued or guaranteed by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor are then listed if requested by the Majority Holders, to the extent such Registrable Securities satisfy applicable listing requirements;

 

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(xv) if reasonably requested by any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, promptly include in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information with respect to such Holder as such Holder reasonably requests to be included therein and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company has received notification of the matters to be so included in such filing;

(xvi) as may reasonably be required in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such customary agreements and take all such other actions in connection therewith (including those requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement) in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities including, but not limited to, an Underwritten Offering and in such connection, (1) to the extent possible, make such representations and warranties to the Holders and any Underwriters of such Registrable Securities with respect to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries and the Registration Statement, Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus and documents incorporated by reference or deemed incorporated by reference, if any, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings and confirm the same if and when requested, (2) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors (which counsel and opinions, in form, scope and substance similar to that provided in the Purchase Agreement, as modified for registered offering, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Holders and such Underwriters and their respective counsel) addressed to each selling Holder and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings, (3) obtain “comfort” letters from the independent certified public accountants of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors (and, if necessary, any other certified public accountant of any subsidiary of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or of any business acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor for which financial statements and financial data are or are required to be included in the Registration Statement) addressed to each selling Holder (to the extent permitted by applicable professional standards) and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings, including but not limited to financial information contained in any preliminary prospectus, Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus and (4) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold or the Underwriters, and which are customarily delivered in underwritten offerings, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors made pursuant to clause (1) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in an underwriting agreement; and

 

13


(xvii) so long as any Registrable Securities remain outstanding, cause each Additional Subsidiary Guarantor upon the creation or acquisition by the Company of such Additional Subsidiary Guarantor and such Additional Subsidiary Guarantor, entering into a supplemental indenture to guarantee the Securities, to execute a counterpart to this Agreement in the form attached hereto as Annex A and to deliver such counterpart, together with an opinion of counsel as to the enforceability thereof against such entity, to the Initial Purchasers no later than five Business Days following the execution thereof.

(b) No Holder of Registrable Securities may include any of its Registrable Securities in any Shelf Registration Statement unless and until such Holder furnishes to the Company in writing, within a reasonable period of time after the Company’s request therefor, such information as the Company may reasonably request for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.

(c) In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder of Registrable Securities covered in such Shelf Registration Statement agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(a)(v)(3) or 3(a)(v)(5) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement until (i) in the case of an event described in Section 3(a)(v)(5) hereof, such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(a)(ix) hereof and, if so directed by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, such Holder will deliver to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors all copies in its possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities that is current at the time of receipt of such notice, and (ii) in the case of an event described in Section 3(a)(v)(3) hereof, such Holder’s receipt of notification by the Company of the withdrawal of the stop order or notice of objection giving rise to the discontinuance of dispositions.

(d) If the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall give any notice to suspend the disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall extend the period during which such Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when the Holders of such Registrable Securities shall have received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus necessary to resume such dispositions. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may give any such notice only three times during any 366-day period and any such suspensions shall not exceed 30 days for each suspension and there shall not be more than two suspensions in effect during any 366-day period.

 

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(e) The Holders of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment bank or investment banks and manager or managers (each, an “Underwriter”) that will administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities included in such offering. No Holder may participate in any such Underwritten Offering unless such Holder (i) agrees to sell such Holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and the Underwriters and (ii) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

SECTION 4. Participation of Broker-Dealers in Exchange Offer. (a) The Staff has taken the position that any broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in the Exchange Offer in exchange for Securities that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities (a “Participating Broker-Dealer”) may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors understand that it is the Staff’s position that if the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement includes a plan of distribution containing a statement to the above effect and the means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Securities, without naming the Participating Broker-Dealers or specifying the amount of Exchange Securities owned by them, such Prospectus may be delivered by Participating Broker-Dealers (or, to the extent permitted by law, made available to purchasers) to satisfy their prospectus delivery obligation under the Securities Act in connection with resales of Exchange Securities for their own accounts, so long as the Prospectus otherwise meets the requirements of the Securities Act.

(b) In light of the above, and notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors agree to amend or supplement the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement for a period of up to 180 days after the last Exchange Date (as such period may be extended pursuant to Section 3(d) of this Agreement), if so requested by any Participating Broker-Dealer, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any Exchange Securities by Participating Broker-Dealers consistent with the positions of the Staff recited in Section 4(a) above. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors further agree that Participating Broker-Dealers shall be authorized to deliver such Prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make available) during such period (but not thereafter) in connection with the resales contemplated by this Section 4.

(c) The Initial Purchasers shall have no liability to the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Holder with respect to any request made by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to Section 4(b) above.

SECTION 5. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser and each Holder, their respective affiliates, directors and officers and each Person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser or any Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and other expenses incurred in

 

15


connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (1) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or (2) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus or any “issuer information” (“Issuer Information”) filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Initial Purchaser or information relating to any Holder furnished to the Company in writing through the Representatives or any selling Holder, respectively, expressly for use therein. In connection with any Underwritten Offering permitted by Section 3, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, will also indemnify the Underwriters, if any, selling brokers, dealers and similar securities industry professionals participating in the distribution, their respective affiliates and each Person who controls such Persons (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders, if requested in connection with any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus or any Issuer Information.

(b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Initial Purchasers and the other selling Holders, the directors of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, each officer of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors who signed the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, any Initial Purchaser and any other selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Holder furnished to the Company in writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus.

(c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any Person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or (b) above, such Person (the “Indemnified Person”) shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the “Indemnifying Person”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under paragraph (a) or (b) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided further that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under paragraph (a) or (b) above. If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person

 

16


thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 5 that the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; or (iii) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm (x) for any Initial Purchaser, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control Persons of such Initial Purchaser shall be designated in writing by the Representatives, (y) for any Holder, its directors and officers and any control Persons of such Holder shall be designated in writing by the Majority Holders and (z) in all other cases shall be designated in writing by the Company. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) and (b) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors from the offering of the Securities and the Exchange Securities, on the one hand, and by the Holders from receiving Securities or Exchange Securities registered under the Securities Act, on the other hand, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors on the one hand and the Holders on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors on

 

17


the one hand and the Holders on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors or by the Holders and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

(e) The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5, in no event shall a Holder be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities or the Exchange Securities sold by such Holder exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5 are several and not joint.

(f) The remedies provided for in this Section 5 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies that may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.

(g) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 5 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers or any Holder or any Person controlling any Initial Purchaser or any Holder, or by or on behalf of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors or the officers or directors of or any Person controlling the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, (iii) acceptance of any of the Exchange Securities and (iv) any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.

SECTION 6. General. (a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors represent, warrant and agree that (i) the rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of any other outstanding securities issued or guaranteed by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under any other agreement and (ii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor has entered into, or on or after the date of this Agreement will enter into, any agreement that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.

 

18


(b) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have obtained the written consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent; provided that no amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent to any departure from the provisions of Section 5 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registrable Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder. Any amendments, modifications, supplements, waivers or consents pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall be by a writing executed by each of the parties hereto.

(c) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery (i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c), which address initially is, with respect to the Initial Purchasers, the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement; (ii) if to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, initially at the Company’s address set forth in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c); and (iii) to such other persons at their respective addresses as provided in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c). All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery. Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee, at the address specified in the Indenture.

(d) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Indenture or the Securities. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof. The Initial Purchasers (in their capacity as Initial Purchasers) shall have no liability or obligation to the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to any failure by a Holder to comply with, or any breach by any Holder of, any of the obligations of such Holder under this Agreement.

(e) Third Party Beneficiaries. Each Holder shall be a third party beneficiary to the agreements made hereunder between the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of other Holders hereunder.

 

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(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, are not a part of this Agreement and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(h) Governing Law. This Agreement, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any laws other than the laws of the State of New York.

(i) Entire Agreement; Severability. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all oral statements and prior writings with respect thereto. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained in this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable or against public policy, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions contained herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
as Issuer
By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President, Finance and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

 

CELERON CORPORATION
       By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer
DIVESTED COMPANIES HOLDING COMPANY
       By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer
       By:  

/s/ Daniel T. Young

    Name: Daniel T. Young
    Title: Secretary

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


DIVESTED LITCHFIELD PARK PROPERTIES, INC.
       By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer
  By:  

/s/ Daniel T. Young

    Name: Daniel T. Young
    Title: Secretary
GOODYEAR CANADA INC.
  By:  

/s/ Samuel M. Pillow

    Name: Samuel M. Pillow
    Title: President
  By:  

/s/ Frank Lamie

    Name: Frank Lamie
    Title: Secretary
GOODYEAR EXPORT INC.
  By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


GOODYEAR FARMS, INC.
  By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GOODYEAR INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
  By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GOODYEAR WESTERN HEMISPHERE CORPORATION
  By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer
T&WA, Inc.
  By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer
RABEN TIRE CO., LLC
  By: THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, ITS SOLE MEMBER
       By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

    Name: Christina L. Zamarro
    Title: Vice President, Finance and Treasurer

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


Accepted: May 18, 2021
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
By:  

/s/ Bradford Garvey

Name: Bradford Garvey
Title: Director
For themselves and on behalf of the several Initial Purchasers listed in Schedule I to the Purchase Agreement.

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


Name of Subsidiary Guarantor

  

Jurisdiction

Celeron Corporation    Delaware
Divested Companies Holding Company    Delaware
Divested Litchfield Park Properties, Inc.    Arizona
Goodyear Canada Inc.    Ontario, Canada
Goodyear Export Inc.    Delaware
Goodyear Farms, Inc.    Arizona
Goodyear International Corporation    Delaware
Goodyear Western Hemisphere Corporation    Delaware
Raben Tire Co., LLC    Indiana
T&WA, Inc.    Kentucky


Annex A

Counterpart to Registration Rights Agreement

The undersigned hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably agrees as a Subsidiary Guarantor (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 18, 2021, by and among The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, an Ohio corporation, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC), to be bound by the terms and provisions of such Registration Rights Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this counterpart as of _______________.

 

[NAME OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR]
By:  

     

  Name:
  Title:

Exhibit 4.7

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

5.250% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2031

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated May 18, 2021 (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and among The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), the Subsidiary Guarantors listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative (the “Representative”) of the initial purchasers (the “Initial Purchasers”) listed in Schedule I to the Purchase Agreement dated May 13, 2021 (the “Purchase Agreement”).

The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Representatives are parties to the Purchase Agreement which provides for the sale by the Company to the Initial Purchasers of $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.250% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “Securities”), which will be guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors. As an inducement to the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have agreed to provide to the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.

In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Subsidiary Guarantor” shall mean any subsidiary of the Company that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture after the date of this Agreement.

Business Day” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed.

Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include the Company’s successors.

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

Exchange Dates” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(ii) hereof.

Exchange Offer” shall mean the exchange offer by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors of Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Offer Registration” shall mean a registration under the Securities Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.


Exchange Offer Registration Statement” shall mean an exchange offer registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate form) and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.

Exchange Securities” shall mean senior notes issued by the Company and guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Indenture containing terms identical to the Securities (except that the Exchange Securities will not be subject to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate for failure to comply with this Agreement) and to be offered to Holders of Securities in exchange for Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

Free Writing Prospectus” means each free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) prepared by or on behalf of the Company or used or referred to by the Company in connection with the sale of the Securities or the Exchange Securities.

Subsidiary Guarantors” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include any Additional Subsidiary Guarantors.

Holders” shall mean the Initial Purchasers, for so long as they own any Registrable Securities, and each of their successors, assigns and direct and indirect transferees who become owners of Registrable Securities under the Indenture; provided that for purposes of Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement, the term “Holders” shall include Participating Broker-Dealers.

Indemnified Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.

Indemnifying Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.

Indenture” shall mean the Indenture relating to the Securities dated as of August 13, 2010, as supplemented by the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture dated May 18, 2021 among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee, and as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Initial Purchasers” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Inspector” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(xiii) hereof.

Issuer Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a) hereof.

Majority Holders” shall mean the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities; provided that whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, any Registrable Securities owned directly or indirectly by the Company or any of its affiliates shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage or amount; and provided further that if the Company shall issue any additional Securities under the Indenture prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer or, if applicable, the effectiveness of any Shelf Registration Statement, such additional Securities and the Registrable Securities to which this Agreement relates shall be treated together as one class for purposes of determining whether the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities has been obtained.

 

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Participating Broker-Dealers” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof.

Person” shall mean an individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in, or, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities Act, deemed a part of, a Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all other amendments and supplements to such prospectus, and in each case including any document incorporated by reference therein.

Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Registrable Securities” shall mean the Securities; provided that the Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities (i) when a Registration Statement with respect to such Securities has become effective under the Securities Act and such Securities have been exchanged or disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) when such Securities have been sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, (iii) when such securities cease to be outstanding or (iv) when the Exchange Offer is consummated, except in the case of Securities that would otherwise remain Registrable Securities that are held by a Holder that (x) was ineligible to participate in the Exchange Offer or (y) validly tendered and did not properly withdraw Registrable Securities in the Exchange Offer and did not receive fully tradeable Exchange Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

Registration Default” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(d) hereof.

Registration Expenses” shall mean any and all expenses incident to performance of or compliance by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors with this Agreement, including without limitation: (i) all SEC, stock exchange or Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Holders (which counsel shall be selected by the Majority Holders and which counsel may also be counsel for the Underwriters) in connection with blue sky qualification of any Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities), (iii) all reasonable expenses of any Persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, any underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements or other similar agreements and any other documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) all fees and disbursements relating to the qualification of the Indenture under applicable securities laws, (vi) the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel, (vii) the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Holders (which counsel shall be selected by the Majority Holders and which counsel may also be counsel for the Initial Purchasers) and (viii) the reasonable fees and disbursements of the independent public

 

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accountants of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, including the expenses of any special audits or “comfort” letters required by or incident to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, but excluding fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters (other than fees and expenses set forth in clause (ii) above) or the Holders and underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable Securities by a Holder.

Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors that covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and all amendments and supplements to any such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.

Representative” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

SEC” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

Shelf Effectiveness Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof.

Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof.

Shelf Registration Statement” shall mean a “shelf” registration statement (or post-effective amendment or supplement to an existing shelf registration statement) of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors that covers all or a portion of the Registrable Securities on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.

Shelf Request” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof.

Staff” shall mean the staff of the SEC.

Subsidiary Guarantees” shall mean the guarantees of the Securities and Exchange Securities by the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Indenture.

Target Registration Date” shall mean the date which is 366 days from the date hereof.

Trust Indenture Act” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time.

Trustee” shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under the Indenture.

 

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Underwriter” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(e) hereof.

Underwritten Offering” shall mean an offering in which Registrable Securities are sold to an Underwriter for reoffering to the public.

SECTION 2. Registration Under the Securities Act. (a) To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable best efforts to (i) cause to be filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement covering an offer to the Holders to exchange all the Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities (which registration statement, for the avoidance of doubt, may provide for the registration of other securities of the Company and Subsidiary Guarantors), (ii) cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective and (iii) have such Registration Statement remain effective until 180 days after the last Exchange Date for use by one or more Participating Broker-Dealers. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall commence the Exchange Offer promptly after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC and use their commercially reasonable best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer not later than (1) 30 days after such effective date (or if such 30th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) and (2) the Target Registration Date.

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall commence the Exchange Offer by mailing in compliance with the applicable procedures of the depositary the related Prospectus, appropriate letters of transmittal and other accompanying documents to each Holder stating, in addition to such other disclosures as are required by applicable law, substantially the following:

(i) that the Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to this Agreement and that all Registrable Securities validly tendered and not properly withdrawn will be accepted for exchange;

(ii) the dates of acceptance for exchange (which shall be a period of at least 20 Business Days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “Exchange Dates”);

(iii) that any Registrable Security not tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest but will not retain any rights under this Agreement, except as otherwise specified herein;

(iv) that any Holder electing to have a Registrable Security exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be required to (A) surrender such Registrable Security, together with the appropriate letters of transmittal, to the institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York) and in the manner specified in the notice, or (B) effect such exchange otherwise in compliance with the applicable procedures of the depositary for such Registrable Security, in each case prior to the close of business on the last Exchange Date; and

(v) that any Holder will be entitled to withdraw its election, not later than the close of business on the last Exchange Date, by (A) delivering to the institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York) specified in the notice, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Registrable Securities delivered for exchange and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Securities exchanged or (B) effecting such withdrawal in compliance with the applicable procedures of the depositary for the Registrable Securities.

 

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As a condition to participating in the Exchange Offer, a Holder will be required to represent to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors that (i) any Exchange Securities to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) at the time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer it has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Securities in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act, (iii) it is not an “affiliate” (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor and (iv) if such Holder is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Registrable Securities that were acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities, then such Holder will deliver a Prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make available a Prospectus to purchasers) in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.

As soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall:

(i) accept for exchange Registrable Securities or portions thereof validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and

(ii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by the Company and issue, and cause the Trustee to promptly authenticate and deliver to each Holder, Exchange Securities equal in principal amount to the principal amount of the Registrable Securities tendered by such Holder.

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer as provided above and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and other applicable laws and regulations in connection with the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that the Exchange Offer does not violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff.

(b) In the event that (i) the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors determine that the Exchange Offer Registration provided for in Section 2(a) above is not available or may not be completed as soon as reasonably practicable after the last Exchange Date because it would violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not for any other reason completed by the Target Registration Date or (iii) upon receipt of a written request (a “Shelf Request”) from any Initial Purchaser representing that it holds Registrable Securities that were ineligible to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable best efforts to (x) cause to be filed as soon as practicable after such determination date or Shelf Request, as the case may be, a Shelf Registration Statement providing for the sale of all the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof and (y) cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become effective (which registration statement, for the avoidance of doubt, may provide for the registration of other securities of the Company and Subsidiary Guarantors).

 

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In the event that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable best efforts to file and cause to become effective both an Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) with respect to all Registrable Securities and a Shelf Registration Statement (which may be a combined Registration Statement with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) with respect to offers and sales of Registrable Securities held by the Initial Purchasers after completion of the Exchange Offer.

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors agree to use their commercially reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until the date on which the Securities registered thereunder cease to constitute Registrable Securities (the “Shelf Effectiveness Period”). The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors further agree to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement, the related Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder or if reasonably requested by a Holder of Registrable Securities with respect to information relating to such Holder, and to use their commercially reasonable best efforts to cause any such amendment to become effective, if required, and such Shelf Registration Statement, Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, to become usable as soon as thereafter practicable. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors agree to furnish to the Holders of Registrable Securities (or file on EDGAR) copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC.

(c) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(b) hereof. Each Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.

(d) An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC. A Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC or is automatically effective upon filing with the SEC as provided by Rule 462 under the Securities Act.

In the event that neither the Exchange Offer has been completed nor, if required in lieu thereof pursuant to Section 2(b)(i) or 2(b)(ii) hereof, the Shelf Registration Statement has become effective, on or prior to the Target Registration Date (such event, a “Registration Default”), the annual interest rate on the Registrable Securities will be increased by 0.25% per annum from the date of such Registration Default to but excluding the earlier of the date such Registration Default is cured or the Securities cease to be Registrable Securities. In the event

 

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that the Company receives a Shelf Request pursuant to Section 2(b)(iii), and the Shelf Registration Statement required to be filed thereby has not become effective by the later of (a) the Target Registration Date or (b) 90 days after delivery of such Shelf Request, then the annual interest rate on the Registrable Securities will be increased by 0.25% per annum for the period from such date to but excluding the earlier of (i) the date on which such Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective and (ii) the date that the Securities cease to be Registrable Securities.

If the Shelf Registration Statement, if required hereby, has become effective and thereafter either ceases to be effective or the Prospectus contained therein ceases to be usable, in each case whether or not permitted by this Agreement, at any time during the Shelf Effectiveness Period, then the annual interest rate on the Registrable Securities will be increased by 0.25% per annum commencing on the day that the Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective or the Prospectus ceases to be usable to but excluding the earlier of (i) the date that the Shelf Registration Statement has again become effective or the Prospectus again becomes usable and (ii) the date that the Shelf Effectiveness Period ends; provided that if the failure of the Shelf Registration Statement to be effective or the Prospectus to be usable is otherwise permitted by this Agreement, then the increase in interest rate will only be effective if such failure to be effective or usable exists for more than 30 days (whether or not consecutive) in any 12-month period and such increase will commence on the 31st day that such failure to be effective or usable exists in such 12-month period.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall in no event be required to pay additional interest in excess of 0.25% per annum even if more than one Registration Default exists at any given time and (2) a Holder of Securities who is not entitled to the benefits of a Shelf Registration Statement shall not be entitled to additional interest with respect to a Registration Default that pertains to such Shelf Registration Statement.

(e) Without limiting the remedies available to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors acknowledge that any failure by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors to comply with their obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof.

(f) The Company represents, warrants and covenants that it (including its agents and representatives) will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act), other than any communication pursuant to Rule 134 under the Securities Act, any document constituting an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Securities or the Exchange Securities that falls within the exception from the definition of prospectus in Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or a prospectus satisfying the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act or of Rule 430, Rule 430A, Rule 430B, Rule 430C or Rule 431 under the Securities Act.

 

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(g) The additional interest provided for above shall be payable at the same times, in the same manner and to the same persons as ordinary interest on the Registrable Securities.

SECTION 3. Registration Procedures. (a) In connection with their obligations pursuant to Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall as expeditiously as reasonably possible:

(i) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form (x) shall be selected by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, (y) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof and (z) shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith; and use their commercially reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof;

(ii) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof and cause each Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement and, as so supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act; and keep each Prospectus current during the period described in Section 4(3) of, and Rule 174 under, the Securities Act that is applicable to transactions by brokers or dealers with respect to the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities; to the extent any Free Writing Prospectus is used, file with the SEC any Free Writing Prospectus that is required to be filed by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act and to retain any Free Writing Prospectus not required to be filed;

(iii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, to counsel for the Initial Purchasers, to counsel for such Holders and to each Underwriter of an Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, upon request, as many copies of each Prospectus, preliminary prospectus, or Free Writing Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, as such Holder, counsel or Underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities thereunder; and the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors consent to the use of such Prospectus, preliminary prospectus or such Free Writing Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law by each of the Holders of Registrable Securities and any such Underwriters in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by and in the manner described in such Prospectus, preliminary prospectus or such Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law;

 

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(iv) use their commercially reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement shall reasonably request in writing by the time the applicable Registration Statement becomes effective; cooperate with such Holders in connection with any filings required to be made with the FINRA; and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each Holder to complete the disposition in each such jurisdiction of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided that neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be required to (1) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (2) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction, (3) subject itself to taxation or tariff in any such jurisdiction if it is not so subject or (4) make any change to its charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents;

(v) notify counsel for the Initial Purchasers and, in the case of a Shelf Registration, notify each Holder of Registrable Securities and counsel for such Holders promptly and, if requested by any such Holder or counsel, confirm such advice in writing (1) when a Registration Statement has become effective, when any post-effective amendment thereto has been filed and becomes effective and when any Free Writing Prospectus has been filed or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus has been filed, (2) of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement, Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus or for additional information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (3) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, including the receipt by the Company of any notice of objection of the SEC to the use of a Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act, (4) if, between the applicable effective date of a Shelf Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities covered thereby, the representations and warranties of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor contained in any underwriting agreement, securities sales agreement or other similar agreement, if any, relating to an offering of such Registrable Securities cease to be true and correct in all material respects or if the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor receives any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose, (5) of the happening of any event during the period a Registration Statement is effective that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading and (6) of any determination by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus would be appropriate;

 

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(vi) use their commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or, in the case of a Shelf Registration, the resolution of any objection of the SEC pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act, including by filing an amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement on the proper form, as soon as practicable and provide prompt notice to each Holder of the withdrawal of any such order or such resolution;

(vii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon request, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (without any documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested);

(viii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends and enable such Registrable Securities to be issued in such denominations and registered in such names (consistent with the provisions of the Indenture) as such Holders may reasonably request at least two Business Days prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities;

(ix) in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(a)(v)(5) hereof, use their reasonable best efforts to prepare and file with the SEC a supplement or post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered (or, to the extent permitted by law, made available) to purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall notify the Holders of Registrable Securities to suspend use of the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, and such Holders hereby agree to suspend use of the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, until the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have amended or supplemented the Prospectus or the Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, to correct such misstatement or omission;

(x) a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus, any amendment to a Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to a Prospectus or a Free Writing Prospectus (other than documents that will be incorporated by reference therein), provide copies of such document to the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, to the Holders of Registrable Securities and their counsel) and make such of the representatives of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors as shall be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities or their counsel) available for discussion of such document; and the Company and the Subsidiary

 

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Guarantors shall not, at any time after initial filing of a Registration Statement, use or file any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus, any amendment of or supplement to a Registration Statement or a Prospectus or a Free Writing Prospectus (other than documents that will be incorporated by reference therein), of which the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities and their counsel) shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy or to which the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities or their counsel) shall reasonably object;

(xi) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, not later than the initial effective date of a Registration Statement;

(xii) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act in connection with the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be; cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and execute, and use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;

(xiii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, make available for inspection prior to the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement and during the Shelf Effectiveness Period by a representative of the Holders of the Registrable Securities (an “Inspector”), any Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, any attorney and accountant designated by a majority of the Holders of Registrable Securities to be included in such Shelf Registration and any attorney and accountant designated by such Underwriter, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner, all pertinent financial and other records, documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, and cause the respective officers, directors and employees of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement; provided that if any such information is identified by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor as being confidential or proprietary, each Person receiving such information shall agree to keep such information confidential and shall otherwise take such actions as are reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of such information to the extent such action is otherwise not inconsistent with, an impairment of or in derogation of the rights and interests of any Inspector, Holder or Underwriter;

(xiv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use their commercially reasonable best efforts to cause all Registrable Securities to be listed on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system on which similar securities issued or guaranteed by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor are then listed if requested by the Majority Holders, to the extent such Registrable Securities satisfy applicable listing requirements;

 

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(xv) if reasonably requested by any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, promptly include in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information with respect to such Holder as such Holder reasonably requests to be included therein and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company has received notification of the matters to be so included in such filing;

(xvi) as may reasonably be required in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such customary agreements and take all such other actions in connection therewith (including those requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement) in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities including, but not limited to, an Underwritten Offering and in such connection, (1) to the extent possible, make such representations and warranties to the Holders and any Underwriters of such Registrable Securities with respect to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries and the Registration Statement, Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus and documents incorporated by reference or deemed incorporated by reference, if any, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings and confirm the same if and when requested, (2) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors (which counsel and opinions, in form, scope and substance similar to that provided in the Purchase Agreement, as modified for registered offering, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Holders and such Underwriters and their respective counsel) addressed to each selling Holder and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings, (3) obtain “comfort” letters from the independent certified public accountants of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors (and, if necessary, any other certified public accountant of any subsidiary of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or of any business acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor for which financial statements and financial data are or are required to be included in the Registration Statement) addressed to each selling Holder (to the extent permitted by applicable professional standards) and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings, including but not limited to financial information contained in any preliminary prospectus, Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus and (4) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold or the Underwriters, and which are customarily delivered in underwritten offerings, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors made pursuant to clause (1) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in an underwriting agreement; and

 

13


(xvii) so long as any Registrable Securities remain outstanding, cause each Additional Subsidiary Guarantor upon the creation or acquisition by the Company of such Additional Subsidiary Guarantor and such Additional Subsidiary Guarantor, entering into a supplemental indenture to guarantee the Securities, to execute a counterpart to this Agreement in the form attached hereto as Annex A and to deliver such counterpart, together with an opinion of counsel as to the enforceability thereof against such entity, to the Initial Purchasers no later than five Business Days following the execution thereof.

(b) No Holder of Registrable Securities may include any of its Registrable Securities in any Shelf Registration Statement unless and until such Holder furnishes to the Company in writing, within a reasonable period of time after the Company’s request therefor, such information as the Company may reasonably request for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.

(c) In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder of Registrable Securities covered in such Shelf Registration Statement agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(a)(v)(3) or 3(a)(v)(5) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement until (i) in the case of an event described in Section 3(a)(v)(5) hereof, such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(a)(ix) hereof and, if so directed by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, such Holder will deliver to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors all copies in its possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities that is current at the time of receipt of such notice, and (ii) in the case of an event described in Section 3(a)(v)(3) hereof, such Holder’s receipt of notification by the Company of the withdrawal of the stop order or notice of objection giving rise to the discontinuance of dispositions.

(d) If the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall give any notice to suspend the disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall extend the period during which such Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when the Holders of such Registrable Securities shall have received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus necessary to resume such dispositions. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may give any such notice only three times during any 366-day period and any such suspensions shall not exceed 30 days for each suspension and there shall not be more than two suspensions in effect during any 366-day period.

 

14


(e) The Holders of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment bank or investment banks and manager or managers (each, an “Underwriter”) that will administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities included in such offering. No Holder may participate in any such Underwritten Offering unless such Holder (i) agrees to sell such Holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and the Underwriters and (ii) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

SECTION 4. Participation of Broker-Dealers in Exchange Offer. (a) The Staff has taken the position that any broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in the Exchange Offer in exchange for Securities that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities (a “Participating Broker-Dealer”) may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors understand that it is the Staff’s position that if the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement includes a plan of distribution containing a statement to the above effect and the means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Securities, without naming the Participating Broker-Dealers or specifying the amount of Exchange Securities owned by them, such Prospectus may be delivered by Participating Broker-Dealers (or, to the extent permitted by law, made available to purchasers) to satisfy their prospectus delivery obligation under the Securities Act in connection with resales of Exchange Securities for their own accounts, so long as the Prospectus otherwise meets the requirements of the Securities Act.

(b) In light of the above, and notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors agree to amend or supplement the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement for a period of up to 180 days after the last Exchange Date (as such period may be extended pursuant to Section 3(d) of this Agreement), if so requested by any Participating Broker-Dealer, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any Exchange Securities by Participating Broker-Dealers consistent with the positions of the Staff recited in Section 4(a) above. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors further agree that Participating Broker-Dealers shall be authorized to deliver such Prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make available) during such period (but not thereafter) in connection with the resales contemplated by this Section 4.

(c) The Initial Purchasers shall have no liability to the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Holder with respect to any request made by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to Section 4(b) above.

SECTION 5. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser and each Holder, their respective affiliates, directors and officers and each Person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser or any Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and other expenses incurred in

 

15


connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (1) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or (2) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus or any “issuer information” (“Issuer Information”) filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Initial Purchaser or information relating to any Holder furnished to the Company in writing through the Representatives or any selling Holder, respectively, expressly for use therein. In connection with any Underwritten Offering permitted by Section 3, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, will also indemnify the Underwriters, if any, selling brokers, dealers and similar securities industry professionals participating in the distribution, their respective affiliates and each Person who controls such Persons (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders, if requested in connection with any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus or any Issuer Information.

(b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Initial Purchasers and the other selling Holders, the directors of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, each officer of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors who signed the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, any Initial Purchaser and any other selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Holder furnished to the Company in writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus.

(c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any Person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or (b) above, such Person (the “Indemnified Person”) shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the “Indemnifying Person”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under paragraph (a) or (b) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided further that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under paragraph (a) or (b) above. If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person

 

16


thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 5 that the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; or (iii) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm (x) for any Initial Purchaser, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control Persons of such Initial Purchaser shall be designated in writing by the Representatives, (y) for any Holder, its directors and officers and any control Persons of such Holder shall be designated in writing by the Majority Holders and (z) in all other cases shall be designated in writing by the Company. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) and (b) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors from the offering of the Securities and the Exchange Securities, on the one hand, and by the Holders from receiving Securities or Exchange Securities registered under the Securities Act, on the other hand, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors on the one hand and the Holders on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors on

 

17


the one hand and the Holders on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors or by the Holders and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

(e) The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5, in no event shall a Holder be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities or the Exchange Securities sold by such Holder exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5 are several and not joint.

(f) The remedies provided for in this Section 5 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies that may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.

(g) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 5 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers or any Holder or any Person controlling any Initial Purchaser or any Holder, or by or on behalf of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors or the officers or directors of or any Person controlling the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, (iii) acceptance of any of the Exchange Securities and (iv) any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.

SECTION 6. General. (a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors represent, warrant and agree that (i) the rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of any other outstanding securities issued or guaranteed by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under any other agreement and (ii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor has entered into, or on or after the date of this Agreement will enter into, any agreement that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.

 

18


(b) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have obtained the written consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent; provided that no amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent to any departure from the provisions of Section 5 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registrable Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder. Any amendments, modifications, supplements, waivers or consents pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall be by a writing executed by each of the parties hereto.

(c) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery (i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c), which address initially is, with respect to the Initial Purchasers, the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement; (ii) if to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, initially at the Company’s address set forth in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c); and (iii) to such other persons at their respective addresses as provided in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c). All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery. Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee, at the address specified in the Indenture.

(d) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Indenture or the Securities. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof. The Initial Purchasers (in their capacity as Initial Purchasers) shall have no liability or obligation to the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to any failure by a Holder to comply with, or any breach by any Holder of, any of the obligations of such Holder under this Agreement.

(e) Third Party Beneficiaries. Each Holder shall be a third party beneficiary to the agreements made hereunder between the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of other Holders hereunder.

 

19


(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, are not a part of this Agreement and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(h) Governing Law. This Agreement, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any laws other than the laws of the State of New York.

(i) Entire Agreement; Severability. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all oral statements and prior writings with respect thereto. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained in this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable or against public policy, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions contained herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

20


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY
as Issuer
by:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President, Finance and Treasurer

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

 

CELERON CORPORATION
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
DIVESTED COMPANIES HOLDING COMPANY
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
    By:  

/s/ Daniel T. Young

  Name: Daniel T. Young
  Title: Secretary
 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


DIVESTED LITCHFIELD PARK PROPERTIES, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
    By:  

/s/ Daniel T. Young

  Name: Daniel T. Young
  Title: Secretary
GOODYEAR CANADA INC.
    By:  

/s/ Samuel M. Pillow

  Name: Samuel M. Pillow
  Title: President
    By:  

/s/ Frank Lamie

  Name: Frank Lamie
  Title: Secretary
GOODYEAR EXPORT INC.
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


GOODYEAR FARMS, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GOODYEAR INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
GOODYEAR WESTERN HEMISPHERE CORPORATION
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
T&WA, Inc.
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President and Treasurer
RABEN TIRE CO., LLC
By:   THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, ITS SOLE MEMBER
    By:  

/s/ Christina L. Zamarro

  Name: Christina L. Zamarro
  Title: Vice President, Finance and Treasurer

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


Accepted: May 18, 2021
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
By:  

/s/ Bradford Garvey

  Name: Bradford Garvey
  Title: Director
For themselves and on behalf of the several Initial Purchasers listed in Schedule I to the Purchase Agreement.

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


Schedule 1

 

Name of Subsidiary Guarantor

  

Jurisdiction

Celeron Corporation    Delaware
Divested Companies Holding Company    Delaware
Divested Litchfield Park Properties, Inc.    Arizona
Goodyear Canada Inc.    Ontario, Canada
Goodyear Export Inc.    Delaware
Goodyear Farms, Inc.    Arizona
Goodyear International Corporation    Delaware
Goodyear Western Hemisphere Corporation    Delaware
Raben Tire Co., LLC    Indiana
T&WA, Inc.    Kentucky


Annex A

Counterpart to Registration Rights Agreement

The undersigned hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably agrees as a Subsidiary Guarantor (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 18, 2021, by and among The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, an Ohio corporation, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC), to be bound by the terms and provisions of such Registration Rights Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this counterpart as of _______________.

 

[NAME OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR]

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

•   GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS:

200 INNOVATION WAY

AKRON, OHIO 44316-0001

 

•   MEDIA WEBSITE:

WWW.GOODYEARNEWSROOM.COM

 

•   MEDIA CONTACT:

ED MARKEY

330.796.8801

EMARKEY@GOODYEAR.COM

 

•   ANALYST CONTACT:

NICHOLAS MITCHELL

330.796.5512

NICHOLAS_MITCHELL@GOODYEAR.COM

  

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

GOODYEAR ANNOUNCES OFFERING OF SENIOR NOTES IN CONNECTION WITH PLANNED COOPER TIRE ACQUISITION

 

AKRON, Ohio, May 13, 2021 – The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today announced that it has commenced a private offering to eligible purchasers of $1.45 billion aggregate principal amount of 8- and 10-year senior notes. The notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the company. Issuance and sale of the notes is subject to market and other customary closing conditions.

 

Goodyear intends to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with cash on hand and borrowings under its revolving credit facility, to fund the cash portion of the consideration for the acquisition of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and to pay fees and expenses in connection with such acquisition and the other transactions related thereto.

 

The notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state laws. Goodyear plans to offer and issue the notes only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A and to persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S, in each case under the Securities Act.

 

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the notes or any other securities and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

 

1    LOGO


Certain information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There are a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, that affect our operations, performance, business strategy and results and could cause our actual results and experience to differ materially from the assumptions, expectations and objectives expressed in any forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: the impact on us of the COVID-19 pandemic; our success in completing our pending acquisition of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and our ability to achieve the expected benefits of such acquisition; our ability to pay or refinance our debts or take other actions as a result of incurring significant additional indebtedness in connection with the acquisition; our ability to implement successfully our strategic initiatives; actions and initiatives taken by both current and potential competitors; deteriorating economic conditions or an inability to access capital markets; increases in the prices paid for raw materials and energy; a labor strike, work stoppage or other similar event; foreign currency translation and transaction risks; work stoppages, financial difficulties or supply disruptions at our suppliers or customers; the adequacy of our capital expenditures; our failure to comply with a material covenant in our debt obligations; potential adverse consequences of litigation involving the company; as well as the effects of more general factors such as changes in general market, economic or political conditions or in legislation, regulation or public policy. Additional factors are discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our estimates only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change.

 

2    LOGO

Exhibit 99.2

 

LOGO

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

•   GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS:

200 INNOVATION WAY

AKRON, OHIO 44316-0001

 

•   MEDIA WEBSITE:

WWW.GOODYEARNEWSROOM.COM

 

•   MEDIA CONTACT:

ED MARKEY

330.796.8801

EMARKEY@GOODYEAR.COM

 

•   ANALYST CONTACT:

NICHOLAS MITCHELL

330.796.5512

NICHOLAS_MITCHELL@GOODYEAR.COM

  

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

GOODYEAR ANNOUNCES PRICING OF $1.45 BILLION OF SENIOR NOTES IN CONNECTION WITH PLANNED COOPER TIRE ACQUISITION

 

AKRON, Ohio, May 14, 2021 – The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today announced that it has priced its private offering to eligible purchasers of $850 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2029 (the “2029 notes”) and $600 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2031 (the “2031 notes,” and together with the 2029 notes, the “notes”). The notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the company.

 

The 2029 notes will be offered to eligible purchasers at a price of 100% of their principal amount and will bear interest at a rate of 5.000% per annum. The 2031 notes will be offered to eligible purchasers at a price of 100% of their principal amount and will bear interest at a rate of 5.250% per annum. Goodyear expects the offering to close on May 18, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

 

Goodyear intends to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with cash on hand and borrowings under its revolving credit facility, to fund the cash portion of the consideration for the acquisition of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and to pay fees and expenses in connection with the acquisition and other transactions related thereto.

 

The notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state laws. Goodyear plans to offer and issue the notes only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A and to persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S, in each case under the Securities Act.

 

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the notes or any other securities and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

 

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Certain information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There are a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, that affect our operations, performance, business strategy and results and could cause our actual results and experience to differ materially from the assumptions, expectations and objectives expressed in any forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: the impact on us of the COVID-19 pandemic; our success in completing our pending acquisition of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and our ability to achieve the expected benefits of such acquisition; our ability to pay or refinance our debts or take other actions as a result of incurring significant additional indebtedness in connection with the acquisition; our ability to implement successfully our strategic initiatives; actions and initiatives taken by both current and potential competitors; deteriorating economic conditions or an inability to access capital markets; increases in the prices paid for raw materials and energy; a labor strike, work stoppage or other similar event; foreign currency translation and transaction risks; work stoppages, financial difficulties or supply disruptions at our suppliers or customers; the adequacy of our capital expenditures; our failure to comply with a material covenant in our debt obligations; potential adverse consequences of litigation involving the company; as well as the effects of more general factors such as changes in general market, economic or political conditions or in legislation, regulation or public policy. Additional factors are discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our estimates only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change.

 

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