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): July 28, 2021 (July 22, 2021)

 

 

Core & Main, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-40650   86-3149194

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1830 Craig Park Court

St. Louis, Missouri

  63146
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(314) 432-4700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(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 Class

 

Trading

Symbol

 

Name of Each Exchange

on Which Registered

Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share   CNM   New York Stock Exchange

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

Emerging growth company  ☐

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Initial Public Offering

On July 27, 2021, Core & Main, Inc. (the “Company”) closed its initial public offering (“IPO”) of 34,883,721 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), at an offering price of $20.00 per share, pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-256382) (the “Registration Statement”). On July 26, 2021, the Company filed a Prospectus, dated July 22, 2021 (the “Prospectus”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

In connection with the IPO, the Company entered into the following agreements, forms of which were previously filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement:

 

   

the Master Reorganization Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among, the Company, CD&R Associates X Waterworks, L.P., CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., CD&R WW Holdings, L.P., CD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P., Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC, Core & Main GP, LLC, CD&R Plumb Buyer, LLC, Core & Main Holdings, LP (“Holdings”), CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P., CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P., CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., CD&R WW Holdings, LLC, CD&R WW, LLC, CD&R WW Advisor, LLC, Brooks Merger Sub 1, Inc., Brooks Merger Sub 2, Inc. and CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC (the “Master Reorganization Agreement”), a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 hereto and incorporated by reference herein;

 

   

the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Core & Main Holdings, LP, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among the Company, CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, CD&R WW, LLC and Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated by reference herein;

 

   

the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2021, by and among the Company, CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P. and CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P., a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 hereto and incorporated by reference herein;

 

   

the Stockholders Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among the Company, CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P. and CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P., a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 hereto and incorporated by reference herein;

 

   

the Former Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among the Company, Holdings, CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P. and CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P., a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.6 hereto and incorporated by reference herein;

 

   

the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among the Company, Holdings, CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC and Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.7 hereto and incorporated by reference herein; and

 

   

the Exchange Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among the Company, Holdings, CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, and Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.8 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.


The terms of these agreements are substantially the same as the terms set forth in the forms of such agreements filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement as described therein. Certain parties to certain of these agreements have various relationships with the Company. For further information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” in the Prospectus.

Term Loan Credit Agreement Amendment

On August 1, 2017, Core & Main LP (“Core & Main”) entered into a Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”), by and among Core & Main, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Term Loan Agent”), and the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto, which provided for a senior secured term loan credit facility (the “Existing Term Loan Facility”) in an original aggregate principal amount of $1,075.0 million. On July 8, 2019, Core & Main amended the Term Loan Credit Agreement in order to, among other things, increase the aggregate principal amount of the Existing Term Loan Facility by $225.0 million. On July 27, 2021, Core & Main entered into a First Amendment (the “First Amendment”), by and among Core & Main, the several banks and other financial institutions party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, which amended the Term Loan Credit Agreement in order to, among other things, enter into a new $1,500.0 million seven-year term loan facility (the “New Term Loan Facility”). As described further in the Prospectus, proceeds of the New Term Loan Facility were used to, among other things, (a) redeem the Senior Notes (as defined below) and the PIK Toggle Notes (as defined below), plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, at the applicable redemption price, as discussed below under Item1.02, (b) prepay the approximately $1,257.8 million outstanding under the Existing Term Loan Facility as of May 2, 2021, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and (c) pay related fees, premiums and expenses. The New Term Loan Facility amortizes in nominal quarterly installments equal to 0.25% of the aggregate initial principal amount thereof per annum, with the remaining balance payable upon final maturity of the New Term Loan Facility on July 27, 2028.

The New Term Loan Facility bears annual interest at a floating rate measured by reference to, at Core & Main’s option, either (i) an adjusted London inter-bank offered rate, or “LIBOR,” (subject to a floor of 0.00%) plus an applicable margin of 2.50% per annum or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin of 1.50% per annum.

The New Term Loan Facility may be prepaid at Core & Main’s option at any time, subject to minimum principal amount requirements. Prepayments of the New Term Loan Facility in connection with a repricing transaction (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) prior to January 27, 2022 are subject to a 1.00% prepayment premium. Prepayments may otherwise be made without premium or penalty (other than customary breakage costs).

Subject to certain exceptions, the New Term Loan Facility is subject to mandatory prepayment in an amount equal to:

 

   

100% of the net cash proceeds of (1) certain asset sales and (2) certain insurance recovery and condemnation events, subject to reduction to 50% and 0% if a specified secured leverage ratio target is met, and to the extent that the amount of such net cash proceeds exceeds the greater of $80,000,000 and 5.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement);

 

   

the net cash proceeds of certain debt offerings; and

 

   

50% of annual excess cash flow (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement), subject to reduction to 0% if a specified secured leverage ratio target is met, and to the extent that the amount of such percentage of excess cash flow exceeds $20.0 million.


The Term Loan Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and customary affirmative and negative covenants. The negative covenants, among other things, limit or restrict the ability of Core & Main and its subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness; make dividends and other restricted payments; incur additional liens; consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all assets; make investments; transfer or sell assets; enter into restrictive agreements; change the nature of the business; and enter into certain transactions with affiliates.

Subject to certain conditions, without the consent of the then existing lenders (but subject to the receipt of commitments), the New Term Loan Facility may be expanded (or a new term loan facility, revolving credit facility or letter of credit facility added) by up to (i) the greater of (x) $400.0 million and (y) an amount equal to consolidated EBITDA for the four most recently ended fiscal quarters for which financial statements of Core & Main are available plus (ii) an unlimited amount either (x) as will not cause the consolidated secured leverage ratio after giving effect to the incurrence of such additional amount and any use of proceeds thereof to exceed 3.75 to 1.00 or (y) if incurred in connection with an acquisition or other investment permitted under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, the pro forma consolidated secured leverage ratio after giving effect to such incurrence and acquisition or investment does not exceed the consolidated secured leverage ratio in effect prior to such transactions. Amounts available pursuant to clause (ii) of the preceding sentence may be utilized prior to amounts under clause (i).

The obligations under the Term Loan Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Core & Main Midco, LLC and Core & Main Intermediate GP, LLC, and will be guaranteed by each direct and indirect future wholly-owned U.S. restricted subsidiary of Core & Main (if any), other than special purpose entities, subsidiaries of foreign subsidiaries, immaterial subsidiaries, unrestricted subsidiaries and certain other exceptions.

All obligations of Core & Main and each guarantor are secured by:

 

   

a perfected security interest in substantially all tangible and intangible assets of Core & Main and each subsidiary guarantor (other than ABL Priority Collateral (as defined below)), including the capital stock of each direct material U.S. subsidiary of Core & Main and each subsidiary guarantor, and the capital stock of Core & Main, and 65% of each series of capital stock of any non-U.S. subsidiary held directly by Core & Main or any subsidiary guarantor, and subject to certain customary exceptions (the “Term Loan Priority Collateral”), which security interest is senior to the security interest in the foregoing assets securing the ABL Facility (as defined below); and

 

   

a perfected security interest in the ABL Priority Collateral, which security interest is junior to the security interest in the ABL Priority Collateral securing the ABL Facility.

The terms of the First Amendment are substantially the same as the terms set forth in the forms of such agreement filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement as described therein. A copy of the First Amendment is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.9 and incorporated herein by reference.


ABL Credit Agreement Amendment

On August 1, 2017, Core & Main entered into an ABL Credit Agreement (the “ABL Credit Agreement”), by and among Core & Main, the subsidiary borrowers from time to time party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “ABL Agent”), and the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto, which provided for an asset-based revolving credit facility of up to $500.0 million (the “ABL Facility”). On July 8, 2019, Core & Main entered into Amendment No. 1 to the ABL Credit Agreement, by and among Core & Main, the several banks and other financial institutions party thereto and the ABL Agent, which amended the ABL Credit Agreement in order to, among other things, increase the aggregate commitments under the ABL Facility by $200.0 million to $700.0 million overall. On July 27, 2021, Core & Main entered into Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement (“Amendment No. 3”), by and among Core & Main, the several banks and other financial institutions party thereto and the ABL Agent, which amended the ABL Credit Agreement in order to, among other things, (i) increase the aggregate commitments under the ABL Facility by $150.0 million to $850.0 million overall and (ii) extend the maturity of the ABL Facility to be for a new five-year maturity. Core & Main and, at Core & Main’s option, certain of Core & Main’s subsidiaries are the borrowers under the ABL Facility. As of July 27, 2021, there were no subsidiary borrowers under the ABL Facility. All borrowings under the ABL Facility mature on July 27, 2026. At July 27, 2021, following consummation of the IPO, there were no amounts drawn and $9.1 million of letters of credit issued under the ABL Facility.

Borrowing availability under the ABL Facility is determined by a monthly borrowing base collateral calculation that is based on specified percentages of the value of eligible inventory, eligible accounts receivable and eligible credit card receivables, less certain reserves and subject to certain other adjustments as set forth in the ABL Credit Agreement. Availability is reduced by issuance of letters of credit as well as any borrowings.

Loans outstanding under the ABL Facility bear interest at a floating rate measured by reference to, at Core & Main’s option, either (i) adjusted LIBOR (subject to a LIBOR floor of 0.00%) plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75% per annum depending on the average daily excess availability under the ABL Facility or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% per annum depending on the average daily excess availability under the ABL Facility. Additionally, unused commitments under the ABL Facility are subject to a 0.25% per annum fee.

The ABL Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and customary affirmative and negative covenants. The negative covenants, among other things, limit or restrict the ability of Core & Main and its subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness; make dividends and other restricted payments; incur additional liens; consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all assets; make investments and acquisitions; transfer or sell collateral; enter into restrictive agreements; change the nature of the business; and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. The negative covenants are subject to customary exceptions and also permit acquisitions, investments, mergers, consolidations and amalgamations, asset sales, dividends and other restricted payments, and sales of all or substantially all assets involving subsidiaries upon satisfaction of a “payment condition”. The payment condition is deemed satisfied upon 30-day specified availability and specified availability exceeding agreed upon thresholds and, in certain cases, the absence of specified events of default or known events of default and pro forma compliance with a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00 to 1.00.

Subject to certain conditions, without consent of the existing lenders (but subject to receipt of commitments), Core & Main is entitled to request additional revolving credit commitments or term loans under the ABL Facility, which will share in the borrowing base up to an amount such that the aggregate


amount of ABL commitments and term loans under the ABL Facility do not exceed the greater of (x) $1,350.0 million and (y) the aggregate borrowing base. Moreover, subject to certain conditions and the completion of certain additional documentation, the ABL Facility permits the creation of an asset-based revolving sub-facility (which, to the extent drawn, would reduce availability under the ABL Facility on a dollar-for-dollar basis) of up to $75.0 million for Canadian subsidiaries of Core & Main, which may be available to be drawn in U.S. Dollars or Canadian Dollars, and which may include a sub-facility for Canadian letters of credit up to an amount to be agreed.

The obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Core & Main Midco, LLC and Core & Main Intermediate GP, LLC, and will be guaranteed by each direct and indirect future wholly-owned U.S. restricted subsidiary of Core & Main (if any), other than special purpose entities, subsidiaries of foreign subsidiaries, immaterial subsidiaries, unrestricted subsidiaries and certain other exceptions.

All obligations of Core & Main and each guarantor are secured by:

 

   

a perfected security interest in all present and after-acquired inventory, accounts receivable, deposit accounts, securities accounts, and any cash or other assets in such accounts (and, to the extent evidencing or otherwise related to such items, all general intangibles, intercompany debt, insurance proceeds, letter of credit rights, commercial tort claims, chattel paper, instruments, supporting obligations, documents, investment property and payment intangibles) and the proceeds of any of the foregoing and all books and records relating to, or arising from, any of the foregoing, except to the extent such proceeds constitute Term Loan Priority Collateral, and subject to certain customary exceptions (the “ABL Priority Collateral”), which security interest is senior to the security interest in the foregoing assets securing the New Term Loan Facility; and

 

   

a perfected security interest in the Term Loan Priority Collateral, which security interest is junior to the security interest in the Term Loan Priority Collateral securing the New Term Loan Facility.

The ABL Credit Agreement includes a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00 to 1.00, which is tested only when specified availability is less than 10.0% of the lesser of (x) the then applicable borrowing base and (y) the then aggregate effective commitments under the ABL Facility, and continuing until such time as specified availability has been in excess of such threshold for a period of 20 consecutive calendar days.

The terms of Amendment No. 3 are substantially the same as the terms set forth in the forms of such agreement filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement as described therein. A copy of Amendment No. 3 is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.10 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1.02. Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

Consulting Agreement

In connection with the completion of the IPO, the consulting agreement, dated as of August 1, 2017, by and between Core & Main and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC (“CD&R”) was terminated pursuant to the Termination Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2021, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.4 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.


Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with the completion of the IPO, the registration rights agreement, dated as of August 1, 2017, by and among Core & Main and certain affiliates of CD&R was terminated pursuant to the Termination Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2021, by and between Core & Main, the Company and CD&R WW, LLC, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.5 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

Satisfaction and Discharge of 6.125% Senior Notes due 2025

On July 27, 2021, Core & Main issued a Notice of Full Redemption to the holders of all of its issued and outstanding 6.125% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “Senior Notes”) issued under the indenture (as amended and supplemented, the “Senior Notes Indenture”), dated as of August 1, 2017, among Core & Main (formerly known as HD Supply Waterworks, Ltd. (as successor by merger to CD&R Waterworks Merger Sub, LLC)) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), whereby Core & Main elected to redeem all $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount outstanding of the Senior Notes on August 15, 2021. The redemption date of the Senior Notes is August 15, 2021. The redemption price with respect to the Senior Notes is equal to 101.531% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued but unpaid interest thereon to but not including the redemption date (the “Senior Notes Redemption Price”). This report does not constitute a notice of redemption under the Senior Notes Indenture nor an offer to tender for, or purchase, any notes or any other security.

On July 27, 2021, Core & Main irrevocably caused to be deposited with the Trustee funds solely for the benefit of the holders of the Senior Notes in an amount sufficient to pay the Senior Notes Redemption Price and all other sums payable under the Senior Notes Indenture. The Trustee executed and delivered an acknowledgement of satisfaction and discharge, dated as of July 27, 2021, with respect to the satisfaction and discharge of the Senior Notes and the Senior Notes Indenture.

Satisfaction and Discharge of 8.625%/9.375% Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2024

On July 15, 2021, Holdings issued a Notice of Conditional Full Redemption to the holders of all of its issued and outstanding 8.625%/9.375% Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2024 (the “PIK Toggle Notes”) issued under the indenture (as amended and supplemented, the “PIK Toggle Notes Indenture”), dated as of September 16, 2019, among Holdings and the Trustee, whereby Holdings elected to redeem all $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount outstanding of the PIK Toggle Notes, subject to the completion of the IPO with sufficient net cash proceeds to redeem the PIK Toggle Notes and satisfaction of certain other conditions. The redemption date of the PIK Toggle Notes is July 27, 2021 or, if the conditions precedent are not satisfied on or about July 27, 2021, such later date (but not later than September 8, 2021) as the conditions precedent are satisfied. The redemption price with respect to the PIK Toggle Notes is equal to 102.000% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued but unpaid interest thereon to but not including the redemption date (the “PIK Toggle Notes Redemption Price”). This report does not constitute a notice of redemption under the PIK Toggle Notes Indenture nor an offer to tender for, or purchase, any notes or any other security.

On July 27, 2021, Holdings irrevocably caused to be deposited with the Trustee funds solely for the benefit of the holders of the PIK Toggle Notes in an amount sufficient to pay PIK Toggle Notes Redemption Price and all other sums payable under the PIK Toggle Notes Indenture. The Trustee executed and delivered an acknowledgement of satisfaction and discharge, dated as of July 27, 2021, with respect to the satisfaction and discharge of the PIK Toggle Notes and the PIK Toggle Notes Indenture.

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

The information contained in Item 1.01 concerning Core & Main’s direct financial obligations under the First Amendment and Amendment No. 3 is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

On July 22, 2021, pursuant to the Master Reorganization Agreement, the Company issued an aggregate of 119,950,882 shares of Class A Common Stock to the Former Limited Partners (defined and described in the Prospectus), including as a result of the Blocker Mergers (defined and described in the Prospectus), in exchange for Partnership Interests (as defined and described in the Prospectus) in Holdings, together with the retirement of a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, held by such Former Limited Partners.

The issuances of the shares of Class A Common Stock described in the foregoing paragraph were made in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering. No underwriters were involved in the above transactions.

Item 3.03. Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holdings.

The description in Item 5.03 below of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

2021 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan

Effective July 22, 2021, the Company’s board of directors adopted and approved the Company’s 2021 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan”). The terms of the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan are substantially the same as the terms set forth in the form thereof filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement as described therein. A copy of the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.11 and incorporated herein by reference.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Effective July 22, 2021, the Company adopted and approved the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). The terms of the ESPP are substantially the same as the terms set forth in the form thereof filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement as described therein. A copy of the ESPP is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.12 and incorporated herein by reference.

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

On July 22, 2021, in connection with the IPO, the Company amended and restated its certificate of incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”), and the Company’s amended and restated by-laws (the “Amended and Restated By-laws”) became effective, as previously reported in the Registration Statement. The descriptions and forms of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws are substantially the same as the descriptions and forms set forth in and filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement. The Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws are filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 hereto, respectively, and incorporated by reference herein.


Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)     Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

2.1*    Master Reorganization Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among, Core  & Main, Inc., CD&R Associates X Waterworks, L.P., CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., CD&R WW Holdings, L.P., CD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P., Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC, Core  & Main GP, LLC, CD&R Plumb Buyer, LLC, Core  & Main Holdings, LP, CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P., CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P., CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., CD&R WW Holdings, LLC, CD&R WW, LLC, CD&R WW Advisor, LLC, Brooks Merger Sub 1, Inc., Brooks Merger Sub 2, Inc. and CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC.
3.1*    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Core & Main, Inc.
3.2*    Amended and Restated By-laws of Core & Main, Inc.
10.1*    Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Core & Main Holdings, LP.
10.2*    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2021, by and among Core  & Main, Inc., CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P. and CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P.
10.3*    Stockholders Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among Core  & Main, Inc., CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P., and CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P.
10.4*    Termination Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2021, by and between Core & Main LP and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC.
10.5*    Termination Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2021, by and among Core & Main LP, Core & Main, Inc. and CD&R WW, LLC.
10.6*    Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among Core & Main, Inc., Core  & Main Holdings, LP, CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P. and CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P.
10.7*    Continuing Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among Core & Main, Inc., Core  & Main Holdings, LP, CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, and Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC.
10.8*    Exchange Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021 by and among Core & Main, Inc., Core & Main Holdings, LP, CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC and Core  & Main Management Feeder, LLC.
10.9*    First Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2021, by and among Core  & Main LP, the several banks and other financial institutions party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.



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.

 

Core & Main, Inc.
By:  

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

Name:   Stephen O. LeClair
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

Date: July 28, 2021

Exhibit 2.1

EXECUTION VERSION

MASTER REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT

This MASTER REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into on this 22nd day of July 2021, by and among each of the following entities (each, a “Party,” and collectively, the “Parties”): CD&R Associates X Waterworks, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“CD&R Associates X Waterworks”), CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP”), CD&R WW Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“CD&R WW Holdings LP”), CD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“CD&R Waterworks Holdings”), CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CD&R Waterworks LLC”), Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“C&M Management Feeder”), Core & Main GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“C&M GP”), CD&R Plumb Buyer, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CD&R Plumb Buyer”), Core & Main Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“C&M Holdings”), CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1”), CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B”), CD&R WW Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CD&R WW Holdings”), CD&R WW, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CD&R WW”), CD&R WW Advisor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CD&R WW Advisor”), Brooks Merger Sub 1, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Brooks Merger Sub 1”), Brooks Merger Sub 2, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Brooks Merger Sub 2”), and Core & Main, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“PubCo”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, in connection with the proposed initial public offering of PubCo (the “IPO”), the Parties desire to effect an organizational restructuring of certain of their affiliates and direct and indirect subsidiaries (including certain affiliates and/or subsidiaries to be formed as part of such organizational restructuring) through a series of sequential transactions as more fully set forth herein (each such transaction, a “Restructuring Step” and such transactions together, the “Restructuring”);

WHEREAS, in connection with and prior to the Restructuring, the partners of C&M Holdings entered into an amended and restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of C&M Holdings (the “A&R LPA”), which provided for, among other things, the reclassification of all of C&M Holdings’ outstanding units and profits interests into limited partner interests (the “LP Interest”) and general partner interests (the “GP Interest” and together with the LP Interest, the “Reclassification”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Restructuring, CD&R Waterworks Holdings desires and intends to contribute, transfer, assign and convey all of the limited liability company interests of CD&R Plumb Buyer to CD&R Waterworks LLC (the “CD&R Waterworks LLC CD&R Waterworks Holdings Contribution”) and CD&R Waterworks LLC desires and intends to accept the CD&R Waterworks LLC CD&R Waterworks Holdings Contribution and to be admitted as a substitute member of CD&R Plumb Buyer in connection therewith;


WHEREAS, in connection with the Restructuring and following the CD&R Waterworks LLC CD&R Waterworks Holdings Contribution, CD&R Plumb Buyer desires and intends to distribute, transfer, assign and convey the LP Interests of C&M Holdings set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 3 to CD&R Waterworks LLC (the “CD&R Waterworks LLC CD&R Plumb Distribution”) and CD&R Waterworks LLC desires and intends to accept the CD&R Waterworks LLC CD&R Plumb Distribution and to be admitted as a substitute limited partner in connection therewith;

WHEREAS, immediately following the CD&R Waterworks LLC CD&R Plumb Distribution, CD&R Waterworks LLC desires and intends to distribute, transfer, assign and convey all of the limited liability company interests of CD&R Plumb Buyer to CD&R Waterworks Holdings (the “CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Waterworks LLC Distribution”) and CD&R Waterworks Holdings desires and intends to accept the CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Waterworks LLC Distribution and to be admitted as a substitute member of CD&R Plumb Buyer in connection therewith;

WHEREAS, immediately following the CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Waterworks LLC Distribution and in connection with the Restructuring, CD&R Plumb Buyer desires and intends to distribute, transfer, assign and convey the LP Interests of C&M Holdings set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 5A to CD&R Waterworks Holdings (the “CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Plumb Distribution”) and CD&R Waterworks Holdings desires and intends to accept the CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Plumb Distribution and to be admitted as a substitute limited partner in connection therewith;

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Plumb Distribution, C&M GP desires and intends to distribute, transfer, assign and convey the LP Interests of C&M Holdings set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 5A to CD&R WW Holdings LP (the “C&M GP Distribution,” together with the CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Plumb Distribution, the “Step 5A Distributions”) and CD&R WW Holdings LP desires and intends to accept the C&M GP Distribution and to be admitted as a substitute limited partner in connection therewith;

WHEREAS, immediately following the Step 5A Distributions, CD&R WW Holdings LP desires and intends to distribute, transfer, assign and convey to (i) CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP the LP Interests of C&M Holdings set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 5B (the “CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP CD&R WW Holdings LP Distribution”), (ii) CD&R Associates X Waterworks the LP Interests of C&M Holdings set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 5B (the “CD&R Associates X Waterworks CD&R WW Holdings LP Distribution”) and (iii) CD&R WW (x) the LP Interests of C&M Holdings set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 5B (the “CD&R WW CD&R WW Holdings LP Distribution” and (y) all of the equity interests of C&M GP (the “CD&R WW C&M GP Distribution” and collectively with the CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP CD&R WW Holdings LP Distribution, the CD&R Associates X Waterworks CD&R WW Holdings LP Distribution and the CD&R WW CD&R WW Holdings LP Distribution, the “Step 5B Distributions”) and each of CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, CD&R Associates X Waterworks and CD&R WW desires and intends to accept the Step 5B Distributions and to be admitted as substitute limited partners of C&M Holdings and, with respect to CD&R WW, to be admitted as a substitute member of C&M GP, in connection therewith;

 

2


WHEREAS, immediately following the Step 5A Distributions and simultaneously with the Step 5B Distributions, CD&R Waterworks Holdings desires and intends to distribute, transfer, assign and convey to (i) CD&R WW Advisor the LP Interests of C&M Holdings set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 5C (the “CD&R WW Advisor CD&R Waterworks Holdings Distribution”), (ii) CD&R WW Holdings (X) the LP Interests of C&M Holdings set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 5C (the “CD&R WW Holdings CD&R Waterworks Holdings LP Distribution”) and (Y) all of the equity of CD&R Plumb Buyer (the “CD&R WW Holdings CD&R Waterworks Holdings Plumb Distribution”), and (iii) CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP the LP Interests of C&M Holdings set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 5C (the “CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP CD&R Waterworks Holdings Distribution” and collectively with the CD&R WW Advisor CD&R Waterworks Holdings Distribution, the CD&R WW Holdings CD&R Waterworks Holdings LP Distribution and the CD&R WW Holdings CD&R Waterworks Holdings Plumb Distribution, the “Step 5C Distributions”) and each of CD&R WW Advisor, CD&R WW Holdings and CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP desires and intends to accept the Step 5C Distributions and to be admitted as substitute limited partners of C&M Holdings and, with respect to CD&R WW Holdings, to be admitted as a substitute member of CD&R Plumb Buyer, in connection therewith;

WHEREAS, following the Step 5B Distributions, CD&R WW Holdings LP will be dissolved and wound up;

WHEREAS, immediately following the Step 5A Distributions, the Step 5B Distributions and the Step 5C Distributions, C&M Holdings desires and intends to distribute, transfer, assign and convey to (i) C&M Management Feeder the shares of Class B common stock of PubCo (“Class B Shares of PubCo”) set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 7(a) (the “C&M Management Feeder C&M Holdings Distribution”), (ii) CD&R Waterworks LLC the Class B Shares of PubCo set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 7(a) (the “CD&R Waterworks LLC C&M Holdings Distribution”), (iii) CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP the Class B Shares of PubCo set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 7(a) (the “CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP C&M Holdings Distribution”), (iv) CD&R WW Advisor the Class B Shares of PubCo set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 7(a) (the “CD&R WW Advisor C&M Holdings Distribution”), (v) CD&R WW Holdings the Class B Shares of PubCo set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 7(a) (the “CD&R WW Holdings C&M Holdings Distribution”) and (vi) CD&R Associates X Waterworks the Class B Shares of PubCo set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 7(a) (the “CD&R Associates X Waterworks C&M Holdings Distribution,” and collectively with the C&M Management Feeder C&M Holdings Distribution, the CD&R Waterworks LLC C&M Holdings Distribution, the CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP C&M Holdings Distribution, the CD&R WW Advisor C&M Holdings Distribution and the CD&R WW Holdings C&M Holdings Distribution, the “Step 7(a) Distributions”) and each of C&M Management Feeder, CD&R Waterworks LLC, CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, CD&R WW Advisor, CD&R WW Holdings and CD&R Associates X Waterworks desires and intends to accept the Step 7(a) Distributions;

WHEREAS, immediately following the Step 7(a) Distributions, (i) CD&R Waterworks LLC desires and intends to contribute, transfer, assign and convey the LP Interests of C&M Holdings and to transfer and surrender the Class B Shares of PubCo set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 7(b)(i) to PubCo (the “CD&R Waterworks LLC Step 7(b)(i) Contribution”) in exchange for an amount of newly issued shares of Class A common stock of PubCo (“Class A Shares of PubCo”) set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 7(b)(i) hereto (such shares, the “CD&R Waterworks LLC Step 7(b)(i) PubCo Subscription Shares”) and (ii) C&M Management Feeder desires and intends to contribute, transfer, assign and convey the LP Interests of

 

3


C&M Holdings and to transfer and surrender the Class B Shares of PubCo set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 7(b)(i) to PubCo (the “Feeder Step 7(b)(i) Contribution” and together with the CD&R Waterworks LLC Step 7(b)(i) Contribution, the “Step 7(b)(i) Contributions”) in exchange for an amount of newly issued Class A Shares of PubCo set forth opposite such entity’s names on Schedule 7(b)(i) hereto (such shares, the “Feeder Step 7(b)(i) PubCo Subscription Shares” and together with the CD&R Waterworks LLC Step 7(b)(i) PubCo Subscription Shares, the “Step 7(b)(i) PubCo Subscription Shares”), and PubCo desires to accept the Step 7(b)(i) Contributions and to be admitted a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith and issue, sell and deliver the Step 7(b)(i) PubCo Subscription Shares to CD&R Waterworks LLC and C&M Management Feeder in the number with respect to CD&R Waterworks LLC and C&M Management Feeder set forth opposite each such entity’s name on Schedule 7(b)(i) attached hereto (the “Step 7(b)(i) PubCo Subscription,” and together with the Step 7(b)(i) Contributions, the “Step 7(b)(i) Contribution and Subscription”);

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the Step 7(b)(i) Contribution and Subscription, CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP desires and intends to contribute, transfer, assign and convey the LP Interests of C&M Holdings and to transfer and surrender the Class B Shares of PubCo set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 7(b)(ii) to PubCo (the “Step 7(b)(ii) Contribution”) in exchange for an amount of newly issued Class A Shares of PubCo set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 7(b)(ii) hereto (such shares, the “Step 7(b)(ii) PubCo Subscription Shares”), and PubCo desires and intends to accept the Step 7(b)(ii) Contribution and to be admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith and issue, sell and deliver the Step 7(b)(ii) PubCo Subscription Shares to CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP in the number with respect to CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 7(b)(ii) attached hereto (the “Step 7(b)(ii) PubCo Subscription,” and together with the Step 7(b)(ii) Contribution, the “Step 7(b)(ii) Contribution and Subscription”);

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the Step 7(b)(i) Contribution and Subscription and the Step 7(b)(ii) Contribution and Subscription, CD&R Associates X Waterworks desires and intends to contribute, transfer, assign and convey the LP Interests of C&M Holdings and to transfer and surrender the Class B Shares of PubCo set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 7(b)(iii) to PubCo (the “Step 7(b)(iii) Contribution”) in exchange for an amount of newly issued Class A Shares of PubCo set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 7(b)(iii) hereto (such shares, the “Step 7(b)(iii) PubCo Subscription Shares”), and PubCo desires and intends to accept the Step 7(b)(iii) Contribution and to be admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith and issue, sell and deliver the Step 7(b)(iii) PubCo Subscription Shares to CD&R Associates X Waterworks in the number with respect to CD&R Associates X Waterworks set forth opposite such entity’s name on Schedule 7(b)(iii) attached hereto (the “Step 7(b)(iii) PubCo Subscription,” and together with the Step 7(b)(iii) Contribution, the “Step 7(b)(iii) Contribution and Subscription,” and collectively with the Step 5A Distributions, the Step 5B Distributions, the Step 5C Distributions, the Step 7(a) Distributions, the Step 7(b)(i) Contribution and Subscription, the Step 7(b)(ii) Contribution and Subscription and the Step 7(b)(iii) Contribution and Subscription, the “Distributions, Contributions and Subscriptions”);

 

4


WHEREAS, immediately following the Distributions, Contributions and Subscriptions, CD&R Plumb Buyer will be merged with and into CD&R WW Holdings in accordance with the DLLCA (as defined herein) and this Agreement (the “Step 9(a)(i) Merger”) with CD&R WW Holdings being the surviving company in the Step 9(a)(i) Merger, and, in connection therewith, CD&R WW Holdings will be admitted as a substitute general partner of C&M Holdings;

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the Step 9(a)(i) Merger, C&M GP will be merged with and into CD&R WW in accordance with the DLLCA and this Agreement (the “Step 9(a)(ii) Merger”) with CD&R WW being the surviving company in the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger;

WHEREAS, immediately following the Step 9(a)(i) Merger and the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger, Brooks Merger Sub 1 will be merged with and into CD&R WW Advisor in accordance with the DGCL (as defined herein) and DLLCA, as applicable, and this Agreement (the “Step 10(a)(i) Merger”) with CD&R WW Advisor being the surviving company in the Step 10(a)(i) Merger, and in consideration thereof, the former equity holders of CD&R WW Advisor will receive Class A Shares of PubCo subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions hereof;

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the Step 10(a)(i) Merger, Brooks Merger Sub 2 will be merged with and into CD&R WW Holdings in accordance with the DGCL and DLLCA, as applicable, and this Agreement (the “Step 10(a)(ii) Merger”) with CD&R WW Holdings being the surviving company in the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger, and in consideration thereof, the former equity holders of CD&R WW Holdings will receive Class A Shares of PubCo subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions hereof;

WHEREAS, immediately following the Step 10(a)(i) Merger and the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger, (i) PubCo, C&M Holdings and each Partnership Interest Holder (as defined in the Continuing LP TRA (as defined below)) will enter into a Tax Receivable Agreement (the “Continuing LP TRA”) and (ii) PubCo, C&M Holdings and each Exchanged Owner (as defined in the Former LP TRA (as defined below)) will enter into a Tax Receivable Agreement (the “Former LP TRA”);

WHEREAS, immediately following the Step 10(a)(i) Merger and the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger, CD&R WW Advisor will be merged with and into PubCo in accordance with the DGCL and DLLCA, as applicable, and this Agreement (the “Step 11(a)(i) Merger”) with PubCo being the surviving company in the Step 11(a)(i) Merger, and PubCo will be admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith;

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the Step 11(a)(i) Merger, CD&R WW Holdings will be merged with and into PubCo in accordance with the DGCL and DLLCA, as applicable, and this Agreement (the “Step 11(a)(ii) Merger,” and collectively with the Step 9(a)(i) Merger, the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger, the Step 10(a)(i) Merger, the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger and the Step 11(a)(i) Merger, the “Mergers”) with PubCo being the surviving company in the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger, and PubCo will be admitted as a substitute limited partner and a substitute general partner of C&M Holdings and a substitute member of CD&R WW in connection therewith;

WHEREAS, immediately following the Mergers, CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP desires and intends to contribute, transfer, assign and convey the Class A Shares of PubCo set forth on Schedule 12(i) to (i) CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 (the “CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP Contribution”) and CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 intends to accept the CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP

 

5


Contribution and (ii) CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B (the “CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP Contribution” and together with the CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP Contribution, the “Step 12(i) Contributions”) and CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B intends to accept the CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP Contribution;

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the Step 12(i) Contributions, CD&R Associates X Waterworks desires and intends to contribute, transfer, assign and convey the Class A Shares of PubCo set forth on Schedule 12(ii) to (i) CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 (the “CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 CD&R Associates X Waterworks Contribution”) in exchange for a newly issued limited partner interest in CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 and intends to be admitted as a limited partner of CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 in connection therewith and CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 intends to accept the CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 CD&R Associates X Waterworks Contribution and (ii) CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B (the “CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B CD&R Associates X Waterworks Contribution” and together with the CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 CD&R Associates X Waterworks Contribution, the “Step 12(ii) Contributions”) in exchange for a newly issued limited partner interest of CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B and intends to be admitted as a limited partner of CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B in connection therewith and CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B intends to accept the CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B CD&R Associates X Waterworks Contribution;

WHEREAS, (i) the general partner of CD&R Waterworks Holdings has approved the CD&R Waterworks LLC CD&R Waterworks Holdings Contribution, (ii) the manager of CD&R Plumb Buyer has approved the CD&R Waterworks LLC CD&R Plumb Distribution, the CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Plumb Distribution and the Step 9(a)(i) Merger; (iii) the manager of CD&R Waterworks LLC has approved the CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Waterworks LLC Distribution, (iv) the manager of C&M GP has approved the C&M GP Distribution and the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger, (v) the general partner of CD&R WW Holdings LP has approved the Step 5B Distributions, (vi) the general partner of CD&R Waterworks Holdings has approved the Step 5C Distributions, (vii) the general partners of C&M Holdings have approved the Step 7(a) Distributions, (viii) the manager of CD&R Waterworks LLC has approved the Step 7(b)(i) Contribution and Subscription, (ix) the manager of C&M Management Feeder has approved the Step 7(b)(i) Contribution and Subscription, (x) the board of directors of CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP has approved the Step 7(b)(ii) Contribution and Subscription and the Step 12(i) Contributions, (xi) the general partner of CD&R Associates X Waterworks has approved the Step 7(b)(iii) Contribution and Subscription and the Step 12(ii) Contributions, (xii) the general partner of CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 has approved the CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP Contribution and the CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 CD&R Associates X Waterworks Contribution; (xiii) the general partner of CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B has approved the CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP Contribution and the CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B CD&R Associates X Waterworks Contribution; (xiv) the board of directors of PubCo has authorized each of the issuances of Class A Shares of PubCo set forth in this Agreement; (xv) the manager of CD&R WW has approved the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger; (xvi) the manager of CD&R WW Advisor has approved the Step 10(a)(i) Merger and the Step 11(a)(i) Merger; (xvi) the board of directors of Brooks Merger Sub 1 has authorized, subject to receipt of stockholder approval thereof, the Step 10(a)(i) Merger; (xvii) the manager of CD&R WW Holdings has approved the Step 9(a)(i), the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger and the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger; (xviii) the board of directors of Brooks Merger Sub 2 has authorized, subject to the receipt of stockholder approval thereof, the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger; (xix) the board of directors of PubCo has authorized, subject to the receipt of stockholder approval thereof, the Step 11(a)(i) Merger and (xx) the board of directors of PubCo has authorized, subject to the receipt of stockholder approval thereof, the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger;

 

6


WHEREAS, this Agreement shall constitute an “agreement of merger” with respect to the Mergers for all purposes of the DLLCA and the DGCL, as applicable;

WHEREAS, to the extent a Party is making any distribution pursuant to this Agreement, such distribution is in compliance with all applicable laws (including, without limitation, Section 18-607 of the DLLCA and Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (6 Del. C. § 17-101 et seq.)); and

WHEREAS, the Parties intend for the Restructuring to be completed as of the date hereof (except as otherwise provided herein).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants made herein and of the mutual benefits to be derived herefrom, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.

CD&R Waterworks LLC CD&R Waterworks Holdings Contribution. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  1.1.

CD&R Waterworks Holdings hereby makes the CD&R Waterworks LLC CD&R Waterworks Holdings Contribution to CD&R Waterworks LLC.

 

  1.2.

Simultaneously with the CD&R Waterworks LLC CD&R Waterworks Holdings Contribution, CD&R Waterworks LLC hereby accepts the CD&R Waterworks LLC CD&R Waterworks Holdings Contribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute member of CD&R Plumb Buyer in connection therewith.

 

  1.3.

Immediately following the admission of CD&R Waterworks LLC as a substitute member of CD&R Plumb Buyer pursuant to Section 1.2 above, CD&R Waterworks Holdings hereby ceases to be a member of CD&R Plumb Buyer with respect to the membership interests in CD&R Plumb Buyer so transferred, and CD&R Plumb Buyer is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

2.

CD&R Waterworks LLC CD&R Plumb Distribution. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  2.1.

CD&R Plumb Buyer hereby makes the CD&R Waterworks LLC CD&R Plumb Distribution to CD&R Waterworks LLC.

 

  2.2.

Simultaneously with the CD&R Waterworks LLC CD&R Plumb Distribution, CD&R Waterworks LLC hereby accepts the CD&R Waterworks LLC CD&R Plumb Distribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith.

 

  2.3.

Immediately following the admission of CD&R Waterworks LLC as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings pursuant to Section 2.2 above, CD&R Plumb Buyer hereby ceases to be a limited partner of C&M Holdings with respect to the partnership interests in C&M Holdings so transferred, and C&M Holdings is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

7


3.

CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Waterworks LLC Distribution. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  3.1.

CD&R Waterworks LLC hereby makes the CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Waterworks LLC Distribution to CD&R Waterworks Holdings.

 

  3.2.

Simultaneously with the CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Waterworks LLC Distribution, CD&R Waterworks Holdings hereby accepts the CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Waterworks LLC Distribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute member of CD&R Plumb Buyer in connection therewith.

 

  3.3.

Immediately following the admission of CD&R Waterworks Holdings as a substitute member of CD&R Plumb Buyer pursuant to Section 3.2 above, CD&R Waterworks LLC hereby ceases to be a member of CD&R Plumb Buyer with respect to the membership interests in CD&R Plumb Buyer so transferred, and CD&R Plumb Buyer is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

4.

CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Plumb Distribution. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  4.1.

CD&R Plumb Buyer hereby makes the CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Plumb Distribution to CD&R Waterworks Holdings.

 

  4.2.

Simultaneously with the CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Plumb Distribution, CD&R Waterworks Holdings hereby accepts the CD&R Waterworks Holdings CD&R Plumb Distribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith.

 

  4.3.

Immediately following the admission of CD&R Waterworks Holdings as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings pursuant to Section 4.2 above, CD&R Plumb Buyer hereby ceases to be a limited partner of C&M Holdings with respect to the partnership interests in C&M Holdings so transferred, and C&M Holdings is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

5.

C&M GP Distribution. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  5.1.

C&M GP hereby makes the C&M GP Distribution to CD&R WW Holdings LP.

 

  5.2.

Simultaneously with the C&M GP Distribution, CD&R WW Holdings LP hereby accepts the C&M GP Distribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith.

 

  5.3.

Immediately following the admission of CD&R WW Holdings LP as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings pursuant to Section 5.2 above, C&M GP hereby ceases to be a limited partner of C&M Holdings with respect to the partnership interests in C&M Holdings so transferred, and C&M Holdings is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

8


6.

Step 5B Distributions. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  6.1.

CD&R WW Holdings LP hereby makes the CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP CD&R WW Holdings LP Distribution to CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP.

 

  6.2.

Simultaneously with the CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP CD&R WW Holdings LP Distribution, CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP hereby accepts the CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP CD&R WW Holdings LP Distribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith. Immediately following the admission of CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings, CD&R WW Holdings LP hereby ceases to be a limited partner of C&M Holdings with respect to the partnership interests so transferred.

 

  6.3.

CD&R WW Holdings LP hereby makes the CD&R Associates X Waterworks CD&R WW Holdings LP Distribution to CD&R Associates X Waterworks.

 

  6.4.

Simultaneously with the CD&R Associates X Waterworks CD&R WW Holdings LP Distribution, CD&R Associates X Waterworks hereby accepts the CD&R Associates X Waterworks CD&R WW Holdings LP Distribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith. Immediately following the admission of CD&R Associates X Waterworks as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings, CD&R WW Holdings LP hereby ceases to be a limited partner of C&M Holdings with respect to the partnership interests so transferred.

 

  6.5.

CD&R WW Holdings LP hereby makes the CD&R WW CD&R WW Holdings LP Distribution to CD&R WW.

 

  6.6.

Simultaneously with the CD&R WW CD&R WW Holdings LP Distribution, CD&R WW hereby accepts the CD&R WW CD&R WW Holdings LP Distribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith. Immediately following the admission of CD&R WW as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings, CD&R WW Holdings LP hereby ceases to be a limited partner of C&M Holdings with respect to the partnership interests so transferred, and C&M Holdings is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

  6.7.

CD&R WW Holdings LP hereby makes the CD&R WW C&M GP Distribution to CD&R WW.

 

  6.8.

Simultaneously with the CD&R WW C&M GP Distribution, CD&R WW hereby accepts the CD&R WW C&M GP Distribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute member of C&M GP in connection therewith. Immediately following the admission of CD&R WW as a substitute member of C&M GP, CD&R WW Holdings LP hereby ceases to be a member of C&M GP and C&M GP is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

9


7.

Steps 5C Distributions. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  7.1.

CD&R Waterworks Holdings hereby makes the CD&R WW Advisor CD&R Waterworks Holdings Distribution to CD&R WW Advisor.

 

  7.2.

Simultaneously with the CD&R WW Advisor CD&R Waterworks Holdings Distribution, CD&R WW Advisor hereby accepts the CD&R WW Advisor CD&R Waterworks Holdings Distribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith. Immediately following the admission of CD&R WW Advisor as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings, CD&R Waterworks Holdings hereby ceases to be a limited partner of C&M Holdings with respect to the partnership interests so transferred, and C&M Holdings is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

  7.3.

CD&R Waterworks Holdings hereby makes the CD&R WW Holdings CD&R Waterworks Holdings LP Distribution to CD&R WW Holdings.

 

  7.4.

Simultaneously with the CD&R WW Holdings CD&R Waterworks Holdings Distribution, CD&R WW Holdings hereby accepts the CD&R WW Holdings CD&R Waterworks Holdings LP Distribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith. Immediately following the admission of CD&R WW Holdings as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings, CD&R Waterworks Holdings hereby ceases to be a limited partner of C&M Holdings with respect to the partnership interests so transferred, and C&M Holdings is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

  7.5.

CD&R Waterworks Holdings hereby makes the CD&R WW Holdings CD&R Waterworks Holdings Plumb Distribution to CD&R WW Holdings.

 

  7.6.

Simultaneously with the CD&R WW Holdings CD&R Waterworks Holdings Plumb Distribution, CD&R WW Holdings hereby accepts the CD&R WW Holdings CD&R Waterworks Holdings Plumb Distribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute member of CD&R Plumb Buyer in connection therewith. Immediately following the admission of CD&R WW Holdings as a substitute member of CD&R Plumb Buyer, CD&R Waterworks Holdings hereby ceases to be a member of CD&R Plumb Buyer, and CD&R Plumb Buyer is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

  7.7.

CD&R Waterworks Holdings hereby makes the CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP CD&R Waterworks Holdings Distribution to CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP.

 

  7.8.

Simultaneously with the CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP CD&R Waterworks Holdings Distribution, CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP hereby accepts the CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP CD&R Waterworks Holdings Distribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith. Immediately following the admission of CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings, CD&R Waterworks Holdings hereby ceases to be a limited partner of C&M Holdings with respect to the partnership interests so transferred, and C&M Holdings is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

10


8.

Steps 7(a) Distributions. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  8.1.

C&M Holdings hereby agrees to make the C&M Management Feeder C&M Holdings Distribution to C&M Management Feeder.

 

  8.2.

C&M Management Feeder hereby agrees to accept the C&M Management Feeder C&M Holdings Distribution.

 

  8.3.

C&M Holdings hereby agrees to make the CD&R Waterworks LLC C&M Holdings Distribution to CD&R Waterworks LLC.

 

  8.4.

CD&R Waterworks LLC hereby agrees to accept the CD&R Waterworks LLC C&M Holdings Distribution.

 

  8.5.

C&M Holdings hereby agrees to make the CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP C&M Holdings Distribution to CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP.

 

  8.6.

CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP hereby agrees to accept the CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP C&M Holdings Distribution.

 

  8.7.

C&M Holdings hereby agrees to make the CD&R WW Advisor C&M Holdings Distribution to CD&R WW Advisor.

 

  8.8.

CD&R WW Advisor hereby agrees to accept the CD&R WW Advisor C&M Holdings Distribution.

 

  8.9.

C&M Holdings hereby agrees to make the CD&R WW Holdings C&M Holdings Distribution to CD&R WW Holdings.

 

  8.10.

CD&R WW Holdings hereby agrees to accept the CD&R WW Holdings C&M Holdings Distribution.

 

  8.11.

C&M Holdings hereby agrees to make the CD&R Associates X Waterworks C&M Holdings Distribution to CD&R Associates X Waterworks.

 

  8.12.

CD&R Associates X Waterworks hereby agrees to accept the CD&R Associates X Waterworks C&M Holdings Distribution.

 

9.

CD&R Waterworks LLC Step 7(b)(i) Contribution. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  9.1.

CD&R Waterworks LLC hereby makes the CD&R Waterworks LLC Step 7(b)(i) Contribution to PubCo.

 

  9.2.

Simultaneously with the CD&R Waterworks LLC Step 7(b)(i) Contribution, PubCo hereby accepts the CD&R Waterworks LLC
Step 7(b)(i) Contribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith.

 

11


  9.3.

Immediately following the admission of PubCo as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings pursuant to Section 9.2 above, CD&R Waterworks LLC hereby ceases to be a limited partner of C&M Holdings with respect to the partnership interests so transferred, and C&M Holdings is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

10.

Feeder Step 7(b)(i) Contribution. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  10.1.

C&M Management Feeder hereby makes the Feeder Step 7(b)(i) Contribution to PubCo.

 

  10.2.

Simultaneously with the Feeder Step 7(b)(i) Contribution, PubCo hereby accepts the Feeder Step 7(b)(i) Contribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith.

 

  10.3.

Immediately following the admission of PubCo as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings pursuant to Section 10.2 above, C&M Management Feeder hereby ceases to be a limited partner of C&M Holdings with respect to the partnership interests so transferred, and C&M Holdings is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

11.

Step 7(b)(i) PubCo Subscription. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  11.1.

PubCo hereby agrees to make the Step 7(b)(i) PubCo Subscription to CD&R Waterworks LLC and C&M Management Feeder in the number with respect to CD&R Waterworks LLC and C&M Management Feeder set forth opposite each such entity’s name on
Schedule 7(b)(i) attached hereto.

 

  11.2.

CD&R Waterworks LLC hereby agrees to accept the Step 7(b)(i) PubCo Subscription.

 

  11.3.

C&M Management Feeder hereby agrees to accept the Step 7(b)(i) PubCo Subscription.

 

12.

Step 7(b)(ii) Contribution. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  12.1.

CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP hereby makes the Step 7(b)(ii) Contribution to PubCo.

 

  12.2.

Simultaneously with the Step 7(b)(ii) Contribution, PubCo hereby accepts the Step 7(b)(ii) Contribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith.

 

  12.3.

Immediately following the admission of PubCo as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings pursuant to Section 12.2 above, CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP hereby ceases to be a limited partner of C&M Holdings with respect to the partnership interests so transferred, and C&M Holdings is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

12


13.

Step 7(b)(ii) PubCo Subscription. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  13.1.

PubCo hereby agrees to make the Step 7(b)(ii) PubCo Subscription to CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP.

 

  13.2.

CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP hereby agrees to accept the Step 7(b)(ii) PubCo Subscription.

 

14.

Step 7(b)(iii) Contribution. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  14.1.

CD&R Associates X Waterworks hereby makes the Step 7(b)(iii) Contribution to PubCo.

 

  14.2.

Simultaneously with the Step 7(b)(iii) Contribution, PubCo hereby accepts the Step 7(b)(iii) Contribution and is hereby admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith.

 

  14.3.

Immediately following the admission of PubCo as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings pursuant to Section 14.2 above, CD&R Associates X Waterworks hereby ceases to be a limited partner of C&M Holdings with respect to the partnership interests so transferred, and C&M Holdings is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

15.

Step 7(b)(iii) Subscription. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  15.1.

PubCo hereby agrees to make the Step 7(b)(iii) PubCo Subscription to CD&R Associates X Waterworks.

 

  15.2.

CD&R Associates X Waterworks hereby agrees to accept the Step 7(b)(iii) PubCo Subscription.

 

16.

Step 9(a)(i) Merger.

 

  16.1.

In accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del. C. § 18-101 et seq.), as amended from time to time (the “DLLCA”), immediately following the Distributions, Contributions and Subscriptions, CD&R Plumb Buyer shall be merged with and into the CD&R WW Holdings. From and after the Step 9(a)(i) Merger Effective Time (as defined below), the separate existence of CD&R Plumb Buyer shall cease and CD&R WW Holdings shall be the surviving company (the “Step 9(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company”) and shall continue its limited liability company existence under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

  16.2.

The name of the Step 9(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company shall be CD&R WW Holdings, LLC. The Step 9(a)(i) Merger shall have the effect set forth in Section 18-209 of the DLLCA and the Step 9(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company shall possess all the rights, privileges and powers of CD&R Plumb Buyer, and shall by operation of law become liable for all the debts, liabilities and duties of CD&R Plumb Buyer to the same extent as if said debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by CD&R WW Holdings, as provided in the DLLCA.

 

13


  16.3.

The Step 9(a)(i) Merger shall become effective at the time designated in a certificate of merger filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the DLLCA (the “Step 9(a)(i) Merger Effective Time”).

 

  16.4.

Step 9(a)(i) Merger Effect on Capital Stock and Interests. At the Step 9(a)(i) Merger Effective Time:

 

  16.4.1.

All of the limited liability company interests of CD&R Plumb Buyer outstanding immediately prior to the Step 9(a)(i) Merger Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Step 9(a)(i) Merger and without any action on the part of any Party, be cancelled.

 

  16.4.2.

Each limited liability company interest of CD&R WW Holdings outstanding immediately prior to the Step 9(a)(i) Merger Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Step 9(a)(i) Merger and without any action on the part of CD&R WW Holdings or any other person or entity, remain outstanding as the limited liability company interests of the Step 9(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company, which shall constitute the only outstanding limited liability company interests of the Step 9(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company.

 

  16.4.3.

CD&R WW Holdings shall automatically be admitted as a substitute general partner and limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith, and C&M Holdings shall be continued without dissolution.

 

17.

Step 9(a)(ii) Merger.

 

  17.1.

Simultaneously with the Step 9(a)(i) Merger and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and Section 18-209 of the DLLCA, C&M GP shall be merged with and into CD&R WW. From and after the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time (as defined below), the separate existence of C&M GP shall cease and CD&R WW shall be the surviving company (the “Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company”) and shall continue its limited liability company existence under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

  17.2.

The name of the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company shall be CD&R WW, LLC. The Step 9(a)(ii) Merger shall have the effect set forth in Section 18-209 of the DLLCA and the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company shall possess all the rights, privileges and powers of C&M GP, and shall by operation of law become liable for all the debts, liabilities and duties of C&M GP to the same extent as if said debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by CD&R WW, as provided in the DLLCA.

 

  17.3.

The Step 9(a)(ii) Merger shall become effective at the time designated in a certificate of merger filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the DLLCA (the “Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time”).

 

  17.4.

Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Effect on Capital Stock and Interests. At the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time:

 

  17.4.1.

All of the limited liability company interests of C&M GP outstanding immediately prior to the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger and without any action on the part of any Party, be cancelled.

 

14


  17.4.2.

Each limited liability company interest of CD&R WW outstanding immediately prior to the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger and without any action on the part of any other person entity, remain outstanding as the limited liability company interests of the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company, which shall constitute the only outstanding limited liability company interests of the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company.

 

  17.4.3.

CD&R WW shall automatically be admitted as a limited partner of C&M Holdings in connection therewith.

 

18.

Step 10(a)(i) Merger.

 

  18.1.

Immediately following the Step 9(a)(i) Merger and the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (as amended from time to time, the “DGCL”) and the DLLCA, as applicable, Brooks Merger Sub 1 shall be merged with and into CD&R WW Advisor. From and after the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Effective Time (as defined below), the separate existence of Brooks Merger Sub 1 shall cease and CD&R WW Advisor shall be the surviving company (the “Step 10(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company”) and shall continue its limited liability company existence under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

  18.2.

The name of the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company shall be CD&R WW Advisor, LLC. The Step 10(a)(i) Merger shall have the effects set forth in the DGCL, including Sections 259 and 264 thereof, and Section 18-209 of the DLLCA and the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company shall possess all the rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises of Brooks Merger Sub 1, and shall by operation of law become liable for all the debts, liabilities, obligations and duties of Brooks Merger Sub 1 to the same extent as if said debts, liabilities, obligations and duties had been incurred or contracted by CD&R WW Advisor, as provided in the DGCL and the DLLCA, as applicable.

 

  18.3.

The Step 10(a)(i) Merger shall become effective at the time designated in a certificate of merger filed with the Secretary of State of the State Delaware in accordance with the DGCL and the DLLCA (the “Step 10(a)(i) Merger Effective Time”).

 

  18.4.

Step 10(a)(i) Merger Effect on Capital Stock and Interests. At the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Effective Time:

 

  18.4.1.

All of the capital stock of Brooks Merger Sub 1 outstanding immediately prior to the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Step 10(a)(i) Merger and without any action on the part of Brooks Merger Sub 1 or the holder thereof, be automatically converted into all of the limited liability company interests in the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company which, as a result of the actions set forth

 

15


  in Section 18.4.2, shall constitute the only outstanding limited liability company interests of the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company. PubCo, as the former holder of capital stock of Brooks Merger Sub 1 shall, at the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Effective Time, be admitted as the manager of the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company and the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company shall be continued without dissolution.

 

  18.4.2.

Each limited liability company interest of CD&R WW Advisor outstanding immediately prior to the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Step 10(a)(i) Merger and without any action on the part of CD&R WW Advisor or the holders thereof, be automatically converted into and thereafter represent the right to receive one (1) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable Class A Share of PubCo (the “Step 10(a)(i) Merger Consideration”). As of the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Effective Time, all limited liability company interests of CD&R WW Advisor outstanding immediately prior to the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Effective Time shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist, and each holder of any such limited liability company interest shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Consideration to be paid in consideration therefor.

 

19.

Step 10(a)(ii) Merger.

 

  19.1.

Simultaneously with the Step 10(a)(i) Merger and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the DGCL and the DLLCA, as applicable, Brooks Merger Sub 2 shall be merged with and into CD&R WW Holdings. From and after the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time (as defined below), the separate existence of Brooks Merger Sub 2 shall cease and the CD&R WW Holdings shall be the surviving company (the “Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company”) and shall continue its limited liability company existence under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

  19.2.

The name of the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company shall be CD&R WW Holdings, LLC. The Step 7(a)(ii) Merger shall have the effects set forth in the DGCL, including Sections 259 and 264 thereof, and Section 18-209 of the DLLCA and the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company shall possess all the rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises of Brooks Merger Sub 2, and shall by operation of law become liable for all the debts, liabilities, obligations and duties of Brooks Merger Sub 2 to the same extent as if said debts, liabilities, obligations and duties had been incurred or contracted by CD&R WW Holdings, as provided in the DGCL and the DLLCA, as applicable.

 

  19.3.

The Step 10(a)(ii) Merger shall become effective at the time designated in a certificate of merger filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware in accordance with the DGCL and the DLLCA, as applicable (the “Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time”).

 

  19.4.

Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Effect on Capital Stock and Interests. At the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time:

 

16


  19.4.1.

All of the capital stock of Brooks Merger Sub 2 outstanding immediately prior to the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger and without any action on the part of Brooks Merger Sub 2 or the holder thereof, be automatically converted into all of the limited liability company interests in the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company which, as a result of the actions set forth in Section 19.4.2, shall constitute the only outstanding limited liability company interests of the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company. PubCo, as the former holder of capital stock of Brooks Merger Sub 2 shall, at the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time, be admitted as the manager of the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company and the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company shall be continued without dissolution.

 

  19.4.2.

Each limited liability company interest of CD&R WW Holdings outstanding immediately prior to the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger and without any action on the part of CD&R WW Holdings or the holders thereof, be automatically converted into and thereafter represent the right to receive one (1) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable Class A Share of PubCo (the “Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Consideration”). As of the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time, all limited liability company interests of CD&R WW Holdings outstanding immediately prior to the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist, and each holder of any such limited liability company interest shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Consideration to be paid in consideration therefor.

 

20.

Step 11(a)(i) Merger.

 

  20.1.

Immediately following the Step 10(a)(i) Merger and the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the DGCL and the DLLCA, as applicable, CD&R WW Advisor (the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company) shall be merged with and into PubCo. From and after the Step 11(a)(i) Merger Effective Time (as defined below), the separate existence of CD&R WW Advisor shall cease and PubCo shall be the surviving company (the “Step 11(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company”) and shall continue its corporate existence under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

  20.2.

The name of the Step 11(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company shall be Core & Main, Inc. The Step 11(a)(i) Merger shall have the effects set forth in the DGCL, including Sections 259 and 264 thereof, and Section 18-209 of the DLLCA and the Step 11(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company shall possess all the rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises of CD&R WW Advisor, and shall by operation of law become liable for all the debts, liabilities, obligations and duties of CD&R WW Advisor to the same extent as if said debts, liabilities, obligations and duties had been incurred or contracted by PubCo, as provided in the DGCL and the DLLCA, as applicable.

 

  20.3.

The Step 11(a)(i) Merger shall become effective at the time designated in a certificate of merger filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the DGCL and the DLLCA (the “Step 11(a)(i) Merger Effective Time”).

 

17


  20.4.

Step 11(a)(i) Merger Effect on Capital Stock and Interests. At the Step 11(a)(i) Merger Effective Time:

 

  20.4.1.

All of the limited liability company interests of CD&R WW Advisor outstanding immediately prior to the Step 11(a)(i) Merger Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Step 11(a)(i) Merger and without any action on the part of any Party, be cancelled.

 

  20.4.2.

Subject to Section 20.4.3 hereof, the shares of the capital stock of PubCo outstanding immediately prior to the Step 11(a)(i) Merger Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Step 11(a)(i) Merger and without any action on the part of PubCo or the holder thereof, shall remain outstanding and be the shares of common stock in the Step 11(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company.

 

  20.4.3.

All of the Class B Shares of PubCo owned by CD&R WW Advisor immediately prior to the Step 11(a)(i) Merger Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Step 11(a)(i) Merger and without any action on the part of any Party, be retired.

 

  20.4.4.

PubCo shall be admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings with respect to any partnership interests transferred to PubCo pursuant to the Step 11(a)(i) Merger, and C&M Holdings shall be continued without dissolution.

 

21.

Step 11(a)(ii) Merger.

 

  21.1.

Simultaneously with the Step 11(a)(i) Merger and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the DGCL and the DLLCA, as applicable, CD&R WW Holdings (the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company) shall be merged with and into PubCo. From and after the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time (as defined below), the separate existence of CD&R WW Holdings shall cease and PubCo shall be the surviving company (the “Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company”) and shall continue its corporate existence under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

  21.2.

The name of the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company shall be Core & Main, Inc. The Step 11(a)(ii) Merger shall have the effects set forth in the DGCL, including Sections 259 and 264 thereof and Section 18-209 of the DLLCA, and the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company shall possess all the rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises of CD&R WW Holdings, and shall by operation of law become liable for all the debts, liabilities, obligations and duties of CD&R WW Holdings to the same extent as if said debts, liabilities, obligations and duties had been incurred or contracted by PubCo, as provided in the DGCL and the DLLCA, as applicable.

 

  21.3.

The Step 11(a)(ii) Merger shall become effective at the time designated in a certificate of merger filed with the Secretary of State of the State Delaware in accordance with the DGCL and the DLLCA (the “Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time,” and together with the Step 9(a)(i) Merger Effective Time, the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time, the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Effective Time, the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time and the Step 11(a)(i) Merger Effective Time, the “Merger Effective Times”).

 

18


  21.4.

Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Effect on Capital Stock and Interests. At the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time:

 

  21.4.1.

All of the limited liability company interests of CD&R WW Holdings outstanding immediately prior to the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger and without any action on the part of any Party, be cancelled.

 

  21.4.2.

Subject to Section 21.4.3, the shares of the capital stock of PubCo outstanding immediately prior to the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger and without any action on the part of PubCo or the holder thereof, shall remain outstanding and be the shares of common stock in the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company. PubCo, as the former holder of all of the limited liability company interests of CD&R WW Holdings, at the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time, shall be admitted as the general partner of C&M Holdings and shall be admitted as a substitute limited partner of C&M Holdings with respect to any limited partner interests transferred to PubCo pursuant to the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger and shall be admitted as a substitute member of CD&R WW, and C&M Holdings and CD&R WW shall be continued without dissolution.

 

  21.4.3.

All of the Class B Shares of PubCo owned by CD&R WW Holdings immediately prior to the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger and without any action on the part of any Party, be retired.

 

22.

Step 12(i) Contributions. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  22.1.

CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP hereby agrees to make the CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP Contribution to CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1.

 

  22.2.

CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 hereby agrees to accept the CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP Contribution.

 

  22.3.

CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP hereby agrees to make the CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP Contribution to CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B.

 

  22.4.

CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B hereby agrees to accept the CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP Contribution.

 

23.

Step 12(ii) Contributions. In the order and at the time set forth in the Recitals:

 

  23.1.

CD&R Associates X Waterworks hereby agrees to make the CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 CD&R Associates X Waterworks Contribution to CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1.

 

19


  23.2.

CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 hereby agrees to accept the CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 CD&R Associates X Waterworks Contribution and hereby issues the applicable limited partner interest in CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 to CD&R Associates X Waterworks in connection therewith, and CD&R Associates X Waterworks is hereby admitted as a limited partner of CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1 in connection therewith.

 

  23.3.

CD&R Associates X Waterworks hereby agrees to make the CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B CD&R Associates X Waterworks Contribution to CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B.

 

  23.4.

CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B hereby agrees to accept the CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B CD&R Associates X Waterworks Contribution and hereby issues the applicable limited partner interest in CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B to CD&R Associates X Waterworks, and CD&R Associates X Waterworks is hereby admitted as a limited partner of CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B in connection therewith.

 

24.

Holdings LPA.

Immediately following the Step 11(a)(i) Merger Effective Time and the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time, PubCo, as the sole general partner and a limited partner of C&M Holdings, and CD&R Waterworks LLC, CD&R WW and C&M Management Feeder, as limited partners of C&M Holdings, shall enter into the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of C&M Holdings.

 

25.

Representations and Warranties of Each Party to the Mergers.

Each Party hereto hereby represents and warrants to all of the other Parties hereto as follows:

 

  25.1.

Subject to the receipt of any board and stockholder approvals required by the DGCL, as applicable, the execution, delivery and performance by such Party of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action.

 

  25.2.

Such Party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization or incorporation.

 

  25.3.

Subject to the receipt of any board and stockholder approvals required by the DGCL, as applicable, such Party has the requisite power, authority and legal right to execute and deliver this Agreement, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

26.

Tax Treatment of Certain Transactions.

It is the intention of the Parties that (i) the Step 7(b)(i) Contribution and Subscription, the Step 7(b)(ii) Contribution and Subscription and the Step 7(b)(iii) Contribution and Subscription will be treated as a contribution pursuant to Section 351 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (the “Code”) and (ii) (x) the Step 10(a)(i) Merger together with the Step 11(a)(i) Merger and (y) the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger together with the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger, will each be treated as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and this Agreement is intended to be and is adopted as a plan of reorganization with respect to each such reorganization for purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code.

 

20


27.

Certificate of Incorporation and Certificate of Formation.

 

  27.1.

The certificate of incorporation of PubCo as in effect immediately prior to the Step 11(a)(i) Merger Effective Time and the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time shall be the certificate of incorporation of the Step 11(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company and the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company until amended in accordance with applicable law.

 

  27.2.

The certificate of formation of CD&R WW Holdings as in effect immediately prior to the Step 9(a)(i) Merger Effective Time shall, at the Step 9(a)(i) Merger Effective Time, continue to be the certificate of formation of the Step 9(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company until amended in accordance with applicable law.

 

  27.3.

The certificate of formation of CD&R WW as in effect immediately prior to the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time shall, at the
Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time, continue to be the certificate of formation of the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company until amended in accordance with applicable law.

 

  27.4.

The certificate of formation of CD&R WW Advisor as in effect immediately prior to the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Effective Time shall, at the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Effective Time, be the certificate of formation of the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company until amended in accordance with applicable law.

 

  27.5.

The certificate of formation of CD&R WW Holdings as in effect immediately prior to the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time shall, at the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time, be the certificate of formation of the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company until amended in accordance with applicable law.

 

28.

Bylaws and Limited Liability Company Agreement.

 

  28.1.

The bylaws of PubCo as in effect immediately prior to the Step 11(a)(i) Merger Effective Time and the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time shall be the bylaws of the Step 11(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company and the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company, until amended in accordance with applicable law.

 

  28.2.

The limited liability company agreement of CD&R WW Holdings as in effect immediately prior to the Step 9(a)(i) Merger Effective Time shall, at the Step 9(a)(i) Merger Effective Time, continue be the limited liability company agreement of the Step 9(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company.

 

  28.3.

The limited liability company agreement of CD&R WW as in effect immediately prior to the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time shall, at the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time, continue to be the limited liability company agreement of the Step 9(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company until amended in accordance with applicable law.

 

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  28.4.

The limited liability company agreement of CD&R WW Advisor as in effect immediately prior to the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Effective Time shall, at the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Effective Time, continue be the limited liability company agreement of the Step 10(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company.

 

  28.5.

The limited liability company agreement of CD&R WW Holdings as in effect immediately prior to the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time shall, at the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Effective Time, continue to be the limited liability company agreement of the Step 10(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company until amended in accordance with applicable law.

 

29.

Directors and Officers.

From and after the applicable Effective Time, the directors of PubCo shall continue to be the directors of the Step 11(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company and the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company. From and after the applicable Effective Time, the officers of PubCo shall continue to be the officers of the Step 11(a)(i) Merger Surviving Company and the Step 11(a)(ii) Merger Surviving Company.

 

30.

Miscellaneous.

 

  30.1.

Further Assurances. Each party hereto agrees to execute and deliver such instruments and evidences of payment and give such further assurances and perform such further acts as the other may reasonably request and as may reasonably be necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

  30.2.

Governing Law. All matters relating to the interpretation, construction, validity and enforcement of this Agreement, including all claims (whether in contract or tort) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT INVOLVES AT LEAST U.S. $100,000.00 AND THAT THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO IN EXPRESS RELIANCE UPON 6 Del. C. § 2708. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES (i) TO BE SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND OF THE FEDERAL COURTS SITTING IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, AND (ii)(A) TO THE EXTENT SUCH PARTY IS NOT OTHERWISE SUBJECT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, TO APPOINT AND MAINTAIN AN AGENT IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE AS SUCH PARTY’S AGENT FOR ACCEPTANCE OF LEGAL PROCESS AND TO NOTIFY THE OTHER PARTIES OF THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF SUCH AGENT, AND (B) THAT, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SERVICE OF PROCESS MAY ALSO BE MADE ON SUCH PARTY BY

 

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  PREPAID CERTIFIED MAIL WITH A VALIDATED PROOF OF MAILING RECEIPT CONSTITUTING EVIDENCE OF VALID SERVICE, AND THAT SERVICE MADE PURSUANT TO (ii)(A) OR (B) ABOVE SHALL, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, HAVE THE SAME LEGAL FORCE AND EFFECT AS IF SERVED UPON SUCH PARTY PERSONALLY WITHIN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

 

  30.3.

Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.

 

  30.4.

Further Assurances. Each party hereto agrees to execute and deliver such instruments and evidences of payment and give such further assurances and perform such further acts as the other may reasonably request and as may reasonably be necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

  30.5.

Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

CD&R ASSOCIATES X WATERWORKS, L.P.
By: CD&R Investment Associates X, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CD&R WATERWORKS HOLDINGS GP, LTD.
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CD&R WW HOLDINGS, L.P.
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CD&R WATERWORKS HOLDINGS, L.P.
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary

[Signature Page to Master Reorganization Agreement]


CORE & MAIN MANAGEMENT FEEDER, LLC
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its manager
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CORE & MAIN GP, LLC
By:   CD&R WW Holdings, L.P., its manager
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CD&R PLUMB BUYER, LLC
By: CD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P., its manager
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CORE & MAIN HOLDINGS, LP
By:  

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

  Name: Stephen O. LeClair
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Master Reorganization Agreement]


CD&R FUND X WATERWORKS B1, L.P.
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CD&R FUND X-A WATERWORKS B, L.P.
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CD&R WW HOLDINGS, LLC
By:   CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P., its manager
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary

[Signature Page to Master Reorganization Agreement]


CD&R WW, LLC
By: CD&R WW Holdings, LLC, its manager
By:   CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P., its manager
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CD&R WW ADVISOR, LLC
By:   CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., its manager
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
BROOKS MERGER SUB 1, INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

  Name: Stephen O. LeClair
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
BROOKS MERGER SUB 2, INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

  Name: Stephen O. LeClair
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Master Reorganization Agreement]


CORE & MAIN, INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

  Name: Stephen O. LeClair
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
CD&R WATERWORKS HOLDINGS, LLC
By: CD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P., its manager
By: CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary

[Signature Page to Master Reorganization Agreement]


CD&R FUND X ADVISOR WATERWORKS B, L.P.
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd.,
  its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary

 

 

[Signature Page to Master Reorganization Agreement]

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

CORE & MAIN, INC.

Core & Main, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as follows:

1. The name of the Corporation is Core & Main, Inc.

2. The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 9, 2021.

3. This amendment and restatement of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation has been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation and by the written consent of the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (as amended from time to time, the “DGCL”).

4. The Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL, so as to read in its entirety as set forth in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by this reference.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned officer of the Corporation has executed this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation on the 22nd day of July, 2021.

 

By:  

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

Name:   Stephen O. LeClair
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation]


Exhibit A

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

CORE & MAIN, INC.

FIRST. Name. The name of the corporation is Core & Main, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

SECOND. Registered Office. The Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware, 19808. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

THIRD. Purpose. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (as currently in effect or as the same may hereafter be amended, the “DGCL”).

FOURTH. Capital Stock. The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 1,600,000,000, consisting of: (x) 1,000,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A Common Stock”), (y) 500,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class B Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”) and (z) 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share (“Preferred Stock”), issuable in one or more series as hereinafter provided. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in a Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation (as defined herein), the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL or any corresponding provision hereinafter enacted, and no vote of the holders of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock or Preferred Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor.

Immediately upon this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) becoming effective pursuant to the DGCL (the “Effective Time”), each one (1) share of the Corporation’s common stock issued and outstanding or held by the Corporation as treasury stock immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Old Common Stock”) shall automatically be subdivided and reclassified into 2,058,042.65 validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Class B Common Stock, without any action required on the part of the Corporation or any stockholder (the “Reclassification”). Each stock certificate or book-entry position that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented shares of Old Common Stock shall, from and after the Effective Time, automatically and without the necessity of presenting the same for exchange, represent that number of shares of Class B Common Stock after the Effective Time into which the shares of Old Common Stock have been reclassified pursuant to the foregoing, until the same shall be surrendered to the Corporation.

1. Provisions Relating to the Common Stock.


(a) General. Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or required by the DGCL, shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall have the same rights and powers, rank equally, share ratably and be identical in all respects and as to all matters.

(b) Voting. Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or required by applicable law, (i) each holder of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be entitled, with respect to each outstanding share of Common Stock held by such holder, to one vote in person or by proxy on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Stock and (ii) the holders of Common Stock will vote together as a single class on all matters presented to stockholders for their vote or approval. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) the holders of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to vote separately as a class upon a proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, if the amendment would increase or decrease the par value of the shares of such Class A Common Stock or alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the shares of such Class A Common Stock so as to affect them adversely, and (B) the holders of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to vote separately as a class upon a proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, if the amendment would increase or decrease the par value of the shares of such Class B Common Stock or alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the shares of such Class B Common Stock so as to affect them adversely.

(c) Dividends. Subject to the preferences and rights, if any, applicable to shares of Preferred Stock or any series thereof, (i) the holders of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends in cash, property or stock as may be declared thereon by the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) at any time and from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends, and (ii) the holders of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock shall not be entitled to receive any dividends in cash, property or stock.

(d) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, and subject to the preferences and rights, if any, applicable to shares of Preferred Stock or any series thereof, (i) the holders of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock held by them and (ii) the holders of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock shall not be entitled to receive any of the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders.

(e) Reservation of Class A Common Stock. The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock the number of shares of Class A Common Stock required to be issued pursuant to the Exchange Agreement (as defined below); provided that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude the Corporation from satisfying its obligations with respect to any exchange by delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock which are held in the treasury of the Corporation.

 

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2. Additional Provisions Relating to the Class B Common Stock.

(a) General. The shares of Class B Common Stock may be issued only to, and registered in the name of, the Holdings Limited Partners (as defined below), their respective successors and assigns as well as their transferees permitted in accordance with Section 2(b) of this Article FOURTH (including all subsequent successors, assigns and permitted transferees) (the Holdings Limited Partners together with such persons, collectively, “Permitted Class B Owners”) and Section 4 of this Article FOURTH, and the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock following any such issuance registered in the name of each such Permitted Class B Owner must be equal to the aggregate number of Partnership Interests (as defined below) held of record by such Permitted Class B Owner under the LPA (as defined below), as described further under Section 4 of this Article FOURTH. As used in this Certificate of Incorporation, (i) “Holdings Limited Partners” means each of the holders (other than the Corporation and CD&R WW, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company) of Partnership Interests of Core & Main Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, or any successor entities thereto (“Holdings”) as from time to time set forth on Schedule A to the LPA, and (ii) “Partnership Interests” means the limited partner interests of Holdings, authorized and issued under its Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, dated as of the date hereof, as such agreement may be further amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (the “LPA”), and constituting a “LP Partnership Interest” as defined in the LPA. A copy of the LPA will be kept with the books and records of the Corporation.

(b) Transfer of Class B Common Stock:

(i) A holder of Class B Common Stock may transfer (including by operation of law) and surrender shares of Class B Common Stock to the Corporation only if, and only to the extent permitted by the LPA and the Exchange Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Corporation, Holdings and holders of Partnership Interests party thereto (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Exchange Agreement”), such holder also simultaneously surrenders an equal number of such holder’s Partnership Interests (as such number may be adjusted to reflect equitably any stock split, subdivision, combination or similar change with respect to the Class B Common Stock or Partnership Interests) to the Corporation in compliance with the LPA and the Exchange Agreement. Following the transfer and surrender of any shares of Class B Common Stock to the Corporation, such shares of Class B Common Stock of the Corporation shall be immediately and automatically retired, without any further action on the part of the Corporation or the holder of such shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any transfer of shares of Class B Common Stock pursuant to the Master Reorganization Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Corporation, Holdings and the other parties party thereto (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Reorganization Agreement”), including by a transfer by operation of law pursuant to any merger or merger agreement contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement, shall not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth herein.

 

3


(ii) A holder of Class B Common Stock may transfer shares of Class B Common Stock to any transferee (other than the Corporation) only if, and only to the extent permitted by the LPA, such holder also simultaneously transfers an equal number of such holder’s Partnership Interests (as such number may be adjusted to reflect equitably any stock split, subdivision, combination or similar change with respect to the Class B Common Stock or Partnership Interests) to such transferee in compliance with the LPA. The transfer restrictions described in this Section 2(b)(ii) of Article FOURTH are referred to as the “Restrictions.”

(iii) Any purported transfer of shares of Class B Common Stock in violation of Section 2(b)(i) and the Restrictions shall be null and void. If, notwithstanding the Restrictions, a person shall, voluntarily or involuntarily, purportedly become or attempt to become, the purported owner (“Purported Owner”) of shares of Class B Common Stock in violation of the Restrictions, then the Purported Owner shall not obtain any rights in and to such shares of Class B Common Stock (the “Restricted Shares”), and the purported transfer of the Restricted Shares to the Purported Owner shall not be recognized by the Corporation’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”).

(iv) Upon a determination by the Board that a person has attempted or may attempt to transfer or to acquire Restricted Shares in violation of the Restrictions, the Board may take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to such transfer or acquisition on the books and records of the Corporation, including without limitation to cause the Transfer Agent not to record the Purported Owner’s transferor as the record owner of the Restricted Shares, and to institute proceedings to enjoin or rescind any such transfer or acquisition.

(v) The Board may, to the extent permitted by law, from time to time establish, modify, amend or rescind regulations and procedures that are consistent with the provisions of this Section 2(b) of Article FOURTH for determining whether any transfer or acquisition of shares of Class B Common Stock would violate the Restrictions and for the orderly application, administration and implementation of the provisions of this Section 2(b) of Article FOURTH. Any such procedures and regulations shall be kept on file with the Secretary of the Corporation and with its Transfer Agent and shall be made available for inspection by any prospective transferee and, upon written request, shall be mailed to holders of shares of Class B Common Stock.

(vi) The Board shall have all powers necessary to implement the Restrictions, including without limitation the power to prohibit the transfer of any shares of Class B Common Stock in violation thereof.

(c) Immediately upon the exchange of a Partnership Interest (together with the transfer and surrender of a share of Class B Common Stock) with the Corporation pursuant to the terms of the LPA and the Exchange Agreement, such share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically and, without further action on the part of the Corporation or the holder of such share, be transferred to the Corporation with no consideration being paid or issued with respect thereto, pursuant and subject to the terms of the provisions of Section 2(b) of this Article FOURTH, the Exchange Agreement and the LPA. Upon such transfer, such shares of Class B Common Stock of the Corporation shall be immediately and automatically retired, without any further action on the part of the Corporation or the holder of such shares.

 

4


(d) Notwithstanding the Restrictions, (i) in the event that any outstanding share of Class B Common Stock shall cease to be held by a registered holder of a Partnership Interest, such share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically and, without further action on the part of the Corporation or any holder of Class B Common Stock, be transferred to the Corporation for no consideration, such shares of Class B Common Stock of the Corporation shall be immediately and automatically retired, without any further action on the part of the Corporation or the holder of such shares, (ii) in the event that any registered holder of the Class B Common Stock no longer holds an interest in the Partnership Interest, the shares of Class B Common Stock registered in the name of such holder shall automatically and, without further action on the part of the Corporation or any holder of Class B Common Stock, be transferred to the Corporation for no consideration, such shares of Class B Common Stock of the Corporation shall be immediately and automatically retired, without any further action on the part of the Corporation or the holder of such shares and (iii) in the event that no Permitted Class B Owner owns any Partnership Interest that is redeemable pursuant to the LPA, then all shares of Class B Common Stock shall automatically and, without further action on the part of the Corporation or any holder of Class B Common Stock, be transferred to the Corporation for no consideration, such shares of Class B Common Stock of the Corporation shall be immediately and automatically retired, without any further action on the part of the Corporation or the holder of such shares.

(e) All certificates representing shares of Class B Common Stock, as the case may be, shall bear a legend substantially in the following form (or in such other form as the Board may determine):

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS (INCLUDING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER) SET FORTH IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED AND/OR RESTATED FROM TIME TO TIME (A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE CORPORATION AND SHALL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO ANY STOCKHOLDER MAKING A REQUEST THEREFOR).

All holders of uncertificated shares of Class B Common Stock shall be given notice within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares of such stock, in writing or by electronic transmission, that the shares of Class B Common Stock represented by book entry are subject to the restrictions (including restrictions on transfer) set forth in this Certificate of Incorporation (a copy of which is on file with the Secretary of the Corporation and shall be provided free of charge to any stockholder making a request therefor).

 

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3. Provisions Relating to the Preferred Stock.

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Article FOURTH and any limitations prescribed by law, the Preferred Stock may be issued at any time and from time to time in one or more series. The Board is hereby authorized to provide, out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock, for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series and, by resolution duly adopted and by filing a certificate of designation pursuant to the applicable provisions of the DGCL (hereinafter referred to as a “Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation”), to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the voting powers, designations, preferences and the relative participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations and restrictions of each series, including, without limitation, dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences. The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding.

(b) The Common Stock shall be subject to the express terms of the Preferred Stock and any series thereof.

(c) Except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation including a Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation that alters or changes the powers, preferences, rights or other terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other series of Preferred Stock, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation including a Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation or pursuant to the DGCL.

4. Ratio of Outstanding Shares of Common Stock to Partnership Interests.

(a) The Corporation shall undertake all actions, including, without limitation, an issuance, reclassification, dividend, division or recapitalization, with respect to the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock necessary to maintain at all times a one-to-one ratio between the number of Partnership Interests owned by the Corporation (directly or indirectly, including through its subsidiaries) and the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, disregarding, for purposes of maintaining the one-to-one ratio, (i) treasury stock, (ii) the exchange of Partnership Interests by the Corporation in accordance with an Exchange for a Cash Exchange Payment (each as defined in the Exchange Agreement) pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, (iii) Preferred Stock or other debt or equity securities (including without limitation warrants, options and rights) issued by the Corporation that are convertible or exercisable or exchangeable for Class A Common Stock and (iv) shares of Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to the Core & Main, Inc. 2021 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as the same may be amended from time to time, and any other stock incentive plan adopted by the Corporation from time to time, that have not vested thereunder.

(b) The Corporation shall undertake all actions, including, without limitation, an issuance, reclassification, division or recapitalization, with respect to the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock necessary to maintain at all times a one-to-one ratio between the number of Partnership Interests owned by all Permitted Class B Owners and the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock owned by all Permitted Class B Owners.

(c) The Corporation shall not:

 

6


(i) undertake or authorize (A) any subdivision (by any stock split, stock dividend, reclassification, recapitalization or similar event) or combination (by reverse stock split, reclassification, recapitalization or similar event) of the Class A Common Stock that is not accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination of the Partnership Interests to maintain at all times a one-to-one ratio between the number of Partnership Interests owned by the Corporation (directly or indirectly, including through its subsidiaries) and the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock as provided in Section 4(a) of this Article FOURTH; or (B) any subdivision (by any stock split, stock dividend, reclassification, recapitalization or similar event) or combination (by reverse stock split, reclassification, recapitalization or similar event) of the Class B Common Stock that is not accompanied by an identical subdivision or combination of the Partnership Interests to maintain at all times, subject to the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, a one-to-one ratio between the number of Partnership Interests owned by the Permitted Class B Owners and the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, unless, in the case of clause (A) or (B) of this Section 4(c) of Article FOURTH, such action is necessary to maintain at all times both a one-to-one ratio between the number of Partnership Interests owned by the Corporation (directly or indirectly, including through its subsidiaries) and the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock as provided in Section 4(a) of this Article FOURTH and a one-to-one ratio between the number of Partnership Interests owned by the Permitted Class B Owners and the number of outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock;

(ii) issue, transfer or deliver from treasury stock or repurchase outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock unless in connection with any such issuance, transfer, delivery or repurchase the Corporation takes or authorizes all requisite action such that, after giving effect to all such issuances, transfers, deliveries or repurchases, the number of Partnership Interests owned by the Corporation (directly or indirectly, including through its subsidiaries) will equal on a one-for-one basis the number of outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock as provided in Section 4(a) of this Article FOURTH; or

(iii) to the fullest extent permitted by law, consolidate, merge, combine or consummate any other transaction (other than an action or transaction for which an adjustment is provided in this Article FOURTH) in which shares of Class A Common Stock are exchanged for or converted into other stock or securities, or the right to receive cash and/or any other property, unless in connection with any such consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction, each Partnership Interest shall be entitled to be exchanged for or converted into the same kind and amount of stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Class A Common Stock is exchanged or converted, in each case to maintain at all times a one-to-one ratio between (x) the stock or securities, or rights to receive cash and/or any other property issuable in such transaction in exchange for or conversion of one share of Class A Common Stock and (y) the stock or securities, or rights to receive cash and/or any other property issuable in such transaction in exchange for or conversion of one Partnership Interest.

 

7


The foregoing provisions of this Section 4(c) of Article FOURTH shall not apply to any action or transaction (including any consolidation, merger or combination) approved by the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, each voting as a separate class.

5. Voting in Election of Directors. Except as may be required by the DGCL or as provided in this Certificate of Incorporation including a Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation, holders of Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and for all other purposes, and holders of Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any matter or receive notice of any meeting of stockholders.

FIFTH. Management of Corporation. The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business, for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation and for the purpose of creating, defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the Corporation and its directors and stockholders:

1. Except as may otherwise be provided by law, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board.

2. Subject to any rights granted to the holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding and the rights granted pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, by and among the Corporation and CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (together with their successors and assigns, the “CD&R Investors”), to be effective upon the date of the completion of the Corporation’s underwritten initial public offering of its Class A Common Stock (as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Stockholders Agreement”), the number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed, and may be altered from time to time, exclusively by resolution of the Board, but in no event may the number of directors of the Corporation be less than one.

3. The directors of the Corporation, subject to any rights granted to holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, shall be divided into three classes designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of such directors. Class I directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation following the time at which the initial classification of the Board becomes effective (the “Effective Date”), Class II directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Date, and Class III directors shall initially serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Date. Directors of each class shall hold office until the annual meeting at which his or her term expires and until his or her successor shall be elected and qualified, or his or her death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. At each succeeding annual meeting, successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, subject to any rights granted to holders of

 

8


shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding to elect directors and the rights granted pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement. If the number of such directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any such additional director of any class elected to fill a newly created directorship resulting from an increase in such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no case shall a decrease in the number of directors remove or shorten the term of any incumbent director. The Board is authorized to assign members of the Board already in office to their respective class.

4. Subject to any rights granted to the holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding and the rights granted pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, (a) following the Effective Date and until the first date (the “Trigger Date”) on which the CD&R Investors, together with their affiliates, cease to collectively beneficially own (directly or indirectly) shares of stock of the Corporation representing at least forty percent (40%) of the combined voting power of all of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation, a director may be removed at any time, either with or without cause, upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote in an election of directors, and (b) from and after the Trigger Date, a director may be removed from office only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote in an election of directors.

5. Subject to any rights granted to the holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding and the rights granted pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, and except as otherwise provided by law, any vacancy in the Board that results from an increase in the number of directors, from the death, disability, resignation, disqualification or removal of any director or from any other cause shall be filled solely by an affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. A director elected to fill a vacancy or a newly created directorship shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders held to elect the class of directors to which such director is elected and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

6. No director of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of his or her fiduciary duty as a director, provided that nothing contained in this Article FIFTH shall eliminate or limit the liability of a director (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (c) under Section 174 of the DGCL or (d) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended. No amendment, repeal or modification of this provision shall apply to or have any adverse effect on any right or protection of, or any limitation of the liability of, a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

 

9


7. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) to the directors and officers of the Corporation, provided that, except as otherwise provided in the Corporation’s Amended and Restated By-laws (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “By-laws”) the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify or advance expenses to a director or officer of the Corporation in respect of an action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) instituted by such director or officer, unless such action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) has been authorized by the Board. The rights provided by this Section 7 of Article FIFTH shall not limit or exclude any rights, indemnities or limitations of liability to which any director or officer of the Corporation may be entitled, whether as a matter of law, under the By-laws, by agreement, vote of the stockholders, approval of the directors of the Corporation or otherwise.

8. Unless and except to the extent that the By-laws of the Corporation shall so require, the election of directors of the Corporation need not be by written ballot.

SIXTH. Stockholder Action by Consent. Until the Trigger Date, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be effected by consent in writing or electronic transmission in accordance with the DGCL in lieu of a meeting. From and after the Trigger Date, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be taken only upon the vote of the stockholders at an annual or special meeting duly called and may not be taken by consent of the stockholders.

SEVENTH. Special Meeting of Stockholders. Except as otherwise required by law and subject to any rights granted to holders of shares of any class or series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation for any purpose or purposes may be called only by the Chair of the Board or pursuant to a resolution of the Board adopted by at least a majority of the directors then in office, provided that, until the Trigger Date, a special meeting of the stockholders may also be called by the Secretary of the Corporation at the request of the holders of record of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation. From and after the Trigger Date, the stockholders of the Corporation shall not have the power to call a special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation or to request the Secretary of the Corporation to call a special meeting of the stockholders.

EIGHTH. Business Opportunities. To the fullest extent permitted by Section 122(17) of the DGCL (or any successor provision), the Corporation, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, renounces and waives any interest or expectancy of the Corporation and its subsidiaries in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, directly or indirectly, any potential transactions, matters or business opportunities (including, without limitation, any business activities or lines of business that are the same as or similar to those pursued by, or competitive with, the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or any dealings with customers or clients of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries) (each a “Corporate Opportunity”) that are from time to time presented to any of the CD&R Investors or any of their officers, directors, employees, agents, stockholders, members, partners, affiliates or subsidiaries (other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries), even if the transaction, matter or opportunity is one that the Corporation or its subsidiaries might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the

 

10


opportunity to do so. To the fullest extent permitted by law, none of the CD&R Investors nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, stockholders, members, partners, affiliates or subsidiaries shall be liable to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries for breach of any fiduciary or other duty, as a director or officer or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person pursues, acquires or participates in such Corporate Opportunity, directs such Corporate Opportunity to another person or fails to communicate, offer or present such Corporate Opportunity, or information regarding such Corporate Opportunity, to the Corporation or its subsidiaries, unless, in the case of any such person who is a director or officer of the Corporation, such business opportunity is expressly offered to such director or officer in writing solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation. Any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any shares of stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and have consented to the provisions of this Article EIGHTH. Neither the alteration, amendment or repeal of this Article EIGHTH, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article EIGHTH, nor, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, any modification of law, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article EIGHTH in respect of any Corporate Opportunity first identified or any other matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for this Article EIGHTH, would accrue or arise, prior to such alteration, amendment, repeal, adoption or modification. If any provision or provisions of this Article EIGHTH shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article EIGHTH (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Article EIGHTH containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article EIGHTH (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Article EIGHTH containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service to or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law. This Article EIGHTH shall not limit any protections or defenses available to, or indemnification or advancement rights of, any director or officer of the Corporation under this Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws, applicable law, any agreement or otherwise.

NINTH. Section 203 of the DGCL. The Corporation elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL or any successor provision thereto (“Section 203”), as permitted under and pursuant to subsection (b)(3) of Section 203, and the restrictions contained in Section 203 shall not apply to the Corporation until the first time at which both of the following conditions exist (if ever): (a) Section 203 by its terms would, but for the provisions of this Article NINTH, apply to the Corporation; and (b) the CD&R Investors, together with their affiliates, cease to collectively beneficially own (directly or indirectly) shares of stock of the Corporation representing at least five percent (5%) of the combined voting power of all of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation. From and after such time, the Corporation shall be governed by Section 203 so long as Section 203 by its terms would apply to the Corporation.

 

11


TENTH. Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation. The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the DGCL, and all rights herein conferred upon stockholders or directors are granted subject to this reservation, provided, however, that any amendment, alteration or repeal of Sections 6 or 7 of Article FIFTH shall not adversely affect any right or protection existing under this Certificate of Incorporation immediately prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, including any right or protection of a director thereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, alteration or repeal. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, and notwithstanding that a lesser percentage may be permitted from time to time by applicable law, no provision of Articles FIFTH, SIXTH, SEVENTH, EIGHTH, NINTH, this Article TENTH and Articles ELEVENTH and TWELFTH may be amended, altered or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision or by-law inconsistent therewith be adopted, unless in addition to any other vote required by this Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise required by law, (a) until the Trigger Date, such amendment, alteration or repeal is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote thereon, and (b) from and after the Trigger Date, such amendment, alteration or repeal is approved by the holders of at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote thereon.

ELEVENTH. Amendment of the By-laws. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by law, the Board is expressly authorized to amend, alter or repeal the By-laws, without the assent or vote of stockholders of the Corporation. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of the By-laws by the Board shall require the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors then in office, so long as a quorum is present. In addition to any other vote otherwise required by law, the stockholders of the Corporation may amend, alter or repeal the By-laws, provided that any such action will require (a) until the Trigger Date, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote thereon and (b) from and after the Trigger Date, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote thereon. In addition, so long as the Stockholders Agreement remains in effect, the Board shall not approve any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of the By-laws, or the adoption of any new by-law, that would be contrary to or inconsistent with the then-applicable terms, if any, of the Stockholders Agreement, or this sentence.

TWELFTH. Exclusive Jurisdiction for Certain Actions. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Court of Chancery”) (or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, the federal district court of the State of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action, suit or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action, suit or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, employee, agent or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders (c) any action, suit or proceeding asserting a claim arising out of or pursuant to or seeking to enforce any right obligation or remedy under any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws (as either may be amended or restated) or the DGCL, or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery, or (d) any action or proceeding asserting a claim that is governed by

 

12


the internal affairs doctrine. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any action asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder. Any person or entity holding, owning, purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article TWELFTH.

 

13

Exhibit 3.2

 

 

CORE & MAIN, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

Effective as of July 22, 2021

 

 


CORE & MAIN, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

Table of Contents

 

     Page  

ARTICLE I MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

     1  
Section 1.01.  

Annual Meetings

     1  
Section 1.02.  

Special Meetings

     1  
Section 1.03.  

Participation in Meetings by Remote Communication

     1  
Section 1.04.  

Notice of Meetings; Waiver of Notice

     2  
Section 1.05.  

Proxies

     3  
Section 1.06.  

Voting Lists

     3  
Section 1.07.  

Quorum

     4  
Section 1.08.  

Voting

     4  
Section 1.09.  

Adjournment

     5  
Section 1.10.  

Organization; Procedure

     5  
Section 1.11.  

Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting

     6  
Section 1.12.  

Notice of Stockholder Proposals and Nominations

     6  

ARTICLE II BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     11  
Section 2.01.  

General Powers

     11  
Section 2.02.  

Number and Term of Office

     11  
Section 2.03.  

Classification; Election of Directors

     11  
Section 2.04.  

Regular Meetings

     11  
Section 2.05.  

Special Meetings

     11  
Section 2.06.  

Notice of Meetings; Waiver of Notice

     11  
Section 2.07.  

Quorum; Voting

     12  
Section 2.08.  

Participation by Electronic Communications Equipment

     12  
Section 2.09.  

Adjournment

     12  
Section 2.10.  

Action Without a Meeting

     12  
Section 2.11.  

Regulations

     12  
Section 2.12.  

Resignations of Directors

     12  
Section 2.13.  

Removal of Directors

     13  
Section 2.14.  

Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships

     13  
Section 2.15.  

Compensation

     13  
Section 2.16.  

Reliance on Accounts and Reports, etc

     13  

ARTICLE III COMMITTEES

     13  
Section 3.01.  

Designation of Committees

     13  
Section 3.02.  

Members and Alternate Members

     14  
Section 3.03.  

Committee Procedures

     14  
Section 3.04.  

Meetings and Actions of Committees

     14  

 

i


Section 3.05.  

Resignations and Removals

     14  
Section 3.06.  

Vacancies

     15  

ARTICLE IV OFFICERS

     15  
Section 4.01.  

Officers

     15  
Section 4.02.  

Election

     15  
Section 4.03.  

Compensation

     15  
Section 4.04.  

Removal and Resignation; Vacancies

     15  
Section 4.05.  

Authority and Duties of Officers

     15  
Section 4.06.  

Chief Executive Officer

     16  
Section 4.07.  

Vice Presidents

     16  
Section 4.08.  

Secretary

     16  
Section 4.09.  

Treasurer

     17  

ARTICLE V CAPITAL STOCK

     18  
Section 5.01.  

Certificates of Stock, Uncertificated Shares

     18  
Section 5.02.  

Facsimile Signatures

     18  
Section 5.03.  

Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates

     18  
Section 5.04.  

Transfer of Stock

     19  
Section 5.05.  

Registered Stockholders

     19  
Section 5.06.  

Transfer Agent and Registrar

     19  

ARTICLE VI INDEMNIFICATION

     19  
Section 6.01.  

Indemnification

     19  
Section 6.02.  

Advance of Expenses

     20  
Section 6.03.  

Procedure for Indemnification

     20  
Section 6.04.  

Burden of Proof

     21  
Section 6.05.  

Contract Right; Non-Exclusivity; Survival

     21  
Section 6.06.  

Insurance

     22  
Section 6.07.  

Employees and Agents

     22  
Section 6.08.  

Interpretation; Severability

     22  
Section 6.09.  

Other Sources

     22  

ARTICLE VII OFFICES

     22  
Section 7.01.  

Registered Office

     22  
Section 7.02.  

Other Offices

     22  

ARTICLE VIII GENERAL PROVISIONS

     23  
Section 8.01.  

Dividends

     23  
Section 8.02.  

Reserves

     23  
Section 8.03.  

Execution of Instruments

     23  
Section 8.04.  

Voting as Stockholder or Equity Holder

     23  
Section 8.05.  

Fiscal Year

     23  

 

ii


Section 8.06.  

Seal

     24  
Section 8.07.  

Books and Records; Inspection

     24  
Section 8.08.  

Electronic Transmission

     24  

ARTICLE IX AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

     24  
Section 9.01.  

Amendment

     24  

 

 

iii


CORE & MAIN, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

As amended and restated, effective as of July 22, 2021

ARTICLE I

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1.01. Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of the stockholders of Core & Main, Inc. (the “Corporation”) for the election of directors to succeed directors whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as properly may come before such meeting shall be held each year either within or without the State of Delaware on such date and time, and at such place, if any, as exclusively may be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Corporation’s board of directors (the “Board”), and set forth in the notice or waiver of notice of the meeting. In lieu of holding an annual meeting of the stockholders at a designated place, the Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that any annual meeting of stockholders may be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with Section 1.03 of these Amended and Restated By-laws (as amended from time to time, the “By-laws”) and Section 211(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “DGCL”). The Board may postpone, recess, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board.

Section 1.02. Special Meetings. A special meeting of the stockholders for any purpose may be called only in the manner set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as then in effect (as amended from time to time, the “Certificate of Incorporation”). Notice of every special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall state the purpose or purposes of such meeting. Except as otherwise required by law, the business conducted at a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be limited exclusively to the business set forth in the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Any special meeting of the stockholders shall be held either within or without the State of Delaware, at such place, if any, and on such date and time, as shall be specified in the notice of such special meeting. In lieu of holding a special meeting of the stockholders at a designated place, the Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that any special meeting of stockholders may be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with Section 1.03 of these By-laws and Section 211(a) of the DGCL. The Board may postpone, recess, reschedule or cancel any special meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board.

Section 1.03. Participation in Meetings by Remote Communication. The Board, acting in its sole discretion, may establish guidelines and procedures in accordance with applicable provisions of the DGCL and any other applicable law for the participation by stockholders and proxyholders in a meeting of stockholders by means of remote communications (including by webcast), and may determine that any meeting of stockholders will not be held at any place but will be held solely by means of remote communication (including by webcast). Stockholders and proxyholders complying with such procedures and guidelines and otherwise entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be deemed present in person and entitled to vote at a meeting


of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication (including by webcast); provided that (i) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxyholder, (ii) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (iii) if any stockholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

Section 1.04. Notice of Meetings; Waiver of Notice.

(a) Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a notice of the meeting shall be given that shall specify (i) the place, if any, date and time of such meeting, (ii) the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, (iii) in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which such meeting is called, and (iv) the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting). The notice may contain such other information as may be required by law or as may be deemed appropriate by the Chair of the Board, the Secretary or the Board. Unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, the notice of any meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. If the stockholder list referred to in Section 1.06 of these By-laws will be made accessible on an electronic network for the ten (10) days prior to the meeting, the notice of meeting must indicate how the stockholder list can be accessed. Notice shall be deemed to have been given to all stockholders of record who share an address if notice if given in accordance with the “householding” rules set forth in Rule 14a-3(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Section 233 of the DGCL. If the meeting of stockholders is to be held solely by means of electronic communications, the notice of meeting must provide the information required to access such stockholder list during the meeting.

(b) A written waiver of notice of meeting signed by a stockholder or a waiver by electronic transmission by a stockholder, whether given before or after the meeting time stated in such notice, is deemed equivalent to notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in a waiver of notice. Attendance of a stockholder at a meeting is a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the stockholder attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business at the meeting on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

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(c) Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders pursuant to the DGCL, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws may be given in writing directed to the stockholder’s mailing address (or by electronic transmission directed to the stockholder’s electronic mail address, as applicable) as it appears on the records of the Corporation and shall be deemed given (i) if mailed, when the notice is deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, (ii) if delivered by courier service, the earlier of when the notice is (x) received or (y) left at such stockholder’s address or (iii) if given by electronic mail, when directed to such stockholder’s electronic mail address unless the stockholder has notified the Corporation in writing or by electronic transmission of an objection to receiving notice by electronic mail or such notice is prohibited by subsection (e) of Section 232 of the DGCL. A notice by electronic mail must include a prominent legend that the communication is an important notice regarding the Corporation. Notice given by electronic transmission (other than by electronic mail) pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed given: (1) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a facsimile telecommunication number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (2) if by posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; and (3) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given by personal delivery, by mail or by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

Section 1.05. Proxies.

(a) Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent to or dissent from corporate action without a meeting (if permitted by the Certificate of Incorporation) may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy.

(b) No proxy may be voted or acted upon after the expiration of three years from the date of such proxy, unless such proxy provides for a longer period. Every proxy is revocable at the sole discretion of the stockholder executing it unless the proxy states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A stockholder may revoke any proxy that is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the Secretary a revocation of the proxy or a new proxy bearing a later date.

Section 1.06. Voting Lists. The Corporation shall prepare, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of the stockholders (and before any adjournment thereof for which a new record date has been set), a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is fewer than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth (10th) day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of outstanding shares registered in the name of each stockholder. This list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder beginning at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting for any purpose germane to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be examined by any stockholder who is present. If the

 

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meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled by this Section 1.06 to examine the list required by this Section 1.06 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

Section 1.07. Quorum. Except as otherwise required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority of the voting power of outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting of stockholders shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to the vote on that matter. In the absence of a quorum, then either (a) the chairperson of the meeting or (b) stockholders by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock then entitled to vote thereon, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 1.09 of these By-laws until a quorum is present or represented.

Section 1.08. Voting. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or by applicable law, every holder of record of outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders is entitled to one vote for each share outstanding in his, her or its name on the books of the Corporation (a) at the close of business on the record date for such meeting, or (b) if no record date has been fixed, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice of the meeting is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. Any outstanding share of stock of the Corporation held by the Corporation or any of its majority-controlled subsidiaries (except as expressly permitted by law) shall not be entitled to vote or be counted for quorum purposes. All matters at any meeting at which a quorum is present, except the election of directors, shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter in question, unless a different or minimum vote is required by express provision of law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation or any rule or regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, in which case such different or minimum vote shall be the applicable vote on the matter. The election of directors shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a plurality of the votes cast in respect of the outstanding shares of stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote in an election of directors, unless otherwise expressly provided by express provision of law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws. The stockholders do not have the right to cumulate their votes for the election of directors.

 

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Section 1.09. Adjournment. Any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from time to time, by the chairperson of the meeting or by the vote of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the place, if any, and date and time thereof (and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting) are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days or a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting after the adjournment, in which case notice of the adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 1.04 of these By-laws shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record as of the record date so fixed for notice of such adjourned. At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting.

Section 1.10. Organization; Procedure.

(a) At every meeting of stockholders the presiding person shall be the Chair of the Board or, in the event of his or her absence or disability, the Chief Executive Officer, or, in the event of his or her absence or disability, a presiding person chosen by resolution of the Board. The Secretary or, in the event of his or her absence or disability, the Assistant Secretary, if any, or, if there be no Assistant Secretary, in the absence of the Secretary, an appointee of the presiding person, shall act as secretary of the meeting. The Board may make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to any such rules and regulations, the presiding person of any meeting shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, prescribe rules, regulations and procedures for such meeting and to take all such actions as in the judgment of the presiding person are appropriate for the proper conduct of such meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the presiding person of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders or records of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the presiding person of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. The presiding person at any meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a matter or business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such presiding person should so determine, such presiding person shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the person presiding over the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

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(b) Preceding any meeting of the stockholders, the Board may, and when required by law shall, appoint one or more persons to act as inspectors of elections, and may designate one or more alternate inspectors. If no inspector or alternate so appointed by the Board is able to act, or if no inspector or alternate has been appointed and the appointment of an inspector is required by law, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. No director or nominee for election to the Board shall be appointed as an inspector of elections. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of an inspector, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall discharge their duties in accordance with the requirements of applicable law.

Section 1.11. Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, stockholders may not take any action by consent in lieu of action at an annual or special meeting of stockholders.

Section 1.12. Notice of Stockholder Proposals and Nominations.

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders.

(i) Nominations of persons for election to the Board and proposals of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (A) in accordance with the then-applicable terms, if any, of the Stockholders Agreement, by and among the Corporation and CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (together with their successors and assigns, the “CD&R Investors”), to be effective upon the date of the completion of the Corporation’s underwritten initial public offering of its Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A Common Stock”) (as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Stockholders Agreement”), (B) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of the meeting (or any supplement thereto) delivered pursuant to Section 1.04 of these By-laws, (C) by or at the direction of the Board or a Committee (as defined in Section 3.01 of these By-laws) appointed by the Board for such purpose or (D) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who complies with the notice procedures set forth in clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 1.12(a) and who is a stockholder of record at the time such notice is delivered to the Secretary and at the date of the meeting, subject to paragraph (c)(ii)(D) of this Section 1.12.

(ii) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to subclause (D) of Section 1.12(a)(i) of these By-laws, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary and, in the case of business other than nominations for persons for election to the Board, such other business must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the first anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting (which date shall, for purposes of the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders after its shares of Class A Common Stock are first publicly traded, be deemed to have occurred on July 1, 2021); provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than thirty (30) days or delayed by more than seventy (70) days from such anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by

 

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the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at an annual meeting (or in the case of a stockholder giving the notice on behalf of a beneficial owner, the number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at an annual meeting on behalf of such beneficial owner) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such annual meeting. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth (A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, including such person’s written consent to being named in the Corporation’s proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected; (B) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these By-laws, the text of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (C) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (1) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner; (2) the class or series and number of outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned, directly or indirectly, beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner; (3) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of the outstanding stock of the Corporation at the time of giving the notice, will be entitled to vote at such meeting and will appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination; (4) a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, will be or is part of a group which will (x) deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to the holders of at least the percentage of the voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or (y) otherwise solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination; and (5) a certification regarding whether such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, have complied with all applicable federal, state and other legal requirements in connection with the stockholder’s and/or beneficial owner’s acquisition of shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation and/or the stockholder’s and/or beneficial owner’s acts or omissions as a stockholder of the Corporation. Notice of a stockholder nomination or proposal shall also set forth, as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (I) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination or proposal and/or the voting of shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation between or among the stockholder giving notice, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, any of their respective affiliates or associates and/or other person or persons (including their names) acting in concert with any of the foregoing (collectively, the “proponent persons”); (II) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including, without limitation, regardless of the form of settlement, any derivative,

 

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long or short positions, profit interests, forwards, futures, swaps, options, warrants, convertible securities, appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions and borrowed or loaned shares) to which any proponent person is a party, the effect or intent of which is to transfer to or from any proponent person, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security of the Corporation, to increase or decrease the voting power of any proponent person with respect to shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation and/or to provide any proponent person, directly or indirectly, with the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from, or to otherwise benefit economically from, any increase or decrease in the value of any security of the Corporation (a “Derivative Instrument”); (III) to the extent not disclosed pursuant to the immediately preceding clause (II), the principal amount of any indebtedness of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries beneficially owned by such stockholder or by the beneficial owner, if any, together with the title of the instrument under which such indebtedness was issued and a description of any Derivative Instrument entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder or such beneficial owner relating to the value or payment of any indebtedness of the Corporation or any such subsidiary; and (IV) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in an election contest pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The foregoing notice requirements shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his, her or its intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a–8 (or any successor thereof) promulgated under the Exchange Act, and such stockholder’s proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. A stockholder providing notice of a proposed nomination for election to the Board or other business proposed to be brought before a meeting (whether given pursuant to this paragraph (a)(ii) or paragraph (b) of this Section 1.12 of these By-laws) shall update and supplement such notice from time to time to the extent necessary so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct (x) as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting and (y) as of the date that is fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, provided that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting is less than fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the information shall be supplemented and updated as of such later date. Any such update and supplement shall be delivered in writing to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting (in the case of any update and supplement required to be made as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting), not later than ten (10) days prior to the date for the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (in the case of any update or supplement required to be made as of fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting or adjournment or postponement thereof) and not later than five (5) days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, but no later than the date prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (in the case of any update and supplement required to be made as of a date less than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof). The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation and to determine the independence of such director under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and applicable stock exchange rules. In addition, a stockholder seeking to bring an item of business before the annual meeting shall promptly provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation.

 

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(iii) Notwithstanding anything in Section 1.12(a)(ii) of these By-laws to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board made by the Corporation at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting (which date shall, for purposes of the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders after its shares of Class A Common Stock are first publicly traded, be deemed to have occurred on July 1, 2021), then a stockholder’s notice under this Section 1.12(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it is received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business as shall have been brought before the special meeting of the stockholders pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting shall be conducted at such meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (1) in accordance with the then-applicable terms, if any, of the Stockholders Agreement, (2) by or at the direction of the Board or a Committee appointed by the Board for such purpose or stockholders pursuant to Article SEVENTH of the Certificate of Incorporation or (3) provided that the Board has, or stockholders pursuant to Article SEVENTH of the Certificate of Incorporation have, determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 1.12(b) and at the date of the meeting who is a stockholder of record at the time such notice is delivered to the Secretary, subject to paragraph (c)(ii)(D) of this Section 1.12. The number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at a special meeting (or in the case of a stockholder giving the notice on behalf of a beneficial owner, the number of nominees a stockholder may nominate for election at a special meeting on behalf of such beneficial owner) shall not exceed the number of directors to be elected at such special meeting. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors of the Corporation, any stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting may nominate a person or persons, as the case may be, for election to such position(s) as specified by the Corporation, if the stockholder’s notice as required by Section 1.12(a)(ii) of these By-laws shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting at which directors are to be elected.

(c) General.

 

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(i) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.12 or in accordance with the then-applicable terms, if any, of the Stockholders Agreement shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at an annual or special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.12. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, the presiding officer of a meeting of stockholders shall have the power and duty (x) to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.12 (including whether the stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such stockholder’s nominee or proposal in compliance with such stockholder’s representation as required by clause (a)(ii)(C)(4) of this Section 1.12), and (y) if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with this Section 1.12, to declare that such defective nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted.

(ii) If the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) making a nomination or proposal under this Section 1.12 does not appear at a meeting of stockholders to present such nomination or proposal, the nomination shall be disregarded and/or the proposed business shall not be transacted, as the case may be, notwithstanding that proxies in favor thereof may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 1.12, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

(A) Whenever used in these By-laws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Reuters Information Services, Inc., Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.12, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 1.12. Nothing in this Section 1.12 shall be deemed to affect any rights of (x) stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (y) the holders of any class or series of preferred stock to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or of the relevant preferred stock certificate of designation.

(C) The announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual or special meeting does not commence a new time period (and does not extend any time period) for the giving of notice of a stockholder nomination or a stockholder proposal as described above.

 

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(D) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 1.12, for as long as the Stockholders Agreement remains in effect, the CD&R Investors shall not be subject to the notice procedures set forth in paragraphs (a)(ii), (a)(iii) or (b) of this Section 1.12 with respect to any annual or special meeting of stockholders.

ARTICLE II

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 2.01. General Powers. Except as may otherwise be provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the affairs and business of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. The directors shall act only as a Board, and the individual directors shall have no power as such.

Section 2.02. Number and Term of Office. The number of directors constituting the entire Board and the term of office for each director shall be fixed, and may be altered from time to time, in the manner provided for in the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 2.03. Classification; Election of Directors. The Board shall be classified into three classes as provided by the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 2.04. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held on such dates, and at such times and places as are determined from time to time by resolution of the Board. A notice of regular meetings of the Board shall not be required.

Section 2.05. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board shall be held whenever called by the Chair or, in the event of his or her absence or disability, by the Secretary, or by a majority of the directors then in office, at such place, date and time as may be specified in the respective notices or waivers of notice of such meetings. Any business may be conducted at a special meeting.

Section 2.06. Notice of Meetings; Waiver of Notice.

(a) Notice to directors of the date, place and time of any special meeting of the Board shall be given to each director by the Secretary or by the officer or one of the directors calling the meeting. If the notice is delivered in person, by electronic mail, telephone or other means of electronic transmission, it shall be delivered or sent at least twenty-four (24) hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is sent by mail, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least five (5) days before the time of the holding of the meeting. Except as otherwise provided herein or permitted by applicable law, notices to any director may be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to such director at such director’s address appearing on the books of the Corporation, or may be given by telephone or by any means of electronic transmission (including, without limitation, electronic mail) directed to an address for receipt by such director of electronic transmissions appearing on the books of the Corporation.

(b) A written waiver of notice of meeting signed by a director or a waiver by electronic transmission by a director, whether given before or after the meeting time stated in such notice, is deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a director at a meeting is a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business at the meeting on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

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Section 2.07. Quorum; Voting. At all meetings of the Board, the presence of a majority of the total authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, the vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board.

Section 2.08. Participation by Electronic Communications Equipment. Members of the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this provision shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 2.09. Adjournment. A majority of the directors present may adjourn any meeting of the Board to another date, time or place, whether or not a quorum is present. No notice need be given of any adjourned meeting unless (a) the date, time and place of the adjourned meeting are not announced at the time of adjournment, in which case notice conforming to the requirements of Section 2.06 of these By-laws shall be given to each director, or (b) the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four (24) hours, in which case the notice referred to in clause (a) shall be given to those directors not present at the announcement of the date, time and place of the adjourned meeting.

Section 2.10. Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission. Thereafter, such writing or writings or electronic transmissions shall be filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

Section 2.11. Regulations. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation and these By-laws, the Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings of the Board and for the management of the affairs and business of the Corporation as the Board may deem appropriate. Subject to the then-applicable terms of the Stockholders Agreement, the Board may elect from among its members a chairperson and one or more vice-chairpersons to preside over meetings and to perform such other duties as may be designated by the Board.

Section 2.12. Resignations of Directors. Any director may resign at any time by submitting an electronic transmission or by delivering a written notice of resignation, signed by such director, to the Chair of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary. Such resignation shall take effect upon delivery unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of a specified event.

 

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Section 2.13. Removal of Directors. Directors may be removed in the manner set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.

Section 2.14. Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships. Any vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, subject to the then-applicable terms, if any, of the Stockholders Agreement.

Section 2.15. Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or a stated salary or other compensation as a director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing Committees may be allowed compensation for attending Committee meetings. Any director of the Corporation may decline any or all such compensation payable to such director in his or her discretion. The Board may by resolution determine the expenses in the performance of such services for which a director is entitled to reimbursement.

Section 2.16. Reliance on Accounts and Reports, etc. A director, as such or as a member of any Committee designated by the Board, shall in the performance of his or her duties be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of the Corporation’s officers or employees, or Committees designated by the Board, or by any other person as to the matters the member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

ARTICLE III

COMMITTEES

Section 3.01. Designation of Committees. The Board shall designate such committees as may be required by applicable laws, regulations or stock exchange rules, and may designate such additional committees, sub-committees or special committees as it deems necessary or appropriate (collectively, the “Committees”). Each Committee shall consist of such number of directors, with such qualifications, as may be required by applicable laws, regulations or stock exchange rules, or as from time to time may be fixed by the Board and shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation to the extent delegated to such Committee by resolution of the Board, which delegation shall include all such powers and authority as may be required by applicable laws, regulations or stock exchange rules. No Committee shall have any power or authority (a) as to approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, (b) as to adopting, amending or repealing any of these By-laws or (c) as may otherwise be excluded by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation. Any Committee may be abolished or re-designated from time to time by the Board.

 

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Section 3.02. Members and Alternate Members. The members of each Committee and any alternate members shall be selected by the Board. The Board may provide that the members and alternate members serve at the pleasure of the Board. An alternate member may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the Committee. An alternate member shall be given all notices of Committee meetings, may attend any meeting of the Committee, but may count towards a quorum and vote only if a member for whom such person is an alternate is absent or disqualified. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a Committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Each member (and each alternate member) of any Committee (whether designated at an annual meeting of the Board or to fill a vacancy or otherwise) shall hold office until the time he or she shall cease for any reason to be a director, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

Section 3.03. Committee Procedures. A quorum for each Committee shall be a majority of its members, unless the Committee has only one or two members, in which case a quorum shall be one member, unless a greater quorum is established by the Board. The vote of a majority of the Committee members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Committee. Each Committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report to the Board when required. The Board may adopt other rules and regulations for the government of any Committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these By-laws, and each Committee may adopt its own rules and regulations of government, to the extent not inconsistent with these By-laws or rules and regulations adopted by the Board.

Section 3.04. Meetings and Actions of Committees. Meetings and actions of each Committee shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of the following sections of these By-laws, with such By-laws being deemed to refer to the Committee and its members in lieu of the Board and its members:

 

  (a)

Section 2.04 (relating to regular meetings);

 

  (b)

Section 2.05 (relating to special meetings);

 

  (c)

Section 2.06 (relating to notice and waiver of notice);

 

  (d)

Section 2.08 (relating to electronic communications equipment);

 

  (e)

Section 2.09 (relating to adjournment and notice of adjournment); and

 

  (f)

Section 2.10 (relating to action without a meeting).

Special meetings of Committees may also be called by resolution of the Board.

Section 3.05. Resignations and Removals. Any member (and any alternate member) of any Committee may resign from such position at any time by delivering a notice of resignation, either in writing signed by such member or by electronic transmission, to the Chair of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary. Unless otherwise specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon delivery. Any member (and any alternate member) of any Committee may be removed from such position by the Board at any time, either for or without cause.

 

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Section 3.06. Vacancies. If a vacancy occurs in any Committee for any reason, the remaining members (and any alternate members) may continue to act if a quorum is present. A Committee vacancy may be filled only by the Board subject to Section 3.01 of these By-laws.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 4.01. Officers. The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by the Board and shall be a Chief Executive Officer and a Secretary, provided that for so long as the Stockholders Agreement is in effect, the choosing of any such officer shall also be subject to the then-applicable terms, if any, of the Stockholders Agreement. The Board may also elect a Treasurer, one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers, and such other officers and agents as the Board may determine (including a Chief Financial Officer). In addition, the Board from time to time may delegate to any officer the power to appoint subordinate officers or agents and to prescribe their respective rights, terms of office, authorities and duties. Any action by an appointing officer may be superseded by action by the Board. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. No officer need be a director of the Corporation.

Section 4.02. Election. The officers of the Corporation elected by the Board shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. Officers and agents appointed pursuant to delegated authority as provided in Section 4.01 of these By-laws (or, in the case of agents, as provided in Section 4.06 of these By-laws) shall hold their offices for such terms as may be determined from time to time by the appointing officer. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor has been elected or appointed and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

Section 4.03. Compensation. The salaries and other compensation of all officers and agents of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board or in the manner established by the Board.

Section 4.04. Removal and Resignation; Vacancies. Any officer may be removed for or without cause at any time by the Board. Any officer granted the power to appoint subordinate officers and agents as provided in Section 4.01 of these By-laws may remove any subordinate officer or agent appointed by such officer, for or without cause. Any officer or agent may resign at any time by delivering notice of resignation, either in writing signed by such officer or by electronic transmission, to the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. Unless otherwise specified therein, such resignation shall take effect upon delivery. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise, may be filled by the Board or by the officer, if any, who appointed the person formerly holding such office.

Section 4.05. Authority and Duties of Officers. An officer of the Corporation shall have such authority and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties (a) as may be required by law, (b) to the extent not inconsistent with law, as are specified in these By-laws, (c) to the extent not inconsistent with law or these By-laws, as may be specified by resolution of the Board, and (d) to the extent not inconsistent with any of the foregoing, as may be specified by the appointing officer with respect to a subordinate officer appointed pursuant to delegated authority under Section 4.01 of these By-laws.

 

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Section 4.06. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall, unless otherwise provided by the Board, be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, shall have general control and supervision of the policies and operations of the Corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect. He or she shall manage and administer the Corporation’s business and affairs and shall also perform all duties and exercise all powers usually pertaining to the office of a chief executive officer of a corporation, unless otherwise specified by the Board. He or she shall have the authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, checks, orders, contracts, leases, notes, drafts and all other documents and instruments in connection with the business of the Corporation. He or she shall have the authority to cause the employment or appointment of such employees or agents of the Corporation as the conduct of the business of the Corporation may require, to fix their compensation, and to remove or suspend any employee or any agent employed or appointed by any officer or to suspend any agent appointed by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the duties and powers of the Treasurer if no Treasurer is elected and shall have such other duties and powers as the Board may from time to time prescribe.

Section 4.07. Vice Presidents. If one or more Vice-Presidents have been elected, each Vice President shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. In the event of absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer, the duties of the Chief Executive Officer shall be performed, and his or her powers may be exercised, by such Vice President(s) as shall be designated by the Board or, failing such designation, by the Vice President(s) in order of seniority of election to that office.

Section 4.08. Secretary. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Secretary shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept a record of all the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders, the Board and any Committees thereof in books provided for that purpose.

(b) The Secretary shall cause all notices to be duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-laws and as required by law.

(c) Whenever any Committee shall be appointed pursuant to a resolution of the Board, the Secretary shall furnish a copy of such resolution to the members of such Committee and any alternate members thereof.

(d) The Secretary shall be the custodian of the records and of the seal of the Corporation, if any, and cause such seal (or a facsimile thereof), if any, to be affixed to all certificates representing shares of the Corporation prior to the issuance thereof and to all documents and instruments that the Board or any officer of the Corporation has determined should be executed under seal, may sign (together with any other authorized officer) any such document or instrument, and when the seal is so affixed he or she may attest the same.

 

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(e) The Secretary shall properly maintain and file all books, reports, statements, certificates and all other documents and records required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws.

(f) The Secretary shall have charge of the stock books and ledgers of the Corporation and shall cause the stock and transfer books to be kept in such manner as to show at any time the number of shares of stock of the Corporation of each class issued and outstanding, the names (alphabetically arranged) and the addresses of the holders of record of such shares, the number of shares held by each holder and the date as of which each such holder became a holder of record.

(g) The Secretary shall sign (unless the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary shall have signed) certificates representing shares of the Corporation the issuance of which shall have been authorized by the Board.

(h) The Secretary shall perform, in general, all duties incident to the office of secretary and such other duties as may be specified in these By-laws or as may be assigned to the Secretary from time to time by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.

Section 4.09. Treasurer. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Treasurer, if there be one, shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation and shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) The Treasurer shall have charge and supervision over and be responsible for the moneys, securities, receipts and disbursements of the Corporation, and shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate records thereof.

(b) The Treasurer shall cause the moneys and other valuable effects of the Corporation to be deposited in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such banks or trust companies or with such bankers or other depositaries as shall be determined by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, or by such other officers of the Corporation as may be authorized by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer to make such determinations.

(c) The Treasurer shall cause the moneys of the Corporation to be disbursed by checks or drafts (signed by such officer or officers or such agent or agents of the Corporation, and in such manner, as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may determine from time to time) upon the authorized depositaries of the Corporation and cause to be taken and preserved proper vouchers for all moneys disbursed.

(d) The Treasurer shall render to the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, whenever requested, a statement of the financial condition of the Corporation and of the transactions of the Corporation, and render a full financial report at the annual meeting of the stockholders, if called upon to do so.

 

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(e) The Treasurer shall be empowered from time to time to require from all officers or agents of the Corporation reports or statements giving such information as he or she may desire with respect to any and all financial transactions of the Corporation.

(f) The Treasurer may sign (unless an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary shall have signed) certificates representing shares of stock of the Corporation the issuance of which shall have been authorized by the Board.

(g) The Treasurer shall perform, in general, all duties incident to the office of treasurer and such other duties as may be specified in these By-laws or as may be assigned to the Treasurer from time to time by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL STOCK

Section 5.01. Certificates of Stock, Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, except to the extent that the Board has provided by resolution that some or all of any or all classes or series of the stock of the Corporation shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Every holder of stock in the Corporation represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by any two authorized officers of the Corporation, representing the number and class of shares registered in certificate form and owned by such holder. Such certificate shall be in such form as the Board may determine, to the extent consistent with applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation and these By-laws.

Section 5.02. Facsimile Signatures. Any or all signatures on the certificates referred to in Section 5.01 of these By-laws may be in any form permitted under the DGCL. If any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed, or whose signature has been placed upon, a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

Section 5.03. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. A new certificate may be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed only upon delivery to the Corporation of an affidavit of the owner or owners (or their legal representatives) of such certificate, setting forth such allegation, and a bond or other undertaking as may be satisfactory to a financial officer of the Corporation designated by the Board to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of any such new certificate.

 

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Section 5.04. Transfer of Stock.

(a) Subject to any lawful restrictions on transfer of shares which may be contained in the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws or the Stockholders Agreement, if any, transfer of shares represented by certificates shall be made on the books of the Corporation upon surrender to the Corporation of a certificate for shares, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, and otherwise in compliance with applicable law. Transfers of uncertificated shares shall be made on the books of the Corporation as provided by applicable law. Within a reasonable time after the transfer of uncertificated stock, the Corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a notice, in writing or by electronic transmission, containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to Sections 151, 156, 202(a) and 218(a) of the DGCL. Subject to applicable law, the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and these By-laws, the Board may prescribe such additional rules and regulations as it may deem appropriate relating to the issue, transfer and registration of shares of the Corporation.

(b) The Corporation may enter into agreements with stockholders to restrict the transfer of stock of the Corporation in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.

Section 5.05. Registered Stockholders. Prior to due surrender of a certificate for registration of transfer, or due delivery of instructions for the registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation may treat the registered owner as the person exclusively entitled to receive dividends and other distributions, to vote, to receive notice and otherwise to exercise all the rights and powers of the owner of the shares represented by such certificate or of such uncertificated shares, and the Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or legal claim to or interest in such shares on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation shall have notice of such claim or interests except as required by applicable law. If a transfer of shares is made for collateral security, and not absolutely, this fact shall be so expressed in the entry of the transfer if, when the certificates are presented to the Corporation for transfer or uncertificated shares are requested to be transferred, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so.

Section 5.06. Transfer Agent and Registrar. The Board may appoint one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars, and may require all certificates representing shares to bear the signature of any such transfer agents or registrars.

ARTICLE VI

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 6.01. Indemnification.

(a) In General. Subject to Section 6.01(c) of these By-laws, the Corporation shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and other applicable law (including as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (each, a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that (x) such person is or was serving or has agreed to serve as a director or officer of the Corporation, (y) such person, while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as a

 

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director, officer, employee, manager or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise or (z) such person is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer or manager of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company, in the discretion of the Board, may so indemnify a person who is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Company in any other capacity for or on behalf of the Company), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by such person in such capacity, and who satisfies the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL or other applicable law:

(i) in a proceeding other than a proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person or on such person’s behalf in connection with such proceeding and any appeal therefrom, or

(ii) in a proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person or on such person’s behalf in connection with the defense or settlement of such proceeding and any appeal therefrom.

(b) Indemnification in Respect of Successful Defense. To the extent that a person has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any proceeding referred to in Section 6.01(a) of these By-laws or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified by the Corporation against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

(c) Indemnification in Respect of Proceedings Instituted by Indemnitee. Section 6.01(a) of these By-laws does not require the Corporation to indemnify a person in respect of a proceeding (or part thereof) instituted by such person on his or her own behalf, unless such proceeding (or part thereof) has been authorized by the Board or the indemnification requested is pursuant to the last sentence of Section 6.03 of these By-laws.

Section 6.02. Advance of Expenses. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL advance all expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by a person in defending any proceeding referred to in Section 6.01(a) of these By-laws prior to the final disposition of such proceeding upon written request of such person and delivery of an undertaking by such person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation. The Corporation may authorize any counsel for the Corporation to represent (subject to applicable conflict of interest considerations) such person in any proceeding, whether or not the Corporation is a party to such proceeding.

Section 6.03. Procedure for Indemnification. Any indemnification under Section 6.01 of these By-laws or any advance of expenses under Section 6.02 of these By-laws shall be made only against a written request therefor (together with supporting documentation) submitted by or on behalf of the person seeking indemnification or advance. Indemnification may be sought by a person under Section 6.01 of these By-laws in respect of a proceeding only to the extent that both the liabilities for which indemnification is sought and all portions of the proceeding relevant to

 

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the determination of whether the person has satisfied any appropriate standard of conduct have become final. A person seeking indemnification or advance of expenses may seek to enforce such person’s rights to indemnification or advance of expenses (as the case may be) in the Delaware Court of Chancery to the extent all or any portion of a requested indemnification has not been granted within sixty (60) days of, or to the extent all or any portion of a requested advance of expenses has not been granted within twenty (20) days of, the submission of such request. All expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by such person in connection with successfully establishing such person’s right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article VI, in whole or in part, shall also be indemnified by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04. Burden of Proof.

(a) In any proceeding brought to enforce the right of a person to receive indemnification to which such person is entitled under Section 6.01 of these By-laws, the Corporation has the burden of demonstrating that the standard of conduct applicable under the DGCL or other applicable law was not met. A prior determination by the Corporation (including its Board or any Committee thereof, its independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct does not itself constitute evidence that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(b) In any proceeding brought to enforce a claim for advances to which a person is entitled under Section 6.02 of these By-laws, the person seeking an advance need only show that he or she has satisfied the requirements expressly set forth in Section 6.02 of these By-laws.

Section 6.05. Contract Right; Non-Exclusivity; Survival.

(a) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article VI shall be deemed to be separate contract rights between the Corporation and each person referred to in Section 6.01(a) of these By-laws who serves in any such capacity at any time while these provisions as well as the relevant provisions of the DGCL are in effect, and no repeal or modification of any of these provisions or any relevant provisions of the DGCL shall adversely affect any right or obligation of such person existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to any state of facts then or previously existing or any proceeding previously or thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts. Such “contract rights” may not be modified retroactively as to any such person without the consent of such person.

(b) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article VI shall not be deemed exclusive of any other indemnification or advancement of expenses to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled by any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

(c) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article VI to any person referred to in Section 6.01(a) of these By-laws shall inure to the benefit of the estate, heirs, executors and administrators of such person.

 

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Section 6.06. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, manager or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person or on such person’s behalf in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of this Article VI.

Section 6.07. Employees and Agents. The Board, or any officer authorized by the Board generally or in the specific case to make indemnification decisions, may cause the Corporation to indemnify any present or former employee or agent of the Corporation in such manner and for such liabilities as the Board may determine, up to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL and other applicable law.

Section 6.08. Interpretation; Severability. Terms defined in Sections 145(h) or (i) of the DGCL have the meanings set forth in such sections when used in this Article VI. If this Article VI or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each person referred to in Section 6.01(a) of these By-laws as to costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including an action by or in the right of the Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article VI that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

Section 6.09. Other Sources. The Corporation’s obligation under this Article VI, if any, to indemnify or to advance expenses to (a) any person who, while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, manager or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise or (b) any person who is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer or manager of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise.

ARTICLE VII

OFFICES

Section 7.01. Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware shall be located at the location provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 7.02. Other Offices. The Corporation may maintain offices or places of business at such other locations within or without the State of Delaware as the Board may from time to time determine or as the business of the Corporation may require.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 8.01. Dividends.

(a) Subject to any applicable provisions of law and the Certificate of Incorporation, dividends upon the outstanding shares of the Corporation’s stock may be declared by the Board and any such dividend may be paid in cash, property or shares of the Corporation’s stock.

(b) A member of the Board, or a member of any Committee designated by the Board shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or Committees of the Board, or by any other person as to matters the director reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation, as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities and/or net profits of the Corporation, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of surplus or other funds from which dividends might properly be declared and paid.

Section 8.02. Reserves. There may be set apart out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board from time to time may determine proper as a reserve or reserves for meeting contingencies, equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose or purposes as the Board may determine conducive to the interest of the Corporation, and the Board may similarly modify or abolish any such reserve.

Section 8.03. Execution of Instruments. Except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board or any officer of the Corporation authorized by the Board may authorize any other officer or agent of the Corporation to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation. Any such authorization must be in writing or by electronic transmission and may be general or limited to specific contracts or instruments.

Section 8.04. Voting as Stockholder or Equity Holder. Unless otherwise determined by resolution of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President shall have full power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to attend any meeting of stockholders or equity holders of any company or entity in which the Corporation may hold stock or other equity interests, and to act, vote (or execute proxies to vote) and exercise in person or by proxy all other rights, powers and privileges incident to the ownership of such stock or equity interests at any such meeting, or through action without a meeting. The Board may by resolution from time to time confer such power and authority (in general or confined to specific instances) upon any other person or persons.

Section 8.05. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be the 52- or 53-week period ending on the Sunday nearest to January 31, unless otherwise fixed by the Board by resolution.

 

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Section 8.06. Seal. The seal of the Corporation, if any, shall be circular in form and shall contain the name of the Corporation, the year of its incorporation and the words “Corporate Seal” and “Delaware”. The form of such seal, if any, shall be subject to alteration by the Board. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or reproduced, or may be used in any other lawful manner.

Section 8.07. Books and Records; Inspection. Except to the extent otherwise required by law, the books and records of the Corporation shall be kept at such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as may be determined from time to time by the Board.

Section 8.08. Electronic Transmission. “Electronic transmission”, as used in these By-laws, means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, including the use of, or participation in, one (1) or more electronic networks or databases (including one (1) or more distributed electronic networks or databases) that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

Section 9.01. Amendment. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-laws may be amended, altered or repealed, or new by-laws may be adopted:

(a) by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the directors then in office, so long as a quorum is present, and

(b) (i) until the date on which the CD&R Investors, together with their affiliates, cease to collectively beneficially own (directly or indirectly) shares of stock of the Corporation representing at least forty percent (40%) of the combined voting power of all of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation (the “Trigger Date”), by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote thereon, or

(ii) from and after the Trigger Date, by affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote thereon.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) no amendment to the Stockholders Agreement (whether or not such amendment modifies any provision of the Stockholders Agreement to which these By-laws are subject) shall be deemed to be an amendment of these By-laws for purposes of this Section 9.01, and (y) no amendment, alteration or repeal of Article VI of these By-laws shall adversely affect any right or protection existing under these By-laws immediately prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, including any right or protection of a director, officer or other person thereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment.

 

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Exhibit 10.1

Execution Version

 

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

CORE & MAIN HOLDINGS, LP

Dated as of July 22, 2021

THE PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS OF CORE & MAIN HOLDINGS, LP HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS, IN RELIANCE UPON EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH LAWS. SUCH PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS MAY BE ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT ONLY, AND NEITHER SUCH PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS NOR ANY PART THEREOF MAY BE OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED, CHARGED, HYPOTHECATED, SOLD, ASSIGNED OR TRANSFERRED AT ANY TIME EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH (I) THE SECURITIES ACT, ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS AND (II) THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP. THE PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS WILL NOT BE TRANSFERRED OF RECORD OR OTHERWISE EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH SUCH LAWS AND THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP. THEREFORE, PURCHASERS OF SUCH PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE RISK OF THEIR INVESTMENT FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME.

 

  

 

 


Table of Contents

 

         Page  
ARTICLE I

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

1.1

  Name of Partnership      2  

1.2

  Registered Agent      2  

1.3

  Registered Office      2  

1.4

  Purpose      2  
ARTICLE II

 

PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

 

2.1

  Partnership Interests      2  
ARTICLE III

 

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

3.1

  Distributions Generally      3  

3.2

  Sale of Partnership      3  

3.3

  Tax Distributions      3  
ARTICLE IV

 

LIQUIDATION, TERMINATION AND DISSOLUTION

 

4.1

  Winding Up and Dissolution      4  
ARTICLE V

 

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER

 

5.1

  Restrictions on Transfer      5  

5.2

  Overriding Provisions      6  
ARTICLE VI

 

MANAGEMENT

 

6.1

  Management of the Partnership      6  

6.2

  Officers      7  

 

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Table of Contents

(continued)

 

         Page  
ARTICLE VII

 

PARTNERS

 

7.1

  Admission of Partners      7  

7.2

  Liability of Partners      8  

7.3

  Rights, Duties and Authority of the General Partner      8  

7.4

  Expenses      10  

7.5

  Withdrawal      10  

7.6

  General Partner      10  
ARTICLE VIII

 

LIABILITY, EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

8.1

  Liability      10  

8.2

  Exculpation      10  

8.3

  Fiduciary Duty; Partnership Opportunities      11  

8.4

  Insurance and Indemnification      12  

8.5

  Expenses      12  

8.6

  Severability; Third Party Rights      13  
ARTICLE IX

 

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS; ALLOCATIONS

 

9.1

  Capital Contributions      13  

9.2

  Capital Accounts, Adjustments, Allocation of Book Income and Loss      13  

9.3

  Tax Allocations; Other Tax Matters      14  
ARTICLE X

 

BOOKS AND RECORDS

 

10.1

  Books and Records; Information      17  
ARTICLE XI

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

11.1

  Notices      17  

11.2

  Power of Attorney      18  

11.3

  Agreement Binding upon Successors and Assigns; Recapitalizations, Exchanges, etc      18  

11.4

  Fiscal Year      19  

 

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Table of Contents

(continued)

 

         Page  

11.5

  Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury      19  

11.6

  Injunctive Relief      20  

11.7

  Consents      20  

11.8

  Miscellaneous      20  

11.9

  Amendments and Waiver      21  

11.10

  Restrictions on Other Agreements      21  

Annex I     Defined Terms

 

 

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SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

CORE & MAIN HOLDINGS, LP

THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (this “Agreement”) of Core & Main Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), is entered into by and among Core & Main, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“C&M Inc.”), as general partner (in such capacity, the “General Partner”) and a limited partner, CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “CD&R Partner”), as a limited partner, CD&R WW, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Intermediate Partner”), as a limited partner, and Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Management Partner”), as a limited partner. C&M Inc., the CD&R Partner, the Intermediate Partner and the Management Partner, in their capacities as limited partners of the Partnership, and together with those other Persons who may be admitted to the Partnership in accordance with the provisions hereof from time to time (excluding the General Partner), are hereinafter referred to as the “Limited Partners”, and each, a “Limited Partner”. The Partnership, the General Partner and the Limited Partners are collectively referred to as the “Parties” and the General Partner and the Limited Partners are collectively referred to as the “Partners”. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in Annex I.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, on August 5, 2019, the Partnership was formed by the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the execution of the Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of August 5, 2019 (the “Original Agreement”);

WHEREAS, on July 22, 2021, the Original Agreement was amended and restated by the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of July 22, 2021 (the “A&R Agreement”);

WHEREAS, immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement, the Partnership and certain of its Affiliates, including the Prior General Partners and one or more limited partners of the Partnership, effected certain reorganizational transactions (the “Reorganization Transactions”), including multiple Transfers of limited partner interest in the Partnership, and the admission of the assignees thereof as substitute limited partners, and the Transfer by merger of all GP Partnership Interests held by the Prior General Partners to CD&R WW Advisor, LLC and CD&R WW, LLC, and the admission of such transferees as substitute general partners of the Partnership;

WHEREAS, it is proposed that, immediately following the effectiveness of this Agreement, C&M, Inc. will undertake an initial underwritten public offering of shares of Class A Common Stock (the “IPO”); and

 

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WHEREAS, each of the Partners hereby desires to amend and restate the A&R Agreement, including to facilitate the IPO.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements herein made and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereby agree to amend and restate the A&R Agreement as follows:

ARTICLE I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1 Name of Partnership. The name of the Partnership continued without dissolution hereby is “Core & Main Holdings, LP” or such other name as may be selected by the General Partner from time to time.

1.2 Registered Agent. The registered agent of the Partnership is Corporation Service Company. The address of the Partnership’s registered agent is 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware, 19808.

1.3 Registered Office. The registered office of the Partnership in the state of Delaware is the office address of the Partnership’s registered agent at 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware, 19808. At any time, the General Partner may designate another registered agent or registered office in the State of Delaware and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in registered office.

1.4 Purpose. The Partnership has been formed for the object and purpose of engaging in any lawful act or activity for which limited partnerships may be formed under the laws of Delaware.

ARTICLE II

PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

2.1 Partnership Interests.

(a) The ownership interests in the Partnership shall consist of limited partner interests referred to as the “LP Partnership Interests” and general partner interests referred to as the “GP Partnership Interests”, all of which shall be uncertificated. At all times, (x) each Limited Partner shall hold one or more LP Partnership Interests and (y) each General Partner shall hold one or more GP Partnership Interests (and may hold one or more LP Partnership Interests).

(b) The number of GP Partnership Interests and LP Partnership Interests held by each Partner as of the date of this Agreement is set forth opposite such Partner’s name on Schedule A hereto in the columns entitled “GP Partnership Interests” and “LP Partnership Interests”, respectively. All such GP Partnership Interests and LP Partnership Interests have been validly issued, and constitute valid partnership interests in the Partnership. Such schedule shall be updated from time to time by the General Partner, without further action by the Limited Partners, to reflect the changes in the information thereon that occur pursuant to this Agreement and that otherwise are not in violation of the terms of this Agreement or the Act. Any GP Partnership Interests or LP Partnership Interests sold to any Partner shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

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(c) The number and kind of shares or other equity interests to which Partnership Interests may relate and the number and kinds of securities deliverable shall be proportionally adjusted, as deemed by the General Partner to be equitable and appropriate to the Partners, in the event of any extraordinary dividend, stock split, share combination, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, reorganization, exchange of shares or other equity interests or any other similar event affecting the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries.

(d) The Partnership Interests reflected on Schedule A as of the date of this Agreement are intended for U.S. federal income tax purposes to be, and shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement (including this Section 2.1) to be, a continuation of the GP Units, Common Units and Profits Units outstanding under the Original Agreement.

ARTICLE III

DISTRIBUTIONS

3.1 Distributions Generally. Subject to Section 3.2 and Section 4.1, when the General Partner determines that the Partnership shall distribute any cash or other property of the Partnership (which shall be valued at fair market value), such amounts or property shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with this Section 3.1. Any amounts distributable to the Partners pursuant to this Section 3.1 shall be distributed as follows:

(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Section 3.1, to the Partners in proportion to the aggregate number of Partnership Interests held by each Partner as of the time of such distribution.

(b) The General Partner may increase or decrease a distribution that would otherwise be made to any Partner pursuant to Section 3.1(a) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, by making distributions to some Partners but not to all) as it reasonably determines to be necessary or appropriate to reduce or eliminate any amount that may otherwise be taken into account as a Liquidation Adjustment pursuant to Section 4.1.

3.2 Sale of Partnership. If a sale of the Partnership is structured as a direct or indirect disposition of Partnership Interests, whether by a sale of Partnership Interests, merger, consolidation or otherwise, the purchase or other agreement governing such disposition shall contain provisions, which replicate, and each Partner agrees to apportion the proceeds among the Partners to replicate, to the maximum extent possible, the economic result that would have been attained under Section 3.1 had the sale been structured as a sale of the Partnership’s assets and a distribution of the net proceeds thereof after transaction expenses related to such sale. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 3.2 is not applicable to any of the Reorganization Transactions or the IPO.

3.3 Tax Distributions. Notwithstanding Section 3.1, the Partnership shall, to the extent of available cash, make distributions:

 

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(a) To each Partner in amounts intended to enable such Partner (or any person whose tax liability is determined by reference to the income of any such Partner) to discharge its U.S. federal, state and local (and, as the General Partner shall determine, non-U.S.) tax liabilities arising from allocations made (or to be made) and any distributions made pursuant to this Section 3.3 (“Tax Distributions”). The amount of each Tax Distribution shall be determined by the General Partner, taking into account the maximum combined U.S. federal, New York State and New York City tax rate applicable to individuals on ordinary income and capital gain (taking into account the applicable holding period), as the case may be, the amounts of ordinary income and capital gain (including amounts subject to tax at capital gain rates under Section 1(h)(11) of the Code) allocated to the Partners pursuant to this Agreement, and otherwise based on such reasonable assumptions as the General Partner determines in good faith to be appropriate, provided that the net taxable income allocated to the Partners shall be determined without taking into account adjustments to basis pursuant to Section 743(b) of the Code. Tax Distributions made pursuant to the foregoing shall be treated as advances against subsequent distributions payable to the applicable Partner pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 4.1, as the case may be.

(b) To the General Partner in amounts intended to enable the General Partner to satisfy its payment obligations under the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement and the Former Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement (“TRA Distributions”). TRA Distributions shall be treated as advances against subsequent distributions payable to the General Partner pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 4.1, as the case may be.

3.4 Limitations on Distributions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Partnership shall not make a distribution to a Partner on account of its interest in the Partnership if such distribution would violate the Act or other applicable law.

ARTICLE IV

LIQUIDATION, TERMINATION AND DISSOLUTION

4.1 Winding Up and Dissolution.

(a) The Partnership shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, at such time as (i) the General Partner of the Partnership approves in writing, (ii) an event of withdrawal of the General Partner has occurred under the Act (unless the Partnership is continued without dissolution in accordance with this Agreement or the Act), (iii) an entry of a decree of judicial dissolution has occurred under Section 17-802 of the Act or (iv) the Partnership does not have a Limited Partner (unless the Partnership is continued without dissolution in accordance with the Act); provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be dissolved or required to be wound up upon an event of withdrawal of the General Partner described in Section 4.1(b) hereof if (x) at the time of such event of withdrawal, there is at least one (1) other General Partner of the Partnership who carries on the business of the Partnership (any remaining General Partner being hereby authorized to carry on the business of the Partnership) or (y) within ninety (90) days after the occurrence of such event of withdrawal, all remaining Partners agree in writing to continue the business of the Partnership and to the appointment, effective as of the event of withdrawal, of one (1) or more additional general partners of the Partnership. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the Reorganization Transactions (including any general partner ceasing to be a general partner of the Partnership) resulted in the dissolution of the Partnership, and the Partnership is hereby continued without dissolution.

 

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(b) Upon dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement and the Act, the General Partner, or if there is none, a Person selected by the Partners holding a majority of the Partnership Interests to act as a liquidating trustee (the “Liquidating Trustee”), shall wind up the affairs of the Partnership and proceed within a reasonable period of time to sell or otherwise liquidate all of the assets of the Partnership, after paying or making due provisions by the setting up of reserves or otherwise for all liabilities to creditors of the Partnership, and to distribute the assets among the Partners in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Within a reasonable time after the effective date of the commencement of the winding up of the Partnership, the assets of the Partnership, or proceeds therefrom, shall be distributed or used as follows: (i) first, to the payment and discharge of all of the Partnership’s debts and liabilities (including debts and liabilities to the Partners, to the extent permitted by law) and the expenses of the liquidation and to the setting up of any reserves which the General Partner (or Liquidating Trustee, as applicable) may deem reasonably necessary for any contingent, conditional or unmatured liabilities or obligations of the Partnership and (ii) second, to the Partners, in accordance with Section 3.1. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) if, prior to making any distribution to the Partners contemplated under clause (ii), a Partner has received from the Partnership since the date of this Agreement aggregate cumulative distributions pursuant to Section 3.1 and Section 3.3 in an amount that is greater or less than the distributions such Partner would have been entitled to receive if all previous distributions were made to the Partners pursuant to Section 3.1(a) (such excess or deficit, a “Liquidation Adjustment”), the General Partner shall make such adjustments to the amounts distributable to the Partners under clause (ii) as the General Partner determines necessary in its reasonable discretion to ensure that the cumulative distributions to the Partners since the date of this Agreement is consistent with Section 3.1(a).

(c) In the event of dissolution of the Partnership, the Partners shall execute, do or concur in all necessary or proper instruments, acts, matters and things for realizing the outstanding debts of the Partnership and for dividing the surplus assets between the Partners as herein provided and for notifying the winding up and dissolution of the Partnership to Persons having had dealings with the Partnership.

ARTICLE V

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER

5.1 Restrictions on Transfer.

(a) Each Partner, and its respective Transferees, shall be permitted to Transfer its Partnership Interests, including pursuant to Exchange Transactions, subject to compliance with this Agreement, the Management Subscription Agreements, the Management Partner LLC Agreement and any applicable lock-up agreements then in effect.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding anything otherwise to the contrary in this Section 5.1, each Partner may Transfer any LP Partnership Interests in Exchange Transactions pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Exchange Agreement; provided that in the case of any Partners other than the CD&R Partner, such Exchange Transaction shall be effected in compliance with reasonable policies that the General Partner may adopt or promulgate from time to time (including policies requiring the use of designated administrators or brokers) in its sole discretion. Any transferee of such LP Partnership Interests pursuant to the Exchange Agreement shall automatically be admitted as a substitute Limited Partner with respect to such LP Partnership Interests notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary.

(c) The General Partner may in its sole discretion at any time and from time to time, without the consent of any Partner or other Person, cause to be Transferred in an Exchange Transaction any and all LP Partnership Interests, except for LP Partnership Interests held by the CD&R Partner and/or in which the CD&R Partner has an indirect interest as set forth in the books and records of the Partnership or the CD&R Partner. Any such determinations by the General Partner need not be uniform and may be made selectively among Partners, whether or not such Partners are similarly situated. In addition, the General Partner may, with the consent of the CD&R Partner and the consent of Partners holding at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding LP Partnership Interests, require all Partners to Transfer in an Exchange Transaction all LP Partnership Interests held by them; provided that the prior written consent of the CD&R Partner will be required.

5.2 Overriding Provisions. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement, in no event may any Partner Transfer all or a portion of such Partner’s Partnership Interests if the General Partner determines such Transfer would pose a material risk that the Partnership would be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of 7704 of the Code; provided, however, that a Transfer will not be prohibited on this basis so long as the Partnership satisfies the “private placements” safe harbor under Section 1.7704-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations. In addition, none of the Partnership Interests may be Transferred if such Transfer would result in the Partnership becoming subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or other similar provision of non-U.S. law). To the fullest extent permitted by law, any purported Transfer in violation of this Section 5.2 shall be void ab initio. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 5.2 and Section 5.1 do not apply to any Transfers of LP Partnership Interests or GP Partnership Interests pursuant to or in connection with the Reorganization Transactions (all such Transfers being hereby ratified, approved and confirmed in all respects).

ARTICLE VI

MANAGEMENT

6.1 Management of the Partnership.

(a) General. The General Partner shall manage, operate, control and direct the business and affairs of the Partnership. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the General Partner shall have the exclusive power and authority to make all decisions and determinations with respect to the Partnership or affecting the business and affairs of the Partnership, to take all such actions as it deems necessary, advisable, appropriate or desirable to accomplish the purposes of the Partnership as set forth in this Agreement and shall otherwise possess all rights

 

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and powers as provided in the Act and otherwise by law to the general partner of a limited partnership. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner shall have the power and authority to delegate all or any portion of its powers hereunder to such Persons as it may deem appropriate, and no such delegation shall cause the General Partner to cease to be the general partner of the Partnership or limit the General Partner’s rights to continue to manage, operate, control and direct the business and affairs of the Partnership. The Partnership is hereby authorized to execute, deliver and perform, and the General Partner and each Officer, acting singly, are hereby authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Partnership, any agreements or other documents that are related to, in connection with or in furtherance of the Reorganization Transactions or the IPO, all without any further act, vote or approval of any Partner or any other Person notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary (such execution, delivery and performance being hereby ratified, approved and confirmed in all respects).

(b) Participation by Limited Partners. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Limited Partner (in such capacity) has the right or power to participate in the management, affairs, conduct or control of the business of the Partnership, nor does any Limited Partner (in such capacity) have the power to sign for or bind the Partnership or deal with third parties on behalf of the Partnership. In addition, each Limited Partner (in such capacity) agrees that it will not hold itself out as a general partner of the Partnership to any Person transacting business with the Partnership.

6.2 Officers. The Partnership may have such officers (the “Officers”) as the General Partner in its discretion may appoint or who may be appointed by the other Officers if specifically authorized to do so by the General Partner. The General Partner may remove any Officer with or without cause at any time. Any such Officers may, subject to the general direction and control of the General Partner, have responsibility for the management of the normal and customary day-to-day operations of the Partnership to the extent so delegated by the General Partner or the Officer appointing such Officer, subject to the terms of this Agreement, and will be empowered to engage in all appropriate and necessary activities to accomplish the purposes of the Partnership as set forth herein. The Partners hereby delegate to each of the Officers the nonexclusive power and authority to act as an agent of the Partnership and, in such capacity, to bind the Partnership in the ordinary course of the Partnership’s business and to execute any and all documents to be signed by the Partnership, subject to the limitations on the authority of the Officers set forth herein and under the Act.

ARTICLE VII

PARTNERS

7.1 Admission of Partners. The name, address and number of Partnership Interests held by each Partner are set forth on Schedule A. The General Partner hereby continues as the sole general partner of the Partnership and each Limited Partner hereby continues as a limited partner of the Partnership. To the extent the Intermediate Partner has not heretofore ceased to be a general partner of the Partnership, the Intermediate Partner hereby ceases to be a general partner of the Partnership and the Partnership is hereby continued without dissolution with C&M Inc. as the sole general partner of the Partnership. The General Partner shall amend Schedule A from time to time to reflect (a) the admission of any additional Partners, (b) a change in the

 

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Partnership Interests owned by any Partner, (c) the removal, withdrawal or termination of any Partner or (d) the receipt by the Partnership of notice of any change of name or address of a Partner, except that Schedule A will not be revised if any of the actions described in clauses (a) through (d) above violates any provision of this Agreement. After the date hereof, a Person shall be admitted as a Limited Partner of the Partnership only with the consent of the General Partner. One or more additional or substitute general partners of the Partnership may be admitted to the Partnership only with the consent of the General Partner. For the avoidance of doubt, the admission of any transferee of a Partnership Interest in connection with the Reorganization Transactions is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved in all respects.

7.2 Liability of Partners.

(a) The General Partner, in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership, shall not be personally obligated to contribute cash or other assets to the Partnership to make up deficits in the Capital Accounts of Limited Partners either during the term of the Partnership or after dissolution.

(b) No Limited Partner shall be liable for the losses, liabilities, debts or obligations of the Partnership beyond the amount such Partner has contributed to the Partnership in the form of capital contributions, except to the extent otherwise required by or pursuant to applicable Law. A Limited Partner’s obligation to make capital contributions to the Partnership shall be limited to such Limited Partner’s obligation, if any, to make capital contributions on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Limited Partners shall not be obligated personally for any debt, obligation or liability of the Partnership solely by reason of being Limited Partners of the Partnership.

(c) In the event any Limited Partner shall Transfer its entire interest in the Partnership in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, without retaining any interest therein, directly or indirectly, then such Limited Partner shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, be relieved of any further liability arising hereunder for events occurring from and after the date of such Transfer and shall cease to be a Limited Partner of the Partnership.

7.3 Rights, Duties and Authority of the General Partner.

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the doing of any act or the failure to do any act by the General Partner or any other Covered Person, the effect of which causes or may cause or results or may result in loss, liability, damage or expense to the General Partner, the Partnership, any Subsidiary or any other Partner, shall, to the greatest extent permitted by applicable Law, not subject the General Partner or any such other Covered Person to any liability to the General Partner, the Partnership, any such Subsidiary or to any other Partner, except in the event of Disabling Conduct by the General Partner or any such other Covered Person.

(b) The General Partner may consult with legal counsel, accountants and other experts reasonably selected by it in connection with its acting as the general partner hereunder, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any act or omission suffered or taken by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership or believed by the General Partner to be in

 

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furtherance of the Partnership in good faith in reliance upon and in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountant or expert, shall be full justification for any such act or omission, and the General Partner shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, be fully protected in so acting or omitting to act, and shall incur no liability to the Partnership or any other Partner as a result thereof.

(c) The General Partner may rely in good faith upon and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties, and the General Partner shall not be responsible to the Partnership or any other Partner for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any broker, agent or attorney appointed with reasonable care by it hereunder.

(d) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the General Partner acting under this Agreement shall not be liable to the Partnership or to any other Partner for breach of fiduciary duty for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they expand or restrict or eliminate the duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities of the General Partner otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Partners to modify to that extent and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, such other duties and liabilities of the General Partner.

(e) The Partnership and the General Partner shall be entitled to treat the record owner of any interest in the Partnership as the absolute owner thereof in all respects, and shall incur no liability for distributions of cash or other property made in good faith to such owner until such time as a written instrument of assignment of such interest has been received and accepted by the General Partner and the transferee or assignee (as applicable) has been admitted to the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

(f) The General Partner shall be entitled to retain any fees or expenses earned in any capacity relating to the Partnership.

(g) The Partnership and/or the General Partner either in their own names or on behalf of the Partnership shall, in addition to any other powers set out in this Agreement, have the power to incur indebtedness or to borrow or raise money and to enter into any commitment letter, loan, credit facility or other agreement in connection therewith; to make, issue, accept, endorse and execute notes and other instruments and evidences of indebtedness; to secure the payment, repayment and performance thereof by any mortgage, charge, assignment by way of security or creation of any other security interest in or over all or any part of the assets of the General Partner (in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership) and/or the Partnership then owned or thereafter acquired by the General Partner and/or the Partnership, as the case may be; to guarantee or secure the obligations of any other person; to grant any indemnity in favor of any person; to sell, mortgage, charge, assign by way of security or otherwise dispose of or create security interests over all or any assets of the Partnership and/or the General Partner to guarantee or secure the obligations of any person (including, to secure any guarantee or indemnity granted by the Partnership and/or the General Partner); and to enter into any subordination arrangements in connection with the foregoing. For the avoidance of doubt, any arrangements described in, or obligations incurred pursuant to, this Section 7.3 (including, without limitation, any borrowing, guarantee, indemnify or grant of a security interest) may be entered into by the Partnership and/or the General Partner on a joint and several basis with, or with respect to the debts and/or obligations of, any other person.

 

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7.4 Expenses. The Partnership shall bear all its own operating expenses (including the fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants, consultants, experts and custodians retained by the Partnership). All expenditures in respect of the Partnership, including, without limitation, the emoluments of all employees and agents employed by the Partnership and all expenses, losses or damages incurred in relation thereto shall be paid out of the assets of the Partnership or, failing that, out of other cash funds of the Partnership (including the capital of the Partnership and/or loans).

7.5 Withdrawal. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, the General Partner shall not have the right or obligation to force a withdrawal of any Limited Partner from the Partnership prior to the dissolution of the Partnership. Limited Partners may not withdraw without the specific consent of the General Partner (which may be granted or withheld in the General Partner’s absolute discretion).

7.6 General Partner. The General Partner may (a) transfer its General Partner interest or (b) voluntarily withdraw as general partner of the Partnership; provided that in each case following such transfer or withdrawal, there shall remain at least one general partner of the Partnership which satisfies the requirements set out in the Act. Upon a transfer by the General Partner of its GP Partnership Interest as permitted hereunder, the Transferee shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner of the Partnership and shall continue the business of the Partnership without dissolution.

ARTICLE VIII

LIABILITY, EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION

8.1 Liability. Except as otherwise provided by the Act, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Partnership, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be solely the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Partnership, and no Covered Person (other than the General Partner) shall be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Partnership solely by reason of being a Covered Person.

8.2 Exculpation. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, no Covered Person shall be liable to the Partnership or any Person bound by this Agreement for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Covered Person in good faith on behalf of the Partnership and in a manner believed to be within the scope of authority conferred on such Covered Person by this Agreement, except that a Covered Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Covered Person’s Disabling Conduct. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, each Covered Person shall in the performance of his or her duties be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Partnership and upon information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Partnership by any Officers or employees of the Partnership, or committees

 

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designated by the General Partner, or by any other Person as to the matters the Covered Person reasonably believes are within such other Person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Partnership. Without limiting the foregoing, each Limited Partner agrees to waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any claim or right of action it might have, whether individually or on behalf of the Partnership, against the General Partner or any director of the General Partner on account of any action taken or failure to take any action in its, his or her capacity as a director of the General Partner; provided that such waiver shall not extend to any matter involving any actual fraud or dishonesty on the part of such director.

8.3 Fiduciary Duty; Partnership Opportunities.

(a) Waiver of Fiduciary Duties. Subject to the proviso in the last sentence of Section 8.2, any duties (including fiduciary duties) of a Covered Person to the Partnership, to any Partner or to any other Person bound by this Agreement that would otherwise apply at law or in equity are hereby eliminated to the fullest extent permitted under the Act and any other applicable Law, and each Partner waives to the fullest extent permitted by the Act and any other applicable Law, any duty that a Covered Person may have to the Partnership or any other Partner that would otherwise apply at law or in equity, to the extent such waiver is necessary to give effect to the terms of this Section 8.3(a); provided that the foregoing shall not eliminate (i) the obligation of each Covered Person to act in compliance with the express terms of this Agreement or (ii) the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing in construing this Agreement. A Covered Person acting under this Agreement shall not be liable to the Partnership or to any other Person bound by this Agreement for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, to the extent that, at law or in equity, a Covered Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership or to any other Covered Person, a Covered Person acting under this Agreement shall not be liable to the Partnership or to any Partner or to any other Person bound by this Agreement for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.

(b) Partnership Opportunities. Except as otherwise provided in the last sentence of this Section 8.3(b), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, (i) no Covered Person shall have any duty to communicate or present an investment or business opportunity or prospective economic advantage to the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries in which the Partnership or one of its Subsidiaries may, but for the provisions of this Section 8.3(b), have an interest or expectancy (“Partnership Opportunity”), and (ii) no Covered Person will be deemed to have breached any fiduciary or other duty or obligation to the Partnership, any Partner or any other Person bound by this Agreement by reason of the fact that any such Person pursues or acquires a Partnership Opportunity for itself or its Affiliates or directs, sells, assigns or transfers such Partnership Opportunity to another Person or does not communicate information regarding such Partnership Opportunity to the Partnership or any applicable Subsidiary. The Partnership, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, renounces any interest in a Partnership Opportunity and any expectancy that a Partnership Opportunity will be offered to the Partnership; provided, however, that the Partnership does not renounce any interest or expectancy it may have in any Partnership Opportunity that is offered to an Officer or employee of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries, (x) who is not a director, officer or employee of a Partner, or (y) who is also a director, officer or employee of a Partner, if, in the case of clause (y), such opportunity is expressly offered to such Person in his or her capacity as an Officer or employee of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries, and the Partners recognize that the Partnership reserves such rights.

 

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(c) Overriding Provision. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict or eliminate the duties and liabilities of a Covered Person to the Partnership, any Partner or any other Person bound by this Agreement otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Covered Person to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

8.4 Insurance and Indemnification. In addition to the payment of expenses pursuant to Section 8.5, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the Partnership agrees to indemnify, pay and hold each Covered Person harmless from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims, costs, expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any interest and penalties, out-of-pocket expenses, and the fees and disbursements of counsel for such Covered Person in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceedings, whether or not such Covered Person shall be designated a party thereto), whether absolute, accrued, conditional or otherwise and whether or not resulting from third-party claims, which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Covered Person, in any manner relating to or arising out of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Covered Person on behalf of the Partnership, except that no Covered Person shall be entitled to be indemnified in respect of any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Covered Person which is determined by a final, non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Covered Person’s Disabling Conduct; provided that any indemnity under this Section 8.4 shall be provided out of and to the extent of Partnership assets only, and no Covered Person shall have any personal liability on account thereof. The Partnership shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to purchase and maintain insurance (including directors and officers liability insurance) for the benefit of any Covered Person who is entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.4 against any liability asserted against or incurred by such Covered Person in any capacity with respect to or arising out of such Covered Person’s service with the Partnership, whether or not the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Covered Person against such liability.

8.5 Expenses. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees, disbursements, fines and amounts paid in settlement) incurred by a Covered Person in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding relating to or arising out of his or her performance of his or her duties on behalf of the Partnership, or with respect to advice sought regarding his or her rights and responsibilities, or the protection of rights or interests, under this Agreement, shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership prior to the final disposition of such claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding upon receipt by the Partnership of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Covered Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in Section 8.4.

 

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8.6 Severability; Third Party Rights. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, if any portion of this Article VIII shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Partnership shall nevertheless indemnify each Covered Person and may indemnify each employee or agent of the Partnership as to costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including an action by or in the right of the Partnership, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article VIII that shall not have been invalidated. A Person who is not a party to this Agreement may not, in its own right or otherwise, enforce any term of this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement, the consent of any person who is not a party to this Agreement (including, without limitation, any Covered Person) is not required for any amendment to, or variation, release, rescission or termination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE IX

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS; CAPITAL ACCOUNTS; ALLOCATIONS

9.1 Capital Contributions.

(a) Capital Contributions. Each Partner that has made (or is deemed to have made) capital contributions to the Partnership shall have such capital contributions reflected in its Capital Account. No Partner shall have any obligation to make any capital contributions or other contributions to the Partnership. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, no interest shall accrue on any capital contribution, and no Partner shall have the right to withdraw or be repaid any capital contribution.

(b) Additional Capital Contributions. No Limited Partner shall be required to make any additional capital contribution or loan in respect of the Partnership Interests then owned by any such Limited Partner. However, a Limited Partner may make additional capital contributions to the Partnership with, and only with, the written consent of the General Partner and such Limited Partner and in compliance with the other terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

9.2 Capital Accounts, Adjustments, Allocation of Book Income and Loss.

(a) Capital Accounts. There shall be established on the books and records of the Partnership a capital account (a “Capital Account”) for each Partner. The Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Treasury Regulations § 1.704-1(b) and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such regulations.

(b) Adjustments. Subject to Section 4.1, as of the last day of each Accounting Period, the balance in each Partner’s Capital Account shall be adjusted by: (i) increasing such balance by (A) such Partner’s allocable share of each item of the Partnership’s income and gain for such Accounting Period (allocated in accordance with Section 4.1(b)) and (B) the amount of any cash and the fair market value of any property (net of the amount of any liabilities to which such property is subject) contributed by such Partner during such Accounting Period and (ii) decreasing such balance by (A) such Partner’s allocable share of each item of the Partnership’s loss and deduction for such Accounting Period (allocated in accordance with

 

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Section 4.1(b)) and (B) the amount of cash or the fair market value of any property (net of the amount of any liabilities to which such property is subject) distributed to such Partner during such Accounting Period. Each Partner’s Capital Account shall be further adjusted with respect to any special allocations or adjustments made pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise determined by the General Partner to be necessary or appropriate under the circumstances.

(c) Allocation of Book Income and Loss. Except as otherwise provided herein, each item of income, gain, loss or deduction of the Partnership (determined in accordance with U.S. tax principles as applied to the maintenance of capital accounts) shall be allocated among the Capital Accounts of the Partners with respect to each Accounting Period, as of the end of such Accounting Period, in such a manner that as closely as possible gives economic effect to the provisions of this Agreement, taking into account the Partners’ varying interests in the Partnership during the relevant year, including in connection with the Original Agreement and the A&R Agreement.

9.3 Tax Allocations; Other Tax Matters.

(a) Tax Allocations. The income, gains, losses, credits and deductions recognized by the Partnership shall be allocated among the Partners, for U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes, to the extent permitted under the Code and the Treasury Regulations, in the same manner that each such item is allocated to the Partners’ Capital Accounts in accordance with Section 9.2(c) or as otherwise expressly provided herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the General Partner may adjust such allocations for U.S. federal, state and local tax purposes so long as such adjusted allocations have substantial economic effect or are in accordance with the Partners’ interest in the Partnership, in each case within the meaning of the Code and the Treasury Regulations. In accordance with Section 704(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to any property contributed to the capital of the Partnership shall, solely for tax purposes, be allocated among the Partners so as to take account of any variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the Partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and its fair market value at the time of contribution. Tax credits and tax credit recapture shall be allocated in accordance with the interests of the Partners in the Partnership as provided in Treasury Regulations § 1.704-1(b)(4)(ii). All matters concerning allocations for U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. income tax purposes, including accounting procedures, not expressly provided for by the terms of this Agreement shall be determined by the General Partner in its sole discretion.

(b) Withholding Generally. Each Partner shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, indemnify and hold harmless the Partnership and each Person who is or who is deemed to be the responsible withholding agent for U.S. federal, state or local or non-U.S. income tax purposes against all claims, liabilities and expenses of whatever nature relating to such Person’s obligation to withhold and to pay over, or otherwise pay, any withholding or other taxes payable by the Partnership with respect to such Partner or as a result of such Partner’s participation in the Partnership.

 

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(c) Authority to Withhold; Treatment of Withheld Tax. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each Partner hereby authorizes the Partnership and the General Partner to withhold and to pay over, or otherwise pay, any withholding or other taxes payable or required to be deducted by the Partnership attributable to such Partner (including taxes attributable to income or gain allocable to such Partner) or resulting from such Partner’s participation in the Partnership. If and to the extent that the Partnership shall be required to withhold or pay any such withholding or other taxes, such Partner shall be deemed for all purposes of this Agreement to have received a payment from the Partnership as of the time such withholding or other taxes are withheld or required to be paid, whichever is earlier, which payment shall be deemed to be a distribution with respect to such Partner’s interest in the Partnership to the extent that such Partner (or any successor to such Partner’s interest in the Partnership) would have received a cash distribution but for such withholding or other taxes. To the extent that such payment exceeds the cash distribution that such Partner would have received but for such withholding, the General Partner shall notify such Partner as to the amount of such excess and such Partner shall make a prompt payment to the Partnership of such amount by wire transfer, which payment shall not constitute a capital contribution and, consequently, shall not increase the Capital Account of such Partner. For the avoidance of doubt, references to taxes in this Agreement include interest, penalties and additions to tax.

(d) Withholding from Distributions to the Partnership. In the event that the Partnership receives a distribution or payment from or in respect of which tax has been withheld or other taxes have been paid, the Partnership shall be deemed to have received cash in an amount equal to the amount of such withholding or other taxes, and each Partner shall be deemed for all purposes of this Agreement to have received a payment from the Partnership as of the time of such distribution or payment equal to the portion of such amount that is attributable to such Partner’s interest in the Partnership (or attributable to income allocable to such Partner) as determined by the General Partner in its sole discretion, which payment shall be deemed to be a distribution to such Partner pursuant to Section 3.1 to the extent that such Partner (or any successor to such Partner’s interest in the Partnership) would have received a cash distribution but for such withholding or other taxes. To the extent that such payment exceeds the cash distribution that such Partner would have received but for such withholding, the General Partner shall notify such Partner as to the amount of such excess and such Partner shall make a prompt payment to the Partnership of such amount by wire transfer, which payment shall not constitute a capital contribution and, consequently, shall not increase the Capital Account of such Partner.

(e) Withholding Forms and Information. Each Partner shall furnish the Partnership with any information, representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by the Partnership from time to time to assist it in complying with any applicable Law or tax requirements or determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, any withholding obligations in respect of the Partnership. Each Partner shall furnish the Partnership with any information, representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by the Partnership to assist it in obtaining any exemption, reduction or refund of any withholding or other taxes imposed by any taxing authority or other governmental agency upon the Partnership or amounts paid, or allocable, to the Partnership.

(f) Tax Elections. The General Partner shall (and is hereby authorized to) cause the Partnership and, if applicable, any subsidiary of the Partnership to make a timely election under Section 754 of the Code, or any similar provision enacted in lieu thereof, and any similar provisions under any state, local or non-U.S. tax law. The General Partner shall have the power to make any other election on behalf of the Partnership that the General Partner deems appropriate in its sole discretion.

 

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(g) Tax Representative. The General Partner shall designate a Person as the “partnership representative” of the Partnership for each taxable year of the Partnership, in accordance with Section 6223 of the Code and any similar provision under any state or local or non-U.S. tax laws (such Person with respect to any taxable year, the “Tax Representative”). Each Partner hereby consents to each such designation and agrees that, upon the request of the General Partner, such Partner will execute, certify, acknowledge, deliver, swear to, file and record at the appropriate public offices such documents as may be necessary or appropriate to evidence such consent. No Limited Partner may revoke any designation of a Tax Representative. The applicable Tax Representative shall have the sole discretion to determine all matters, and shall be authorized to take any actions necessary, with respect to preparing and filing any U.S. federal, state or local or non-U.S. tax return of the Partnership and any audit, examination or investigation (including any judicial or administrative proceeding) of the Partnership by any U.S. federal, state or local or non-U.S. taxing authority (including the allocation of any resulting taxes, penalties and interest among the Partners and whether to make an election under Section 6226 of the Code or any similar provision of any state or local tax laws with respect to any audit or other examination of the Partnership). Each Partner shall promptly upon request furnish to any Tax Representative any information that such Tax Representative may reasonably request in connection with (i) preparing or filing any tax returns of the Partnership, (ii) any tax election of the Partnership or (iii) any audit, examination or investigation (including any judicial or administrative proceeding) of the Partnership. If the applicable Tax Representative makes an election under Section 6226 of the Code or any similar provision of any state or local tax laws with respect to any audit adjustment of any item of the Partnership’s income, gain, loss, deduction or credit (or adjustment of the allocation of any such items among the Partners), each Partner shall comply with the requirements set forth in Section 6226 of the Code or any similar provision of any state or local or non-U.S. tax laws (and any applicable guidance issued by the applicable taxing authority) with respect to such election. Each Partner shall file all U.S. tax returns with respect to such Partner’s distributive share of any item of the Partnership’s income, gain, loss, deduction or credit in a manner consistent with the Partnership’s U.S. tax treatment of such item. For the avoidance of doubt, any taxes, penalties or interest imposed on the Partnership with respect to any audit, examination or investigation (including any judicial or administrative proceeding) of the Partnership by any taxing authority under Section 6225 of the Code (and any similar provisions under any state or local or non-U.S. tax laws) shall be deemed to be distributions subject to the provisions of Section 3.1. No Partner shall, without the consent of the General Partner, (A) file a request for administrative adjustment of Partnership items, (B) file a petition with respect to any Partnership item or other tax matters involving the Partnership or (C) enter into a settlement agreement with any taxing authority with respect to any Partnership items.

(h) Schedule K-1. The Partnership shall cause the preparation and timely filing of all of the Partnership’s tax returns and shall timely file all other writings required by any governmental authority having jurisdiction to require such filing. Each Partner shall provide such information to the Partnership as may be reasonably necessary for purposes of the Partnership’s preparing any such required tax return or information return. The General Partner shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide to each Partner any information or relevant

 

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form, including but not limited to Internal Revenue Service Schedule K-1 to Internal Revenue Service Form 1065, regarding the Partnership’s taxable income or loss and each item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit which is relevant to reporting a Partner’s share of the Partnership’s income, gain, loss, deduction or credit for income tax purposes, as soon as practicable after the close of the Partnership’s Tax Year (as defined below). Upon the written request of any Partner, the Partnership shall provide any information reasonably necessary for (i) the preparation of any U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax returns which may need to be filed by such Partner or (ii) financial accounting purposes.

ARTICLE X

BOOKS AND RECORDS

10.1 Books and Records; Information.

(a) Generally. The General Partner shall keep proper books and records pertaining to the Partnership’s business and all of its assets and liabilities, receipts and disbursements, realized profits and losses, Partners’ Capital Accounts and all transactions entered into by the Partnership, and all such books and records shall be maintained at the Partnership’s principal place of business and/or registered office, as applicable, and in accordance with the Act. The General Partner shall retain the books and records of the Partnership for a period of at least six (6) years following the filing of the final Partnership tax returns.

(b) Information. Except as provided for by this Agreement or required by the Act, each Limited Partner shall not have the right to obtain information from the Partnership unless otherwise determined by the General Partner.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

11.1 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by courier service, by electronic mail or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be as specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 11.1):

 

  (i)

If to the Partnership, to:

Core & Main Holdings, LP

c/o Core & Main, Inc.

1830 Craig Park Court

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

Email: X

Attention: General Counsel and Secretary

 

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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Email: pmrodel@debevoise.com

Attention: Paul M. Rodel, Esq.

 

  (ii)

If to the General Partner, to:

Core & Main, Inc.

1830 Craig Park Court

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

Email: X

Attention: General Counsel and Secretary

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Email: pmrodel@debevoise.com

Attention: Paul M. Rodel, Esq.

 

  (iii)

if to any Limited Partner, to the address of such Limited Partner as shown on Schedule A.

11.2 Power of Attorney. The Partners, jointly and severally, hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint the General Partner, with full power of substitution, their true and lawful attorney-in-fact in their name, place and stead to make, execute, sign and acknowledge, record and file, on behalf of them and on behalf of the Partnership the following: (i) a Certificate of Limited Partnership and any other certificates or instruments which may be required to be filed by the Partnership or the Partners under the laws of the State of Delaware and any other jurisdiction whose laws may be applicable; and (ii) any and all such other instruments as may be deemed necessary or desirable by the General Partner to carry out fully the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with its terms. Such power of attorney shall be irrevocable and is coupled with an interest.

11.3 Agreement Binding upon Successors and Assigns; Recapitalizations, Exchanges, etc.

(a) Except as herein otherwise specifically provided, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of all of the parties and, to the extent permitted by this Agreement, their successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives and assigns.

 

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(b) The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to any and all equity interests in the Partnership or any successor or assign of the Partnership (whether by conversion, merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) which may be issued in respect of, in exchange for, or in substitution of any Partnership Interests, by reason of a partnership interest distribution, partnership interest split, partnership interest issuance, reverse partnership interest split, combination, recapitalization, reclassification, conversion, merger, consolidation or otherwise. Upon the occurrence of any such events, amounts hereunder shall be appropriately adjusted by the General Partner.

11.4 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year is a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Sunday nearest to January 31, or such other period as shall be determined by the General Partner. The tax year of the Partnership for income tax purposes shall be determined by the General Partner in accordance with Section 706 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder (the “Tax Year”).

11.5 Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury.

(a) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. The Parties hereto hereby declare that it is their intention that this Agreement shall be regarded as made under the laws of the State of Delaware and that the laws of said State shall be applied in interpreting its provisions in all cases where legal interpretation shall be required.

(b) The Parties irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and of the federal courts sitting in the state of Delaware in connection with any action relating to this Agreement and each party agrees (i) to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, to appoint and maintain an agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process and notify the other parties hereto of the name and address of such agent, and (ii) that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, service of process may also be made on such party by prepaid certified mail with a proof of mailing receipt validated by the United States Postal Service constituting evidence of valid service, and that service made pursuant to (i) or (ii) above shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, have the same legal force and effect as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware. Any action against any party relating to the foregoing shall be brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery (or, solely if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept or does not have jurisdiction over any action, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (Complex Commercial Division) or, if the subject matter jurisdiction over the action is vested exclusively in the federal courts of the United States of America, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware), and any appellate courts of any thereof. To the extent not prohibited by applicable law, each party hereto waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such proceeding brought in the above-named courts, any claim that such party is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of such courts, that such party’s property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that such proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of such proceeding is improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter thereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.

 

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(c) TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY ISSUE OR ACTION, CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION OR SUIT (IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE), INQUIRY, PROCEEDING OR INVESTIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INFORMED BY THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO THAT THIS SECTION 11.5(C) CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT UPON WHICH THEY ARE RELYING AND WILL RELY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 11.5(C) WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

11.6 Injunctive Relief. The General Partner and the Limited Partners hereby declare that it is impossible to measure in money the damages that will accrue to the parties hereto by reason of the failure of the General Partner or any Limited Partner to perform any of its obligations set forth in this Agreement. Therefore, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the General Partner and the Limited Partners shall have the right to specific performance of such obligations, and if any party hereto shall institute any action or proceeding to enforce the provisions hereof, the General Partner and the Limited Partners hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the claim or defense that the party instituting such action or proceeding has an adequate remedy at law.

11.7 Consents. Any and all consents, agreements or approvals provided for or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing, and a signed copy thereof shall be filed and kept with the books of the Partnership at the principal place of business of the Partnership.

11.8 Miscellaneous.

(a) All references to the masculine herein shall include both the neuter and the feminine. Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”

(b) The titles, captions and headings preceding the text of each Section hereof shall be disregarded in the construction of this Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided, sections cited herein shall refer to sections of this Agreement.

(c) This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file) in one or more counterparts, and by the different Parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Copies of executed counterparts transmitted by telecopy, by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file or other electronic transmission service shall be considered original executed counterparts for purposes of this Section 11.8(c).

 

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(d) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, superseding any prior agreement or understanding among them, oral or written.

(e) If any provision, including any phrase, sentence, clause, section or subsection, of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, inoperative or unenforceable for any reason, such circumstances shall not have the effect of rendering such provision in question invalid, inoperative or unenforceable in any other case or circumstance, or of rendering any other provision herein contained invalid, inoperative or unenforceable to any extent whatsoever. Upon any such determination, the General Partner shall reasonably and in good faith modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

(f) At any time or from time to time after the date hereof, the parties agree to cooperate with each other, and at the request of any other party, to execute and deliver any further instruments or documents and to take all such further action as the other party may reasonably request in order to evidence or effectuate the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with their terms and to otherwise carry out the intent of the parties hereunder.

11.9 Amendments and Waiver. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective without the consent of the General Partner; provided that any Limited Partner may waive (in writing) the benefit of any provision of this Agreement with respect to itself for any purpose. Any written amendment or waiver to this Agreement that receives the vote or consent of the General Partner need not be signed by all Limited Partners, but shall be effective in accordance with its terms and shall be binding upon all Limited Partners; provided that this Agreement may not be amended in any manner adversely affecting the rights or obligations of any Limited Partner that does not, by its terms, adversely affect the rights or obligations of all similarly situated Limited Partners in a substantially similar manner without the consent of such Limited Partner.

11.10 Restrictions on Other Agreements. Following the date hereof, no Limited Partner shall enter into or agree to be bound by any Limited Partner agreements or arrangements of any kind with any Person with respect to any Partnership Interests (other than the Indemnification Agreement), to the extent that such agreement or arrangement would conflict with or violate any provision or term of this Agreement or otherwise be intended to circumvent the provisions set forth herein, except pursuant to the agreements specifically contemplated by the Indemnification Agreement.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound hereby, have duly executed this Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership effective as of the date first set forth above.

 

GENERAL AND LIMITED PARTNER

CORE & MAIN, INC., in its capacity as the general partner and a limited partner

By:

 

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

  Name: Stephen O. LeClair
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

LIMITED PARTNERS

CD&R WATERWORKS HOLDINGS, LLC, in its capacity as a limited partner

By its manager, CD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P.

By its general partner, CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd.

By:

 

/s/ Rima Simson

  Name: Rima Simson
  Title: Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary

CD&R WW, LLC, in its capacity as a limited partner

By its managing member, Core & Main, Inc.

By:

 

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

  Name: Stephen O. LeClair
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page – Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Core & Main Holdings, LP]


CORE & MAIN MANAGEMENT FEEDER, LLC, in its capacity as a limited partner

By:

 

/s/ Mark R. Witkowski

  Name: Mark R. Witkowski
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page – Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Core & Main Holdings, LP]


DEFINED TERMS

Definitions. The terms defined in this Annex I, whenever used in this Agreement, shall have the following meanings for all purposes of this Agreement.

A&R Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Accounting Period” means, for the first Accounting Period, the period commencing on the day after the closing of the IPO and ending on the next Adjustment Date. All succeeding Accounting Periods shall commence on the day after an Adjustment Date and end on the next Adjustment Date.

Act” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (6 Del. C. Section 17-101, et seq.), as amended.

Adjustment Date” means the last day of each Tax Year or any other date determined by the General Partner as appropriate for a closing of the Partnership’s books.

Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, any Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the specified Person. As used in this definition, the term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Business Day” means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day that is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions located in New York are closed.

C&M, Inc.” has the meanings set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Capital Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(a).

CD&R Partner” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Class A Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of C&M Inc.

Class B Common Stock” means the Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of C&M Inc.

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

Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement” means the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, by and among C&M Inc., the Partnership, the holders of Partnership Interests and shares of Class B Common Stock party thereto and any other person from time to time a party thereto, as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.


Covered Person” means a current or former Partner, an Affiliate of a current or former Partner, any officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, employee, representative or agent of a current or former Partner or any of their respective Affiliates, or any current or former officer, employee or agent of the Partnership or any of its Affiliates.

Disabling Conduct” means, in respect of any Person, an act or omission (a) that is a criminal act by such Person that such Person had no reasonable cause to believe was lawful or (b) that constitutes fraud or willful misconduct by such Person.

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

Exchange Agreement” means the exchange agreement, dated as of or about the date hereof, by and among C&M Inc., the Partnership, the holders of Partnership Interests and shares of Class B Common Stock party thereto and any other person from time to time a party thereto, as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Exchange Transaction” means an exchange of an LP Partnership Interest for a number of shares of Class A Common Stock or, at the determination of the General Partner, acting by a majority of the disinterested members of its board of directors in accordance with Delaware General Corporation Law, a cash payment, in each case pursuant to, and subject to the conditions of, the Exchange Agreement.

Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement” means the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, by and among the General Partner, the Partnership and certain stockholders of the General Partner, as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

General Partner” has the meanings set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and includes any Person(s) admitted as additional or substitute General Partner(s) of the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement and in accordance with the Act.

GP Partnership Interests” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

Indemnification Agreement” means the Indemnification Agreement, dated August 1, 2017, by and among the Prior General Partners, Core & Main LP and the other parties thereto, as modified by that certain letter agreement, dated as of August 5, 2019, by and among the Partnership, Core & Main Midco, LLC, Core & Main Intermediate GP, LLC, Core & Main LP, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC and the other parties thereto.

Intermediate Partner” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

IPO” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.


Law” means any foreign, federal, state or local law, statute, regulation, ordinance, rule, order, decree, judgment, consent decree or other binding directive issued, enacted, promulgated, entered into, agreed or imposed by any domestic or foreign government, including any foreign, federal, state, provincial, local, territorial or municipal government or any governmental division, agency or authority thereof, court or judicial authority, tribunal or commission.

Limited Partner” and “Limited Partners” have the meanings set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and include any Person(s) admitted as additional or substitute Limited Partner(s) of the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.

Liquidation Adjustment” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b).

Liquidating Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b).

LP Partnership Interests” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

Management Member” shall mean a member of the Management Partner.

Management Partner” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Management Partner LLC Agreement” shall mean the limited liability company agreement of the Management Partner, as amended, restated and supplemented from time to time.

Management Subscription Agreement” means a subscription or award agreement between the Management Partner and a Management Member (among others), embodying the terms of, as applicable, any purchase of interests in the Management Partner by, or grant of interests in the Management Partner to, such Management Member made pursuant to the Management Partner LLC Agreement and in the form approved by the General Partner and the manager of the Management Partner from time to time for such purpose.

Officers” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

Original Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Parties” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Partners” means the Limited Partners and the General Partner.

Partnership” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Partnership Interests” means the GP Partnership Interests, LP Partnership Interests and any other class or designation of interests in the limited partnership denominated in the form of partnership interests authorized by the General Partner.

Partnership Opportunity” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(b).


Person” means an individual, a partnership (including a limited partnership), a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, association or other entity or a governmental entity.

Prior General Partners” means CD&R Plumb Buyer, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Core & Main GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the prior general partners of the Partnership.

Reorganization Transactions” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Securities Act” has the meaning set forth on the cover page.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock 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 that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall control the management of any such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity. For purposes hereof, references to a “Subsidiary” of any Person shall be given effect only at such times that such Person has one or more Subsidiaries.

Tax Distributions” means distributions made to Partners pursuant to Section 3.3(a).

Tax Representative” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.3(g).

Tax Year” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.4.

TRA Distribution” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b).

Transfer” or “Transferred” means any direct or indirect sale, assignment, mortgage, transfer, gift, pledge, hypothecation or other encumbrance or disposal, the act of effecting any of the foregoing or any of the foregoing having been effected, as the context requires, including derivative or similar transactions or arrangements whereby a portion or all of the economic interest therein, or risk of loss or opportunity for gain with respect thereto, are transferred or shifted to another Person.

Transferee” means any Person to whom any Partner Transfers Partnership Interests in accordance with the terms hereof.


Treasury Regulations” means the Regulations of the Treasury Department of the United States issued pursuant to the Code.

United States” or “U.S.” means the United States of America.

Exhibit 10.2

Execution Version

 

 

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

of

CORE & MAIN, INC.

Dated as of July 27, 2021

 

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

1.  Definitions

     1  

2.  Incidental Registrations

     6  

(a)   Right to Include Registrable Securities

     6  

(b)   Priority in Incidental Registrations

     7  

3.  Registration on Request

     7  

(a)   Request by the Demand Party

     7  

(b)   Priority on Demand Registration

     8  

(c)   Cancellation of a Demand Registration

     9  

(d)   Limitations on Demand Registrations

     9  

(e)   Postponements in Requested Registrations

     9  

(f)   Short-Form Registrations

     10  

(g)   Shelf Take-Downs

     11  

(h)   No Notice in Block Sales

     12  

(i) Registration Statement Form

     12  

(j) Selection of Underwriters

     12  

4.  Registration Procedures

     13  

5.  Indemnification

     20  

(a)   Indemnification by the Company

     20  

(b)   Indemnification by Holder of Registrable Securities

     20  

(c)   Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings

     21  

(d)   Contribution

     22  

(e)   Deemed Underwriter

     23  

(f)   Other Indemnification

     23  

(g)   Non-Exclusivity

     23  

(h)   Primacy of Indemnification

     23  

6.  Registration Expenses

     24  

7.  Rule 144

     24  

8.  Certain Additional Agreements

     25  

9.  Miscellaneous

     25  

(a)   Termination

     25  

(b)   Holdback Agreement

     25  

(c)   Amendments and Waivers

     26  

(d)   Successors, Assigns and Transferees

     26  

(e)   Notices

     26  

(f)   Further Assurances

     27  

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

(g)   No Inconsistent Agreements

     27  

(h)   Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries

     27  

(i) Governing Law; Jurisdiction and Forum; Waiver of Jury Trial

     28  

(j) Severability

     28  

(k)   Enforcement

     28  

(l) Titles and Subtitles

     29  

(m) No Recourse

     29  

(n)   Counterparts; PDF Signatures

     29  

 

Exhibit A    Joinder Agreement

 

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This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of July 27, 2021, by and among Core & Main, Inc., a Delaware corporation (and any successor in interest thereto, the “Company”), CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (in each case together with any successor in interest thereto, the “CD&R Investors”), any Person who executes a Joinder Agreement in the form of Exhibit A hereto and any Person who becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 9(d). Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the text of this Agreement or in Section 1.

WHEREAS, the Company intends to undertake an underwritten initial public offering (the “IPO”) of its Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A Common Stock”); and

WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO, the Company desires to provide to the Holders rights to registration under the Securities Act of Registrable Securities, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following respective meanings:

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

Agreement” has the meaning given to such term in the Preamble, as the same may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Automatic Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3(f)(iii).

beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” has the meaning given such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act and a Person’s beneficial ownership of Equity Securities or other voting securities of the Company shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of such Rule.

Block Sale” means the sale of Equity Securities to one or several purchasers in a registered transaction by means of a bought deal, a block trade or a direct sale.

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.


Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in New York City.

CD&R Investors” has the meaning given to such term in the Preamble.

Charitable Gifting Event” means any transfer by a Holder of Registrable Securities, or any subsequent transfer by such Holder’s members, partners or other employees, in connection with a bona fide gift to any Charitable Organization made in connection with sales of Registrable Securities by a Holder pursuant to an effective registration statement.

Charitable Organization” means a charitable organization as described by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect from time to time.

Class A Common Stock” has the meaning given to such term in the Recitals.

Class B Common Stock” means the Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.

Company” has the meaning given to such term in the Preamble.

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

Covered Person” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5(a).

Demand Follow-Up Notice” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3(a).

Demand Notice” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3(a).

Demand Registration” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3(a).

Equity Securities” means (a) any and all shares of Class A Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company (now owned or hereafter acquired), including any Class A Common Stock issued or issuable (i) upon the exchange of any other securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon exchange of any Paired Interest pursuant to the Exchange Agreement) and (ii) in connection with the Reorganization Transactions, and (b) any securities of the Company convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, such shares, and options, warrants or other rights to acquire such shares or other equity securities.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute thereto and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

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Exchange Agreement” means the Exchange Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021 (as amended and in effect from time to time), by and among the Company, Core & Main Holdings, LP, CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC and Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC.

FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

Free Writing Prospectus” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4(a).

Holdback Period” means, with respect to a registered offering covered by this Agreement, 90 calendar days after and during the 10 calendar days before the effective date of the related Registration Statement or, in the case of a takedown from a Shelf Registration Statement, 90 calendar days after the date of the Prospectus supplement filed with the SEC in connection with such takedown and during such prior period (not to exceed 10 calendar days) as the Company has given reasonable written notice to the Holders, or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the managing underwriter(s).

Holder” means any of (i) the CD&R Investors, (ii) any other Person entitled to incidental or piggyback registration rights hereunder upon entering into a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto or (iii) any direct or indirect transferee of a Holder who has acquired Registrable Securities from a Holder and who has entered into a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, in each case so long as such Person continues to hold any Registrable Securities.

Indemnified Party” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5(c).

Indemnifying Party” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5(c).

Indemnitors” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5(h).

IPO” has the meaning given to such term in the Recitals.

Losses” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5(a).

Paired Interest” has the meaning given to such term in the Exchange Agreement.

Parties” means the parties to this Agreement.

Person” means any individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any department or agency thereof or any other entity.

Prospectus” means the prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, relating to Registrable Securities, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

 

3


Registrable Securities” means (a) any Equity Securities held by a Holder and (b) to the extent held, or to be held, by a Holder, any other equity securities or equity interests issued or issuable, directly or indirectly, with respect to the securities described in clause (a) by way of conversion or exchange thereof or stock dividends, stock splits or in connection with a combination of shares, reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization. As to any particular Registrable Securities, once issued, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (i) they are disposed of pursuant to an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act, (ii) they are sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 145 (or other exemption from registration under the Securities Act), (iii) other than with respect to Equity Securities held by the CD&R Investors or their Affiliates who are Holders, they are able to be sold by their Holder in a single day pursuant to, and in accordance with, Rule 144 and are held by a Holder that beneficially owns Equity Securities representing no more than 3% of the aggregate voting power of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, (iv) they shall have ceased to be outstanding, or (v) they have been sold in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under this Agreement are not assigned to the transferee of the securities.

Registration Statement” means any registration statement of the Company filed with the SEC under the Securities Act which covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including any Prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

Reorganization Transactions” means the reorganization transactions taken in connection with the IPO, as described under the caption “The Reorganization Transactions” in the preliminary prospectus, dated July 13, 2021, relating to the Class A Common Stock to be issued and sold in connection with the IPO, filed as part of Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-256382).

Rule 144” means Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

Rule 145” means Rule 145 under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

Rule 158” means Rule 158 under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

 

4


Rule 405” means Rule 405 under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

Rule 415” means Rule 415 under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

Rule 424” means Rule 424 under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

Rule 433” means Rule 433 under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

Rule 430A” means Rule 430A under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

Rule 430B” means Rule 430B under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute thereto and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3(f)(i).

Shelf Underwritten Offering” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3(g).

Short-Form Registration” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3(f)(i).

Subsidiary” means (i) any corporation of which a majority of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors thereof, at the time as of which any determination is being made, are owned by another entity, either directly or indirectly and (ii) any joint venture, general or limited partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity in which an entity is the record or beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of a majority of the voting interests or the general partner.

Take-Down Notice” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3(g).

WKSI” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3(f)(iii).

 

5


2. Incidental Registrations.

(a) Right to Include Registrable Securities. If the Company determines to register its Equity Securities under the Securities Act (other than pursuant to an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement filed to effect a Block Sale in accordance with Section 3(f)(iii), a Registration Statement filed by the Company on Form S-4 or Form S-8, or any successor or other forms promulgated for similar purposes, or filed solely in connection with an exchange offer or any employee benefit or dividend reinvestment plan), whether or not for sale for its own account, in a manner which would permit registration of Registrable Securities for sale to the public under the Securities Act, it shall, at each such time, give prompt written notice to all Holders of its intention to do so and of such Holders’ rights under this Section 2. Upon the written request of any such Holder made within five calendar days after the receipt of any such notice (which request shall specify the Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Holder and the intended method or methods of disposition thereof), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested to register by the Holders thereof, to the extent required to permit the disposition of the Registrable Securities so to be registered; provided that (x) if, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any securities and prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to proceed with the proposed registration of the securities to be sold by it, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to each Holder and, thereupon, shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such registration (but not from its obligation to pay the expenses in connection therewith) without prejudice to the rights of the Holders to request that such registration be effected as a registration under Section 3, and (y) if such registration involves an underwritten offering, all Holders requesting to be included in the Company’s registration must sell their Registrable Securities to the underwriters selected by the Company on the same terms and conditions as apply to the Company, with such differences, including any with respect to indemnification and liability insurance, as may be customary or appropriate in combined primary and secondary offerings. If a registration requested pursuant to this Section 2(a) involves an underwritten public offering, any Holder requesting to be included in such registration may elect, in writing at least two Business Days prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement filed in connection with such registration, to withdraw its request to register such securities in connection with such registration. The Company shall not be required to maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement for a registration requested pursuant to this Section 2(a) beyond the earlier to occur of (i) 180 calendar days after the effective date thereof and (ii) consummation of the distribution by the holders of the Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement. Any Holder who has elected to sell Registrable Securities in an offering pursuant to this Section 2 shall be permitted to withdraw from such registration by written notice to the Company if the price to the public at which the Registrable Securities are proposed to be sold will be less than 90% of the average closing price of the class of stock being sold in the offering during the ten trading days preceding the date on which the Demand Notice of such offering was given pursuant to this Section 2(a).

 

6


(b) Priority in Incidental Registrations. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to cause the managing underwriter(s) of a proposed underwritten offering to permit Holders who have requested to include Registrable Securities in such offering to include in such offering all Registrable Securities so requested to be included on the same terms and conditions as any other Equity Securities, if any, of the Company included in the offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the managing underwriter(s) of such underwritten offering have informed the Company that in its (or their) good-faith opinion the total number or dollar amount of securities that are intended to be included in such offering is such as to adversely affect the success of such offering (including, without limitation, adversely affect the per-share offering price), then the amount of securities to be offered for the account of Holders (other than the Company) shall be reduced to the extent necessary to reduce the total amount of securities to be included in such offering to the amount recommended in the good-faith opinion of such managing underwriter(s) by first reducing, or eliminating if necessary, all securities of the Company requested to be included by the Holders (other than the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders) requesting such registration pro rata among such Holders on the basis of the percentage of the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by such Holders; second, by reducing, or eliminating if necessary, all securities of the Company requested to be included by the CD&R Investors or their Affiliates that are Holders, pro rata among such Holders on the basis of the percentage of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration by such Holders; and third, by reducing all securities of the Company requested to be included by the Company.

3. Registration on Request.

(a) Request by the Demand Party. Subject to Section 3(d), at any time, each of the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders shall have the right to require the Company to register, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, under and in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act, the number of Registrable Securities of such Holder requested to be so registered pursuant to this Agreement, in each case by delivering written notice to the Company (any such written notice, a “Demand Notice” and any such registration, a “Demand Registration”). Subject to Section 3(d), following receipt of a Demand Notice for a Demand Registration in accordance with this Section 3(a), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to file a Registration Statement as promptly as practicable, but no later than 30 calendar days, and to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after the filing thereof.

No Demand Registration shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the first sentence of the preceding paragraph if (x) the Registration Statement relating thereto (A) does not become effective, (B) is not maintained effective for the period required pursuant to this Section 3, or (C) the offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement is subject to a stop order, injunction or similar order or requirement of the SEC during such period, (y) more than 80% of the Registrable Securities requested by the demanding Holder to be included in such registration are not so included pursuant to Section 3(b) or (z) the conditions to closing specified in any underwriting agreement, purchase agreement or similar agreement entered into in connection with the registration relating to such request are not satisfied (other than as a result of a material default or breach thereunder by such demanding Holder or its Affiliates) or otherwise waived by such demanding Holder; provided that the Company’s obligation to pay expenses pursuant to Section 6 hereof shall still apply.

 

7


Within two calendar days after receipt by the Company of a Demand Notice in accordance with this Section 3(a), the Company shall give written notice (the “Demand Follow-Up Notice”) of such Demand Notice to all other Holders and shall, subject to the provisions of Section 3(b) hereof, include in such registration all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company received written requests for inclusion therein within five calendar days after such Demand Follow-Up Notice is given by the Company to such Holders.

All requests made pursuant to this Section 3 shall specify the number of Registrable Securities to be registered and the intended method or methods of disposition thereof.

The Company shall be required to maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement with respect to any Demand Registration for a period of at least 180 calendar days after the effective date thereof or such shorter period during which all Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement have actually been sold; provided that such period shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period the Holder refrains from selling any securities included in such Registration Statement at the request of the Company or an underwriter pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

(b) Priority on Demand Registration. If any of the Registrable Securities registered pursuant to a Demand Registration are to be sold in a firm commitment underwritten offering, and the managing underwriter(s) advise the Holders of such securities that in its (or their) good-faith opinion the total number or dollar amount of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in such offering (including, without limitation, securities proposed to be included by other Holders entitled to include securities in such Registration Statement pursuant to incidental or piggyback registration rights) is such as to adversely affect the success of such offering, then there shall be included in such firm commitment underwritten offering the number or dollar amount of Registrable Securities that in the good faith opinion of such managing underwriter(s) can be sold without adversely affecting such offering, and such number of Registrable Securities shall be allocated as follows, unless the underwriters require a different allocation:

(i) first, to the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders requesting such registration (whether pursuant to a Demand Notice or pursuant to incidental or piggyback registration rights), pro rata on the basis of the percentage of Registrable Securities owned by each such Holder relative to the number of Registrable Securities owned by the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders, until, with respect to each such Holder, all Registrable Securities requested for registration by such Holders have been included in such registration;

(ii) second, among the Holders (other than the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders) requesting such registration pursuant to incidental or piggyback registration rights pro rata, with respect to the Holders, on the basis of the percentage of Registrable Securities owned by each such Holder relative to the number of Registrable Securities owned by all such Holders, until, with respect to each such Holder, all Registrable Securities requested for registration by such Holders have been included in such registration; and

 

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(iii) third, the securities for which inclusion in such Demand Registration was requested by the Company.

(c) Cancellation of a Demand Registration. Each Holder that submitted a Demand Notice pursuant to a particular offering and the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities that are to be registered in a particular offering pursuant to this Section 3 shall have the right, prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, to notify the Company that it or they, as the case may be, have determined that the Registration Statement be abandoned or withdrawn, in which event the Company shall abandon or withdraw such Registration Statement. Any Holder who has elected to sell Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering pursuant to this Section 3 (including the Holder who delivered the Demand Notice of such registration) shall be permitted to withdraw from such registration by written notice to the Company if the price to the public at which the Registrable Securities are proposed to be sold will be less than 90% of the average closing price of the class of stock being sold in the offering during the ten trading days preceding the date on which the Demand Notice of such offering was given pursuant to Section 3(a).

(d) Limitations on Demand Registrations. The CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders shall, collectively, be entitled to initiate an unlimited number of Demand Registrations.

(e) Postponements in Requested Registrations. If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement, including a Shelf Registration Statement, with respect to a Demand Registration would require the Company to make a public disclosure of material, non-public information, which disclosure in the good-faith judgment of the Board (after consultation with external legal counsel) (i) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement so that such Registration Statement would not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time but for the filing, effectiveness or continued use of such Registration Statement and (iii) would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company or its business or on the Company’s ability to effect a bona fide material proposed acquisition, disposition, financing, reorganization, recapitalization or similar transaction, then the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders participating in such registration, delay the filing or initial effectiveness (but not the preparation) of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement; provided that the Company shall not be permitted to so delay or suspend (x) more than once in any six-month period or (y) for any single period of time in excess of 45 calendar days, or, for periods exceeding, in the aggregate, 60 calendar days during any 12-month period. In the event that the Company exercises its rights under the preceding sentence, such Holders agree to suspend, promptly upon receipt of the notice referred to above, the use of any Prospectus relating to such registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities. The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not deliver a suspension notice with respect to a suspension period unless all of the Company’s employees, associates, officers and directors who are subject to any of the Company’s policies on trading in securities, and who are prohibited by the terms thereof from effecting any public sales of securities of the Company beneficially owned by them, are so prohibited for the duration of the suspension period. If the Company so postpones the filing of a

 

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Prospectus or the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, the demanding Holder shall be entitled to withdraw such request and, if such request is withdrawn, such registration request shall not count for the purposes of the limitations set forth in Section 3(d). The Company shall promptly give the Holders requesting registration thereof pursuant to this Section 3 written notice of any postponement made in accordance with the preceding sentence.

(f) Short-Form Registrations.

(i) The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to qualify for registration on Form S-3 or any comparable or successor form or forms or any similar short-form registration (a “Short-Form Registration”), and, if requested by any of the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders and available to the Company, such Short-Form Registration shall be a “shelf” registration statement providing for the registration of, and the sale on a continuous or delayed basis of, the Registrable Securities, pursuant to Rule 415 or otherwise (a “Shelf Registration Statement”). At any time and from time to time, the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders shall be entitled to request an unlimited number of Short-Form Registrations, if available to the Company, with respect to the Registrable Securities held by such requesting Holder and its Affiliates in addition to the other registration rights provided in Section 2 and this Section 3. In no event shall the Company be obligated to effect any shelf registration other than pursuant to a Short-Form Registration, subject to the immediately following sentence. If any Demand Registration is proposed by the demanding Holder to be a Short-Form Registration and an underwritten offering, and if the managing underwriter(s) shall advise the Company and the Holders that, in its (or their) good-faith opinion, it is of material importance to the success of such proposed offering to file a registration statement on Form S-1 (or any successor or similar registration statement) or to include in such registration statement information not required to be included in a Short-Form Registration, then the Company shall file a registration statement on Form S-1 or supplement the Short-Form Registration as reasonably requested by such managing underwriter(s).

(ii) Upon filing any Short-Form Registration, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep such Short-Form Registration effective with the SEC at all times and to re-file such Short-Form Registration upon its expiration, and to cooperate in any shelf take-down, whether or not underwritten, by amending or supplementing the Prospectus related to such Short-Form Registration as may be reasonably requested by the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders or as otherwise required, until such time as all Registrable Securities that could be sold in such Short-Form Registration have been sold or are no longer outstanding. To the extent that the Company becomes ineligible to use Form S-3, the Company shall file a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-1 not later than 45 calendar days after the date of such ineligibility and use its reasonable best efforts to have such registration statement declared effective as promptly as practicable.

 

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(iii) To the extent the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405) (a “WKSI”) at the time any Demand Notice for a Short-Form Registration is submitted to the Company and such Demand Notice requests that the Company file a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall file an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405) on Form S-3 (an “Automatic Shelf Registration Statement”) in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act, which covers the number or class of Registrable Securities which are requested to be registered. If registering a number of Registrable Securities, the Company shall pay the registration fee for all Registrable Securities to be registered pursuant to an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement at the time of filing of the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement and shall not elect to pay any portion of the registration fee on a deferred basis. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to remain a WKSI (and not to become an ineligible issuer (as defined in Rule 405)) during the period during which any Automatic Shelf Registration Statement is effective. If at any time following the filing of an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement when the Company is required to re-evaluate its WKSI status the Company determines that it is not a WKSI, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to (A) post-effectively amend the Automatic Shelf Registration Statement to a Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 or file a new Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 or, if such form is not available, Form S-1, (B) have such Shelf Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC and (C) keep such Registration Statement effective during the period during which such Short-Form Registration is required to be kept effective in accordance with Section 3(f)(ii). To the extent that the Company is eligible to file an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, and any of the CD&R Investors or their Affiliates that are Holders notifies the Company that it wishes to engage in a Block Sale off of such an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, and the Company does not have an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement related to the Registrable Securities, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement within three calendar days of such notification by such Holder.

(g) Shelf Take-Downs. At any time that a Shelf Registration Statement covering Registrable Securities is effective, if any of the CD&R Investors or their Affiliates that are Holders delivers a notice to the Company (a “Take-Down Notice”) stating that it intends to effect an underwritten offering of all or part of its Registrable Securities included by it on the shelf registration statement (a “Shelf Underwritten Offering”), then the Company shall amend or supplement the Shelf Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to enable such Registrable Securities to be distributed pursuant to the Shelf Underwritten Offering (taking into account the inclusion of Registrable Securities by any other Holders pursuant to Section 3(g)(i)). The CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders shall be entitled to request an unlimited number of shelf take-downs to effect a Shelf Underwritten Offering, if available to the Company, with respect to the Registrable Securities held by such Holders in addition to the other registration rights provided in Section 2 and this Section 3. In connection with any Shelf Underwritten Offering:

(i) the Company shall also deliver the Take-Down Notice to all other Holders with securities included on such Shelf Registration Statement and permit each such Holder to include its Registrable Securities included on the Shelf Registration Statement in the Shelf Underwritten Offering if such Holder notifies the requesting Holder and the Company within two calendar days after distribution or dissemination (including via e-mail, if available) of the Take-Down Notice to such Holder; and

 

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(ii) in the event that the underwriter advises such requesting Holder and the Company in its good-faith opinion that the total number or dollar amount of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in such offering is such as to adversely affect the success of such offering (including, without limitation, adversely affect the per-share offering price), then the underwriter may limit the number of shares which would otherwise be included in such take-down offering in the same manner as described in Section 3(b) with respect to a limitation of shares to be included in a registration.

(h) No Notice in Block Sales. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any of the CD&R Investors or their Affiliates that are Holders wishes to engage in a Block Sale (including a Block Sale off of a Shelf Registration Statement or an effective Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, or in connection with the registration of such Holder’s Registrable Securities under an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement for purposes of effectuating a Block Sale), then notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provisions hereunder (including without limitation Section 2), no Holder shall be entitled to receive any notice of or have its Registrable Securities included in such Block Sale.

(i) Registration Statement Form. If any registration requested pursuant to this Section 3 which is proposed by the Company to be effected by the filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (or any successor or similar short-form registration statement) shall be in connection with an underwritten offering, and if the managing underwriter(s) shall advise the Company that, in its (or their) good-faith opinion, the use of another form of Registration Statement is of material importance to the success of such proposed offering or is otherwise required by applicable law, then such registration shall be effected on such other form.

(j) Selection of Underwriters. If any of the CD&R Investors or their Affiliates that are Holders intends that the Registrable Securities requested to be covered by a Demand Registration or Take-Down Notice, as applicable, requested by such demanding Holder shall be distributed by means of an underwritten offering, such Holder shall so advise the Company as a part of the Demand Notice or Take-Down Notice, as applicable, and the Company shall include such information in the notice sent by the Company to the other Holders with respect to such Demand Registration or Shelf Underwritten Offering, as applicable. In such event, the lead underwriter to administer the offering shall be chosen by the demanding Holder, subject to the prior written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, of the Company. If the offering is underwritten, the right of any Holder to registration pursuant to this Section 3 will be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting (unless otherwise agreed by the demanding Holder) and each such Holder will (together with the Company and the other Holders distributing their securities through such underwriting) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter(s) selected for such underwriting (including, without limitation, pursuant to the terms of any underwriter option or “green shoe” option requested by the managing underwriter(s)), provided that (x) no Holder shall be required to sell more than the number of Registrable Securities that such Holder has requested the Company to include in any registration, (y) if any Holder disapproves of the terms of the underwriting, such Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company, the managing underwriter(s) and, in connection with an underwritten registration pursuant to this Section 3, the demanding Holder and (z) no such Person (other than the Company) shall be required to make any representations

 

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or warranties other than those related to title and ownership of, and power and authority to transfer, shares and as to the accuracy and completeness of statements made in a Registration Statement, Prospectus or other document in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information prepared and furnished to the Company or the managing underwriter(s) by such Person pertaining exclusively to such Holder; provided, further, that no Holder shall be required to agree to any indemnification obligations on the part of such Holder that are greater than its obligations pursuant to Section 5.

4. Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company is required to use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in Section 2 and Section 3, the Company shall effect such registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof, and, pursuant thereto, the Company shall cooperate in the sale of such Registrable Securities and shall, as expeditiously as possible:

(a) prepare and file, in each case as promptly as practicable, with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on such form as shall be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof or by the Company in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, make all required filings with FINRA, and, if such Registration Statement is not automatically effective upon filing, use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective as soon as practicable and to remain effective as provided herein; provided that before filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto (including free writing prospectuses under Rule 433 (each a “Free Writing Prospectus”)) and, to the extent reasonably practicable, documents that would be incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in a Registration Statement filed pursuant to a Demand Notice (other than a Shelf Registration Statement), the Company shall (i) furnish or otherwise make available to the holders of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, their counsel and the managing underwriter(s), if any, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed (including exhibits thereto), which documents will be subject to the reasonable review and comment of such counsel, and such other documents reasonably requested by such counsel, including any comment letter from the SEC and (ii) if requested by such counsel, provide such counsel (A) reasonable opportunity to participate in the preparation of such Registration Statement and each Prospectus included therein and (B) such other opportunities to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act, including reasonable access to the Company’s books and records, officers, accountants and other advisors. The Company shall not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto (including such documents that, upon filing, would be incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference therein and including Free Writing Prospectuses), with respect to a Demand Registration to which the demanding Holder, the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement (or their counsel) or the managing underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object, in writing, on a timely basis, unless, in the opinion of the Company, such filing is necessary to comply with applicable law;

 

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(b) (i) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith and such Free Writing Prospectuses and Exchange Act reports as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective during the period provided herein, (ii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement and (iii) cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by any Prospectus supplement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of the securities covered by such Registration Statement, and as so supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act, in each case, until such time as all of such securities have been disposed of in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement;

(c) notify each selling Holder, its counsel and the managing underwriter(s), if any, (i) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment or any Free Writing Prospectus has been filed, and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related Prospectus or for additional information, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) if at any time the Company has reason to believe that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement) contemplated by Section 4(n) cease to be true and correct, (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of such Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and (vi) of the happening of any event that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement, related Prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus, amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, as then in effect, untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (which notice shall notify the selling Holders only of the occurrence of such an event and shall provide no additional information regarding such event to the extent such information would constitute material, non-public information);

(d) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction at the earliest date reasonably practical;

 

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(e) if requested by the managing underwriter(s), if any, a Holder making a Demand Notice or Take-Down Notice with respect to such offering or the holders of a majority of the then issued and outstanding Registrable Securities being sold in connection with an underwritten offering, promptly include in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriter(s), if any, or such Holder or Holders, as the case may be, may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution of such securities set forth in the Registration Statement and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company has received such request (provided that the Company shall not be required to take any actions under this Section 4(e) that are not, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, in compliance with applicable law);

(f) deliver to each selling Holder, its counsel, and the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of Prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto (including any Free Writing Prospectus) as such Persons may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof (the Company, subject to the last paragraph of this Section 4, hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders and the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any such amendment or supplement thereto);

(g) prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the selling Holders, the underwriter(s), if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any seller or underwriter reasonably requests in writing and to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and to take any other action that may be necessary or advisable to enable such Holders to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdiction in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof; provided that the Company shall not be required to (x) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 4(g), (y) subject itself to taxation in any jurisdiction wherein it is not so subject or (z) take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject (other than service of process in connection with such registration or qualification or any sale of Registrable Securities in connection therewith);

(h) cooperate with the selling Holders and the managing underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any legends, unless required by applicable law) or book-entry positions representing Registrable Securities to be sold after receiving written representations from such selling Holders that the Registrable Securities represented by the certificates or book-entry positions so delivered by such Holder will be transferred in accordance with the Registration Statement, and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriter(s), if any, or the selling Holders may request;

 

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(i) use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities within the United States as may be necessary in light of the business or operations of the Company to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the managing underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, in accordance with the intended method or methods thereof, except as may be required solely as a consequence of the nature of such selling Holder’s business, in which case the Company will cooperate in all reasonable respects with the filing of such Registration Statement and the granting of such approvals, as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods thereof;

(j) upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 4(c)(vi) above, promptly prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder, such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(k) prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities, provide a CUSIP number for the Registrable Securities;

(l) provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities from and after the effective date of such Registration Statement (and in connection therewith, if required by the Company’s transfer agent, the Company will promptly after the effective date of the Registration Statement, cause an opinion of counsel as to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement to be delivered to and maintained with such transfer agent, together with any other authorizations, certificates and directions required by the transfer agent which authorize and direct the transfer agent to issue such Registrable Securities without any legend upon sale by the Holder or the underwriter(s) of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any, of such Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement);

(m) use its reasonable best efforts to cause all shares of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement to be listed on a national securities exchange if shares of the particular class of Registrable Securities are at that time listed on such exchange prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement;

 

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(n) enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement in form, scope and substance as is customary in underwritten offerings) and take all such other actions reasonably requested by a Holder submitting a Demand Notice or Take-Down Notice with respect to such offering, or the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold in connection therewith (including those reasonably requested by the managing underwriter(s), if any) to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, and including, whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an underwritten registration, (i) making such representations and warranties to the Holders and the underwriter(s), if any, with respect to the business of the Company and its material Subsidiaries, and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings, and, if true, confirming the same if and when requested, (ii) using its reasonable best efforts to furnish to the selling Holders opinions of outside counsel to the Company and updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter(s), if any, and counsels to the selling Holders), addressed to each selling Holder and each of the underwriters, if any, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such counsel and underwriters, (iii) using its reasonable best efforts to obtain “cold comfort” letters and updates thereof from an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any material Subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by the Company for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in the Registration Statement) who has certified the financial statements included in such Registration Statement, addressed to each selling Holder (unless such accountants shall be prohibited from so addressing such letters by applicable standards of the accounting profession) and each of the underwriters, if any, with such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “cold comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings, (iv) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, causing such underwriting agreement to contain indemnification provisions and procedures that are customary for underwriting agreements in connection with underwritten offerings except as otherwise agreed by the parties thereto and (v) delivering such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by a Holder submitting a Demand Notice or Take-Down Notice with respect to such offering, the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold pursuant to such Registration Statement, its or their counsel, as the case may be, or the managing underwriter(s), if any, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties made pursuant to Section 4(n)(i) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company (it being understood that the above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting or similar agreement, or as and to the extent required thereunder);

 

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(o) upon reasonable notice, make available for inspection by a representative of the selling Holders, the underwriter(s) participating in any such disposition of Registrable Securities, if any, and any attorneys or accountants retained by such selling Holders or underwriter at the offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and cause the officers, directors, employees and associates of the Company and its Subsidiaries to supply all information in each case reasonably requested by any such representative, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement (provided that any information that is not generally publicly available at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by such Persons unless (x) disclosure of such information is required by court or administrative order, (y) disclosure of such information, in the opinion of counsel to such Person, is required by applicable law or applicable legal process, or (z) such information becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard by such Person; provided, further, that in the case of a proposed disclosure pursuant to clause (x) or (y) above, such Person shall be required to give the Company written notice of the proposed disclosure prior to such disclosure and, if requested by the Company, assist the Company in seeking to prevent or limit the proposed disclosure) (it being agreed, without limiting the foregoing, that no such information shall be used by such Person as the basis for any market transactions in securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries in violation of applicable law);

(p) cause its officers to use their reasonable best efforts to support the marketing of the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement (including, without limitation, participation in such number of “road shows” and other customary marketing activities, including “one-on-one” meetings with prospective purchasers of the Registrable Securities, in each case as the underwriter(s) reasonably request);

(q) cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities and each underwriter or agent participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the FINRA;

(r) otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement, which earnings statement will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 under the Securities Act; and

(s) cooperate with the Holders of Registrable Securities subject to the Registration Statement and with the underwriter(s) or agent participating in the distribution, if any, to facilitate any Charitable Gifting Event and to prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to permit any such recipient Charitable Organization to sell in the underwritten offering if it so elects.

The Company may require each holder of Registrable Securities as to which any registration is being effected to furnish to the Company in writing such information required in connection with such registration regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably request and the Company may exclude from such registration the Registrable Securities of any Holder who unreasonably fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such request.

 

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The Company agrees not to file or make any amendment to any Registration Statement with respect to any Registrable Securities, or any amendment of or supplement to the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus used in connection therewith, that refers to any Holder covered thereby by name, or otherwise identifies such Holder as the holder of any securities of the Company, without the consent of such Holder, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, unless and to the extent such disclosure is required by applicable law, in which case the Company shall provide written notice to such Holder no less than five Business Days prior to the filing of such amendment to any Registration Statement or amendment of or supplement to the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus.

If the Company files any Shelf Registration Statement for the benefit of the holders of any of its securities other than the Holders, the Company agrees that it shall use its reasonable best efforts to include in such registration statement such disclosures as may be required by Rule 430B under the Securities Act (referring to the unnamed selling security holders in a generic manner by identifying the initial offering of the securities to the Holders) in order to ensure that the Holders may be added to such Shelf Registration Statement at a later time through the filing of a Prospectus supplement rather than a post-effective amendment.

Each Holder agrees that if such Holder has Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 4(c)(ii), 4(c)(iii), 4(c)(iv), 4(c)(v) and 4(c)(vi), such Holder will promptly discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or Prospectus until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 4(j), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus; provided that the time periods under Section 3 with respect to the length of time that the effectiveness of a Registration Statement must be maintained shall automatically be extended by the amount of time the Holder is required to discontinue disposition of such securities.

Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary, to the extent that any pro rata or other allocation or reduction of Registrable Securities is required pursuant to Sections 2(b), 3(b), 3(g)(ii) or any other section herein, (i) all Equity Securities transferred by a Holder to a Charitable Organization in connection with an underwritten offering for which such pro rata or other allocation is required shall be included in the number of Registrable Securities deemed to be held by each Holder (or deemed to be included in such Holder’s request for inclusion of Registrable Securities) for purposes of calculating such Holder’s pro rata allocation or reduction in such underwritten offering and (ii) the number of Registrable Securities that a Holder is otherwise entitled to include in such underwritten offering shall be reduced by the number of Equity Securities transferred by such Holder to a Charitable Organization in connection with such underwritten offering.

 

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5. Indemnification.

(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall, without limitation as to time, indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Holder whose Registrable Securities are covered by a Registration Statement or Prospectus, the officers, directors, partners, members, managers, shareholders, accountants, attorneys, agents and employees of each of them, each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) each such Holder and the officers, directors, partners, members, managers, shareholders, accountants, attorneys, agents and employees of each such controlling person, each underwriter, if any, and each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) such underwriter (each such person being referred to herein as a “Covered Person”), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, costs of preparation and reasonable attorneys’ fees and any legal or other fees or expenses incurred by such Person in connection with any investigation or proceeding), expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, charges and amounts paid in settlement (collectively, “Losses”), as incurred, arising out of or based upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus, offering circular, or other document (including any related Registration Statement, notification, or the like or Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein) incident to any such registration, qualification, or compliance, or based on any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or any violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder applicable to the Company and relating to any action or inaction in connection with the related offering of Registrable Securities, and will reimburse each such Covered Person for any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating and defending or settling any such Loss; provided that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such Loss arises out of or is based on any untrue statement or omission by such Covered Person relating to such Covered Person or its Affiliates (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), but only to the extent, that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or omission (or alleged omission) is made in such Registration Statement, Prospectus, offering circular, Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein, or other document in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Covered Person with respect to such Covered Person for use therein. It is agreed that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 5(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such Loss or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

(b) Indemnification by Holder of Registrable Securities. As a condition to including any Registrable Securities in any Registration Statement filed in accordance with Section 4, the Company shall have received an undertaking reasonably satisfactory to it from the participating Holder of such Registrable Securities to indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, severally and not jointly with any other holders of Registrable Securities whose Registrable Securities are included in any such Registration Statement, the Company, its directors and officers and each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company and any other Person selling

 

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securities in such Registration Statement, from and against all Losses arising out of or based on any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any such Registration Statement, Prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus, offering circular, or other document, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse the Company, such directors and officers, and controlling persons for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such Loss, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission is made in such Registration Statement, Prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus, offering circular, or other document in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder with respect to such Holder for inclusion in such Registration Statement, Prospectus, offering circular or other document; provided that the obligations of such Holder hereunder shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such Losses (or actions in respect thereof) if such settlement is effected without the consent of such Holder (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, further, that the liability of such Holder shall be individual, not joint and several, for each Holder and shall be limited to the net proceeds received by such selling Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement (less the aggregate amount of any damages which the Holder has otherwise been required to pay in respect of such Loss or any substantially similar Loss arising from the sale of such Registrable Securities).

(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. If any Person shall be entitled to indemnity hereunder (an “Indemnified Party”), such Indemnified Party shall give prompt notice to the Party from which such indemnity is sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) of any claim or of the commencement of any proceeding with respect to which such Indemnified Party seeks indemnification or contribution pursuant hereto; provided that the delay or failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any obligation or liability under this Section 5. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right, exercisable by giving written notice to an Indemnified Party promptly after the receipt of written notice from such Indemnified Party of such claim or proceeding, to, unless in the Indemnified Party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such claim, assume, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, the defense of any such claim or proceeding, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party; provided that an Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such claim or proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnifying Party agrees to pay such fees and expenses or (ii) the Indemnifying Party fails promptly to assume, or in the event of a conflict of interest cannot assume, the defense of such claim or proceeding or fails to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, in which case the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ counsel and to assume the defense of such claim or proceeding at the Indemnifying Party’s expense; provided, further, that the Indemnifying Party shall not, in connection with any one such claim or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related claims or proceedings in the same jurisdiction, arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one firm of attorneys (together with appropriate local counsel) at any time for all of the Indemnified Parties, or for fees and expenses that are not reasonable. Whether or not such defense is assumed by the Indemnifying Party, such Indemnifying Party will not be subject to any liability for any settlement made

 

21


without its consent (but such consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). Without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that (x) does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation for which such Indemnified Party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder or (y) involves the imposition of equitable remedies or the imposition of any obligations on the Indemnified Party or adversely affects such Indemnified Party other than as a result of financial obligations for which such Indemnified Party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 is unavailable to an Indemnified Party in respect of any Losses (other than in accordance with its terms), then each applicable Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and such Indemnified Party, on the other hand, in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and Indemnified Party, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made (or omitted) by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent any such action, statement or omission.

The Parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5(d), the amount any Holder will be obligated to contribute pursuant to this Section 5(d) will be limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds to such Holder from the Registrable Securities sold pursuant to the Registration Statement which gives rise to such obligation to contribute (less the aggregate amount of any damages which the Holder has otherwise been required to pay in respect of such Loss or any substantially similar Loss arising from the sale of such Registrable Securities). 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. No selling Holder shall be liable for contribution under this Section 5(d), except under such circumstances as such selling Holder would have been liable for indemnification under this Section 5 if such indemnification were enforceable under applicable law.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with the underwritten offering are more favorable to the Holders than the foregoing provisions, the provisions in the underwriting agreement shall control.

 

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(e) Deemed Underwriter. To the extent that any of the Holders is, or would be expected to be, deemed to be an underwriter of Registrable Securities pursuant to any SEC comments or policies or any court of law or otherwise, the Company agrees that (i) the indemnification and contribution provisions contained in this Section 5 shall be applicable to the benefit of such Holder in its role as deemed underwriter in addition to its capacity as a Holder (so long as the amount for which any other Holder is or becomes responsible does not exceed the amount for which such Holder would be responsible if the Holder were not deemed to be an underwriter of Registrable Securities) and (ii) such Holder and its representatives shall be entitled to conduct the due diligence which would normally be conducted in connection with an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act, including receipt of customary opinions and comfort letters.

(f) Other Indemnification. Indemnification similar to that specified in the preceding provisions of this Section 5 (with appropriate modifications) shall be given by the Company and each seller of Registrable Securities with respect to any required registration or other qualification of securities under any federal or state law or regulation or governmental authority other than the Securities Act.

(g) Non-Exclusivity. The obligations of the Parties under this Section 5 shall be in addition to any liability that any Party may otherwise have to any other Party.

(h) Primacy of Indemnification. The Company hereby acknowledges that the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by certain of their Affiliates (collectively, the “Indemnitors”). The Company hereby agrees that (i) it is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligations to the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders are primary and any obligation of the Indemnitors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same Losses incurred by the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders are secondary to any such obligation of the Company), (ii) that it shall be liable for the full amount of all Losses to the extent legally permitted and as required by the terms of this Agreement and the articles and other organizational documents of the Company (or any other agreement between the Company and the CD&R Investors or their Affiliates that are Holders), without regard to any rights the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders may have against the Indemnitors, and (iii) it irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases the Indemnitors from any and all claims (x) against the Indemnitors for contribution, indemnification, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect thereof and (y) that the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders must seek indemnification from any Indemnitor before the Company must perform its indemnification obligations under this Agreement. No advancement or payment by the Indemnitors on behalf of the CD&R Investors or their Affiliates that are Holders with respect to any claim for which the CD&R Investors or their Affiliates that are Holders has sought indemnification from the Company hereunder shall affect the foregoing. The Indemnitors shall have a right of contribution and/or be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery which the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders would have had against the Company if the Indemnitors had not advanced or paid any amount to or on behalf of the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders. The Company and the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders agree that the Indemnitors are express third-party beneficiaries of this Section 5.

 

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6. Registration Expenses. All reasonable fees and expenses incurred in the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company including, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings required to be made with the SEC, all applicable securities exchanges and/or FINRA and (B) with respect to compliance with securities or blue sky laws, including, without limitation, any fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 4(g)), (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and of printing Prospectuses if the printing of Prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriter(s), if any, or by a Holder submitting a Demand Notice or Take-Down Notice with respect to such offering or the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses of the Company, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) expenses of the Company incurred in connection with any road show, (vi) fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accounting firms referred to in Section 4(n) (including, without limitation, the expenses of any “cold comfort” letters required by this Agreement) and any other Persons, including special experts retained by the Company, (vii) fees and disbursements of separate counsel for the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders if any of them is participating in the offering (which counsel shall be selected by such participating Holders) and one counsel for the other Holders whose Registrable Securities are included in a Registration Statement (which counsel shall be selected by the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement), (viii) all reasonable fees and disbursements of underwriters (other than those described in the next paragraph) customarily paid by issuers or sellers of securities and (ix) all other costs, fees and expenses incident to the Company’s performance or compliance with this Agreement, shall be borne by the Company whether or not any Registration Statement is filed or becomes effective. In addition, the Company shall pay its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers, employees and associates performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit, the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the securities to be registered on any securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed and rating agency fees and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Company.

The Company shall not be required to pay (i) fees and disbursements of any counsel retained by any Holder or by any underwriter (except as set forth above in this Section 6), (ii) any underwriter’s fees (including discounts, commissions or fees of underwriters, selling brokers, dealer managers or similar securities industry professionals) relating to the distribution of the Registrable Securities (other than with respect to Registrable Securities sold by the Company), or (iii) any other expenses of the Holders not specifically required to be paid by the Company pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 6.

7. Rule 144. The Company covenants that it will file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (or, if the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any of the CD&R Investors or their Affiliates that are Holders, make publicly available such information so long as necessary to permit sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144), and it will take such further action as any Holder (or, if the Company is not required to file reports as provided above, any of the CD&R Investors

 

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or their Affiliates that are Holders) may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell shares of Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements and, if not, the specific requirements with which it did not so comply.

8. Certain Additional Agreements. If any Registration Statement or comparable statement under state blue sky laws refers to any Holder by name or otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Company, then such Holder shall have the right to require (a) the insertion therein of language, in form and substance satisfactory to such Holder and the Company, to the effect that the holding by such Holder of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by such Holder of the investment quality of the Company’s securities covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such Holder will assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Company, or (b) in the event that such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not in the judgment of the Company required by the Securities Act or any similar federal statute or any state blue sky or securities law then in force, the deletion of the reference to such Holder.

9. Miscellaneous.

(a) Termination. The provisions of this Agreement (other than Sections 5 and 6) shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of (i) its termination by the written agreement of all Parties or their respective successors in interest, (ii) with respect to a Holder, the date on which all Equity Securities held by such Holder have ceased to be Registrable Securities, (iii) with respect to the Company, the date on which all Equity Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities and (iv) the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company. Nothing herein shall relieve any Party from any liability for the breach of any of the agreements set forth in this Agreement.

(b) Holdback Agreement. In consideration for the Company agreeing to its obligations under this Agreement, each Holder agrees in connection with any registration of the Company’s securities (whether or not such Holder is participating in such registration) upon the request of the Company and the underwriter(s) managing any underwritten offering of the Company’s securities, not to effect (other than pursuant to such registration) any public sale or distribution of Registrable Securities, including, but not limited to, any sale pursuant to Rule 144, or make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another Person any of the economic consequences of ownership of, any Registrable Securities, any other equity securities of the Company or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any equity securities of the Company without the prior written consent of the Company or such underwriters, as the case may be, during the Holdback Period.

 

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If any registration pursuant to Section 3 shall be in connection with any underwritten offering, the Company will not effect any public sale or distribution of any Equity Securities (other than a registration statement (i) on Form S-4, Form S-8 or any successor forms promulgated for similar purposes or (ii) filed in connection with any employee benefit or dividend reinvestment plan) for its own account, during the Holdback Period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 10(b), in connection with an underwritten offering that is a Block Sale, (A) no Holder shall be subject to a lock-up agreement, other than, if requested by the managing underwriter for such offering, a Holder that is participating in such Block Sale and (B) such Holdback Period shall not exceed sixty calendar days in connection with any Block Sale.

(c) Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement may be amended and the Company may take any action herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be performed by it, only if any such amendment, action or omission to act, has received the written consent of the Company and each of the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates that are Holders, or if no such Holders remain, the holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities; provided that this Agreement may not be amended in a manner that would, by its terms, adversely affect the rights or obligations of the CD&R Investors or their Affiliates that are Holders without the consent of such Holders. The failure of any Party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and shall not affect the right of such Party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms. Any Holder may waive (in writing) the benefit of any provision of this Agreement with respect to itself for any purpose. Any such waiver shall constitute a waiver only with respect to the specific matter described in such writing and shall in no way impair the rights of the Holder granting such waiver in any other respect or at any other time.

(d) Successors, Assigns and Transferees. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and assigns who agree in writing to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, and whether or not any express assignment shall have been made, the provisions of this Agreement that are for the benefit of Holders shall also be for the benefit of and enforceable by any subsequent Holder, subject to the provisions contained herein.

(e) Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any Party shall be in writing (including e-mail transmission) and shall be given as follows, or to such other address or e-mail as such Party may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other Parties:

if to the Company, to:

Core & Main, Inc.

1830 Craig Park Court

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

Attention: General Counsel and Secretary

Email: X

 

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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Attention: Peter J. Loughran, Esq. and Paul M. Rodel, Esq.

Email: pjloughran@debevoise.com; pmrodel@debevoise.com

if to the CD&R Investors, to:

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC

375 Park Avenue

18th Floor

New York, New York 10152

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Email: X

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Attention: Peter J. Loughran, Esq. and Paul M. Rodel, Esq.

Email: pjloughran@debevoise.com; pmrodel@debevoise.com

If to any other Holder, to the e-mail or address of such other Holder as shown in the stock record book of the Company.

All such notices, requests and other communications shall be deemed received on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5:30 p.m. on a Business Day in the place of receipt. Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day in the place of receipt.

(f) Further Assurances. At any time or from time to time after the date hereof, the Parties agree to cooperate with each other, and at the request of any other Party, to execute and deliver any further instruments or documents and to take all such further action as the other Party may reasonably request in order to evidence or effectuate the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and to otherwise carry out the intent of the Parties hereunder.

(g) Certain Agreements. The Company shall not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities (i) that grants rights to any person that are pari passu with or (ii) that is inconsistent with or violates the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement.

(h) Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement (i) except as may be provided in a Joinder Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes any prior discussions, correspondence, negotiation, proposed term sheet, agreement, understanding or agreement and

 

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there are no agreements, understandings, representations or warranties between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to in this Agreement and (ii) except as provided in Section 5 with respect to an Indemnified Party, is not intended to confer in or on behalf of any Person not a party to this Agreement (and their successors and assigns) any rights, benefits, causes of action or remedies with respect to the subject matter or any provision hereof.

(i) Governing Law; Jurisdiction and Forum; Waiver of Jury Trial.

(i) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts executed and to be performed wholly within such State and without reference to the choice-of-law principles that would result in the application of the laws of a different jurisdiction.

(ii) Each Party irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or any court of the State of New York located in such district any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such suit, action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such court. Each Party hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such suit, action or other proceeding. The Parties further agree, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that final and unappealable judgment against any of them in any suit, action or other proceeding contemplated above shall be conclusive and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction within or outside the United States by suit on the judgment, a certified copy of which shall be conclusive evidence of the fact and amount of such judgment.

(iii) EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

(j) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such a determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

(k) Enforcement. Each Party acknowledges that money damages would not be an adequate remedy in the event that any of the covenants or agreements in this Agreement are not performed in accordance with its terms, and it is therefore agreed that in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, the non-breaching Party will have the right to an injunction, temporary restraining order or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction enjoining any such breach and enforcing specifically the terms and provisions hereof.

 

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(l) Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and will not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

(m) No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in this Agreement, the Company and each Holder (other than the CD&R Investors) covenant, agree and acknowledge that no recourse under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement shall be had against any current or future director, officer, employee, shareholder, general or limited partner or member of the CD&R Investors or of any Affiliate or assignee thereof, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any statute, regulation or other applicable law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any current or future director, officer, employee, shareholder, general or limited partner or member of the CD&R Investors or of any Affiliate or assignee thereof, as such for any obligation of the CD&R Investors under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.

(n) Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including via facsimile and electronic transmission), each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by one Party to the others may be made by facsimile, electronic mail, other electronic format (including any electronic signature complying with the New York Electronic Signatures and Records Act (N.Y. State Tech. §§ 301-309), as amended from time to time, or other applicable law) or other transmission method, and the parties hereto agree that any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Agreement or caused this Agreement to be duly executed on its behalf as of the date first written above.

 

CORE & MAIN, INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

  Name: Stephen O. LeClair
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page – Registration Rights Agreement]


CD&R WATERWORKS HOLDINGS, LLC
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P., its manager
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CD&R FUND X ADVISOR WATERWORKS B, L.P.
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CD&R FUND X WATERWORKS B1, L.P.
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CD&R FUND X-A WATERWORKS B, L.P.
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary

[Signature Page – Registration Rights Agreement]


Exhibit A

JOINDER AGREEMENT

Reference is made to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2021 (as amended from time to time, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), by and among Core & Main, Inc. (the “Company”) and certain stockholders of the Company party thereto. The undersigned agrees, by execution hereof, to become a party to, and to be subject to the rights and obligations under, the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

[NAME]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Date:

Address:

Acknowledged by:

 

CORE & MAIN, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Date:

 

A-1

Exhibit 10.3

Execution Version

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

of

CORE & MAIN, INC.

Dated as of July 22, 2021

 

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     1  

1.1

  Certain Defined Terms      1  

1.2

  Other Definitional Provisions      5  

ARTICLE II CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

     5  

2.1

  Board Representation      5  

2.2

  Available Financial Information      7  

2.3

  Other Information      8  

2.4

  Access      9  

2.5

  Termination of Rights      9  

ARTICLE III MISCELLANEOUS

     9  

3.1

  Confidentiality      9  

3.2

  Amendments and Waivers      9  

3.3

  Successors, Assigns and Permitted Transferees      10  

3.4

  Notices      10  

3.5

  Further Assurances      10  

3.6

  Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries      11  

3.7

  Restrictions on Other Agreements; By-laws      11  

3.8

  Governing Law      11  

3.9

  Jurisdiction and Forum; Waiver of Jury Trial      11  

3.10

  Severability      11  

3.11

  Enforcement      12  

3.12

  Titles and Subtitles      12  

3.14

  No Recourse      12  

3.15

  Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures      12  

Exhibit A – Joinder Agreement

 

 

- i -


This STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT is entered into as of July 22, 2021, by and among Core & Main, Inc., a Delaware corporation (and any successor in interest thereto, the “Company”), CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (in each case together with any successor in interest thereto, the “CD&R Investors”), and any Person who executes a Joinder Agreement in the form of Exhibit A hereto (each, a “Stockholder” and collectively, the “Stockholders”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings set forth in Section 1.1.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company intends to undertake an underwritten initial public offering (the “IPO”) of its Class A Common Stock (as defined below); and

WHEREAS, in connection with, and effective upon the date (the “Closing Date”) of the completion of, the IPO, the Company and the CD&R Investors wish to set forth their respective rights and obligations, including with respect to certain governance matters.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Certain Defined Terms. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person, (ii) any Person directly or indirectly owning or controlling 10% or more of any class of outstanding voting securities of such Person or (iii) any officer, director, general partner or trustee of any such Person described in clause (i) or (ii).

Agreement” means this Stockholders Agreement, as amended from time to time in accordance with Section 3.2.

Annual Budget” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.2(b).

Applicable Law” means all applicable provisions of (i) constitutions, treaties, statutes, laws (including the common law), rules, regulations, ordinances, codes or orders of any Governmental Entity, (ii) any consents or approvals of any Governmental Entity and (iii) any orders, decisions, injunctions, judgments, awards, decrees of or agreements with any Governmental Entity.


beneficial owner” or “beneficially own” has the meaning given such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act and a Person’s beneficial ownership of Equity Securities or other voting securities of the Company shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of such Rule.

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

By-laws” means the Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company, as in effect on the date hereof and as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and the terms of the Charter.

CD&R Designee” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.1(b).

CD&R Investors” has the meaning given to such term in the Preamble.

Chair” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.1(e).

Charter” means the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as in effect on the date hereof and as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Class A Common Stock” means the shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, including any shares of capital stock into which Class A Common Stock may be converted (as a result of recapitalization, share exchange or similar event) or are issued with respect to Class A Common Stock, including with respect to any stock split or stock dividend, or a successor security.

Class B Common Stock” means the shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, including any shares of capital stock into which Class B Common Stock may be converted (as a result of recapitalization, share exchange or similar event) or are issued with respect to Class B Common Stock, including with respect to any stock split or stock dividend, or a successor security.

Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Combined Voting Power” means the combined voting power of all classes and series of Voting Securities, according to the respective votes per share of each class or series, voting together as a single class.

Common Stock” means, collectively, the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.

Company” has the meaning given to such term in the Preamble.

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

 

2


Director” means any member of the Board.

Equity Securities” means (a) any and all shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company (now owned or hereafter acquired), including any Common Stock issued or issuable (i) upon the exchange of any other securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any shares of Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon exchange of any Paired Interest pursuant to the Exchange Agreement) and (ii) in connection with the Reorganization Transactions, and (b) any securities of the Company convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, such shares, and options, warrants or other rights to acquire such shares or other equity securities.

Exchange” means the New York Stock Exchange.

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

Exchange Agreement” means the Exchange Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021 (as amended and in effect from time to time), by and among the Company, Core & Main Holdings, LP, CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC and Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles, as in effect in the United States of America from time to time.

Governmental Entity” means any federal, state, local or foreign court, legislative, executive or regulatory authority or agency.

Group” has the meaning given to such term in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.

Information” means all confidential information about the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is or has been furnished to any Stockholder or any of its Representatives by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective Representatives, whether written or oral or in electronic or other form and whether prepared by the Company, its Representatives or otherwise, together with all written or electronically stored documentation prepared by such Stockholder or its Representatives based on or reflecting, in whole or in part, such information; provided that the term “Information” does not include any information that (i) is or becomes generally available to the public through no action or omission by such Stockholder or its Representatives, (ii) is or becomes available to such Stockholder on a non-confidential basis from a source, other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective Representatives, that to such Stockholder’s knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, is not prohibited from disclosing such portions to such Stockholder by a contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation, (iii) is independently developed by a Stockholder or its Representatives or Affiliates on its own behalf without use of any of the confidential information or (iv) was in such Stockholder’s, its Affiliates’ or its Representatives’ possession prior to the date of this Agreement.

IPO” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

3


Issuer Competitor” means any Person that directly competes with the business of the Company and its direct and indirect Subsidiaries from time to time.

Paired Interest” has the meaning given to such term in the Exchange Agreement.

Permitted Transferee” means with respect to any Stockholder, an Affiliate of such Stockholder, including to any investment fund or other entity controlled or managed by, or under common control or management with, such Stockholder; provided, however, that any such transferee agrees in a writing in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto to be bound by and to comply with all applicable provisions of this Agreement. Any Stockholder shall also be a Permitted Transferee of the Permitted Transferees or itself.

Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, limited or general partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivisions thereof or any Group comprised of any two or more of the foregoing.

Reorganization Transactions” means the reorganization transactions taken in connection with the IPO, as described under the caption “The Reorganization Transactions” in the preliminary prospectus, dated July 13, 2021, relating to the Class A Common Stock to be issued and sold in connection with the IPO, filed as part of Company’s registration statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-256382).

Representatives” means with respect to any Person, any of such Person’s, or its Affiliates’, directors, officers, employees, general partners, Affiliates, direct or indirect shareholders, members or limited partners, attorneys, accountants, financial and other advisers, and other agents and representatives, including in the case of the CD&R Investors, any person designated for nomination by the Board as a Director by the CD&R Investors.

Stockholder” and “Stockholders” have the meanings given to such terms in the Preamble.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, entity or other organization whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which (i) such first Person directly or indirectly owns or controls at least a majority of the securities or other interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions or (ii) such first Person is a general partner, managing member or otherwise exercises similar management control.

Voting Securities” means, at any time, outstanding shares of any class of Equity Securities which are then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

Transfer” means, directly or indirectly, to sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or similarly dispose of, either voluntarily or involuntarily, or to enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or similar disposition of, any shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by a Person or any interest in any shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by a Person.

 

4


1.2 Other Definitional Provisions.

(a) The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Article and Section references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”

(b) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

ARTICLE II

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

2.1 Board Representation.

(a) Following the Closing Date, the CD&R Investors shall have the right, but not the obligation, to designate for nomination by the Board as Directors a number of designees equal to at least:

(i) a majority of the total number of Directors comprising the Board at such time as long as the CD&R Investors (together with their Affiliates) collectively beneficially own Equity Securities representing at least 50% of the Combined Voting Power;

(ii) 40% of the total number of Directors comprising the Board at such time as long as the CD&R Investors (together with their Affiliates) collectively beneficially own Equity Securities representing at least 40% but less than 50% of the Combined Voting Power;

(iii) 30% of the total number of Directors comprising the Board at such time as long as the CD&R Investors (together with their Affiliates) collectively beneficially own Equity Securities representing at least 30% but less than 40% of the Combined Voting Power;

(iv) 20% of the total number of Directors comprising the Board at such time as long as the CD&R Investors (together with their Affiliates) collectively beneficially own Equity Securities representing at least 20% but less than 30% of the Combined Voting Power; and

(v) 5% of the total number of Directors comprising the Board at such time as long as the CD&R Investors (together with their Affiliates) collectively beneficially own Equity Securities representing at least 5% but less than 20% of the Combined Voting Power.

For purposes of calculating the number of CD&R Designees that the CD&R Investors are entitled to designate for nomination pursuant to the formula outlined above, any fractional amounts shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number and the calculation shall be made on a pro forma basis after taking into account any increase in the size of the Board. For the avoidance of doubt, if the CD&R Investors (together with their Affiliates) collectively beneficially own Equity Securities representing less than 5% of the Combined Voting Power, the CD&R Investors shall no longer be entitled to designate any designees for nomination by the Board as Directors.

 

5


(b) In the event that the CD&R Investors have designated for nomination by the Board less than the total number of designees the CD&R Investors shall be entitled to designate for nomination pursuant to Section 2.1(a), the CD&R Investors shall have the right, at any time, to designate for nomination such additional designees to which they are entitled, in which case, the Company and the Directors shall take all necessary action, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law (including with respect to any fiduciary duties under Delaware law), to (x) enable the CD&R Investors to designate for nomination and effect the election or appointment of such additional individuals, whether by increasing the size of the Board, or otherwise, and (y) to designate such additional individuals designated for nomination by the CD&R Investors to fill such newly-created vacancies or to fill any other existing vacancies. Each such individual whom the CD&R Investors shall actually designate for nomination pursuant to this Section 2.1 and who is thereafter elected to the Board to serve as a Director shall be referred to herein as a “CD&R Designee.”

(c) In the event that a vacancy is created at any time by the death, retirement or resignation of any Director designated by the CD&R Investors pursuant to this Section 2.1, the remaining Directors and the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law (including with respect to any fiduciary duties under Delaware law), cause the vacancy created thereby to be filled by a new designee of the CD&R Investors as soon as possible, and the Company hereby agrees to take, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law (including with respect to any fiduciary duties under Delaware law), at any time and from time to time, all actions necessary to accomplish the same.

(d) The Company agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law (including with respect to any fiduciary duties under Delaware law) and notwithstanding any mandatory Director retirement age that may be adopted by the Company, to include in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board for election at any meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing Directors the individuals designated pursuant to this Section 2.1 and to nominate and recommend each such individual to be elected as a Director as provided herein, and to solicit proxies or consents in favor thereof. The Company is entitled to identify such individual as a CD&R Designee pursuant to this Agreement.

(e) For so long as the CD&R Investors (together with their Affiliates) collectively beneficially own Equity Securities representing at least 25% of the Combined Voting Power, a CD&R Designee shall serve as the Chair of the Board (“Chair”) and in such capacity as Chair shall preside over meetings of the Board and the stockholders, among other duties.

(f) Insofar as the Company is or becomes subject to requirements under Applicable Law or the regulations of any self-regulatory organization, including the Exchange or such other national securities exchange upon which the Class A Common Stock is listed to which the Company is then subject, relating to the composition of the Board or committees thereof, their respective responsibilities or the qualifications of their respective members, the CD&R Investors shall cooperate in good faith to select for nomination their designees to the Board under this Section 2.1 so as to permit the Company to comply with all such applicable legal or regulatory requirements.

 

6


(g) No CD&R Designee shall be paid any fee (or provided any equity-based compensation) for service as Director or member of any committee of the Board, unless otherwise determined by the Board; provided that each CD&R Designee shall be entitled to reimbursement by the Company for reasonable expenses incurred while traveling to and from Board and committee meetings as well as travel for other business related to his or her service on the Board or committees thereof, subject to any maximum reimbursement obligations as may be established by the Board from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any CD&R Designee whom the Board determines to be “independent” as defined under Exchange and Exchange Act rules and regulations shall be entitled to participate in the Company’s compensation arrangements in which non-CD&R Designees, or other “independent” Directors, participate.

2.2 Available Financial Information. Upon written request of the CD&R Investors, the Company will deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the CD&R Investors or their designated Representative:

(a) as soon as available after the end of each month and in any event within 30 days thereafter, a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such month and consolidated statements of operations, income, cash flows, retained earnings and stockholders’ equity of the Company and its Subsidiaries, for each month and for the current fiscal year of the Company to date, prepared in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of notes thereto), together with a comparison of such statements to the corresponding periods of the prior fiscal year and to the Company’s business plan then in effect and approved by the Board;

(b) an annual budget, a business plan and financial forecasts for the Company for the next fiscal year of the Company (the “Annual Budget”), no later than 30 days before the beginning of the Company’s next fiscal year, in such manner and form as approved by the Board, which shall include at least a projection of income and a projected cash flow statement for each fiscal quarter in such fiscal year and a projected balance sheet as of the end of each fiscal quarter in such fiscal year, in each case prepared in reasonable detail, with appropriate presentation and discussion of the principal assumptions upon which such budgets and projections are based, which shall be accompanied by the statement of the chief executive officer or chief financial officer or equivalent officer of the Company to the effect that such budget and projections are based on reasonable and good faith estimates and assumptions made by the management of the Company for the respective periods covered thereby; it being recognized by the CD&R Investors that such budgets and projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by them may differ from the projected results. Any material changes in such Annual Budget shall be delivered to the CD&R Investors as promptly as practicable after such changes have been approved by the Board;

(c) as soon as available after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, and in any event within 90 days thereafter, (i) the annual financial statements required to be filed by the Company pursuant to the Exchange Act, (ii) a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year, and consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such year, prepared in accordance with GAAP and setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and accompanied by the opinion of independent public accountants of recognized national standing selected by the Company and (iii) a Company-prepared comparison to the Annual Budget for such year as approved by the Board; and

 

7


(d) as soon as available after the end of the first, second and third quarterly accounting periods in each fiscal year of the Company, and in any event within 45 days thereafter, (i) the quarterly financial statements required to be filed by the Company pursuant to the Exchange Act, (ii) a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of each such quarterly period, and consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period and for the current fiscal year to date, prepared in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of notes thereto) and (iii) a Company-prepared comparison to the corresponding periods of the previous fiscal year and to the Annual Budget then in effect as approved by the Board, all of the information to be provided pursuant to this Section 2.2(d) in reasonable detail and certified by the principal financial or accounting officer of the Company.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 2.2(c) and (d), the Company may satisfy its obligations thereunder (other than its obligations under Sections 2.2(c)(iii) and 2.2(d)(iii)) by (i) providing the financial statements of any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company to the extent such financial statements reflect the entirety of the operations of the business or (ii) filing such financial statements of the Company or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company whose financial statements satisfy the requirements of clause (i), as applicable, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR or in such other manner as makes them publicly available. The Company’s obligation to furnish the materials described in Sections 2.2(c) and (d) shall be satisfied so long as it transmits such materials to the CD&R Investors within the time periods specified therein, notwithstanding that such materials may actually be received after the expiration of such periods.

2.3 Other Information. The Company covenants and agrees to deliver to the CD&R Investors, upon written request, with reasonable promptness, such other information and data (including such information and reports made available to any lender of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any credit agreement or otherwise) with respect to the Company and each of its Subsidiaries as from time to time may be reasonably requested by the CD&R Investors; provided that the Company reserves the right to withhold any information under this Section 2.3 or access under Section 2.4 from the CD&R Investors if the Board determines that providing such information or granting such access would reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the Company on a competitive basis or otherwise. The CD&R Investors shall have access to such other information concerning the Company’s business or financial condition and the Company’s management as may be reasonably requested, including all information that is necessary for (x) each of the CD&R Investors and their Affiliates to comply with income tax reporting and regulatory requirements and (y) the CD&R Investors to prepare their quarterly and annual financial statements.

 

8


2.4 Access. Subject to Section 2.3, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries, officers, Directors, employees, associates, auditors and other agents to (a) afford the CD&R Investors and their Representatives, during normal business hours and upon reasonable notice, reasonable access at all reasonable times to its officers, employees, associates, auditors, legal counsel, properties, offices and other facilities and to all books and records, and (b) afford the CD&R Investors the opportunity to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries with their respective officers from time to time as the CD&R Investors may reasonably request upon reasonable notice.

2.5 Termination of Rights. This Agreement shall terminate on the earlier to occur of (a) such time as the CD&R Investors are no longer entitled to nominate a Director pursuant to Section 2.1(a) of this Agreement or (b) upon the delivery of a written notice by the CD&R Investors to the Company requesting that this Agreement terminate.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

3.1 Confidentiality. Each party hereto agrees to, and shall cause its Representatives to, keep confidential and not divulge any Information, and to use, and cause its Representatives to use, such Information only in connection with the operation of the Company and its Subsidiaries and monitoring and making voting and investment decisions with respect to the Company; provided that nothing herein shall prevent any party hereto from disclosing such Information (a) upon the order of any court or administrative agency, (b) upon the request or demand of any regulatory agency or authority having jurisdiction over such party, (c) to the extent required by law or legal process or required or requested pursuant to subpoena, interrogatories or other discovery requests, (d) to the extent necessary in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder, (e) to other Stockholders, (f) to such party’s Representatives that in the reasonable judgment of such party need to know such Information, (g) to any potential Permitted Transferee of a Stockholder to whom such proposed Transfer would be permitted in accordance with Section 3.3 as long as such potential Permitted Transferee agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 3.1 as if a Stockholder or (h) to any prospective purchaser of all of a Stockholder’s shares of the Common Stock, provided that (1) such prospective purchaser shall have been advised of this Agreement and shall have expressly agreed to be bound by the confidentiality provisions hereof, (2) such prospective purchaser is not an Issuer Competitor or a Person who controls any Issuer Competitor, and (3) such prospective purchaser shall be responsible for any breach of or failure to comply with the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement by any of its Affiliates and such prospective purchaser agrees, at its sole expense, to take reasonable measures (including but not limited to court proceedings) to restrain its Representatives and Affiliates from prohibited or unauthorized disclosure or use of any Information; provided further that, in the case of clause (a) or (c), such party shall notify the other parties hereto of the proposed disclosure as far in advance of such disclosure as practicable and use reasonable efforts to ensure that any Information so disclosed is accorded confidential treatment, when and if available.

3.2 Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified only by a written instrument executed by the Company and each of the CD&R Investors. Neither the failure nor delay on the part of any party hereto to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver.

 

9


3.3 Successors, Assigns and Permitted Transferees. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Any Stockholder may assign its rights and obligations hereunder to any Permitted Transferee.

3.4 Notices. All notices and other communications to be given to any party hereunder shall be sufficiently given for all purposes hereunder if in writing and delivered by hand, courier or overnight delivery service, or when received in the form of a facsimile or other electronic transmission (receipt confirmation requested), and shall be directed to the address set forth below (or at such other address or facsimile number as such party shall designate by like notice):

 

  (a)

if to the Company, to:

Core & Main, Inc.

1830 Craig Park Court

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

Attention: General Counsel and Secretary

Email: X

 

  (b)

if to the CD&R Investors, to:

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC

375 Park Avenue

18th Floor

New York, New York 10152

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Email: X

 

  (c)

if to any other Stockholder, to the address of such other Stockholder as shown in the stock record book of the Company.

in each case, with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Attention: Peter J. Loughran, Esq. and Paul M. Rodel, Esq.

Email: pjloughran@debevoise.com; pmrodel@debevoise.com

3.5 Further Assurances. At any time or from time to time after the date hereof, the parties agree to cooperate with each other, and at the request of any other party, to execute and deliver any further instruments or documents and to take all such further action as the other party may reasonably request in order to evidence or effectuate the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and to otherwise carry out the intent of the parties hereunder. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Company shall not directly or indirectly take any action that is intended to, or would reasonably be expected to result in, any Stockholder being deprived of the rights contemplated by this Agreement.

 

10


3.6 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes any prior discussions, correspondence, negotiation, proposed term sheet, agreement or understanding and there are no agreements, understandings, representations or warranties between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement other than those set forth or referred to in this Agreement, and this Agreement is not intended to confer in or on behalf of any Person not a party to this Agreement (and their successors and assigns) any rights, benefits, causes of action or remedies with respect to the subject matter or any provision hereof.

3.7 Restrictions on Other Agreements; By-laws. The provisions of this Agreement shall be controlling if any such provision or the operation thereof conflicts with the provisions of the By-laws. Each of the parties covenants and agrees to take, or cause to be taken, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law (including with respect to any fiduciary duties under Delaware law), any action reasonably requested by the Company or any Stockholder, as the case may be, to amend the By-laws so as to avoid any conflict with the provisions hereof, including, in the case of the Stockholders, to vote their shares of Common Stock.

3.8 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws thereof to the extent that such principles would require or permit the application of laws of another jurisdiction.

3.9 Jurisdiction and Forum; Waiver of Jury Trial. In any judicial proceeding involving any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, each of the parties unconditionally accepts the jurisdiction and venue of or, if the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction over this matter, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (Complex Commercial Division), or if jurisdiction over the matter is vested exclusively in federal courts, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and the appellate courts to which orders and judgments thereof may be appealed. In any such judicial proceeding, the parties agree that in addition to any method for the service of process permitted or required by such courts, to the fullest extent permitted by law, service of process may be made by delivery provided pursuant to the directions in Section 3.4. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING ANY DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

3.10 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application of such provision to any Person or circumstance or in any jurisdiction, shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, (a) the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and each other provision hereof shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law, (b) as to such Person or circumstance or in such jurisdiction such provision shall be reformed to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law and (c) the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances or in other jurisdictions shall not be affected thereby.

 

11


3.11 Enforcement. Each party hereto acknowledges that money damages would not be an adequate remedy in the event that any of the covenants or agreements in this Agreement are not performed in accordance with its terms, and it is therefore agreed that in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, the non-breaching party will have the right to seek an injunction, temporary restraining order or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction enjoining any such breach and enforcing specifically the terms and provisions hereof.

3.12 Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the articles, sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and will not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

3.13 No Recourse. This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claims or cause of action that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement may only be made against the entities that are expressly identified as parties hereto and no past, present or future Affiliate, Director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner, stockholder, agent, attorney or representative of any party hereto shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of the parties to this Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby.

3.14 Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by one party to the others may be made by facsimile, electronic mail, other electronic format (including any electronic signature complying with the Delaware Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, as amended from time to time, or other applicable law) or other transmission method, and the parties hereto agree that any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

12


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

CORE & MAIN, INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

  Name: Stephen O. LeClair
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page—Stockholders Agreement]


CD&R WATERWORKS HOLDINGS, LLC
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P.,
  its manager
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd.,
  its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CD&R FUND X ADVISOR WATERWORKS B, L.P.
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd.,
  its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CD&R FUND X WATERWORKS B1, L.P.
By:   CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd.,
  its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CD&R FUND X-A WATERWORKS B, L.P.
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name:   Rima Simson
Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary

[Signature Page—Stockholders Agreement]


Exhibit A

JOINDER AGREEMENT

Reference is made to the Stockholders Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021 (as amended from time to time, the “Stockholders Agreement”), by and among Core & Main, Inc. (the “Company”) and certain stockholders of the Company party thereto. The undersigned agrees, by execution hereof, to become a party to, and to be subject to the rights and obligations under, the Stockholders Agreement.

 

[NAME]

By:  

             

 

Name:

 

Title:

Date:

Address:

Acknowledged by:

 

CORE & MAIN, INC.

By:  

                 

 

Name:

 

Title:

Date:

 

A-1

Exhibit 10.4

Execution Version

TERMINATION AGREEMENT

This TERMINATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of July 27, 2021, by and between Core & Main LP (f/k/a HD Supply Waterworks, Ltd.), a Florida limited partnership, and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

WHEREAS, the parties hereto are party to a Consulting Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2017 (the “Consulting Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to terminate the Consulting Agreement.

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

Section 1. Termination of Consulting Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of the Consulting Agreement to the contrary (including any provisions that purport to survive the termination thereof), effective as of the date hereof, the Consulting Agreement is hereby terminated without any obligation surviving such termination. Each party hereto hereby waives any notice, consent or other requirement in connection with such termination of the Consulting Agreement. As a matter of precaution, each party hereto waives, effective as of the date hereof, any claims it may have against the other party under the Consulting Agreement.

Section 2. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.

Section 3. Binding on Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 4. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (including via facsimile or scanned pages), each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

[Signature page follows]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

CLAYTON, DUBILIER & RICE, LLC
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

  Name: Rima Simson
  Title: Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
CORE & MAIN LP
By:  

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

  Name: Stephen O. LeClair
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Termination Agreement (for CD&R Consulting Agreement)]

Exhibit 10.5

Execution Version

TERMINATION AGREEMENT

This TERMINATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of July 27, 2021, by and between Core & Main LP (f/k/a HD Supply Waterworks, Ltd.), a Florida limited partnership (“Opco”), Core & Main, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), as successor in interest to CD&R Plumb Buyer, LLC (“CD&R Plumb Buyer”), and CD&R WW, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CD&R WW”), as successor in interest to Core & Main GP, LLC (f/k/a HD Supply Waterworks Group, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (“Core & Main GP”).

WHEREAS, Opco, CD&R Plumb Buyer and Core & Main GP entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2017 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the initial public offering of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, the Company undertook a series of reorganization transactions pursuant to which, among other things, through a series of merger transactions, (i) CD&R Plumb Buyer was merged with and into CD&R WW Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which merged with and into the Company, with the Company surviving, and (ii) Core & Main GP merged with and into CD&R WW, with CD&R WW surviving and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company; and

WHEREAS, Opco, the Company, as successor in interest to CD&R Plumb Buyer, and CD&R WW, as successor in interest to Core & Main GP, wish to terminate the Registration Rights Agreement.

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

Section 1. Termination of Registration Rights Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of the Registration Rights Agreement to the contrary (including any provisions that purport to survive the termination thereof), effective as of the date hereof, the Registration Rights Agreement is hereby terminated without any obligation surviving such termination. Each party hereto hereby waives any notice, consent or other requirement in connection with such termination of the Registration Rights Agreement. As a matter of precaution, each party hereto waives, effective as of the date hereof, any claims it may have against the other party under the Registration Rights Agreement.

Section 2. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.

Section 3. Binding on Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.


Section 4. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (including via facsimile or scanned pages), each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

[Signature page follows]

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

CORE & MAIN LP
By:  

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

  Name: Stephen O. LeClair
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer
CORE & MAIN, INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

  Name: Stephen O. LeClair
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer
CD&R WW, LLC
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

  Name: Rima Simson
  Title:   Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary

[Signature Page to Termination Agreement (for Opco Registration Rights Agreement)]

Exhibit 10.6

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT

among

CORE & MAIN, INC.,

CORE & MAIN HOLDINGS, LP

and

EACH STOCKHOLDER OF

CORE & MAIN, INC. LISTED ON ANNEX A

Dated as of July 22, 2021

 


ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS

     1  

1.1.

  Definitions      1  

1.2.

  Terms Generally      12  

ARTICLE II. DETERMINATION OF CERTAIN REALIZED TAX BENEFITS

     13  

2.1.

  Tax Benefit Schedule      13  

2.2.

  Procedure, Amendments      15  

2.3.

  Consistency with Tax Returns      16  

ARTICLE III. TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS

     16  

3.1.

  Payments      16  

3.2.

  Duplicative Payments      17  

3.3.

  Pro Rata Payments; Coordination of Benefits      17  

ARTICLE IV. TERMINATION

     18  

4.1.

  Early Termination, Change in Control and Breach of Agreement      18  

4.2.

  Early Termination Notice      20  

4.3.

  Payment upon Early Termination      21  

ARTICLE V. SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS

     22  

5.1.

  Subordination      22  

5.2.

  Late Payments by Corporate Taxpayer      22  

ARTICLE VI. NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION

     22  

6.1.

  Participation in Corporate Taxpayer’s and Holdings’ Tax Matters      22  

6.2.

  Consistency      23  

6.3.

  Cooperation      23  

ARTICLE VII. MISCELLANEOUS

     24  

7.1.

  Notices      24  

7.2.

  Counterparts      25  

7.3.

  Entire Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries      25  

7.4.

  Severability      25  

7.5.

  Successors; Assignment; Amendments; Waivers      25  

7.6.

  Titles and Subtitles      26  

7.7.

  Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial      26  

7.8.

  Reconciliation      27  

 

i


7.9.

  Withholding      28  

7.10.

  Admission of Corporate Taxpayer into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets      28  

7.11.

  Confidentiality      29  

7.12.

  Change in Law      30  

7.13.

  Independent Nature of Exchanged Owners’ Rights and Obligations      30  

 

 

ii


This TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), dated as of July 22, 2021 and effective upon the consummation of the Reorganization Transactions (as defined in the Reorganization Agreement (as defined below)) and prior to the IPO Closing (as defined below), is hereby entered into by and among Core & Main, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Corporate Taxpayer”), Core & Main Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Holdings”), each stockholder of Corporate Taxpayer listed on Annex A (each an “Exchanged Owner”, and, for the avoidance of doubt, such term shall include former Exchanged Owners entitled to current or future payments pursuant to this Agreement), and each of the successors and assigns thereto.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, each Exchanged Owner indirectly holds limited partnership interests in Holdings (the “Partnership Interests”), which is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

WHEREAS, in connection with the initial public offering of Class A Common Stock (as defined below) of Corporate Taxpayer (the “IPO”), Holdings, and certain of its direct and indirect owners, will, pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement, enter into a series of transactions to reorganize the ownership interests in Holdings;

WHEREAS, Corporate Taxpayer will be the general partner of Holdings on or about the date of the IPO Closing (as defined below), and holds or will hold on or about the date of the IPO Closing, directly or indirectly, Partnership Interests;

WHEREAS, each Exchanged Owner acquired or will acquire stock in Corporate Taxpayer as a result of a Merger (as defined below);

WHEREAS, the income, gain, loss, deduction and other Tax (as defined below) items of Corporate Taxpayer and its consolidated Subsidiaries may be affected by (i) the Exchanged Owner Basis (as defined below), (ii) any Interest Amount (as defined below) paid, (iii) the Imputed Interest (as defined below), (iv) the Pre-Merger Tax Attributes (as defined below), and (v) the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement Items (as defined below);

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

1.1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth in this ARTICLE I shall have the following meanings.

Acquisition Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble of this Agreement.

 

1


Advisory Firm” means any accounting firm or any law firm that, in either case, is nationally recognized as being expert in tax matters.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with the specified Person.

Agreed Rate” means LIBOR plus 100 basis points.

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble of this Agreement.

Amended Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b) of this Agreement.

Blended Rate” means, with respect to any taxable year, the sum of the effective rates of tax imposed on the aggregate net income of Corporate Taxpayer in each state or local jurisdiction in which Corporate Taxpayer files Tax Returns for such taxable year, with the maximum effective rate in any state or local jurisdiction being equal to the product of: (i) the apportionment factor on the income or franchise Tax Return filed by Corporate Taxpayer in such jurisdiction for such taxable year, and (ii) the maximum applicable corporate tax rate in effect in such jurisdiction in such taxable year. As an illustration of the calculation of Blended Rate for a taxable year, if Corporate Taxpayer solely files Tax Returns in State 1 and State 2 in a taxable year, the maximum applicable corporate tax rates in effect in such states in such taxable year are 6.5% and 5.5%, respectively, and the apportionment factors for such states in such taxable year are 55% and 45%, respectively, then the Blended Rate for such taxable year is equal to 6.05% (i.e., 6.5% times 55% plus 5.5% times 45%).

Board” means the Board of Directors of Corporate Taxpayer.

Business Day” means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day that is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions located in New York are closed.

CD&R Representative” means Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC or its designated successor.

A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred upon:

 

  (i)

the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of Corporate Taxpayer’s assets (determined on a consolidated basis) to any “person” or “group” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than to any Subsidiary of Corporate Taxpayer; provided, that, for clarity and notwithstanding anything to the contrary, neither the approval of nor consummation of a transaction treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a liquidation into Corporate Taxpayer of its consolidated Subsidiaries or merger of such entities into one another or Corporate Taxpayer will constitute a “Change in Control”;

 

2


  (ii)

the merger or consolidation of Corporate Taxpayer with any other person, other than a merger or consolidation where both (A) such merger or consolidation would result in the Voting Securities of Corporate Taxpayer outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the total voting power represented by the Voting Securities of Corporate Taxpayer or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and (B) the Board immediately prior to the merger or consolidation constitutes at least a majority of the board of directors or Corporate Taxpayer or such surviving entity;

 

  (iii)

the shareholders of Corporate Taxpayer approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of Corporate Taxpayer;

 

  (iv)

the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any “person” or “group” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than (a) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of Corporate Taxpayer; (b) a corporation or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of Corporate Taxpayer in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of Corporate Taxpayer; or (c) Affiliates of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund X, L.P.) of beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Securities of Corporate Taxpayer; or

 

  (v)

the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors of Corporate Taxpayer then serving: individuals who, at the IPO Closing, constitute the Board and any new director whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by Corporate Taxpayer’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the IPO Closing or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended by the directors referred to in this clause (v).

Class A Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Corporate Taxpayer, having the rights to be set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

Code” shall mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

3


Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement” means the Tax Receivable Agreement entered into as of the date hereof by and among Corporate Taxpayer, Holdings, and certain limited partners of Holdings, as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement Items” means “Basis Adjustment” and “Common Basis” as defined in the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement.

Contribution” means the contribution of Partnership Interests to Corporate Taxpayer by CD&R Waterworks Holdings, GP. Ltd. and CD&R Associates X Waterworks, L.P. in exchange for Class A Common Stock.

Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of Voting Securities, by contract or otherwise.

Corporate Taxpayer” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble of this Agreement and includes any predecessor entities.

Corporate Taxpayer Return” means the federal, state or local Tax Return, as applicable, of Corporate Taxpayer or any consolidated Subsidiary of Corporate Taxpayer (or any Tax Return filed for a consolidated, affiliated, combined or unitary group of which Corporate Taxpayer or any consolidated Subsidiary of Corporate Taxpayer is a member) filed with respect to Taxes of any taxable year.

Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit” means for a taxable year the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Benefits for all taxable years or portions thereof of (i) Corporate Taxpayer, (ii) its consolidated Subsidiaries, and (iii) without duplication, Holdings and its Subsidiaries, up to and including such taxable year, net of the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Detriments for the same period. The Realized Tax Benefit and Realized Tax Detriment for each taxable year or portion thereof shall be determined based on the most recent Tax Benefit Schedule or Amended Schedule, if any, in existence at the time of such determination. If a Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit is being calculated with respect to a portion of a taxable year, then calculations of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit (including determinations relating to Exchanged Owner Basis, Pre-Merger Tax Attributes, Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement Items and Imputed Interest to the extent applicable) shall be made as if there were an interim closing of the books of the relevant entity and its Subsidiaries and the taxable year had closed on the relevant date.

Default Rate” means LIBOR plus 500 basis points.

Determination” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1313(a) of the Code or similar provision of state and local tax law, as applicable, or any other event (including the execution of IRS Form 870-AD) that finally and conclusively establishes the amount of any liability for Tax.

 

4


Early Termination Date” means the date of an Early Termination Notice for purposes of determining the Early Termination Payment.

Early Termination Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.

Early Termination Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.

Early Termination Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(b) of this Agreement.

Early Termination Rate” means LIBOR plus 100 basis points.

Early Termination Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.

Exchange” has the meaning set forth in the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement.

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

Exchange Agreement” means the Exchange Agreement entered into by and among Corporate Taxpayer, Holdings, and certain holders of Partnership Interests, dated on or about the date hereof, as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Exchanged Owner” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Exchanged Owner Basis” means, without duplication, IPO Basis and Transferred Basis.

Exchange Owner Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c) of this Agreement.

Expert” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8 of this Agreement.

Hypothetical Federal Tax Liability” means, with respect to any taxable year or portion thereof, the liability for U.S. federal income Taxes for such taxable year or portion thereof of (i) Corporate Taxpayer, (ii) its consolidated Subsidiaries and (iii) without duplication, Holdings, but only with respect to Corporate Taxpayer and its consolidated Subsidiaries’ pro rata shares of the U.S. federal income Tax liability of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such taxable year or portion thereof, in each case using the same methods, elections, conventions and similar practices used on the relevant federal Corporate Taxpayer Return but (a) using the Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis, (b) excluding any deduction attributable to Imputed Interest for the taxable

 

5


year, (c) excluding any deduction attributable to Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement Items, (d) without taking into account Pre-Merger Tax Attributes and (e) deducting the Hypothetical Other Tax Liability (in lieu of any amount for state or local tax liabilities, and only if such a deduction in respect of state and local tax liabilities is available with respect to the applicable taxable year or portion thereof). For the avoidance of doubt, the Hypothetical Federal Tax Liability shall be determined without taking into account the carryover or carryback of any Tax item (or portions thereof) that is attributable to or available as a result of any Exchanged Owner Basis, Pre-Merger Tax Attributes, Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement Items, Imputed Interest or any deduction in respect of the Hypothetical Other Tax Liability, as applicable. If a Hypothetical Federal Tax Liability is being calculated with respect to a portion of a taxable year, then calculations of the Hypothetical Federal Tax Liability (including determinations relating to Exchanged Owner Basis, Pre-Merger Tax Attributes, Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement Items and Imputed Interest to the extent applicable) shall be made as if there were an interim closing of the books of the relevant entity and its Subsidiaries and the taxable year had closed on the relevant date.

Hypothetical Other Tax Liability” means, with respect to any taxable year or portion thereof, the U.S. federal taxable income determined in connection with calculating the Hypothetical Federal Tax Liability for such Taxable Year (determined without regard to clause (e) thereof) multiplied by the Blended Rate for such taxable year.

Hypothetical Tax Liability” means, with respect to any taxable year, the Hypothetical Federal Tax Liability for such taxable year, plus the Hypothetical Other Tax Liability for such taxable year.

Imputed Interest” means any interest imputed under Section 1272, 1274 or 483 or other provision of the Code and any similar provision of state and local tax law with respect to Corporate Taxpayer’s payment obligations under this Agreement or the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement.

Initial Debt Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b) of this Agreement.

Interest Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.

IPO” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

IPO Basis” means the Tax basis of the Reference Assets that are depreciable or amortizable for U.S. federal income tax purposes in respect of which Corporate Taxpayer may be entitled to the tax benefits or deductions as a result of Corporate Taxpayer’s acquisition of Partnership Interests with the net proceeds from the IPO, in a percentage equal to the percentage of Partnership Interests held by the Exchanged Owners immediately prior to the Reorganization.

 

6


IPO Closing” means the closing of the sale of the shares of Class A Common Stock in the IPO (without giving effect to any exercise of the underwriters’ option to acquire additional shares of Class A Common Stock).

LIBOR” means during any period, an interest rate per annum equal to the one-year LIBOR reported, on the date two days prior to the first day of such period, on the Reuters Screen page “LIBOR01” (or if such screen shall cease to be publicly available, as reported by any other publicly available source of such market rate) for London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits for such period. If Corporate Taxpayer has made the determination (such determination to be conclusive absent manifest error) that (i) LIBOR is no longer a widely recognized benchmark rate for newly originated loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars or (ii) the applicable supervisor or administrator (if any) of LIBOR has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which LIBOR shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars, then Corporate Taxpayer shall (as determined by Corporate Taxpayer to be consistent with market practice generally), establish a replacement interest rate (the “Replacement Rate”), in which case, the Replacement Rate shall, subject to the next two sentences, replace LIBOR for all purposes under this Agreement. In connection with the establishment and application of the Replacement Rate, this Agreement shall be amended solely with the consent of Corporate Taxpayer and Holdings, as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable judgment of Corporate Taxpayer, to effect the provisions of this Section. The Replacement Rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided that, in each case, to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for Corporate Taxpayer, such Replacement Rate shall be applied as otherwise reasonably determined by Corporate Taxpayer.

Limited Partnership Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Holdings, dated on or about the date hereof, as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Market Value” shall mean the closing price per share of the Class A Common Stock on the applicable determination date on the national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which such Class A Common Stock is then traded or listed, as reported by the Wall Street Journal (or other mutually acceptable electronic or print publication); provided, that if the closing price is not reported by the Wall Street Journal (or such other mutually acceptable electronic or print publication) for the applicable determination date, then the “Market Value” shall mean the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on the Business Day immediately preceding such determination date on the national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which such Class A Common Stock is then traded or listed, as reported by the Wall Street Journal (or such other mutually acceptable electronic or print publication); provided further, that if the Class A Common Stock is not then listed on a national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, “Market Value” shall mean the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock on the applicable determination date, as determined by the Board in good faith.

 

7


Member of the Immediate Family” means, with respect to any Person who is an individual, (a) each parent, spouse (but not including a former spouse or a spouse from whom such Person is legally separated) or child (including those adopted) of such individual and (b) each trust naming only one or more of the Persons listed in sub-clause (a) as beneficiaries.

Merger” means the merger of any person in connection with the Reorganization Transactions with and into Corporate Taxpayer or any of its consolidated subsidiaries through which Corporate Taxpayer or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries acquired Partnership Interests from a person (other than Corporate Taxpayer or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries) who held a direct or indirect interest in Holdings.

Merger Date” means the date of any Merger.

Net Tax Benefit” means for any taxable year the amount equal to 85% of the sum of (i) the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit, if any, as of the end of such taxable year (or portion thereof) and (ii) any Tax Refunds received by Corporate Tax Payer in the relevant taxable year.

Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis” means, with respect to any Reference Asset at any time, the Tax basis that such asset would have had at such time if the Exchanged Owner Basis were equal to zero.

Objection Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement.

Partnership Interest Holders” has the meaning set forth in the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement.

Partnership Interests” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Payment Date” means any date on which a payment is required to be made pursuant to this Agreement.

Person” means an individual, a partnership (including a limited partnership), a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization, association, or other entity or a governmental entity.

Pre-Merger Tax Attributes” means, without duplication, the net operating losses, capital losses, research and development credits, excess Section 163(j) limitations carryforwards, charitable deductions, foreign Tax credits and any Tax attributes subject to carryforward under Section 381 of the Code that Corporate Taxpayer may be entitled to utilize as a result of the Mergers that relate to periods (or portions thereof) prior to the applicable Merger. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Pre-Merger Tax Attributes” shall not include any Tax attribute of any Person merged into Corporate Taxpayer in connection with a Merger that is used to offset Taxes of such Person attributable to a taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the date of such Merger.

 

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Realized Tax Benefit” means, for a taxable year (or portion thereof), the excess, if any, of the Hypothetical Tax Liability for such taxable year (or portion thereof) over (x) the actual liability for Taxes for such taxable year (or portion thereof) of (i) Corporate Taxpayer, (ii) its consolidated Subsidiaries, and (iii) without duplication, Holdings and its Subsidiaries, but only with respect to Corporate Taxpayer and its consolidated Subsidiaries’ pro rata shares of the Tax liability of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such taxable year (or portion thereof) plus (y) any amounts included in the definition of Tax Refunds that are required to be repaid to the applicable Taxing Authority. If all or a portion of the actual liability for such Taxes for the taxable year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any taxable year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Benefit unless and until there has been a Determination. If an “actual liability” for Taxes is being calculated with respect to a portion of a taxable year, then calculations of such actual liability (including determinations relating to Exchanged Owner Basis, Pre-Merger Tax Attributes, Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement Items and Imputed Interest to the extent applicable) shall be made as if there were an interim closing of the books of the relevant entity and its Subsidiaries and the taxable year had closed on the relevant date.

Realized Tax Detriment” means, for a taxable year (or portion thereof), (x) the excess, if any, of the actual liability for Taxes for such taxable year (or portion thereof) of (i) Corporate Taxpayer, (ii) its consolidated Subsidiaries, and (iii) without duplication, Holdings and its Subsidiaries, but only with respect to Corporate Taxpayer and its consolidated Subsidiaries’ pro rata shares of the Tax liability of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such taxable year (or portion thereof) plus (y) any amounts included in the definition of Tax Refunds that are required to be repaid to the applicable Taxing Authority over the Hypothetical Tax Liability for such taxable year (or portion thereof). If all or a portion of the actual liability for such Taxes for the taxable year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any taxable year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Detriment unless and until there has been a Determination. If an “actual liability” for Taxes is being calculated with respect to a portion of a taxable year, then calculations of such actual liability (including determinations relating to Exchanged Owner Basis, Pre-Merger Tax Attributes, Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement Items and Imputed Interest to the extent applicable) shall be made as if there were an interim closing of the books of the relevant entity and its Subsidiaries and the taxable year had closed on the relevant date.

Reconciliation Dispute” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8 of this Agreement.

Reconciliation Procedures” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement.

 

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Reference Asset” means (a) with respect to any Merger, an asset that was held by Holdings or by any of its Subsidiaries treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for purposes of the applicable Tax, at the time of such Merger and (b) any asset that is “substituted basis property” under Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code with respect to a Reference Asset.

Reorganization Agreement” means that certain Master Reorganization Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among Corporate Taxpayer, Holdings, CD&R Associates X Waterworks, L.P., CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., CD&R WW Holdings, L.P., CD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P., CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC, Core & Main GP, LLC, CD&R Plumb Buyer, LLC, CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P., CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P., CD&R WW Holdings, LLC, CD&R WW, LLC, CD&R WW Advisor, LLC, Brooks Merger Sub 1, Inc. and Brooks Merger Sub 2, Inc.

Schedule” means any of the following: (i) a Tax Benefit Schedule, or (ii) the Early Termination Schedule, and, in each case, any amendments thereto.

Senior Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock 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 that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall control the management of any such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity. For purposes hereof, references to a “Subsidiary” of any Person shall be given effect only at such times that such Person has one or more Subsidiaries.

Tax Benefit Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.

Tax Benefit Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) of this Agreement.

 

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Tax Refunds” means refunds of Taxes actually received by Corporate Taxpayer (net of any Taxes imposed with respect thereto and other out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred by Corporate Taxpayer in connection with such refunds) as a result of a Merger in respect of Taxes for a taxable period prior to the applicable Merger to the extent such refunds do not result from the use of Corporate Taxpayer’s Tax assets attributable to a taxable period after such Merger. “Tax Return” means any return, declaration, election, report or similar statement filed or required to be filed with a Taxing Authority with respect to Taxes (including any attached schedules), including any information return, claim for refund, declaration of estimated Tax, and amendments of any of the foregoing.

Taxes” means any and all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes, assessments or similar charges that are based on or measured with respect to net income or profits, and any interest related to such Tax.

Taxing Authority” shall mean any domestic, federal, national, state, county or municipal or other local government, any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body exercising any taxing authority or any other authority exercising Tax regulatory authority.

Transferred Basis” means the tax basis of the Reference Assets that are depreciable or amortizable for United States federal income tax purposes, including the adjustment to such tax basis of a Reference Asset under Sections 732, 755 and 1012 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (in situations where, following an Exchange, a Merger, or a merger or liquidation of Corporate Taxpayer’s consolidated Subsidiaries, Holdings becomes an entity that is disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or under Sections 743(b), 754 and 755 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (in situations where, following an Exchange, a Merger, or a merger or liquidation of Corporate Taxpayer’s consolidated Subsidiaries, Holdings is not an entity that is disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and, in each case, comparable sections of state and local tax laws, in each case in respect of which Corporate Taxpayer may be entitled to the tax benefits or deductions as a result of a Merger or Contribution.

Treasury Regulations” means the final, temporary and (to the extent they can be relied upon) proposed regulations under the Code promulgated from time to time (including corresponding provisions and succeeding provisions) as in effect for the relevant taxable period.

Valuation Assumptions” shall mean, as of an Early Termination Date, the assumptions that (1) in each taxable year ending on or after such Early Termination Date, Corporate Taxpayer and its consolidated Subsidiaries will have taxable income sufficient to fully use the tax items arising from the Exchanged Owner Basis, Pre-Merger Tax Attributes, Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement Items and Imputed Interest during such taxable year (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement Items and Imputed Interest

 

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that would result from post-Early Termination Date Tax Benefit Payments that would be paid in accordance with the Valuation Assumptions) in which such deductions would become available, (2) the U.S. federal, state and local income tax rates (and, if applicable, foreign income tax rates) that will be in effect for each such taxable year will be those specified for each such taxable year by the Code and other law as in effect on the Early Termination Date (but taking into account for the applicable taxable years adjustments to the tax rates that have been enacted as of the Early Termination Date with a delayed effective date), (3) any Pre-Merger Tax Attributes and any loss carryovers generated by the Exchanged Owner Basis, Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement Items or Imputed Interest, in each case that are available as of the Early Termination Date will be used by Corporate Taxpayer on a pro rata basis from the Early Termination Date through the earlier of the scheduled expiration date of such loss carryovers and the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Early Termination Date, (4) any non-amortizable assets (other than stock of Corporate Taxpayer’s consolidated Subsidiaries with which Corporate Taxpayer files a consolidated return) will be disposed of in a taxable sale on the fifteenth anniversary of the IPO Date for an amount sufficient to use fully the Exchanged Owner Basis with respect to such assets and any short-term investments (including cash equivalents) will be disposed of 12 months following the Early Termination Date; provided that, in the event of a Change in Control which includes a taxable sale of any relevant asset, such non-amortizable assets shall be deemed disposed of at the time of the Change in Control (if earlier than such fifteenth anniversary), (5) if, on the Early Termination Date, a Partnership Interest Holder has Partnership Interests that have not been Exchanged, then each such Partnership Interest shall be deemed to be Exchanged for the Market Value of the Class A Common Stock on the Early Termination Date, and such Partnership Interest Holder shall be deemed to receive the amount of cash such Partnership Interest Holder would have been entitled to pursuant to the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement had such Partnership Interests actually been Exchanged on the Early Termination Date, determined using the Valuation Assumptions and (6) any payment obligations pursuant to this Agreement will be satisfied on the date that any Tax Return to which such payment obligation relates is required to be filed excluding any extensions.

Voting Securities” shall mean any securities of Corporate Taxpayer which are entitled to vote generally on matters submitted for a vote of Corporate Taxpayer’s stockholders or generally in the election of the Board.

1.2. Terms Generally. In this Agreement, unless otherwise specified or where the context otherwise requires:

(a) the headings of particular provisions of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not be construed as a part of this Agreement or serve as a limitation or expansion on the scope of any term or provision of this Agreement;

(b) words importing any gender shall include other genders;

 

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(c) words importing the singular only shall include the plural and vice versa;

(d) the words “include”, “includes” or “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(e) the words “hereof”, “herein” and “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement;

(f) references to “Articles”, “Exhibits”, “Sections” or “Schedules” shall be to Articles, Exhibits, Sections or Schedules of or to this Agreement;

(g) references to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of such Person;

(h) the use of the words “or”, “either” and “any” shall not be exclusive;

(i) the word “or” shall be construed to be used in the inclusive sense of “and/or”;

(j) wherever a conflict exists between this Agreement and any other agreement among parties hereto, this Agreement shall control but solely to the extent of such conflict;

(k) references to “$” or “dollars” means the lawful currency of the United States of America;

(l) references to any agreement, contract or schedule, unless otherwise stated, are to such agreement, contract or schedule as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

(m) the parties hereto have participated collectively in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement; accordingly, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, it is the intention of the parties that this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted collectively by the parties hereto, and that no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.

ARTICLE II.

DETERMINATION OF CERTAIN REALIZED TAX BENEFITS

2.1. Tax Benefit Schedule.

(a) Tax Benefit Schedule. Within one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days after the due date (taking into account valid extensions) of the U.S. federal income Tax Return of Corporate Taxpayer (or its consolidated Subsidiaries, as applicable) for any taxable year in which there is a Realized Tax Benefit or Realized

 

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Tax Detriment or in which a Tax Refund was received, Corporate Taxpayer shall provide to the CD&R Representative a schedule showing in reasonable detail the amount of any Tax Refund received in such taxable year and the calculation of the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such taxable year and any Tax Benefit Payment in respect of each Exchanged Owner (a “Tax Benefit Schedule”). The Tax Benefit Schedules provided by Corporate Taxpayer will become final as provided in Section 2.2(a) and may be amended as provided in Section 2.2(b).

(b) Applicable Principles. If for whatever reason Corporate Taxpayer does not receive Exchanged Owner Basis with respect to a Reference Asset but Corporate Taxpayer is provided with a similar tax basis under another section of the Code, then the principles of and computation of payments pursuant to this Agreement shall apply mutatis mutandis to such tax basis. Subject to Section 3.3(a), the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for each taxable year is intended to measure the decrease or increase in the actual liability for Taxes of Corporate Taxpayer and its consolidated Subsidiaries (and Holdings and its Subsidiaries, as applicable and without duplication) for such taxable year (or portion thereof) attributable to the Exchanged Owner Basis, Pre-Merger Tax Attributes, Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement Items and Imputed Interest, determined using a “with and without” methodology. For the avoidance of doubt, the actual liability for Taxes of Corporate Taxpayer and its consolidated Subsidiaries (and Holdings and its Subsidiaries, as applicable and without duplication) will take into account any deduction in respect of Imputed Interest. Carryovers or carrybacks of any Tax item attributable to the Exchanged Owner Basis, Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement Items and Imputed Interest shall be considered to be subject to the rules of the Code and the Treasury Regulations or the appropriate provisions of U.S. state and local income and franchise tax law, as applicable, governing the use, limitation and expiration of carryovers or carrybacks of the relevant type. The parties agree that (i) all Tax Benefit Payments (other than the portion of the Tax Benefit Payments treated as Imputed Interest thereon) attributable to Exchanged Owner Basis or Pre-Merger Tax Attributes will be treated as other property or money for purposes of Section 351 or 356 of the Code received in a Merger and will not be treated as a dividend pursuant to Section 304 or 356(a)(2) of the Code to the extent permitted by law and (ii) the actual tax liability will take into account the deduction of the portion of the Tax Benefit Payment that must be accounted for as Imputed Interest.

(c) Exchange Basis Schedule. If requested by any Exchanged Owner no later than 30 days prior to the due date (without taking into account any permitted extensions) of the U.S. federal income Tax Return of Corporate Taxpayer (or its consolidated Subsidiaries, as applicable), Corporate Taxpayer shall, no later than the date the Tax Benefit Schedule for the applicable year is delivered, deliver to such Exchanged Owner a schedule (the “Exchanged Owner Schedule”) that shows, in reasonable detail necessary to perform the calculations required by this Agreement for such Exchanged Owner, (i) the Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis of the Reference Assets in respect of such Exchanged Owner as of each applicable Merger Date, (ii) the Exchanged Owner Basis with respect to the Reference Assets in respect of such Exchanged Owner as a result of a Merger effected in the taxable year (or, if requested, effected in prior taxable years) by such Exchanged Owner, calculated in the aggregate, (iii) the period (or periods) over which the Reference Assets in respect of such Exchanged Owner are amortizable and/or depreciable and (iv) the period (or periods) over which the Exchanged Owner Basis in respect of such Exchanged Owner is amortizable and/or depreciable.

 

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2.2. Procedure; Amendments.

(a) Procedure. Every time Corporate Taxpayer delivers to the CD&R Representative an applicable Schedule under this Agreement, including any Amended Schedule delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(b) and any Early Termination Schedule or amended Early Termination Schedule, Corporate Taxpayer shall also allow the CD&R Representative reasonable access, at Corporate Taxpayer’s sole cost, to the appropriate representatives, as determined by Corporate Taxpayer, at Corporate Taxpayer and the Advisory Firm that prepared the relevant Corporate Taxpayer Returns in connection with a review of such Schedule. Without limiting the application of the preceding sentence, Corporate Taxpayer shall, upon request, deliver to the CD&R Representative the relevant Corporate Taxpayer Returns as well as any other work papers and supporting schedules but shall be entitled to redact any information that it reasonably believes is unnecessary for purposes of the calculations contemplated by this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Corporate Taxpayer shall ensure that any such Schedule, along with any supporting schedules and work papers, provides a reasonably detailed presentation of the calculation of the actual tax liability and the Hypothetical Tax Liability and identifies any material assumptions or operating procedures or principles that were used for purposes of such calculations. An applicable Schedule or amendment thereto shall, subject to the final sentence of this Section 2.2(a), become final and binding on each Exchanged Owner and the CD&R Representative thirty (30) calendar days from the first date on which Corporate Taxpayer sent the CD&R Representative the applicable Schedule or amendment thereto unless (a) the CD&R Representative within thirty (30) calendar days after the date Corporate Taxpayer sent such Schedule or amendment thereto provides Corporate Taxpayer with written notice of a material objection to such Schedule made in good faith (an “Objection Notice”) or (b) the CD&R Representative provides a written waiver of the right of the CD&R Representative to provide any Objection Notice with respect to such Schedule or amendment thereto within the period described in clause (i), in which case such Schedule or amendment thereto becomes binding on the date the waiver is received by Corporate Taxpayer. If the parties are unable to resolve the issues raised in such Objection Notice within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by Corporate Taxpayer of the Objection Notice, the parties shall employ the reconciliation procedures described in Section 7.8 of this Agreement (the “Reconciliation Procedures”). If a Schedule (or any “Schedule” (as defined in the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement)) relating to the calculation of payments payable to any Exchanged Owner or any of their respective Affiliates hereunder (or to any recipient under the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement) is amended to reflect a revised calculation methodology that, if utilized in the calculation of amounts payable to one or more other Exchanged Owners, would change the amounts payable to such other Persons hereunder, Corporate Taxpayer shall utilize such revised methodology with respect to all Exchanged Owners and make additional payments (or reduce future payments), as applicable.

 

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(b) Amended Schedule. The applicable Schedule for any taxable year may be amended from time to time by Corporate Taxpayer (i) in connection with a Determination affecting such Schedule, (ii) to correct inaccuracies in the Schedule identified after the date the Schedule was provided to the CD&R Representative, (iii) to comply with an Expert’s determination under the Reconciliation Procedures applicable to this Agreement, (iv) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such taxable year attributable to a carryback or carryforward of a loss or other tax item to such taxable year, (v) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such taxable year attributable to an amended Tax Return filed for such taxable year, or (vi) to take into account payments made pursuant to this Agreement or under the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement (any such Schedule, an “Amended Schedule”).

2.3. Consistency with Tax Returns. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all calculations and determinations hereunder, including Exchanged Owner Basis, Pre-Merger Tax Attributes, Tax Refunds, Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement Items, the Schedules and the determination of the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment, shall be made in accordance with any elections, methodologies or positions taken on the relevant Corporate Taxpayer Returns.

ARTICLE III.

TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS

3.1. Payments.

(a) Payments. Subject to Section 3.3, within five (5) Business Days after all the Tax Benefit Schedules with respect to the taxable year delivered to the CD&R Representative become final in accordance with Article II of this Agreement, Corporate Taxpayer shall pay or cause to be paid to each applicable Exchanged Owner for such taxable year such Exchanged Owner’s Tax Benefit Payment (if any) determined pursuant to Section 3.1(b). Each such payment shall be made, at the sole discretion of Corporate Taxpayer, by wire or Automated Clearing House transfer of immediately available funds to the bank account previously designated by the applicable Exchanged Owner to Corporate Taxpayer or as otherwise agreed by Corporate Taxpayer and the applicable Exchanged Owner. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the aggregate payments to an Exchanged Owner under this Agreement shall not exceed 100% of the Exchanged Owner Basis and Pre-Merger Tax Attributes allocable to such Exchanged Owner hereunder.

 

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(b) A “Tax Benefit Payment” in respect of an Exchanged Owner for a taxable year means an aggregate amount, not less than zero, which Corporate Taxpayer is required to pay or cause to be paid pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Agreement, equal to the sum of the Net Tax Benefit allocable to such Exchanged Owner and the Interest Amount in respect of such Exchanged Owner. For the avoidance of doubt, for Tax purposes, the Interest Amount shall not be treated as interest but instead shall be treated, to the extent permitted by law, as other property or money for purposes of Section 351 or 356 of the Code received in a Merger and will not be treated as a dividend pursuant to Section 304 or 356(a)(2) of the Code. The Net Tax Benefit allocable to such Exchanged Owner for a taxable year shall be an amount equal to the portion of such Net Tax Benefit derived from any Exchanged Owner Basis (including any Transferred Basis attributable to a Contribution where the Class A Common Stock received with respect to such Contribution is further contributed to such Exchanged Owner), Pre-Merger Tax Attributes or Imputed Interest that is attributable to such Exchanged Owner as of the end of such taxable year (or portion thereof) over the total amount of payments previously made under this Section 3.1 in respect of such Exchanged Owner (excluding payments of Interest Amounts); provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that an Exchanged Owner shall not be required to return any portion of any previously made Tax Benefit Payment except in the case of manifest error. The “Interest Amount” in respect of such Exchanged Owner for a taxable year (or portion thereof) shall equal the interest on the portion of the Net Tax Benefit allocable to such Exchanged Owner with respect to such taxable year (or portion thereof) calculated at the Agreed Rate compounded annually from the due date (without extensions) for filing the U.S. federal income Tax Return of Corporate Taxpayer for such taxable year until the earlier of (i) the Payment Date and (ii) the date on which Corporate Taxpayer makes the relevant Tax Benefit Payment due on such Payment Date. The Net Tax Benefit allocable to such Exchanged Owner and the Interest Amount shall be determined separately with respect to each Merger and Contribution.

3.2. Duplicative Payments. It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement will not result in a duplicative payment of any amount (including interest) required under this Agreement. It is also intended that the provisions of (i) this Agreement, subject to ARTICLE IV and Section 7.12 and (ii) the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement, subject to Article IV and Section 7.12 of the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement, will result in 85% of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit (but calculated taking into account all Mergers by all Exchanged Owners and all Exchanges by all Partnership Interest Holders as of any time) as of any determination date being paid in the aggregate to the Exchanged Owners pursuant to this Agreement and the Partnership Interest Holders pursuant to the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in the appropriate manner to ensure such intentions are realized.

3.3. Pro Rata Payments; Coordination of Benefits.

(a) Notwithstanding anything in Section 3.1 to the contrary, to the extent that the aggregate tax benefit of Corporate Taxpayer, or its consolidated Subsidiaries, as applicable, with respect to the Exchanged Owner Basis, Pre-Merger Tax Attributes, Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement Items and Imputed Interest is

 

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limited in a particular taxable year because Corporate Taxpayer or its consolidated Subsidiaries, as applicable, do not have sufficient taxable income to utilize the tax benefits with respect to the Exchanged Owner Basis, Pre-Merger Tax Attributes, Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement Items or Imputed Interest, or any other limitation prevents the use of such tax benefits, the Tax Benefit Payments and “Tax Benefit Payments” (as defined in the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement) payable shall be allocated among all parties eligible for payments hereunder and under the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement in proportion to the respective amounts of the Tax Benefit Payment or “Tax Benefit Payment” (as defined in the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement) that would have been paid to each such party if Corporate Taxpayer and, as applicable, its consolidated Subsidiaries, had sufficient taxable income so that there were no such limitation (or such other limitations did not apply).

(b) After taking into account Section 3.3(a), if for any reason Corporate Taxpayer does not fully satisfy its payment obligations to make or cause to be made all Tax Benefit Payments due under this Agreement in respect of a particular taxable year, then Corporate Taxpayer and the parties agree that no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of any taxable year until all Tax Benefit Payments in respect of prior taxable years have been made in full. If for any reason the Tax Benefit Payments are to be partially but not fully satisfied with respect to a taxable year, such Tax Benefit Payments shall be made in the same proportion as the Tax Benefit Payments that would have been paid to each Exchanged Owner if Corporate Taxpayer were to satisfy its obligation in full.

ARTICLE IV.

TERMINATION

4.1. Early Termination, Change in Control and Breach of Agreement.

(a) Corporate Taxpayer may, with the consent of a majority of the disinterested members of the Board in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, terminate this Agreement with respect to all amounts payable to all of the Exchanged Owners (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any transferee pursuant to Section 7.5(a)) at any time by paying or causing to be paid to each such Exchanged Owner an Early Termination Payment; provided, however, that this Agreement shall only terminate with respect to any such Exchanged Owner upon the payment of such Early Termination Payment to such Exchanged Owner, and provided, further, that Corporate Taxpayer may withdraw any notice to execute its termination rights under this Section 4.1(a) prior to the time at which any Early Termination Payment has been paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Corporate Taxpayer may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 4.1(a) unless (i) no further payments are required under the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement or (2) the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 4.1(a) of the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement concurrently with the termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 4.1(a). Upon payment of an Early Termination

 

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Payment to an Exchanged Owner, neither such Exchanged Owner nor Corporate Taxpayer shall have any further payment obligations under this Agreement, other than for any Tax Benefit Payment (1) agreed to by Corporate Taxpayer and such Exchanged Owner as due and payable but unpaid as of the Early Termination Date, (2) that is the subject of an Objection Notice, which will be payable in accordance with resolution of the issues identified in such Objection Notice pursuant to this Agreement, and (3) due for the taxable year ending with or including the Early Termination Date (except to the extent that the amounts described in clauses (1), (2) and (3) are included in the calculation of the Early Termination Payment).

(b) In the event that there occurs a Change in Control or Corporate Taxpayer (1) breaches any of its material obligations under this Agreement, whether as a result of failure to make any payment when due, failure to honor any other material obligation required hereunder, under the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement, or by operation of law as a result of the rejection of this Agreement in a case commenced under the United States Bankruptcy Code or otherwise or (2)(A) commences any case, proceeding or other action (i) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate a bankruptcy or insolvency, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts or (ii) seeking an appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or (B) there is commenced against Corporate Taxpayer any case, proceeding or other action of the nature described in clause (B) above that remains undismissed or undischarged for a period of sixty (60) calendar days, then all obligations hereunder shall be accelerated, and such obligations shall be calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such Change in Control or breach, as applicable, to each Exchanged Owner and shall include (1) each Early Termination Payment calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such Change in Control or breach (and Corporate Taxpayer shall provide each Exchanged Owner with an Early Termination Schedule, which shall become final in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4.2), (2) any Tax Benefit Payment agreed to by Corporate Taxpayer and any Exchanged Owner as due and payable but unpaid as of the date of such Change in Control or breach, as applicable, (3) any Tax Benefit Payment that is the subject of an Objection Notice, which will be payable in accordance with resolution of the issues identified in such Objection Notice pursuant to this Agreement, and (4) any Tax Benefit Payment due for the taxable year ending with or including the date of such Change in Control or breach, as applicable (except to the extent that the amounts described in clauses (2), (3) and (4) are included in the calculation of the amount described in clause (1)). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Corporate Taxpayer materially breaches this Agreement, each Exchanged Owner shall be entitled to elect to receive the amounts set forth in clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) above or to seek specific performance of the terms hereof. The parties agree that it will not be considered to be a breach of a material obligation under this Agreement to make a payment due pursuant to this Agreement within three (3) months of the date such

 

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payment is due. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, it shall not be a breach of this Agreement if Corporate Taxpayer fails to make or cause to be made any Tax Benefit Payment (or portion thereof) when due to the extent that the Board determines in good faith that Corporate Taxpayer has insufficient funds (taking into account funds of its consolidated Subsidiaries that are permitted to be distributed to Corporate Taxpayer (in contemplation of this Agreement or otherwise) pursuant to the terms of any applicable credit agreements or other documents evidencing indebtedness (each as interpreted by the Board in good faith), including any available funds under any revolving credit facility of Holdings or its consolidated Subsidiaries, but not taking into account funds of Subsidiaries that are not permitted to be distributed pursuant to the terms of such credit agreements or other documents and not taking into account funds reasonably reserved for reasonably expected liabilities or expenses) to make such payment; provided that the interest provisions of Section 5.2 shall apply to such late payment (unless the Board determines in good faith that (x) Corporate Taxpayer does not have sufficient cash to make such payment as a result of limitations imposed by credit agreements or any other documents evidencing indebtedness to which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, guarantor or otherwise an obligor as of the date of this Agreement (the “Initial Debt Documents”) or any other document evidencing indebtedness to which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries becomes a party, guarantor or otherwise an obligor thereafter to the extent the terms of such other documents are not materially more restrictive in respect of Corporate Taxpayer’s ability to receive from its Subsidiaries funds sufficient to make such payments compared to the terms of the Initial Debt Documents (as determined by the Board in good faith), provided, however, that Corporate Taxpayer uses good faith efforts to remove such limitations to the extent required to make such interest payments unless such efforts could have an adverse effect on Corporate Taxpayer, Holdings or their Subsidiaries, or (y) such payments could (I) be set aside as fraudulent transfers or conveyances or similar actions under fraudulent transfer laws or (II) could cause Corporate Taxpayer or its consolidated Subsidiaries to be undercapitalized, in which case Section 5.2 shall apply, but the Default Rate shall be replaced by the Agreed Rate).

(c) Refinancing of the Initial Debt Documents. Without the consent of the CD&R Representative, Corporate Taxpayer shall not incur additional indebtedness, enter into any new credit agreement or refinance any Initial Debt Document that, in each case, has terms more restrictive in respect of Corporate Taxpayer’s ability to make payments under this Agreement than the Initial Debt Documents.

4.2. Early Termination Notice. If Corporate Taxpayer chooses to exercise its right of early termination under Section 4.1 above, Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver to the CD&R Representative and each Exchanged Owner notice of such intention to exercise such right (“Early Termination Notice”) and a schedule (the “Early Termination Schedule”) specifying Corporate Taxpayer’s intention to exercise such right and showing in reasonable detail the calculation of the Early Termination Payment for each Exchanged Owner. The Early Termination Schedule provided to an Exchanged Owner shall become final and binding on each Exchanged Owner and the CD&R Representative thirty (30) calendar days from the first date on which

 

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Corporate Taxpayer sent the CD&R Representative such Early Termination Schedule unless (a) the CD&R Representative within thirty (30) calendar days after the date Corporate Taxpayer sent such Schedule or amendment thereto provides Corporate Taxpayer with an Objection Notice with respect to such Early Termination Schedule or (b) the applicable Exchanged Owner provides a written waiver of the right of the CD&R Representative to provide any Objection Notice with respect to such Schedule or amendment thereto within the period described in clause (a), in which case such Schedule or amendment thereto becomes binding on the date the waiver is received by Corporate Taxpayer. If Corporate Taxpayer and the CD&R Representative, for any reason, are unable to resolve the issues raised in such Objection Notice within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by Corporate Taxpayer of the Objection Notice, Corporate Taxpayer and the CD&R Representative shall employ the Reconciliation Procedures. The date on which every Early Termination Schedule under this Agreement becomes final with respect to all Exchanged Owners in accordance with this Section 4.2 shall be the “Early Termination Effective Date”. If the Early Termination Schedule relating to the calculation of payments payable to any Exchanged Owner or any of its respective Affiliates hereunder or to any recipient under the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement is amended to reflect a revised calculation methodology that, if utilized in the calculation of amounts payable to one or more other Exchanged Owners or such other recipient, would change the amounts payable to such other Persons hereunder or under the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement, Corporate Taxpayer shall utilize such revised methodology with respect to all Exchanged Owners and make additional payments (or reduce payments, if any), as applicable.

4.3. Payment upon Early Termination.

(a) Within five (5) Business Days after the Early Termination Effective Date, Corporate Taxpayer shall pay or cause to be paid to each Exchanged Owner an amount equal to its Early Termination Payment. Such payment shall be made, at the sole discretion of Corporate Taxpayer, by wire or Automated Clearing House transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account or accounts designated by the applicable Exchanged Owner or as otherwise agreed by Corporate Taxpayer and the Exchanged Owner.

(b) An “Early Termination Payment” in respect of an Exchanged Owner shall equal the net present value, discounted at the Early Termination Rate as of the Early Termination Date, of all Tax Benefit Payments that would be required to be paid by Corporate Taxpayer to the applicable Exchanged Owner under Section 3.1(a) of this Agreement beginning from the Early Termination Date and assuming that the Valuation Assumptions are applied.

 

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ARTICLE V.

SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS

5.1. Subordination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any Tax Benefit Payment (or portion thereof) or Early Termination Payment required to be made to an Exchanged Owner under this Agreement shall rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to any principal, interest (including interest which accrues after the commencement of any case or proceeding in bankruptcy, or the reorganization of Corporate Taxpayer or any Subsidiary thereof), fees, premiums, charges, expenses, attorneys’ fees or other obligations in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money of Corporate Taxpayer (and its consolidated Subsidiaries, if applicable) (“Senior Obligations”) and shall rank pari passu with all current or future unsecured obligations of Corporate Taxpayer (and its consolidated Subsidiaries, as applicable) that are not Senior Obligations. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that Corporate Taxpayer or any of its Affiliates enters into future Tax receivable or other similar agreements, Corporate Taxpayer shall ensure that the terms of any such Tax receivable agreement (other than the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement) shall provide that the payments pursuant to this Agreement are considered senior in priority to any payments pursuant to any such future Tax receivable agreement.

5.2. Late Payments by Corporate Taxpayer. The amount of all or any portion of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment not made to an Exchanged Owner when due under the terms of this Agreement shall be payable promptly following the first time at which Corporate Taxpayer is permitted to make such Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment together with any interest thereon, computed at the Default Rate (or the Agreed Rate, to the extent expressly contemplated by this Agreement) and commencing from, (a) in the case of a Tax Benefit Payment (or portion thereof) due and payable pursuant to Article III, the Payment Date and (b) in the case of an Early Termination Payment or any other payment not described in clause (a) above, from the date on which such payment was due and payable.

ARTICLE VI.

NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION

6.1. Participation in Corporate Taxpayer’s and Holdings’ Tax Matters. Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Reorganization Agreement, Exchange Agreement or Limited Partnership Agreement, Corporate Taxpayer shall have full responsibility for, and sole discretion over, all Tax matters concerning Corporate Taxpayer (and its consolidated Subsidiaries), Holdings and their respective Subsidiaries, including the preparation, filing or amending of any Tax Return and defending, contesting or settling any issue pertaining to Taxes; provided that Corporate Taxpayer shall not amend any material Tax Return, settle any material Tax issue, or take any other material action pertaining to Taxes of any Exchanged Owner that is an Exchanged Owner by reason of a Merger with respect to any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the date of the applicable Merger without the consent of each applicable Exchanged Owner, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, unless such amendment, settlement or other action would not reduce the payments that each such Exchanged Owner is entitled to receive hereunder or otherwise materially adversely affect such Exchanged Owner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Corporate Taxpayer shall notify the CD&R

 

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Representative of, and keep the CD&R Representative reasonably informed with respect to, the portion of any audit of Corporate Taxpayer or Holdings by a Taxing Authority the outcome of which is reasonably expected to affect the rights and obligations of the CD&R Representative, any Exchanged Owner or any of their respective Affiliates under this Agreement, and shall provide to the CD&R Representative reasonable opportunity to provide information and other input to Corporate Taxpayer, Holdings and their respective advisors concerning the conduct of any such portion of such audit; provided, however, that Corporate Taxpayer and Holdings shall not take any action that is inconsistent with any provision of the Limited Partnership Agreement or Exchange Agreement.

6.2. Consistency. Corporate Taxpayer and each Exchanged Owner agree to report and cause to be reported for all purposes, including federal, state and local Tax purposes, all Tax-related items (including the Exchanged Owner Basis and each Tax Benefit Payment and any Imputed Interest) in a manner consistent with that specified by Corporate Taxpayer in any Schedule provided by or on behalf of Corporate Taxpayer under this Agreement unless otherwise required by law based on written advice of an Advisory Firm. Corporate Taxpayer shall (and shall cause Holdings and its other Subsidiaries to) use reasonable efforts (for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account the interests and entitlements of all parties under this Agreement) to defend the Tax treatment contemplated by this Agreement and any Schedule in any audit, contest or similar proceeding with any Taxing Authority.

6.3. Cooperation. Each Exchanged Owner shall (a) furnish to Corporate Taxpayer in a timely manner such information, documents and other materials as Corporate Taxpayer may reasonably request for purposes of making any determination or computation necessary or appropriate under this Agreement, preparing any Tax Return, complying with any Tax law, or contesting or defending any audit, examination or controversy with any Taxing Authority or other governmental authority, (b) make itself available to Corporate Taxpayer and its representatives to provide explanations of documents and materials and such other information as Corporate Taxpayer or its representatives may reasonably request in connection with any of the matters described in clause (a) above, and (c) reasonably cooperate in connection with any such matter. Corporate Taxpayer shall reimburse the Exchanged Owner for any reasonable third-party costs and expenses incurred pursuant to this Section 6.3. Upon the request of any Exchanged Owner, Corporate Taxpayer shall cooperate in taking any action reasonably requested by such Exchanged Owner in connection with its tax or financial report and/or the consummation of any assignment or transfer of any of such Exchanged Owner’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement, including without limitation, providing any information or executing any documentation.

 

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ARTICLE VII.

MISCELLANEOUS

7.1. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by courier service, by electronic mail or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be as specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 7.1):

If to Corporate Taxpayer or Holdings, to:

Core & Main, Inc.

1830 Craig Park Court

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

Email: X

Attention: General Counsel and Secretary

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Debevoise and Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

E-mail: pmrodel@debevoise.com

Attention: Paul M. Rodel, Esq.

If to the CD&R Representative or its Affiliates:

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC

375 Park Avenue

18th Floor

New York, New York 10152

Email: X

Attention: Rima Simson

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Debevoise and Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

E-mail: pmrodel@debevoise.com

Attention: Paul M. Rodel, Esq.

If to any Exchanged Owner, to the address and other contact information set forth in the records of Corporate Taxpayer from time to time.

Any party may change its address or e-mail by giving the other party written notice of its new address or e-mail in the manner set forth above.

 

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7.2. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file) in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Copies of executed counterparts transmitted by telecopy, by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file or other electronic transmission service shall be considered original executed counterparts for purposes of this Section 7.2.

7.3. Entire Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. Except as herein otherwise specifically provided, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of all of the parties and, to the extent permitted by this Agreement, their successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives and assigns.

7.4. Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

7.5. Successors; Assignment; Amendments; Waivers.

(a) An Exchanged Owner shall be permitted to transfer any of its rights in whole or in part only upon execution and delivery by the transferee of a joinder to this Agreement, in form and substance substantially similar to Exhibit A to this Agreement, in which the transferee agrees to become, and accordingly shall be, an “Exchanged Owner” for all purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise provided in such joinder. If the CD&R Representative or one of its Affiliates assigns its rights under this Agreement, such transferee shall also have the rights provided to the CD&R Representative.

(b) No provision of this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is approved in writing by Corporate Taxpayer and the CD&R Representative. No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective.

(c) All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. Corporate Taxpayer shall require and cause any direct or indirect successor (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of Corporate Taxpayer, by written

 

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agreement, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that Corporate Taxpayer would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place (except to the extent expressly provided by this Agreement and provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, if a Change in Control has occurred and an Early Termination Payment is required to be made then Corporate Taxpayer’s payment obligations shall be determined taking into account the provisions of ARTICLE IV).

7.6. Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.

7.7. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

(a) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. The parties hereto hereby declare that it is their intention that this Agreement shall be regarded as made under the laws of the State of Delaware and that the laws of said State shall be applied in interpreting its provisions in all cases where legal interpretation shall be required. Each of the parties hereto agrees (a) that this Agreement involves at least $100,000.00, and (b) that this Agreement has been entered into by the parties hereto in express reliance upon 6 Del. C. § 2708.

(b) The parties irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and of the federal courts sitting in the state of Delaware in connection with any action relating to this Agreement and each party agrees (i) to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, to appoint and maintain an agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process and notify the other parties hereto of the name and address of such agent, and (ii) that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, service of process may also be made on such party by prepaid certified mail with a proof of mailing receipt validated by the United States Postal Service constituting evidence of valid service, and that service made pursuant to (i) or (ii) above shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, have the same legal force and effect as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware. Any action against any party relating to the foregoing shall be brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery (or, solely if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over any action, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (Complex Commercial Division) or, if the subject matter jurisdiction over the action is vested exclusively in the federal courts of the United States of America, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware), and any appellate courts of any thereof. To the extent not prohibited by applicable law, each party hereto waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such proceeding brought in the above-named courts, any claim that such party is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of such courts, that such party’s property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that such proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of such proceeding is improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter thereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.

 

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(c) TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY ISSUE OR ACTION, CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION OR SUIT (IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE), INQUIRY, PROCEEDING OR INVESTIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INFORMED BY THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO THAT THIS SECTION 7.7(C) CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT UPON WHICH THEY ARE RELYING AND WILL RELY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 7.7(C) WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

7.8. Reconciliation. In the event that Corporate Taxpayer and the CD&R Representative are unable to resolve a disagreement with respect to the matters governed by ARTICLE II or ARTICLE IV within the relevant period designated in this Agreement (“Reconciliation Dispute”), the Reconciliation Dispute shall be submitted for determination to a nationally recognized expert (the “Expert”) in the particular area of disagreement mutually acceptable to such parties. The Expert shall be a partner or principal in a nationally recognized accounting or law firm, and (unless Corporate Taxpayer and the CD&R Representative agree otherwise), the Expert shall not, and the firm that employs the Expert shall not, have any material relationship with Corporate Taxpayer or the CD&R Representative or its Affiliates or other actual or potential conflict of interest. If the applicable parties are unable to agree on an Expert within fifteen (15) calendar days of the end of the thirty (30) calendar-day period set forth in Section 2.1 or Section 4.2, the Expert shall be appointed by the International Chamber of Commerce Centre for Expertise. The Expert shall resolve any matter relating to the Early Termination Schedule or an amendment thereto within thirty (30) calendar days and shall resolve any matter relating to a Tax Benefit Schedule or an amendment thereto within fifteen (15) calendar days or, in each case, as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable, in each case after the matter has been submitted to the Expert for resolution. If the matter is not resolved before any payment that is the subject of a disagreement would be due (in the absence of such disagreement), the undisputed amount shall be paid on the date prescribed by this Agreement, subject to adjustment upon resolution. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 7.8 shall not restrict the ability of Corporate

 

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Taxpayer or its Affiliates to determine when or whether to file or amend any Tax Return. The costs and expenses relating to the engagement of such Expert or amending any Tax Return shall be borne equally by Corporate Taxpayer and the Exchanged Owners participating in the Reconciliation Dispute (on a pro rata basis based on relative proportion of all Early Termination Payments under this Agreement, measured by present value of payments due under this Agreement, using the present value calculation and assumptions described under Section 4.3(b) above assuming for such purpose the Early Termination Date is the date the Reconciliation Dispute is resolved). Corporate Taxpayer may withhold payments under this Agreement to collect amounts due under the preceding sentence. Any dispute as to whether a dispute is a Reconciliation Dispute within the meaning of this Section 7.8 shall be decided by the Expert. The Expert shall finally determine any Reconciliation Dispute and the determinations of the Expert pursuant to this Section 7.8 shall be binding on Corporate Taxpayer and the CD&R Representative or its Affiliates, as applicable, participating in the Reconciliation Dispute and may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction.

7.9. Withholding. Corporate Taxpayer shall be entitled to deduct and withhold or cause to be deducted and withheld from any payment payable pursuant to this Agreement to an Exchanged Owner such amounts as Corporate Taxpayer determines in good faith it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law, provided that prior to deducting or withholding any such amounts, Corporate Taxpayer shall notify the applicable Exchanged Owner and shall consult in good faith with such Exchanged Owner regarding the basis for such deduction or withholding. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority by Corporate Taxpayer, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to such Exchanged Owner.

7.10. Admission of Corporate Taxpayer into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets.

(a) If Corporate Taxpayer and its consolidated Subsidiaries are or become members of a combined, consolidated, affiliated or unitary group that files a consolidated, combined or unitary income tax return pursuant to Sections 1501 et seq. of the Code or any corresponding provisions of state or local law, then: (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall be applied with respect to the relevant group as a whole; and (ii) Tax Benefit Payments, Net Tax Benefit, Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit, Realized Tax Benefit, Realized Tax Detriment, Early Termination Payments and other applicable items hereunder shall be computed with reference to the consolidated (or combined or unitary, where applicable) taxable income, gain, loss, deduction and attributes of the relevant group as a whole.

(b) If any entity that is or may be obligated to make a Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment hereunder, or any entity any portion of the income of which is included in the income of Corporate Taxpayer’s consolidated, combined, affiliated or unitary group, directly or indirectly transfers (as determined

 

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for U.S. federal income tax purposes) one or more assets to a Person classified as a corporation for U.S. income tax purposes with which such entity does not file a consolidated income tax return pursuant to Section 1501 et seq. of the Code (or, for purposes of calculations relating to state or local taxes, a consolidated, combined or unitary income tax return under applicable state or local law), such entity, for purposes of calculating the amount of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment (e.g., calculating the gross income of the entity and, if applicable, determining the Realized Tax Benefit of such entity) due hereunder, shall be treated as having disposed of such asset in a fully taxable transaction on the date of such transfer. The consideration deemed to be received by such entity shall be equal to the fair market value of the transferred asset, increased by the amount of debt that would increase the transferor’s “amount realized” for U.S. federal income tax purposes in connection with such transfer, in the case of a contribution of an encumbered asset (including an interest in an entity classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a partnership which has debt outstanding). For the avoidance of doubt, a transaction treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a liquidation into Corporate Taxpayer of one or more of its consolidated Subsidiaries or merger of one or more of such entities into one another or Corporate Taxpayer will not cause any such Persons to be treated as having disposed of any of its assets for purposes of this Section 7.10(b). In the event there occurs a transaction described in the preceding sentence, the Tax Benefit Payments and any other amounts due under this Agreement shall be calculated without regard to such transaction.

7.11. Confidentiality. Each Exchanged Owner and each of its transferees acknowledge and agree that the information of Corporate Taxpayer is confidential and, except in the course of performing any duties as necessary for Corporate Taxpayer and its Affiliates, as required by law or legal process or to enforce the terms of this Agreement, such person shall keep and retain in the strictest confidence and not disclose to any Person any confidential matters acquired pursuant to this Agreement of Corporate Taxpayer and its Affiliates and successors, learned by the Exchanged Owner heretofore or hereafter. This Section 7.11 shall not apply to (i) any information that has been made publicly available by Corporate Taxpayer or any of its Affiliates, becomes public knowledge (except as a result of an act of the Exchanged Owner in violation of this Agreement) or is generally known to the business community and (ii) the disclosure of information to the extent necessary for the Exchanged Owner to prepare and file its Tax Returns, to respond to any inquiries regarding the same from any Taxing Authority or to prosecute or defend any action, proceeding or audit by any Taxing Authority with respect to such Tax Returns. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other agreement, the Exchanged Owners and each of their transferees (and each employee, representative or other agent of the Exchanged Owners or their transferees, as applicable) may disclose to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure and any related tax strategies of or relating to Corporate Taxpayer and its Affiliates, the Exchanged Owner or transferee, and any of their transactions or agreements, and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Exchanged Owner or transferee relating to such tax treatment and tax structure and any related tax strategies.

 

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If the Exchanged Owner or its transferee commits a breach, or threatens to commit a breach, of any of the provisions of this Section 7.11, Corporate Taxpayer and its Affiliates shall have the right and remedy to have the provisions of this Section 7.11 specifically enforced by injunctive relief or otherwise by any court of competent jurisdiction without the need to post any bond or other security, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach shall cause irreparable injury to Corporate Taxpayer or its Affiliates and the accounts and funds managed by Corporate Taxpayer and that money damages alone shall not provide an adequate remedy to such Persons. Such rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity.

7.12. Change in Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if, in connection with an actual or proposed change in law, an Exchanged Owner reasonably believes that the existence of this Agreement could cause income (other than income arising from receipt of a payment under this Agreement) recognized by such Exchanged Owner (or direct or indirect equity holders in such Exchanged Owner) upon the IPO or Reorganization Transactions to be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain (or otherwise taxed at ordinary income rates) for U.S. federal income tax purposes or could have other material adverse tax consequences to the Exchanged Owner or any direct or indirect owner of the Exchanged Owner, then at the election of the Exchanged Owner and to the extent specified by the Exchanged Owner, this Agreement shall cease to have further effect with respect to such Exchanged Owner.

7.13. Independent Nature of Exchanged Owners’ Rights and Obligations. The rights and obligations of each Exchanged Owner hereunder are independent of the rights and obligations of any other Exchanged Owner hereunder. No Exchanged Owner shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Exchanged Owner hereunder, nor shall any Exchanged Owner have the right to enforce the rights or obligations of any other Exchanged Owner hereunder. The obligations of each Exchanged Owner hereunder are solely for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable solely by, Corporate Taxpayer. The decision of each Exchanged Owner to enter into this Agreement has been made by such Exchanged Owner independently of any other Exchanged Owner. Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at any closing (other than the Limited Partnership Agreement and any joinder thereto), and no action taken by any Exchanged Owner pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Exchanged Owners as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Exchanged Owners are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such rights or obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby, and Corporate Taxpayer acknowledges that the Exchanged Owners are not acting in concert or as a group and will not assert any such claim with respect to such rights or obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

30


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

Core & Main, Inc.

By:

 

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

Name: Stephen O. LeClair

Title: Chief Executive Officer

Core & Main Holdings, LP

By:

 

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

Name: Stephen O. LeClair

Title: Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement]


CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P.
By: CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name: Rima Simson
Title: Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P.
By: CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name: Rima Simson
Title: Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P.
By: CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name: Rima Simson
Title: Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary


Exhibit A

Joinder

This JOINDER (this “Joinder”) to the Tax Receivable Agreement (as defined below), dated as of [ ], between Core & Main, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Corporate Taxpayer”), and [ ] (“Permitted Transferee”).

WHEREAS, on [ ], the Permitted Transferee acquired (the “Acquisition”) from [ ] (“Transferor”) the right to receive any and all payments that may become due and payable to Transferor under the Tax Receivable Agreement (as defined below) with respect to Partnership Interests that have been acquired by Corporate Taxpayer or any of its consolidated subsidiaries as a result of a Merger (the “Applicable Interests”); and

WHEREAS, Transferor, in connection with the Acquisition, has required Permitted Transferee to execute and deliver this Joinder pursuant to Section 7.5 of the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021 between Corporate Taxpayer and each Exchanged Owner (as defined therein) (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”);

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, Permitted Transferee hereby agrees as follows:

Section 1.1. Definitions. To the extent capitalized words used in this Joinder are not defined in this Joinder, such words shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Section 1.2. Joinder. Permitted Transferee hereby acknowledges and agrees to become, and accordingly shall be, an “Exchanged Owner” (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) for all purposes of the Tax Receivable Agreement with respect to the Applicable Interests.

Section 1.3. Notice. Any notice, request, consent, claim, demand, approval, waiver or other communication hereunder to Permitted Transferee shall be delivered or sent to Permitted Transferee at the address set forth on the signature page hereto in accordance with Section 7.1 of the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Section 1.4. Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be governed by, and construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware (without regard to any choice of law rules thereunder).

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Joinder has been duly executed and delivered by Permitted Transferee as of the date first above written.


Annex A

List of Exchanged Owners

 

1.

CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P.

 

2.

CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P.

 

3.

CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P.

Exhibit 10.7

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT

among

CORE & MAIN, INC.,

CORE & MAIN HOLDINGS, LP

and

EACH LIMITED PARTNER OF

CORE & MAIN HOLDINGS, LP LISTED ON ANNEX A

Dated as of July 22, 2021


ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS

     2  

1.1.

  Definitions      2  

1.2.

  Terms Generally      13  
  ARTICLE II. DETERMINATION OF CERTAIN REALIZED TAX BENEFITS      14  

2.1.

  Tax Benefit Schedule      14  

2.2.

  Procedure, Amendments      16  

2.3.

  Consistency with Tax Returns      17  
  ARTICLE III. TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS      17  

3.1.

  Payments      17  

3.2.

  Duplicative Payments      18  

3.3.

  Pro Rata Payments; Coordination of Benefits      19  

ARTICLE IV. TERMINATION

     19  

4.1.

  Early Termination, Change in Control and Breach of Agreement      19  

4.2.

  Early Termination Notice      22  

4.3.

  Payment upon Early Termination      22  

ARTICLE V. SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS

     23  

5.1.

  Subordination      23  

5.2.

  Late Payments by Corporate Taxpayer      23  
  ARTICLE VI. NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION      24  

6.1.

  Participation in Corporate Taxpayer’s and Holdings’ Tax Matters      24  

6.2.

  Consistency      24  

6.3.

  Cooperation      24  

ARTICLE VII. MISCELLANEOUS

     25  

7.1.

  Notices      25  

7.2.

  Counterparts      26  

7.3.

  Entire Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries      26  

7.4.

  Severability      26  

7.5.

  Successors; Assignment; Amendments; Waivers      26  

7.6.

  Titles and Subtitles      27  

 

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7.7.

  Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial      27  

7.8.

  Reconciliation      29  

7.9.

  Withholding      30  

7.10.

  Admission of Corporate Taxpayer into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets      30  

7.11.

  Confidentiality      31  

7.12.

  Change in Law      31  

7.13.

  Independent Nature of Partnership Interest Holders’ Rights and Obligations      32  

7.14.

  Limited Partnership Agreement/Exchange Agreement      32  

 

ii


This TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), dated as of July 22, 2021 and effective upon the consummation of the Reorganization Transactions (as defined in the Reorganization Agreement (as defined below)) and prior to the IPO Closing (as defined below), is hereby entered into by and among Core & Main, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Corporate Taxpayer”), Core & Main Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Holdings”), each Partnership Interest Holder (as defined below), and each of the successors and assigns thereto.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, in connection with the initial public offering of Class A Common Stock (as defined below) of Corporate Taxpayer (the “IPO”), Holdings will, pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement, enter into a series of transactions to reorganize its structure;

WHEREAS, the limited partnership interests in Holdings are and will be classified as partnership interests (“Partnership Interests”);

WHEREAS, Holdings is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

WHEREAS, Corporate Taxpayer will be the General Partner of Holdings on or about the date of the IPO Closing (as defined below), and holds or will hold on or about the date of the IPO Closing, directly or indirectly, Partnership Interests;

WHEREAS, each holder of Partnership Interests listed on Annex A (each a “Partnership Interest Holder”, and, for the avoidance of doubt, such term shall include former holders of Partnership Interests entitled to current or future payments pursuant to this Agreement) may exchange its Partnership Interests (or, in the case of a “disguised sale” described under Section 707 of the Code (as defined below), be deemed to exchange other interests in Holdings or its assets) for (a) Class A Common Stock of Corporate Taxpayer, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Exchange Agreement (as defined below) and (b) the amounts payable pursuant to and subject to the terms of this Agreement in respect of such exchange (or deemed exchange);

WHEREAS, each Exchanged Owner (as defined below) acquired or will acquire stock in Corporate Taxpayer as a result of a Contribution (as defined below);

WHEREAS, Holdings and any direct or indirect subsidiary (owned through a chain of pass-through entities) of Holdings that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (together with Holdings and any direct or indirect subsidiary (owned through a chain of pass-through entities) of Holdings that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the “Holdings Group”) will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code as provided under Section 2.1(c) for the taxable year in which any Exchange (as defined below) occurs, which election will result in an adjustment to Corporate Taxpayer’s share of the tax basis of the assets owned by the Holdings Group as of the date of the Exchange, with a consequent result on the taxable income subsequently derived therefrom;

 

1


WHEREAS, the income, gain, loss, deduction and other Tax (as defined below) items of Corporate Taxpayer and its consolidated Subsidiaries may be affected by (i) the Basis Adjustments (as defined below), (ii) the Common Basis (as defined below), (iii) any Interest Amount (as defined below) paid, (iv) the Imputed Interest (as defined below) and (v) Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement Items (as defined below);

WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement desire to make certain arrangements with respect to the effect of the Basis Adjustments, the Common Basis, any Interest Amount paid and the Imputed Interest on the liability for Taxes of Corporate Taxpayer;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

1.1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth in this ARTICLE I shall have the following meanings.

Advisory Firm” means any accounting firm or any law firm that, in either case, is nationally recognized as being expert in tax matters.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with the specified Person.

Agreed Rate” means LIBOR plus 100 basis points.

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble of this Agreement.

Amended Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b) of this Agreement.

Basis Adjustment” means the adjustment to the tax basis of a Reference Asset under Sections 732, 755 and 1012 of the Code (in situations where, following an Exchange, a Merger, or a merger or liquidation of Corporate Taxpayer’s consolidated Subsidiaries, Holdings becomes an entity that is disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or under Sections 743(b), 754 and 755 of the Code (in situations where, following an Exchange, a Merger, or a merger or liquidation of Corporate Taxpayer’s consolidated Subsidiaries, Holdings is not an entity that is disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and, in each case,

 

2


comparable sections of state and local tax laws, in each case in respect of which Corporate Taxpayer may be entitled to the deductions as a result of (i) an Exchange by a Partnership Interest Holder and (ii) the payments made to Partnership Interest Holders pursuant to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the amount of any Basis Adjustment resulting from an Exchange shall be determined without regard to any Pre-Exchange Transfers (and as if any such Pre-Exchange Transfers had not occurred). As required by Section 2.1(c), Corporate Taxpayer will ensure that an election under Section 754 of the Code is in effect at all times for Holdings and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (until Holdings and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries becomes an entity that is disregarded as separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes). The amount of any Basis Adjustment shall be determined using the Market Value at the time of the Exchange.

Blended Rate” means, with respect to any taxable year, the sum of the effective rates of tax imposed on the aggregate net income of Corporate Taxpayer in each state or local jurisdiction in which Corporate Taxpayer files Tax Returns for such taxable year, with the maximum effective rate in any state or local jurisdiction being equal to the product of: (i) the apportionment factor on the income or franchise Tax Return filed by Corporate Taxpayer in such jurisdiction for such taxable year, and (ii) the maximum applicable corporate tax rate in effect in such jurisdiction in such taxable year. As an illustration of the calculation of Blended Rate for a taxable year, if Corporate Taxpayer solely files Tax Returns in State 1 and State 2 in a taxable year, the maximum applicable corporate tax rates in effect in such states in such taxable year are 6.5% and 5.5%, respectively, and the apportionment factors for such states in such taxable year are 55% and 45%, respectively, then the Blended Rate for such taxable year is equal to 6.05% (i.e., 6.5% times 55% plus 5.5% times 45%).

Board” means the Board of Directors of Corporate Taxpayer.

Business Day” means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day that is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions located in New York are closed.

CD&R Representative” means Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC or its designated successor.

A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred upon:

 

  (i)

the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of Corporate Taxpayer’s assets (determined on a consolidated basis) to any “person” or “group” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than to any Subsidiary of Corporate Taxpayer; provided, that, for clarity and notwithstanding anything to the contrary, neither the approval of nor consummation of a transaction treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a liquidation into Corporate Taxpayer of its consolidated Subsidiaries or merger of such entities into one another or Corporate Taxpayer will constitute a “Change in Control”;

 

3


  (ii)

the merger or consolidation of Corporate Taxpayer with any other person, other than a merger or consolidation where both (A) such merger or consolidation would result in the Voting Securities of Corporate Taxpayer outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the total voting power represented by the Voting Securities of Corporate Taxpayer or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and (B) the Board immediately prior to the merger or consolidation constitutes at least a majority of the board of directors or Corporate Taxpayer or such surviving entity;

 

  (iii)

the shareholders of Corporate Taxpayer approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of Corporate Taxpayer;

 

  (iv)

the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any “person” or “group” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than (a) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of Corporate Taxpayer; (b) a corporation or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of Corporate Taxpayer in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of Corporate Taxpayer; or (c) Affiliates of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund X, L.P.) of beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Securities of Corporate Taxpayer; or

 

  (v)

the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors of Corporate Taxpayer then serving: individuals who, at the IPO Closing, constitute the Board and any new director whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by Corporate Taxpayer’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the IPO Closing or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended by the directors referred to in this clause (v).

Class A Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporate Taxpayer, having the rights to be set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

Code” shall mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

4


Common Basis” means, without duplication, Transferred Basis and IPO Basis.

Contribution” means the contribution of Partnership Interests to Corporate Taxpayer by CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC and Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC in exchange for Class A Common Stock (for the avoidance of doubt, other than pursuant to an Exchange).

Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of Voting Securities, by contract or otherwise.

Corporate Taxpayer” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble of this Agreement and includes any predecessor entities.

Corporate Taxpayer Return” means the federal, state or local Tax Return, as applicable, of Corporate Taxpayer or any consolidated Subsidiary of Corporate Taxpayer (or any Tax Return filed for a consolidated, affiliated, combined or unitary group of which Corporate Taxpayer or any consolidated Subsidiary of Corporate Taxpayer is a member) filed with respect to Taxes of any taxable year.

Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit” means for a taxable year the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Benefits for all taxable years or portions thereof of (i) Corporate Taxpayer, (ii) its consolidated Subsidiaries, and (iii) without duplication, Holdings and its Subsidiaries, up to and including such taxable year, net of the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Detriments for the same period. The Realized Tax Benefit and Realized Tax Detriment for each taxable year or portion thereof shall be determined based on the most recent Tax Benefit Schedule or Amended Schedule, if any, in existence at the time of such determination. If a Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit is being calculated with respect to a portion of a taxable year, then calculations of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit (including determinations relating to Basis Adjustments, Common Basis, Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement Items and Imputed Interest to the extent applicable) shall be made as if there were an interim closing of the books of the relevant entity and its Subsidiaries and the taxable year had closed on the relevant date.

Default Rate” means LIBOR plus 500 basis points.

Determination” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1313(a) of the Code or similar provision of state and local tax law, as applicable, or any other event (including the execution of IRS Form 870-AD) that finally and conclusively establishes the amount of any liability for Tax.

Early Termination Date” means the date of an Early Termination Notice for purposes of determining the Early Termination Payment.

 

5


Early Termination Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.

Early Termination Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.

Early Termination Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(b) of this Agreement.

Early Termination Rate” means LIBOR plus 100 basis points.

Early Termination Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 of this Agreement.

Exchange” means an acquisition or purchase or redemption, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of Partnership Interests (or, in the case of a “disguised sale” described under Section 707 of the Code, of other interests in Holdings or its assets) by Corporate Taxpayer, Holdings or any of Holdings’ consolidated Subsidiaries from a person (other than Corporate Taxpayer or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries) who is party to this Agreement (including a permitted transferee under Section 7.5 who is a party by reason of a joinder), including by way of an exchange of Corporate Taxpayer shares for Partnership Interests, in each case occurring on or after the date of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, an Exchange includes (i) any disguised sale of an interest in Holdings under Section 707 of the Code that occurs by reason of the distribution of proceeds from Holdings on or near the date of an Exchange and the contribution of cash by Corporate Taxpayer or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries on or near the date thereof; and (ii) any disguised sale occurring in connection with the exchange right described in the Limited Partnership Agreement or the Exchange Agreement. Any reference in this Agreement to Partnership Interests “Exchanged” is intended to denote Partnership Interests that were, or are, the subject of an Exchange.

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

Exchange Agreement” means the Exchange Agreement entered into by and among the Corporate Taxpayer, Holdings, and certain holders of Partnership Interests dated on or about the date hereof, as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Exchange Basis Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(d) of this Agreement.

Exchange Date” means the date of any Exchange.

Exchanged Owner” has the meaning set forth in the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement.

 

6


Expert” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8 of this Agreement.

Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement” means the Tax Receivable Agreement entered into as of the date hereof by and among Corporate Taxpayer, Holdings, and certain stockholders of Corporate Taxpayer, as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement Items” means “Exchanged Owner Basis” and “Pre-Merger Tax Attributes” as defined in the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement.

Holdings Group” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Hypothetical Federal Tax Liability” means, with respect to any taxable year or portion thereof, the liability for U.S. federal income Taxes for such taxable year or portion thereof of (i) Corporate Taxpayer, (ii) its consolidated Subsidiaries and (iii) without duplication, Holdings, but only with respect to Corporate Taxpayer and its consolidated Subsidiaries’ pro rata shares of the U.S. federal income Tax liability of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such taxable year or portion thereof, in each case using the same methods, elections, conventions and similar practices used on the relevant federal Corporate Taxpayer Return but (i) using the Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis, (ii) excluding any deduction attributable to Imputed Interest for the taxable year, (iii) excluding any deduction attributable to Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement Items and (iv) deducting the Hypothetical Other Tax Liability (in lieu of any amount for state or local tax liabilities, and only if such a deduction in respect of state and local tax liabilities is available with respect to the applicable taxable year or portion thereof). For the avoidance of doubt, the Hypothetical Federal Tax Liability shall be determined without taking into account the carryover or carryback of any Tax item (or portions thereof) that is attributable to or available as a result of any Basis Adjustment, Common Basis, Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement Item, Imputed Interest or the deduction in respect of any Hypothetical Other Tax Liability, as applicable. If a Hypothetical Federal Tax Liability is being calculated with respect to a portion of a taxable year, then calculations of the Hypothetical Federal Tax Liability (including determinations relating to Basis Adjustments, Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest to the extent applicable) shall be made as if there were an interim closing of the books of the relevant entity and its Subsidiaries and the taxable year had closed on the relevant date.

Hypothetical Other Tax Liability” means, with respect to any taxable year or portion thereof, the U.S. federal taxable income determined in connection with calculating the Hypothetical Federal Tax Liability for such Taxable Year (determined without regard to clause (iv) thereof) multiplied by the Blended Rate for such taxable year.

 

7


Hypothetical Tax Liability” means, with respect to any taxable year, the Hypothetical Federal Tax Liability for such taxable year, plus the Hypothetical Other Tax Liability for such taxable year.

Imputed Interest” means any interest imputed under Section 1272, 1274 or 483 or other provision of the Code and any similar provision of state and local tax law with respect to Corporate Taxpayer’s payment obligations under this Agreement or the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement.

Initial Debt Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b) of this Agreement.

Interest Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.

IPO” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

IPO Basis” means the Tax basis of the Reference Assets that are depreciable or amortizable for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in respect of which Corporate Taxpayer may be entitled to deductions as a result of Corporate Taxpayer’s acquisition of Partnership Interests with the net proceeds from the IPO, in a percentage equal to the percentage of Partnership Interests held by Partnership Interest Holders immediately prior to the Reorganization.

IPO Closing” means the closing of the sale of the shares of Class A Common Stock in the IPO (without giving effect to any exercise of the underwriters’ option to acquire additional shares of Class A Common Stock).

LIBOR” means during any period, an interest rate per annum equal to the one-year LIBOR reported, on the date two days prior to the first day of such period, on the Reuters Screen page “LIBOR01” (or if such screen shall cease to be publicly available, as reported by any other publicly available source of such market rate) for London interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits for such period. If Corporate Taxpayer has made the determination (such determination to be conclusive absent manifest error) that (i) LIBOR is no longer a widely recognized benchmark rate for newly originated loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars or (ii) the applicable supervisor or administrator (if any) of LIBOR has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which LIBOR shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans in the U.S. loan market in U.S. dollars, then Corporate Taxpayer shall (as determined by Corporate Taxpayer to be consistent with market practice generally), establish a replacement interest rate (the “Replacement Rate”), in which case, the Replacement Rate shall, subject to the next two sentences, replace LIBOR for all purposes under this Agreement. In connection with the establishment and application of the Replacement Rate, this Agreement shall be amended solely with the consent of Corporate Taxpayer and Holdings, as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable judgment of Corporate Taxpayer, to effect the provisions of this Section. The Replacement Rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided that, in each case, to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for Corporate Taxpayer, such Replacement Rate shall be applied as otherwise reasonably determined by Corporate Taxpayer.

 

8


Limited Partnership Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Holdings, dated on or about the date hereof, as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Market Value” shall mean the closing price per share of the Class A Common Stock on the applicable determination date on the national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which such Class A Common Stock is then traded or listed, as reported by the Wall Street Journal (or other mutually acceptable electronic or print publication); provided, that if the closing price is not reported by the Wall Street Journal (or such other mutually acceptable electronic or print publication) for the applicable determination date, then the “Market Value” shall mean the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on the Business Day immediately preceding such determination date on the national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system on which such Class A Common Stock is then traded or listed, as reported by the Wall Street Journal (or such other mutually acceptable electronic or print publication); provided, further, that if the Class A Common Stock is not then listed on a national securities exchange or interdealer quotation system, “Market Value” shall mean the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock on the applicable determination date, as determined by the Board in good faith.

Member of the Immediate Family” means, with respect to any Person who is an individual, (a) each parent, spouse (but not including a former spouse or a spouse from whom such Person is legally separated) or child (including those adopted) of such individual and (b) each trust naming only one or more of the Persons listed in sub-clause (a) as beneficiaries.

Merger” has the meaning set forth in the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement.

Net Tax Benefit” means for any taxable year the amount equal to 85% of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit, if any, as of the end of such taxable year (or portion thereof).

Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis” means, with respect to any Reference Asset at any time, the Tax basis that such asset would have had at such time if no Basis Adjustments had been made and if the Common Basis were equal to zero.

Objection Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement.

Partnership Interest Holder” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

 

9


Partnership Interests” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Payment Date” means any date on which a payment is required to be made pursuant to this Agreement.

Person” means an individual, a partnership (including a limited partnership), a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, association or other entity or a governmental entity.

Pre-Exchange Transfer” means, with respect to a Partnership Interest (or, in the case of a “disguised sale” described under Section 707 of the Code, other interests in Holdings or its assets), any transfer (including upon the death of a Partnership Interest Holder) (i) that occurs prior to an Exchange of such Partnership Interest (or such other interests in Holdings or its assets) and (ii) to which Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code applies.

Realized Tax Benefit” means, for a taxable year (or portion thereof), the excess, if any, of the Hypothetical Tax Liability for such taxable year (or portion thereof) over the actual liability for Taxes for such taxable year (or portion thereof) of (i) Corporate Taxpayer, (ii) its consolidated Subsidiaries, and (iii) without duplication, Holdings and its Subsidiaries, but only with respect to Corporate Taxpayer and its consolidated Subsidiaries’ pro rata shares of the Tax liability of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such taxable year (or portion thereof). If all or a portion of the actual liability for such Taxes for the taxable year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any taxable year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Benefit unless and until there has been a Determination. If an “actual liability” for Taxes is being calculated with respect to a portion of a taxable year, then calculations of such actual liability (including determinations relating to Basis Adjustments, Common Basis, Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement Basis Items and Imputed Interest to the extent applicable) shall be made as if there were an interim closing of the books of the relevant entity and its Subsidiaries and the taxable year had closed on the relevant date.

Realized Tax Detriment” means, for a taxable year (or portion thereof), the excess, if any, of the actual liability for Taxes for such taxable year (or portion thereof) of (i) Corporate Taxpayer, (ii) its consolidated Subsidiaries, and (iii) without duplication, Holdings and its Subsidiaries, but only with respect to Corporate Taxpayer and its consolidated Subsidiaries’ pro rata shares of the Tax liability of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such taxable year (or portion thereof) over the Hypothetical Tax Liability for such taxable year (or portion thereof). If all or a portion of the actual liability for such Taxes for the taxable year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any taxable year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Detriment unless and until there has been a Determination. If an “actual liability” for Taxes is being calculated with respect to a portion of a taxable year, then calculations of such actual liability (including determinations relating Basis Adjustments, Common Basis, Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement Basis Items and Imputed Interest to the extent applicable) shall be made as if there were an interim closing of the books of the relevant entity and its Subsidiaries and the taxable year had closed on the relevant date.

 

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Reconciliation Dispute” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8 of this Agreement.

Reconciliation Procedures” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement.

Reference Asset” means (a) with respect to any Exchange, an asset that is held by the Holdings Group, at the time of such Exchange and (b) any asset that is “substituted basis property” under Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code with respect to a Reference Asset.

Reorganization Agreement” means that certain Master Reorganization Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among Corporate Taxpayer, Holdings, CD&R Associates X Waterworks, L.P., CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., CD&R WW Holdings, L.P., CD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P., CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC, Core & Main GP, LLC, CD&R Plumb Buyer, LLC, CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P., CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P., CD&R WW Holdings, LLC, CD&R WW, LLC, CD&R WW Advisor, LLC, Brooks Merger Sub 1, Inc. and Brooks Merger Sub 2, Inc.

Schedule” means any of the following: (i) a Tax Benefit Schedule, or (ii) the Early Termination Schedule, and, in each case, any amendments thereto.

Senior Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 of this Agreement.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock 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 that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall control the management of any such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity. For purposes hereof, references to a “Subsidiary” of any Person shall be given effect only at such times that such Person has one or more Subsidiaries.

 

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Tax Benefit Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.

Tax Benefit Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) of this Agreement.

Tax Return” means any return, declaration, election, report or similar statement filed or required to be filed with a Taxing Authority with respect to Taxes (including any attached schedules), including any information return, claim for refund, declaration of estimated Tax, and amendments of any of the foregoing.

Taxes” means any and all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes, assessments or similar charges that are based on or measured with respect to net income or profits, and any interest related to such Tax.

Taxing Authority” shall mean any domestic, federal, national, state, county or municipal or other local government, any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body exercising any taxing authority or any other authority exercising Tax regulatory authority.

Transferred Basis” means the Tax basis of the Reference Assets that are depreciable or amortizable for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in respect of which Corporate Taxpayer may be entitled to deductions as a result of an Exchange or Contribution by a Partnership Interest Holder.

Treasury Regulations” means the final, temporary and (to the extent they can be relied upon) proposed regulations under the Code promulgated from time to time (including corresponding provisions and succeeding provisions) as in effect for the relevant taxable period.

Valuation Assumptions” shall mean, as of an Early Termination Date, the assumptions that (1) in each taxable year ending on or after such Early Termination Date, Corporate Taxpayer and its consolidated Subsidiaries will have taxable income sufficient to fully use the tax items arising from the Basis Adjustments, Common Basis, Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement Items and Imputed Interest) during such taxable year (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Basis Adjustments that would result from post-Early Termination Date Tax Benefit Payments that would be paid in accordance with the Valuation Assumptions) in which such deductions would become available, (2) the U.S. federal, state and local income tax rates (and, if applicable, foreign income tax rates) that will be in effect for each such taxable year will be those specified for each such taxable year by the Code and other law as in effect on the Early Termination Date (but taking into account for the applicable taxable years adjustments to the tax rates that have been enacted as of the Early Termination Date with a delayed effective date), (3) any loss carryovers generated by any Basis Adjustment, Common Basis, Former Limited Partner Tax

 

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Receivable Agreement Items or Imputed Interest, and available as of the Early Termination Date will be used by Corporate Taxpayer on a pro rata basis from the Early Termination Date through the earlier of the scheduled expiration date of such loss carryovers and the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Early Termination Date, (4) any non-amortizable assets (other than stock of Corporate Taxpayer’s consolidated Subsidiaries with which Corporate Taxpayer files a consolidated return) will be disposed of in a taxable sale on the fifteenth anniversary of the applicable Basis Adjustment for an amount sufficient to fully use the Basis Adjustments with respect to such assets and any short-term investments (including cash equivalents) will be disposed of 12 months following the Early Termination Date; provided that, in the event of a Change in Control which includes a taxable sale of any relevant asset, such non-amortizable assets shall be deemed disposed of at the time of the Change in Control (if earlier than such fifteenth anniversary), (5) if, on the Early Termination Date, a Partnership Interest Holder has Partnership Interests that have not been Exchanged, then each such Partnership Interest shall be deemed to be Exchanged for the Market Value of the Class A Common Stock on the Early Termination Date, and such Partnership Interest Holder shall be deemed to receive the amount of cash such Partnership Interest Holder would have been entitled to pursuant to this Agreement had such Partnership Interests actually been Exchanged on the Early Termination Date, determined using the Valuation Assumptions and (6) any payment obligations pursuant to this Agreement will be satisfied on the date that any Tax Return to which such payment obligation relates is required to be filed excluding any extensions.

Voting Securities” shall mean any securities of Corporate Taxpayer which are entitled to vote generally on matters submitted for a vote of Corporate Taxpayer’s stockholders or generally in the election of the Board.

1.2. Terms Generally. In this Agreement, unless otherwise specified or where the context otherwise requires:

(a) the headings of particular provisions of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not be construed as a part of this Agreement or serve as a limitation or expansion on the scope of any term or provision of this Agreement;

(b) words importing any gender shall include other genders;

(c) words importing the singular only shall include the plural and vice versa;

(d) the words “include”, “includes” or “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(e) the words “hereof”, “herein” and “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement;

(f) references to “Articles”, “Exhibits”, “Sections” or “Schedules” shall be to Articles, Exhibits, Sections or Schedules of or to this Agreement;

 

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(g) references to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of such Person;

(h) the use of the words “or”, “either” and “any” shall not be exclusive;

(i) the word “or” shall be construed to be used in the inclusive sense of “and/or”;

(j) wherever a conflict exists between this Agreement and any other agreement among parties hereto, this Agreement shall control but solely to the extent of such conflict;

(k) references to “$” or “dollars” means the lawful currency of the United States of America;

(l) references to any agreement, contract or schedule, unless otherwise stated, are to such agreement, contract or schedule as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

(m) the parties hereto have participated collectively in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement; accordingly, in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, it is the intention of the parties that this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted collectively by the parties hereto, and that no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.

ARTICLE II.

DETERMINATION OF CERTAIN REALIZED TAX BENEFITS

2.1. Tax Benefit Schedule.

(a) Tax Benefit Schedule. Within one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days after the due date (taking into account valid extensions) of the U.S. federal income Tax Return of Corporate Taxpayer (or its consolidated Subsidiaries, as applicable) for any taxable year in which there is a Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment, Corporate Taxpayer shall provide to the CD&R Representative a schedule showing in reasonable detail the calculation of the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such taxable year and any Tax Benefit Payment in respect of each Partnership Interest Holder (other than any former Partnership Interest Holder that has no rights to further payments under this Agreement) (a “Tax Benefit Schedule”). The Tax Benefit Schedules provided by Corporate Taxpayer will become final as provided in Section 2.2(a) and may be amended as provided in Section 2.2(b).

(b) Applicable Principles. Subject to Section 3.3(a), the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for each taxable year is intended to measure the decrease or increase in the actual liability for Taxes of Corporate Taxpayer and its consolidated Subsidiaries (and Holdings and its Subsidiaries, as applicable and without duplication) for such taxable year (or portion thereof) attributable to the Basis

 

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Adjustments, Common Basis, Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement Items and Imputed Interest, determined using a “with and without” methodology. For the avoidance of doubt, the actual liability for Taxes of Corporate Taxpayer and its consolidated Subsidiaries (and Holdings and its Subsidiaries, as applicable and without duplication) will take into account any deduction in respect of Imputed Interest. Carryovers or carrybacks of any Tax item attributable to the Basis Adjustments, Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement Basis Adjustments and Imputed Interest shall be considered to be subject to the rules of the Code and the Treasury Regulations or the appropriate provisions of U.S. state and local income and franchise tax law, as applicable, governing the use, limitation and expiration of carryovers or carrybacks of the relevant type. The parties agree that (i) all Tax Benefit Payments to a Partnership Interest Holder attributable to the Basis Adjustments and the Common Basis in respect of a taxable Exchange will be treated as subsequent upward purchase price adjustments that have the effect of creating additional Basis Adjustments in respect of such Partnership Interest Holder to Reference Assets for Corporate Taxpayer or its consolidated Subsidiaries, as applicable, in the year of payment and (ii) as a result, such additional Basis Adjustments in respect of such Partnership Interest Holder will be incorporated into the current year calculation and into future year calculations, as appropriate. The parties agree that (i) all Tax Benefit Payments (other than the portion of the Tax Benefit Payments treated as Imputed Interest thereon) attributable to Common Basis in connection with a Contribution will be treated as other property or money for purposes of Section 351 of the Code and will not be treated as a dividend and (ii) the actual tax liability will take into account the deduction of the portion of the Tax Benefit Payment that must be accounted for as Imputed Interest.

(c) Holdings Group Section 754 Elections. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in its capacity as the sole managing member of Holdings, Corporate Taxpayer will ensure that, on and after the date hereof and continuing throughout the term of this Agreement, Holdings and any other member of the Holdings Group that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes will have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code (and under any similar provisions of applicable U.S. state or local law) for each taxable year.

(d) Exchange Basis Schedule. If requested by the CD&R Representative no later than 30 days prior to the due date (without taking into account any permitted extensions) of the U.S. federal income Tax Return of Corporate Taxpayer (or its consolidated Subsidiaries, as applicable), Corporate Taxpayer shall, no later than the date the Tax Benefit Schedule for the applicable year is delivered, deliver to the CD&R Representative a schedule (the “Exchange Basis Schedule”) that shows, in reasonable detail necessary to perform the calculations required by this Agreement for each Partnership Interest Holder, (i) the Non-Stepped Up Tax Basis of the Reference Assets in respect of such Partnership Interest Holder as of each applicable Exchange Date, (ii) the Basis Adjustment with respect to the Reference Assets in respect of such Partnership Interest Holder as a result of the Exchanges effected in the taxable year (or, if requested, effected in prior taxable years) by such Partnership Interest Holder, calculated in the aggregate, (iii) the Common Basis, (iv) the period (or periods) over which the Reference Assets in respect of such Partnership Interest Holder are amortizable and/or depreciable and (v) the period (or periods) over which each Basis Adjustment and the Common Basis in respect of such Partnership Interest Holder is amortizable and/or depreciable.

 

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2.2. Procedure; Amendments.

(a) Procedure. Every time Corporate Taxpayer delivers to the CD&R Representative an applicable Schedule under this Agreement, including any Amended Schedule delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(b) and any Early Termination Schedule or amended Early Termination Schedule, Corporate Taxpayer shall also (i) allow the CD&R Representative reasonable access, at Corporate Taxpayer’s sole cost, to the appropriate representatives, as determined by Corporate Taxpayer, at Corporate Taxpayer and the Advisory Firm that prepared the relevant Corporate Taxpayer Returns in connection with a review of such Schedule and (ii) provide a copy of the applicable Schedule upon request to any Partnership Interest Holder if such Partnership Interest Holder holds five percent (5%) or more of the present value of all Early Termination Payments under this Agreement (measured by present value of payments due under this Agreement, using the present value calculation and assumptions described under Section 4.3(b) below assuming for such purpose the Early Termination Date is the date the applicable Schedule is delivered). Without limiting the application of the preceding sentence, Corporate Taxpayer shall, upon request, deliver to the CD&R Representative the relevant Corporate Taxpayer Returns as well as any other work papers and supporting schedules but shall be entitled to redact any information that it reasonably believes is unnecessary for purposes of the calculations contemplated by this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Corporate Taxpayer shall ensure that any such Schedule, along with any supporting schedules and work papers, provides a reasonably detailed presentation of the calculation of the Actual Tax Liability and the Hypothetical Tax Liability and identifies any material assumptions or operating procedures or principles that were used for purposes of such calculations. An applicable Schedule or amendment thereto shall, subject to the final sentence of this Section 2.2(a), become final and binding on each Partnership Interest Holder and the CD&R Representative thirty (30) calendar days from the first date on which Corporate Taxpayer sent the CD&R Representative the applicable Schedule or amendment thereto unless (a) the CD&R Representative within thirty (30) calendar days after the date Corporate Taxpayer sent such Schedule or amendment thereto provides Corporate Taxpayer with written notice of a material objection to such Schedule made in good faith (an “Objection Notice”) or (b) the CD&R Representative provides a written waiver of the right of the CD&R Representative to provide any Objection Notice with respect to such Schedule or amendment thereto within the period described in clause (i), in which case such Schedule or amendment thereto becomes binding on the date the waiver is received by Corporate Taxpayer. If the parties are unable to resolve the issues raised in such Objection Notice within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by Corporate Taxpayer of the Objection Notice, the parties shall employ the reconciliation procedures described in Section 7.8 of this Agreement (the “Reconciliation Procedures”). If a Schedule (or any “Schedule” (as defined in the Former Limited Partner Tax

 

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Receivable Agreement)) relating to the calculation of payments payable to any Partnership Interest Holder or any of their respective Affiliates hereunder (or to any recipient under the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement) is amended to reflect a revised calculation methodology that, if utilized in the calculation of amounts payable to one or more other Partnership Interest Holders, would change the amounts payable to such other Persons hereunder, Corporate Taxpayer shall utilize such revised methodology with respect to all Partnership Interest Holders and make additional payments (or reduce future payments), as applicable.

(b) Amended Schedule. The applicable Schedule for any taxable year may be amended from time to time by Corporate Taxpayer (i) in connection with a Determination affecting such Schedule, (ii) to correct inaccuracies in the Schedule identified after the date the Schedule was provided to the CD&R Representative, (iii) to comply with an Expert’s determination under the Reconciliation Procedures applicable to this Agreement, (iv) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such taxable year attributable to a carryback or carryforward of a loss or other tax item to such taxable year, (v) to reflect a change in the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for such taxable year attributable to an amended Tax Return filed for such taxable year, or (vi) to take into account payments made pursuant to this Agreement or under the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement (any such Schedule, an “Amended Schedule”).

2.3. Consistency with Tax Returns. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all calculations and determinations hereunder, including Basis Adjustments, Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement Basis Adjustments the Schedules, and the determination of the Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment, shall be made in accordance with any elections, methodologies or positions taken on the relevant Corporate Taxpayer Returns.

ARTICLE III.

TAX BENEFIT PAYMENTS

3.1. Payments.

(a) Payments. Subject to Section 3.3, within five (5) Business Days after all the Tax Benefit Schedules with respect to the taxable year delivered to the CD&R Representative and any Partnership Interest Holder entitled to receive a Tax Benefit Schedule pursuant to this Agreement become final in accordance with Article II of this Agreement, Corporate Taxpayer shall pay or cause to be paid to each applicable Partnership Interest Holder for such taxable year such Partnership Interest Holder’s Tax Benefit Payment (if any) determined pursuant to Section 3.1(b). Each such payment shall be made, at the sole discretion of Corporate Taxpayer, by wire or Automated Clearing House transfer of immediately available funds to the bank account previously designated by the applicable Partnership Interest Holder to Corporate Taxpayer or as otherwise agreed by Corporate Taxpayer and the applicable Partnership Interest Holder. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the aggregate payments to a Partnership Interest Holder under this Agreement in respect of an Exchange shall not exceed 75% of the Common Basis and Basis Adjustments allocable to such Exchange.

 

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(b) A “Tax Benefit Payment” in respect of a Partnership Interest Holder for a taxable year means an aggregate amount, not less than zero, which Corporate Taxpayer is required to pay or cause to be paid pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Agreement, equal to the sum of the Net Tax Benefit allocable to such Partnership Interest Holder and the Interest Amount in respect of such Partnership Interest Holder. For the avoidance of doubt, for Tax purposes, the Interest Amount shall not be treated as interest but instead shall be treated as additional consideration for the acquisition of Partnership Interests in Exchanges, unless otherwise required by law, as reasonably determined by Corporate Taxpayer. The Net Tax Benefit allocable to such Partnership Interest Holder for a taxable year shall be an amount equal to the portion of such Net Tax Benefit derived from any Basis Adjustment, Common Basis or Imputed Interest that is attributable to such Partnership Interest Holder as of the end of such taxable year (or portion thereof) over the total amount of payments previously made under this Section 3.1 in respect of such Partnership Interest Holder (excluding payments of Interest Amounts); provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that a Partnership Interest Holder shall not be required to return any portion of any previously made Tax Benefit Payment except in the case of manifest error. The “Interest Amount” in respect of such Partnership Interest Holder for a taxable year (or portion thereof) shall equal the interest on the portion of the Net Tax Benefit allocable to such Partnership Interest Holder with respect to such taxable year (or portion thereof) calculated at the Agreed Rate compounded annually from the due date (without extensions) for filing the U.S. federal income Tax Return of Corporate Taxpayer for such taxable year until the earlier of (i) the Payment Date or (ii) the date on which Corporate Taxpayer makes the relevant Tax Benefit Payment due on such Payment Date. The Net Tax Benefit allocable to such Partnership Interest Holder and the Interest Amount shall be determined separately with respect to each separate Exchange on an individual basis by reference to the resulting Basis Adjustment to Corporate Taxpayer.

3.2. Duplicative Payments. It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement will not result in a duplicative payment of any amount (including interest) required under this Agreement. It is also intended that the provisions of (i) this Agreement, subject to ARTICLE IV and Section 7.12 and (ii) the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement, subject to Article IV and Section 7.12 of the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement, will result in 85% of the Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit (but calculated taking into account all Exchanges by all Partnership Interest Holders as of any time and all Mergers by all Exchanged Owners) as of any determination date being paid in the aggregate to the Partnership Interest Holders pursuant to this Agreement and the Exchanged Owners pursuant to the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in the appropriate manner to ensure such intentions are realized.

 

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3.3. Pro Rata Payments; Coordination of Benefits.

(a) Notwithstanding anything in Section 3.1 to the contrary, to the extent that the aggregate tax benefit of Corporate Taxpayer, or its consolidated Subsidiaries, as applicable, with respect to the Basis Adjustments, Common Basis, Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement Items and Imputed Interest is limited in a particular taxable year because Corporate Taxpayer or its consolidated Subsidiaries, as applicable, do not have sufficient taxable income to utilize the tax benefits with respect to the Basis Adjustments, Common Basis, Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement Items or Imputed Interest or any other limitation prevents the use of such tax benefits, the Tax Benefit Payments and “Tax Benefit Payments” (as defined in the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement) payable shall be allocated among all parties eligible for payments hereunder and under the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement in proportion to the respective amounts of the Tax Benefit Payment or “Tax Benefit Payment” (as defined in the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement) that would have been paid to each such party if Corporate Taxpayer and, as applicable, its consolidated Subsidiaries, had sufficient taxable income so that there were no such limitation (or such other limitations did not apply).

(b) After taking into account Section 3.3(a), if for any reason Corporate Taxpayer does not fully satisfy its payment obligations to make or cause to be made all Tax Benefit Payments due under this Agreement in respect of a particular taxable year, then Corporate Taxpayer and the parties agree that no Tax Benefit Payment shall be made in respect of any taxable year until all Tax Benefit Payments in respect of prior taxable years have been made in full. If for any reason the Tax Benefit Payments are to be partially but not fully satisfied with respect to a taxable year, such Tax Benefit Payments shall be made in the same proportion as the Tax Benefit Payments that would have been paid to each Partnership Interest Holder if Corporate Taxpayer were to satisfy its obligation in full.

ARTICLE IV.

TERMINATION

4.1. Early Termination, Change in Control and Breach of Agreement.

(a) Corporate Taxpayer may, with the consent of a majority of the disinterested members of the Board in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, terminate this Agreement with respect to all amounts payable to (i) all of the Partnership Interest Holders (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any transferee pursuant to Section 7.5(a)) at any time by paying or causing to be paid to each such Partnership Interest Holder an Early Termination Payment and (ii) any Partnership Interest Holder that is a natural person; provided, however, in each case that this Agreement shall only terminate with respect to any such Partnership Interest Holder upon the payment of such Early Termination Payment to such Partnership Interest Holder, and provided, further, that Corporate Taxpayer may withdraw any notice to execute its termination rights under this Section 4.1(a) prior to the time at

 

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which any Early Termination Payment has been paid. Upon payment of an Early Termination Payment to any Partnership Interest Holder, neither such Partnership Interest Holder nor Corporate Taxpayer shall have any further payment obligations under this Agreement, other than for any Tax Benefit Payment (1) agreed to by Corporate Taxpayer and such Partnership Interest Holder as due and payable but unpaid as of the Early Termination Date, (2) that is the subject of an Objection Notice, which will be payable in accordance with resolution of the issues identified in such Objection Notice pursuant to this Agreement, and (3) due for the taxable year ending with or including the Early Termination Date (except to the extent that the amounts described in clauses (1), (2) and (3) are included in the calculation of the Early Termination Payment). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Corporate Taxpayer may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 4.1(a) unless (i) no further payments are required under the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement or (2) the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 4.1(a) of the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement concurrently with the termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 4.1(a). If an Exchange occurs with respect to Partnership Interests (or other interests in the company or its assets pursuant to a “disguised sale” transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes) with respect to which Corporate Taxpayer has previously paid or cause to be paid to the applicable Partnership Interest Holder an Early Termination Payment, Corporate Taxpayer shall have no obligations under this Agreement with respect to such Exchange.

(b) In the event that there occurs a Change in Control or Corporate Taxpayer (1) breaches any of its material obligations under this Agreement, whether as a result of failure to make any payment when due, failure to honor any other material obligation required hereunder, under the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement, or by operation of law as a result of the rejection of this Agreement in a case commenced under the United States Bankruptcy Code or otherwise or (2)(A) commences any case, proceeding or other action (i) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate a bankruptcy or insolvency, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts or (ii) seeking an appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or (B) there is commenced against Corporate Taxpayer any case, proceeding or other action of the nature described in clause (B) above that remains undismissed or undischarged for a period of sixty (60) calendar days, then all obligations hereunder shall be accelerated, and such obligations shall be calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such Change in Control or breach, as applicable, to each Partnership Interest Holder and shall include (1) each Early Termination Payment calculated as if an Early Termination Notice had been delivered on the date of such Change in Control or breach (and Corporate Taxpayer shall provide each Partnership Interest Holder with an Early Termination Schedule, which shall become final in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4.2), (2) any Tax Benefit Payment agreed to by

 

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Corporate Taxpayer and any Partnership Interest Holder as due and payable but unpaid as of the date of such Change in Control or breach, as applicable, (3) any Tax Benefit Payment that is the subject of an Objection Notice, which will be payable in accordance with resolution of the issues identified in such Objection Notice pursuant to this Agreement, and (4) any Tax Benefit Payment due for the taxable year ending with or including the date of such Change in Control or breach, as applicable (except to the extent that the amounts described in clauses (2), (3) and (4) are included in the calculation of the amount described in clause (1)). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Corporate Taxpayer materially breaches this Agreement, each Partnership Interest Holder shall be entitled to elect to receive the amounts set forth in clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) above or to seek specific performance of the terms hereof. The parties agree that it will not be considered to be a breach of a material obligation under this Agreement to make a payment due pursuant to this Agreement within three (3) months of the date such payment is due. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, it shall not be a breach of this Agreement if Corporate Taxpayer fails to make or cause to be made any Tax Benefit Payment (or portion thereof) when due to the extent that the Board determines in good faith that Corporate Taxpayer has insufficient funds (taking into account funds of its consolidated Subsidiaries that are permitted to be distributed to Corporate Taxpayer (in contemplation of this Agreement or otherwise) pursuant to the terms of any applicable credit agreements or other documents evidencing indebtedness (each as interpreted by the Board in good faith), including any available funds under any revolving credit facility of Holdings or its consolidated Subsidiaries, but not taking into account funds of Subsidiaries that are not permitted to be distributed pursuant to the terms of such credit agreements or other documents and not taking into account funds reasonably reserved for reasonably expected liabilities or expenses) to make such payment; provided that the interest provisions of Section 5.2 shall apply to such late payment (unless the Board determines in good faith that (x) Corporate Taxpayer does not have sufficient cash to make such payment as a result of limitations imposed by credit agreements or any other documents evidencing indebtedness to which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, guarantor or otherwise an obligor as of the date of this Agreement (the “Initial Debt Documents”) or any other document evidencing indebtedness to which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries becomes a party, guarantor or otherwise an obligor thereafter to the extent the terms of such other documents are not materially more restrictive in respect of Corporate Taxpayer’s ability to receive from its Subsidiaries funds sufficient to make such payments compared to the terms of the Initial Debt Documents (as determined by the Board in good faith); provided, however, that Corporate Taxpayer uses good faith efforts to remove such limitations to the extent required to make such interest payments unless such efforts could have an adverse effect on Corporate Taxpayer, Holdings or their Subsidiaries, or (y) such payments could (I) be set aside as fraudulent transfers or conveyances or similar actions under fraudulent transfer laws or (II) could cause Corporate Taxpayer or its consolidated Subsidiaries to be undercapitalized, in which case Section 5.2 shall apply, but the Default Rate shall be replaced by the Agreed Rate).

 

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(c) Refinancing of the Initial Debt Documents. Without the consent of the CD&R Representative, Corporate Taxpayer shall not incur additional indebtedness, enter into any new credit agreement or refinance any Initial Debt Document that, in each case, has terms more restrictive in respect of Corporate Taxpayer’s ability to make payments under this Agreement than the Initial Debt Documents.

4.2. Early Termination Notice. If Corporate Taxpayer chooses to exercise its right of early termination under Section 4.1 above, Corporate Taxpayer shall deliver to the CD&R Representative and each Partnership Interest Holder notice of such intention to exercise such right (“Early Termination Notice”) and a schedule (the “Early Termination Schedule”) specifying Corporate Taxpayer’s intention to exercise such right and showing in reasonable detail the calculation of the Early Termination Payment for each Partnership Interest Holder. The Early Termination Schedule provided to a Partnership Interest Holder shall become final and binding on each Partnership Interest Holder and the CD&R Representative thirty (30) calendar days from the first date on which Corporate Taxpayer sent the CD&R Representative such Early Termination Schedule unless (a) the CD&R Representative within thirty (30) calendar days after the date Corporate Taxpayer sent such Schedule or amendment thereto provides Corporate Taxpayer with an Objection Notice with respect to such Early Termination Schedule or (b) the applicable Partnership Interest Holder provides a written waiver of the right of the CD&R Representative to provide any Objection Notice with respect to such Schedule or amendment thereto within the period described in clause (a), in which case such Schedule or amendment thereto becomes binding on the date the waiver is received by Corporate Taxpayer. If Corporate Taxpayer and the CD&R Representative, for any reason, are unable to resolve the issues raised in such Objection Notice within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by Corporate Taxpayer of the Objection Notice, Corporate Taxpayer and the CD&R Representative shall employ the Reconciliation Procedures. The date on which every Early Termination Schedule under this Agreement becomes final with respect to all Partnership Interest Holders in accordance with this Section 4.2 shall be the “Early Termination Effective Date”. If the Early Termination Schedule relating to the calculation of payments payable to any Partnership Interest Holder or any of its respective Affiliates hereunder or to any recipient under the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement is amended to reflect a revised calculation methodology that, if utilized in the calculation of amounts payable to one or more other Partnership Interest Holders or such other recipient, would change the amounts payable to such other Persons hereunder or under the Former Limited Partner Tax Receivable Agreement, Corporate Taxpayer shall utilize such revised methodology with respect to all Partnership Interest Holders and make additional payments (or reduce payments, if any), as applicable.

4.3. Payment upon Early Termination.

(a) Within five (5) Business Days after the Early Termination Effective Date, Corporate Taxpayer shall pay or cause to be paid to each Partnership Interest Holder an amount equal to its Early Termination Payment. Such payment shall be made, at the sole discretion of Corporate Taxpayer, by wire or Automated Clearing House transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account or accounts designated by the applicable Partnership Interest Holder or as otherwise agreed by Corporate Taxpayer and the Partnership Interest Holder.

 

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(b) An “Early Termination Payment” in respect of a Partnership Interest Holder shall equal the net present value, discounted at the Early Termination Rate as of the Early Termination Date, of all Tax Benefit Payments that would be required to be paid by Corporate Taxpayer to the applicable Partnership Interest Holder under Section 3.1(a) of this Agreement beginning from the Early Termination Date and assuming that the Valuation Assumptions are applied.

ARTICLE V.

SUBORDINATION AND LATE PAYMENTS

5.1. Subordination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any Tax Benefit Payment (or portion thereof) or Early Termination Payment required to be made to a Partnership Interest Holder under this Agreement shall rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to any principal, interest (including interest which accrues after the commencement of any case or proceeding in bankruptcy, or the reorganization of Corporate Taxpayer or any Subsidiary thereof), fees, premiums, charges, expenses, attorneys’ fees or other obligations in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money of Corporate Taxpayer (and its consolidated Subsidiaries, if applicable) (“Senior Obligations”) and shall rank pari passu with all current or future unsecured obligations of Corporate Taxpayer (and its consolidated Subsidiaries, as applicable) that are not Senior Obligations. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that Corporate Taxpayer or any of its Affiliates enters into future Tax receivable or other similar agreements, Corporate Taxpayer shall ensure that the terms of any such Tax receivable agreement (other than the Former Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement) shall provide that the payments pursuant to this Agreement are considered senior in priority to any payments pursuant to any such future Tax receivable agreement.

5.2. Late Payments by Corporate Taxpayer. The amount of all or any portion of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment not made to a Partnership Interest Holder when due under the terms of this Agreement shall be payable promptly following the first time at which Corporate Taxpayer is permitted to make such Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment together with any interest thereon, computed at the Default Rate (or the Agreed Rate, to the extent expressly contemplated by this Agreement) and commencing from, (a) in the case of a Tax Benefit Payment (or portion thereof) due and payable pursuant to Article III, the Payment Date and (b) in the case of an Early Termination Payment or any other payment not described in clause (a) above, from the date on which such payment was due and payable.

 

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ARTICLE VI.

NO DISPUTES; CONSISTENCY; COOPERATION

6.1. Participation in Corporate Taxpayers and Holdings Tax Matters. Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Reorganization Agreement, Exchange Agreement or Limited Partnership Agreement, Corporate Taxpayer shall have full responsibility for, and sole discretion over, all Tax matters concerning Corporate Taxpayer (and its consolidated Subsidiaries), Holdings and their respective Subsidiaries, including the preparation, filing or amending of any Tax Return and defending, contesting or settling any issue pertaining to Taxes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Corporate Taxpayer shall notify the CD&R Representative of, and keep the CD&R Representative reasonably informed with respect to, the portion of any audit of Corporate Taxpayer or Holdings by a Taxing Authority the outcome of which is reasonably expected to affect the rights and obligations of the CD&R Representative, any Partnership Interest Holder or any of their respective Affiliates under this Agreement, and shall provide to the CD&R Representative reasonable opportunity to provide information and other input to Corporate Taxpayer, Holdings and their respective advisors concerning the conduct of any such portion of such audit; provided, however, that Corporate Taxpayer and Holdings shall not take any action that is inconsistent with any provision of the Limited Partnership Agreement or Exchange Agreement.

6.2. Consistency. Corporate Taxpayer and each Partnership Interest Holder agree to report and cause to be reported for all purposes, including federal, state and local Tax purposes, all Tax-related items (including the Basis Adjustments and each Tax Benefit Payment and any Imputed Interest) in a manner consistent with that specified by Corporate Taxpayer in any Schedule provided by or on behalf of Corporate Taxpayer under this Agreement unless otherwise required by law based on written advice of an Advisory Firm. Corporate Taxpayer shall (and shall cause Holdings and its other Subsidiaries to) use reasonable efforts (for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account the interests and entitlements of all parties under this Agreement) to defend the Tax treatment contemplated by this Agreement and any Schedule in any audit, contest or similar proceeding with any Taxing Authority. Each Partnership Interest Holder that intends to report inconsistently with any Schedule provided by or on behalf of Corporate Taxpayer under this Agreement shall provide thirty (30) days advance written notice to Corporate Taxpayer.

6.3. Cooperation. Each Partnership Interest Holder shall (a) furnish to Corporate Taxpayer in a timely manner such information, documents and other materials as Corporate Taxpayer may reasonably request for purposes of making any determination or computation necessary or appropriate under this Agreement, preparing any Tax Return, complying with any Tax law, or contesting or defending any audit, examination or controversy with any Taxing Authority or other governmental authority, (b) make itself available to Corporate Taxpayer and its representatives to provide explanations of documents and materials and such other information as Corporate Taxpayer or its representatives may reasonably request in connection with any of the matters described in clause (a) above, and (c) reasonably

 

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cooperate in connection with any such matter. Corporate Taxpayer shall reimburse the Partnership Interest Holder for any reasonable third-party costs and expenses incurred pursuant to this Section 6.3. Upon the request of any Partnership Interest Holder, Corporate Taxpayer shall cooperate in taking any action reasonably requested by such Partnership Interest Holder in connection with its tax or financial reporting and/or the consummation of any assignment or transfer of any of such Partnership Interest Holder’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, providing any information or executing any documentation.

ARTICLE VII.

MISCELLANEOUS

7.1. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by courier service, by electronic mail or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be as specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 7.1):

If to Corporate Taxpayer or Holdings, to:

Core & Main, Inc.

1830 Craig Park Court

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

Email: X

Attention: General Counsel and Secretary

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Debevoise and Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

E-mail: pmrodel@debevoise.com

Attention: Paul M. Rodel, Esq.

If to the CD&R Representative or its Affiliates:

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC

375 Park Avenue,18th Floor

New York, New York 10152

Email: X

Attention: Rima Simson

 

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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Debevoise and Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

E-mail: pmrodel@debevoise.com

Attention: Paul M. Rodel, Esq.

If to any Partnership Interest Holder, to the address and other contact information set forth in the records of Corporate Taxpayer from time to time.

Any party may change its address or e-mail by giving the other party written notice of its new address or e-mail in the manner set forth above.

7.2. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file) in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Copies of executed counterparts transmitted by telecopy, by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file or other electronic transmission service shall be considered original executed counterparts for purposes of this Section 7.2.

7.3. Entire Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. Except as herein otherwise specifically provided, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of all of the parties and, to the extent permitted by this Agreement, their successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives and assigns.

7.4. Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

7.5. Successors; Assignment; Amendments; Waivers.

(a) A Partnership Interest Holder shall be permitted to transfer any of its rights in whole or in part only upon execution and delivery by the transferee of a joinder to this Agreement, in form and substance substantially similar to Exhibit A to this Agreement, in which the transferee agrees to become, and accordingly shall be, a “Partnership Interest Holder” for all purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise provided in such joinder. If the CD&R Representative or one of its Affiliates assigns its rights under this Agreement, such transferee shall also have the rights provided to the CD&R Representative.

 

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(b) No provision of this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is approved in writing by (i) Corporate Taxpayer, (ii) each Partnership Interest Holder party to the Agreement that, together with its Affiliates, would be entitled to ten percent (10%) or more of the present value of all Early Termination Payments under this Agreement (measured by present value of payments due under this Agreement, using the present value calculation and assumptions described under Section 4.3(b) above assuming for such purpose the Early Termination Date is the date the amendment is proposed to the Partnership Interest Holders) and (iii) the CD&R Representative to the extent such amendment would affect the rights of the CD&R Representative or any of its Affiliates, provided that no amendment may be effected that adversely and disproportionately affects the interest of any Partnership Interest Holder without the consent of such Partnership Interest Holder. No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective.

(c) All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. Corporate Taxpayer shall require and cause any direct or indirect successor (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of Corporate Taxpayer, by written agreement, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that Corporate Taxpayer would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place (except to the extent expressly provided by this Agreement and provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, if a Change in Control has occurred and an Early Termination Payment is required to be made then Corporate Taxpayer’s payment obligations shall be determined taking into account the provisions of ARTICLE IV).

7.6. Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.

7.7. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

(a) This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. The parties hereto hereby declare that it is their intention that this Agreement shall be regarded as made under the laws of the State of Delaware and that the laws of said State shall be applied in interpreting its provisions in all cases where legal interpretation shall be required. Each of the parties hereto agrees (a) that this Agreement involves at least $100,000.00, and (b) that this Agreement has been entered into by the parties hereto in express reliance upon 6 Del. C. § 2708.

 

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(b) The parties irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and of the federal courts sitting in the state of Delaware in connection with any action relating to this Agreement and each party agrees (i) to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, to appoint and maintain an agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process and notify the other parties hereto of the name and address of such agent, and (ii) that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, service of process may also be made on such party by prepaid certified mail with a proof of mailing receipt validated by the United States Postal Service constituting evidence of valid service, and that service made pursuant to (i) or (ii) above shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, have the same legal force and effect as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware. Any action against any party relating to the foregoing shall be brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery (or, solely if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over any action, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (Complex Commercial Division) or, if the subject matter jurisdiction over the action is vested exclusively in the federal courts of the United States of America, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware), and any appellate courts of any thereof. To the extent not prohibited by applicable law, each party hereto waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such proceeding brought in the above-named courts, any claim that such party is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of such courts, that such party’s property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that such proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of such proceeding is improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter thereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.

(c) TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY ISSUE OR ACTION, CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION OR SUIT (IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE), INQUIRY, PROCEEDING OR INVESTIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INFORMED BY THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO THAT THIS SECTION 7.7(C) CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT UPON WHICH THEY ARE RELYING AND WILL RELY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 7.7(C) WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

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7.8. Reconciliation. In the event that Corporate Taxpayer and the CD&R Representative are unable to resolve a disagreement with respect to the matters governed by ARTICLE II or ARTICLE IV within the relevant period designated in this Agreement (“Reconciliation Dispute”), the Reconciliation Dispute shall be submitted for determination to a nationally recognized expert (the “Expert”) in the particular area of disagreement mutually acceptable to such parties. The Expert shall be a partner or principal in a nationally recognized accounting or law firm, and (unless Corporate Taxpayer and the CD&R Representative agree otherwise), the Expert shall not, and the firm that employs the Expert shall not, have any material relationship with Corporate Taxpayer or the CD&R Representative or its Affiliates or other actual or potential conflict of interest. If the applicable parties are unable to agree on an Expert within fifteen (15) calendar days of the end of the thirty (30) calendar-day period set forth in Section 2.1 or Section 4.2, the Expert shall be appointed by the International Chamber of Commerce Centre for Expertise. The Expert shall resolve any matter relating to the Early Termination Schedule or an amendment thereto within thirty (30) calendar days and shall resolve any matter relating to a Tax Benefit Schedule or an amendment thereto within fifteen (15) calendar days or, in each case, as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable, in each case after the matter has been submitted to the Expert for resolution. If the matter is not resolved before any payment that is the subject of a disagreement would be due (in the absence of such disagreement), the undisputed amount shall be paid on the date prescribed by this Agreement, subject to adjustment upon resolution. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 7.8 shall not restrict the ability of Corporate Taxpayer or its Affiliates to determine when or whether to file or amend any Tax Return. The costs and expenses relating to the engagement of such Expert or amending any Tax Return shall be borne equally by Corporate Taxpayer and the Partnership Interest Holders participating in the Reconciliation Dispute (on a pro rata basis based on relative proportion of all Early Termination Payments under this Agreement, measured by present value of payments due under this Agreement, using the present value calculation and assumptions described under Section 4.3(b) above assuming for such purpose the Early Termination Date is the date the Reconciliation Dispute is resolved). Corporate Taxpayer may withhold payments under this Agreement to collect amounts due under the preceding sentence. Any dispute as to whether a dispute is a Reconciliation Dispute within the meaning of this Section 7.8 shall be decided by the Expert. The Expert shall finally determine any Reconciliation Dispute and the determinations of the Expert pursuant to this Section 7.8 shall be binding on Corporate Taxpayer and the CD&R Representative or its Affiliates, as applicable, participating in the Reconciliation Dispute and may be entered and enforced in any court having jurisdiction.

 

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7.9. Withholding. Corporate Taxpayer shall be entitled to deduct and withhold or cause to be deducted and withheld from any payment payable pursuant to this Agreement to a Partnership Interest Holder such amounts as Corporate Taxpayer determines in good faith it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law, provided that prior to deducting or withholding any such amounts, Corporate Taxpayer shall notify the applicable Partnership Interest Holder and shall consult in good faith with such Partnership Interest Holder regarding the basis for such deduction or withholding. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority by Corporate Taxpayer, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to such Partnership Interest Holder.

7.10. Admission of Corporate Taxpayer into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets.

(a) If Corporate Taxpayer and its consolidated Subsidiaries are or become members of a combined, consolidated, affiliated or unitary group that files a consolidated, combined or unitary income tax return pursuant to Sections 1501 et seq. of the Code or any corresponding provisions of state or local law, then: (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall be applied with respect to the relevant group as a whole; and (ii) Tax Benefit Payments, Net Tax Benefit, Cumulative Net Realized Tax Benefit, Realized Tax Benefit, Realized Tax Detriment, Early Termination Payments and other applicable items hereunder shall be computed with reference to the consolidated (or combined or unitary, where applicable) taxable income, gain, loss, deduction and attributes of the relevant group as a whole.

(b) If any entity that is or may be obligated to make a Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment hereunder, or any entity any portion of the income of which is included in the income of Corporate Taxpayer’s consolidated, combined, affiliated or unitary group, directly or indirectly transfers (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) one or more assets to a Person classified as a corporation for U.S. income tax purposes with which such entity does not file a consolidated income tax return pursuant to Section 1501 et seq. of the Code (or, for purposes of calculations relating to state or local taxes, a consolidated, combined or unitary income tax return under applicable state or local law), such entity, for purposes of calculating the amount of any Tax Benefit Payment or Early Termination Payment (e.g., calculating the gross income of the entity and, if applicable, determining the Realized Tax Benefit of such entity) due hereunder, shall be treated as having disposed of such asset in a fully taxable transaction on the date of such transfer. The consideration deemed to be received by such entity shall be equal to the fair market value of the transferred asset, increased by the amount of debt that would increase the transferor’s “amount realized” for U.S. federal income tax purposes in connection with such transfer, in the case of a contribution of an encumbered asset (including an interest in an entity classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a partnership which has debt outstanding). For the avoidance of doubt, a transaction treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a liquidation into Corporate Taxpayer of one or more of its consolidated Subsidiaries or merger of one or more of such entities into one another or Corporate Taxpayer will not cause any such Persons to be treated as having disposed of any of its assets for purposes of this Section 7.10(b). In the event there occurs a transaction described in the preceding sentence, the Tax Benefit Payments and any other amounts due under this Agreement shall be calculated without regard to such transaction.

 

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7.11. Confidentiality. Each Partnership Interest Holder and each of its transferees acknowledge and agree that the information of Corporate Taxpayer is confidential and, except in the course of performing any duties as necessary for Corporate Taxpayer and its Affiliates, as required by law or legal process or to enforce the terms of this Agreement, such person shall keep and retain in the strictest confidence and not disclose to any Person any confidential matters acquired pursuant to this Agreement of Corporate Taxpayer and its Affiliates and successors, learned by the Partnership Interest Holder heretofore or hereafter. This Section 7.11 shall not apply to (i) any information that has been made publicly available by Corporate Taxpayer or any of its Affiliates, becomes public knowledge (except as a result of an act of the Partnership Interest Holder in violation of this Agreement) or is generally known to the business community and (ii) the disclosure of information to the extent necessary for the Partnership Interest Holder to prepare and file its Tax Returns, to respond to any inquiries regarding the same from any Taxing Authority or to prosecute or defend any action, proceeding or audit by any Taxing Authority with respect to such Tax Returns. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other agreement, the Partnership Interest Holders and each of their transferees (and each employee, representative or other agent of the Partnership Interest Holders or their transferees, as applicable) may disclose to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure and any related tax strategies of or relating to Corporate Taxpayer and its Affiliates, the Partnership Interest Holder or transferee, and any of their transactions or agreements, and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Partnership Interest Holder or transferee relating to such tax treatment and tax structure and any related tax strategies.

If the Partnership Interest Holder or its transferee commits a breach, or threatens to commit a breach, of any of the provisions of this Section 7.11, Corporate Taxpayer and its Affiliates shall have the right and remedy to have the provisions of this Section 7.11 specifically enforced by injunctive relief or otherwise by any court of competent jurisdiction without the need to post any bond or other security, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach or threatened breach shall cause irreparable injury to Corporate Taxpayer or its Affiliates and the accounts and funds managed by Corporate Taxpayer and that money damages alone shall not provide an adequate remedy to such Persons. Such rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity.

7.12. Change in Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if, in connection with an actual or proposed change in law, a Partnership Interest Holder reasonably believes that the existence of this Agreement could cause income (other than income arising from receipt of a payment under this Agreement) recognized by such Partnership Interest Holder (or direct or indirect equity holders in such Partnership Interest Holder) upon the IPO, Reorganization Transactions or any Exchange to be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain (or otherwise taxed

 

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at ordinary income rates) for U.S. federal income tax purposes or could have other material adverse tax consequences to the Partnership Interest Holder or any direct or indirect owner of the Partnership Interest Holder, then at the election of the Partnership Interest Holder and to the extent specified by the Partnership Interest Holder, this Agreement shall cease to have further effect with respect to such Partnership Interest Holder and shall for clarity not apply to an Exchange by such Partnership Interest Holder occurring after a date specified by the Partnership Interest Holder.

7.13. Independent Nature of Partnership Interest Holders Rights and Obligations. The rights and obligations of each Partnership Interest Holder hereunder are independent of the rights and obligations of any other Partnership Interest Holder hereunder. No Partnership Interest Holder shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Partnership Interest Holder hereunder, nor shall any Partnership Interest Holder have the right to enforce the rights or obligations of any other Partnership Interest Holder hereunder. The obligations of each Partnership Interest Holder hereunder are solely for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable solely by, Corporate Taxpayer. The decision of each Partnership Interest Holder to enter into this Agreement has been made by such Partnership Interest Holder independently of any other Partnership Interest Holder. Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at any closing (other than the Limited Partnership Agreement and any joinder thereto), and no action taken by any Partnership Interest Holder pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Partnership Interest Holders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Partnership Interest Holders are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such rights or obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby, and Corporate Taxpayer acknowledges that the Partnership Interest Holders are not acting in concert or as a group and will not assert any such claim with respect to such rights or obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby.

7.14. Limited Partnership Agreement/Exchange Agreement. This Agreement shall be treated as part of the Limited Partnership Agreement and Exchange Agreement as described in Section 761(c) of the Code and Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

Core & Main, Inc.
By:  

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

Name: Stephen O. LeClair
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Core & Main Holdings, LP
By:  

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

Name: Stephen O. LeClair
Title: Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement]


CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC
By: CD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P., its manager
By: CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

Name: Rima Simson
Title: Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC
By:  

/s/ Mark R. Witkowski

Name: Mark R. Witkowski
Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement]


Exhibit A

Joinder

This JOINDER (this “Joinder”) to the Tax Receivable Agreement (as defined below), dated as of [ ], between Core & Main, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Corporate Taxpayer”), and [ ] (“Permitted Transferee”).

WHEREAS, on [ ], the Permitted Transferee acquired (the “Acquisition”) from [ ] (“Transferor”) the right to receive any and all payments that may become due and payable to Transferor under the Tax Receivable Agreement (as defined below) with respect to Partnership Interests that have been Exchanged or may in the future be Exchanged in Core & Main, LP (the “Applicable Interests”); and

WHEREAS, Transferor, in connection with the Acquisition, has required Permitted Transferee to execute and deliver this Joinder pursuant to Section 7.5 of the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, between Corporate Taxpayer and each Partnership Interest Holder (as defined therein) (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”);

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, Permitted Transferee hereby agrees as follows:

Section 1.1. Definitions. To the extent capitalized words used in this Joinder are not defined in this Joinder, such words shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Section 1.2. Joinder. Permitted Transferee hereby acknowledges and agrees to become, and accordingly shall be, a “Partnership Interest Holder” (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) for all purposes of the Tax Receivable Agreement with respect to the Applicable Interests.

Section 1.3. Notice. Any notice, request, consent, claim, demand, approval, waiver or other communication hereunder to Permitted Transferee shall be delivered or sent to Permitted Transferee at the address set forth on the signature page hereto in accordance with Section 7.1 of the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Section 1.4. Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be governed by, and construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware (without regard to any choice of law rules thereunder).

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Joinder has been duly executed and delivered by Permitted Transferee as of the date first above written.


Annex A

List of Partnership Interest Holders

 

1.

CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC

 

2.

Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC

Exhibit 10.8

Execution Version

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

This EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, the “Agreement”), dated as of July 22, 2021, is made by and among Core & Main, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“IPOco”), Core & Main Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Holdings”), and the holders of Partnership Interests (as defined herein) and shares of Class B Common Stock (as defined herein) from time to time parties hereto (each, a “Holder”).

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to provide for the exchange of Partnership Interests, together with the transfer to IPOco of a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock, for shares of Class A Common Stock (as defined herein), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;

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

ARTICLE I

Section 1.1. Definitions.

The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.

Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, any Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the specified Person. As used in this definition, the term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Business Day” means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day that is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions located in New York are closed.

Cash Exchange Payment” means an amount in cash equal to the product of (x) the number of Partnership Interests exchanged, (y) the then-applicable Exchange Rate, and (z) the price to the public or the private sale price, as applicable, of the Class A Common Stock in a public offering or private sale as forth in Section 2.1 of this Agreement, as applicable, in each case net of any underwriting discounts and commissions.

CD&R Waterworks Holdings” means CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Class A Common Stock” means the Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of IPOco.

Class B Common Stock” means the Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of IPOco.

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


Continuing Limited Partners” means CD&R Waterworks Holdings and Management Feeder.

Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement” means the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, between IPOco, the Continuing Limited Partners, Holdings and any other Person from time to time a party thereto, as such agreement may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

Deficit Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(h) of this Agreement.

Election of Exchange” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b) of this Agreement.

Excess Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(h) of this Agreement.

Exchange” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) of this Agreement.

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

Exchange Date” means the date of delivery of the relevant Election of Exchange.

Exchange Rate” means the number of shares of Class A Common Stock for which one Partnership Interest (together with the retirement of one share of Class B Common Stock) is entitled to be Exchanged. On the date of this Agreement, the Exchange Rate shall be 1.0, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Agreement.

First Exchange Time” means 180 days from the date hereof.

Governmental Entity” means the United States of America or any other nation, any state or other political subdivision thereof, or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of government, including any court, in each case, having jurisdiction over Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or any of the property or other assets of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries.

Holder” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

IPOco” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

IPOco Charter” means the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of IPOco, as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time.

Liquidation Adjustment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(h) of this Agreement.

Liquidation Adjustment Price” means the greater of (i) the last reported sales price of a share of the Class A Common Stock, as reported by Bloomberg, L.P., or its successor (or other mutually acceptable electronic or print publication), (ii) the average of the daily volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) of a share of Class A Common Stock for the four-week period immediately prior to the date of delivery of the relevant Election of Exchange (the “Exchange Date”) in connection with a Voluntary Exchange and (iii) as applied with respect to an Excess Amount in connection with Section 2.1(h), such price of a share of Class A Common Stock that, in connection with an Exchange, would not result in the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued to exceed the number of authorized and unissued shares of Class A Common Stock under the IPOco Charter, when taken together with (x) the

 

2


outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, (y) the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon Exchange of outstanding shares of Paired Interests (disregarding shares of Class A Common Stock issuable under Section 2.1(h)), and (z) the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable under the Core & Main, Inc. 2021 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan or any other IPOco stock incentive plan; provided that in calculating such average, (a) the VWAP shall be determined by calculating the arithmetic average of the per share daily volume-weighted average price of a share of Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange or such other principal U.S. securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system on which Class A Common Stock trades, as reported by Bloomberg, L.P., or its successor (or other mutually acceptable electronic or print publication) for each of the full Trading Days in the four-week period immediately prior to the Exchange Date and ending on and including the last full Trading Day immediately prior to the Exchange Date, subject to appropriate and equitable adjustment for any stock splits, reverse splits, stock dividends or similar events affecting the Class A Common Stock; and (b) if the Class A Common Stock no longer trades on a securities exchange or automated or electronic quotation system, then a majority of the independent members of the board of directors of IPOco shall determine the fair market value of a share of Class A Common Stock in good faith.

LP Agreement” means the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Holdings, dated on or about the date hereof, as amended or amended and restated from time to time.

Management Feeder” means Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Paired Interest” means one Partnership Interest together with one share of Class B Common Stock.

Partnership Interests” means the Partnership Interests (as such term is defined in the LP Agreement).

Permitted Transfer” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4.1 of this Agreement.

Permitted Transferee” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4.1 of this Agreement.

Person” means an individual, a partnership (including a limited partnership), a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, association or other entity or a Governmental Entity.

Quarter” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of IPOco.

Quarterly Exchange Date” means the date each Quarter that is the later to occur of (i) the third Business Day after the date on which IPOco makes a public news release of its annual or quarterly earnings, as applicable, for the prior Quarter or fiscal year, as applicable, and (ii) the first day each Quarter that directors and executive officers of IPOco are permitted to trade under the applicable policies of IPOco relating to trading by directors and executive officers; provided that there shall be no Quarterly Exchange Date for any Holder (including any Permitted Transferee pursuant to Section 4.1 of this Agreement) prior to (x) the expiration or waiver of any applicable lock-up agreement, including any lock-up agreement entered into in connection with the initial public offering of IPOco, or (y) the expiration of any holding period applicable to such Holder required by law, including Rule 144 under the Securities Act, with respect to dispositions of Class A Common Stock received upon the proposed Exchange by such Holder.

 

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Registration Rights Agreement” means the registration rights agreement by and among IPOco and the stockholders party thereto, dated as of the date hereof, as amended from time to time.

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Stockholders Agreement” means the stockholders agreement by and among IPOco and the stockholders party thereto, dated as of the date hereof, as amended from time to time.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock 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 that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation), a majority of partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof. For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority of limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall control the management of any such limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity. For purposes hereof, references to a “Subsidiary” of any Person shall be given effect only at such times that such Person has one or more Subsidiaries and, unless otherwise indicated, the term “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of Holdings.

Trading Day” means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or such other principal U.S. securities exchange on which the shares of Class A Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business (unless such trading shall have been suspended for the entire day), or if the shares of Class A Common Stock are not listed or admitted to trading on such an exchange, on the automated or electronic quotation system on which the shares of Class A Common Stock are then authorized for quotation.

Voting Securities” mean any securities which are entitled to vote generally in matters submitted for a vote of stockholders or generally in the election of the board of directors.

ARTICLE II

Section 2.1. Exchange of Partnership Interests for Class A Common Stock.

(a) Subject to Section 2.1(h) and Section 2.1(i), each Holder shall be entitled, on any Quarterly Exchange Date, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, to transfer and surrender Paired Interests free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, rights of first refusal, and the like, to IPOco. In addition, subject to Section 2.1(h) and Section 2.1(i), from and after the First Exchange Time, CD&R Waterworks Holdings and its Permitted Transferees shall be entitled, at any time and from time to time, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, to transfer and surrender Paired Interests free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, rights of first refusal, and the like, to IPOco. Upon such transfer and surrender, each share of Class B Common Stock transferred and surrendered shall be automatically and immediately retired, in accordance with Section 2.3(b), and each Partnership Interest transferred and surrendered will be exchangeable for a number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued to such Holder that is equal to the product of the number of Partnership Interests transferred and surrendered by such Holder multiplied by the Exchange Rate; provided, however, that, subject to and in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, in lieu of issuing such shares of Class A Common

 

4


Stock, IPOco, acting by a majority of the disinterested members of its board of directors, may elect to pay a Cash Exchange Payment calculated with respect to such surrendered Partnership Interests from the proceeds of a private sale or a public offering of Class A Common Stock, which Cash Exchange Payment shall be payable in accordance with the instructions provided in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the “Election of Exchange”) (such exchange for Class A Common Stock or a Cash Exchange Payment, as applicable, an “Exchange”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, IPOco shall not effectuate a Cash Exchange Payment pursuant to this Section 2.1 unless IPOco determines to consummate a private sale or public offering of Class A Common Stock on, or not later than five Business Days after, the relevant Exchange Date. As any such existing owner exchanges its Partnership Interests (together with the retirement of a corresponding number of shares of Class B Common Stock), the number of Partnership Interests owned by IPOco will increase. Each such exchange of Partnership Interests for Class A Common Stock or the Cash Exchange Payment, as applicable, shall, to the extent permitted by law, be treated for U.S. federal income tax reporting purposes as a taxable exchange of the Holder’s Partnership Interests for Class A Common Stock or the Cash Exchange Payment, as applicable, and corresponding payments under the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement.

(b) IPOco shall provide notice to each Holder eligible to Exchange Paired Interests on a Quarterly Exchange Date at least fourteen (14) days prior to the anticipated date of such Quarterly Exchange Date. A Holder shall exercise its right to effect an Exchange as set forth in Section 2.1(a) above by delivering to IPOco all certificates and instruments, if any, representing the Paired Interests that are being surrendered, together with a written election of exchange in respect of the Partnership Interests to be Exchanged substantially in the form of the Election of Exchange, duly executed by such Holder or such Holder’s duly authorized attorney, in each case delivered to IPOco at its address set forth in Section 4.2(a). IPOco shall provide notice to any exchanging Holder that delivers an Election of Exchange of its intention to consummate an Exchange through a Cash Exchange Payment on the first Business Date immediately following the receipt of such Election of Exchange by IPOco. Each Exchange shall be deemed to be effective immediately prior to the close of the business on the date on which the Election of Exchange is delivered to IPOco, IPOco shall cause the transfer agent and registrar to reflect the Exchange on its record, and, if IPOco does not elect a Cash Exchange Payment, the exchanging Holder shall be deemed to be a holder of Class A Common Stock from and after that time; provided, however, that if the Holder has specified that the Exchange shall be contingent upon the consummation of a purchase by another Person or effective upon a specified future date in accordance with Section 2.1(c), such Exchange shall be deemed to be effective immediately prior to the close of the business on the date on which such contingency is met or at such specified future date, as applicable, and, if IPOco does not elect a Cash Exchange Payment, the exchanging Holder shall be deemed to be a holder of Class A Common Stock from and after that time or date. As promptly as practicable following the Exchange Date, IPOco shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the exchanging Holder the number of shares of Class A Common Stock deliverable upon such Exchange, registered in the name of such Holder, or the Cash Exchange Payment, as applicable.

(c) An Election of Exchange from a Holder may specify that the Exchange is to be (x) contingent (including as to the timing) upon the consummation of a purchase by another Person (whether in a tender or exchange offer, an underwritten offering or otherwise) of shares of Class A Common Stock into which the Partnership Interests are exchangeable and/or (y) effective upon a specified future date.

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a Holder may withdraw or amend an Election of Exchange, in whole or in part, at any time prior to the effectiveness of the Exchange by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal to IPOco and Holdings specifying (1) the number of withdrawn Paired Interests, (2) if any, the number of Paired Interests as to which the Election of Exchange remains in effect and (3) if the Holder so determines, revised timing or contingency of the Exchange or any other new or revised information permitted in the Election of Exchange.

 

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(e) Subject to Section 2.3(c), the shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange, other than any such shares issued in an Exchange subject to a registration statement, shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THE TRANSFER OF THESE SECURITIES HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED OTHER THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (OR OTHER APPLICABLE LAW), OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM.

(f) If (i) any shares of Class A Common Stock may be sold pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission, (ii) all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act are met, or (iii) if a Holder otherwise requests removal of the legend, IPOco, upon the written request of the Holder thereof and, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), receipt of an opinion of counsel to such Holder reasonably acceptable to IPOco, shall take all necessary action promptly to remove such legend and, if the shares of Class A Common Stock are certificated, issue to such Holder new certificates evidencing such shares of Class A Common Stock without the legend and, if not certificated, shall provide any notice required by applicable law.

(g) Subject to Section 2.3 and the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, IPOco and each exchanging Holder shall bear their own respective expenses in connection with the consummation of any Exchange by such Holder, whether or not any such Exchange is ultimately consummated; provided, however, that IPOco will pay any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties, or other similar taxes in connection with, or arising by reason of, any Exchange; provided, further, that, subject to Section 2.3, if any shares of Class A Common Stock are to be delivered in a name other than that of the Holder that requested the Exchange or its Permitted Transferee (or The Depository Trust Company or its nominee for the account of a participant of The Depository Trust Company that will hold the shares for the account of such Holder or its Permitted Transferee), then such Holder and/or the Person in whose name such shares are to be delivered shall pay to IPOco the amount of any transfer taxes, stamp taxes or duties, or other similar taxes in connection with, or arising by reason of, such Exchange or shall establish to the reasonable satisfaction of IPOco that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article II, any Cash Exchange Payment or shares of Class A Common Stock delivered to a Holder upon an Exchange shall be adjusted to the extent that section 4.1(b) of the LP Agreement would result in an adjustment to a distribution that would otherwise be made to such Holder in respect of the Partnership Interests to be Exchanged upon a liquidation of Holdings (a “Liquidation Adjustment”). To the extent that the Liquidation Adjustment would result in an increase in the liquidating distribution that would be made by Holdings to such Holder (an “Excess Amount”), the consideration to be received for the Paired Interests tendered for Exchange by such Holder shall be increased by (i) in the event of a Cash Exchange Payment, an amount of cash equal to such Excess Amount, and (ii) in the event shares of Class A Common Stock are to be delivered to a Holder, a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to such Excess Amount divided by the Liquidation Adjustment Price. To the extent that the Liquidation Adjustment would result in a reduction in the liquidating distribution that would be made by Holdings to such Holder (a “Deficit Amount”), the consideration to be received for the Paired Interests tendered for Exchange by such Holder shall be decreased by (x) in the event of a Cash Exchange Payment, an amount of cash equal to such Deficit Amount and (y) in the event shares of Class A Common Stock are to be delivered to a Holder, a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to such Deficit Amount divided by the Liquidation Adjustment Price; provided, however, that if such Holder instead elects to make a contemporaneous cash contribution to Holdings equal to such Deficit Amount, there shall be no Deficit Amount with respect to such Holder for purposes of this Section 2.1(h).

 

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(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article II, a Holder shall not be entitled to effect an Exchange (and, if attempted, any such Exchange shall be, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, void ab initio), and IPOco shall have the right to refuse to honor any request to effect an Exchange, at any time or during any period, if IPOco shall reasonably determine that such Exchange (i) would be prohibited by any applicable law or regulation (including the unavailability of any requisite registration statement filed under the Securities Act or any exemption from the registration requirements thereunder); provided, however, that this Section 2.1(i) shall not limit IPOco’s or Holdings’ obligations under Section 2.3(c), (ii) would pose a material risk that Holdings would be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” under section 7704 of the Code; provided, however, that an Exchange will not be prohibited on this basis so long as Holdings satisfies the “private placements” safe harbor under Section 1.7704-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations or (iii) would not be permitted under (x) the LP Agreement, (y) other agreements with IPOco or its Subsidiaries to which such Holder may be subject or (z) any written policies of IPOco or any of its Subsidiaries related to unlawful or inappropriate trading applicable to its directors, officers or other employees to which the Holder or its directors and officers are subject. Upon such determination, IPOco shall notify the Holder requesting the Exchange of such determination, which such notice shall include an explanation in reasonable detail as to the reason that the Exchange has not been effected. For the avoidance of doubt, Management Feeder shall not be entitled to effect an Exchange (and, if attempted, any such Exchange shall be, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, void ab initio), and IPOco shall have the right to refuse to honor any request to effect an Exchange, if such Exchange is made on behalf of holders of Management Feeder who are subject to an applicable lock-up agreement at the time of such Exchange.

(j) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article II, for any Exchange for which IPOco would otherwise be required to deliver a fraction of a share of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, IPOco shall deliver to such Holder a cash amount equal to the market value of such fraction in lieu of delivering a fraction of a share of Class A Common Stock.

Section 2.2. Adjustment. The Exchange Rate and/or the components of a Paired Interest shall be adjusted accordingly if there is: (i) any subdivision (by any stock or partnership interest split, stock or partnership interest distribution, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock or unit split, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) of the shares of Class B Common Stock or Partnership Interests that is not accompanied by a substantially equivalent subdivision or combination of the Class A Common Stock; or (ii) any subdivision (by any stock split, stock dividend or distribution, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse stock split, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) of the Class A Common Stock that is not accompanied by a substantially equivalent subdivision or combination of the shares of Class B Common Stock and Partnership Interests. If there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction in which the Class A Common Stock are converted or changed into another security, securities or other property, then upon any subsequent Exchange, an exchanging Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such security, securities or other property that such exchanging Holder would have received (including as a result of any election by such Holder, if afforded to all holders of Class A Common Stock) if such Exchange had occurred immediately prior to the effective date of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction, taking into account any adjustment as a result of any subdivision (by any split, distribution or dividend, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or otherwise) or combination (by reverse split, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) of such security, securities or other property that occurs after the effective time of such reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, if there is any reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization or

 

7


other similar transaction in which the shares of Class A Common Stock are converted or changed into another security, securities or other property, this Section 2.2 shall continue to be applicable, with respect to such other security or property. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall apply to the Paired Interests held by the Holders and their Permitted Transferees as of the date hereof, as well as any Paired Interests hereafter acquired by a Holder and his or her or its Permitted Transferees, subject to Section 4.1. This Agreement shall apply to, and all references to “Paired Interests” shall be deemed to include, any security, securities or other property of IPOco or Holdings which may be issued in respect of, in exchange for or in substitution of shares of Class B Common Stock or Partnership Interests, as applicable, by reason of any distribution or dividend, split, reverse split, combination, reclassification, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, exchange (other than an Exchange) or other transaction.

Section 2.3. Class A Common Stock to be Issued; Class B Common Stock to be Retired.

(a) IPOco shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issuance upon an Exchange, the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock as may be deliverable upon the transfer and surrender of all then-outstanding Paired Interests; provided that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude IPOco from satisfying its obligations in respect of an Exchange, if IPOco does not elect a Cash Exchange Payment, by delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock that are held in the treasury of IPOco or held by any of its Subsidiaries or by delivery of purchased shares of Class A Common Stock (which may or may not be held in the treasury of IPOco or held by any Subsidiary thereof). IPOco covenants that all shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon an Exchange will, upon delivery in accordance with this Agreement, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

(b) When a Paired Interest has been transferred and surrendered in accordance with this Agreement, the share of Class B Common Stock corresponding to such Paired Interest shall be immediately retired by IPOco and such shares shall not be reissued and the Partnership Interest corresponding to such Paired Interest shall be held by IPOco and be outstanding.

(c) Subject to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, if IPOco does not elect a Cash Exchange Payment, IPOco covenants and agrees to deliver shares of Class A Common Stock, if requested, pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any Exchange to the extent that a registration statement is effective and available for such shares. In the event that any Exchange in accordance with this Agreement is to be effected at a time when any required registration has not become effective or otherwise is unavailable, upon the request and with the reasonable cooperation of the Holders requesting such Exchange, IPOco shall use reasonable best efforts to promptly facilitate such Exchange pursuant to any reasonably available exemption from such registration requirements. If IPOco does not elect a Cash Exchange Payment, IPOco shall use reasonable best efforts to list the Class A Common Stock required to be delivered upon Exchange prior to such delivery upon each national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system upon which the outstanding Class A Common Stock may be listed or traded at the time of such delivery.

(d) IPOco agrees that it has taken all or will take such steps as may be required to cause to qualify for exemption under Rule 16b-3(d) or (e), as applicable, under the Exchange Act, and to be exempt for purposes of Section 16(b) under the Exchange Act, any acquisitions from, or dispositions to, IPOco of equity securities of IPOco (including derivative securities with respect thereto) and any securities that may be deemed to be equity securities or derivative securities of IPOco for such purposes that result from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, by each executive officer (including the corporate controller) or director of IPOco.

 

8


ARTICLE III

Section 3.1. Representations and Warranties of IPOco and of Holdings. Each of IPOco and Holdings represents and warrants that (i) it is a corporation or limited partnership duly incorporated or formed and is existing in good standing under the laws of Delaware, (ii) it has all requisite corporate or limited partnership power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and, in the case of IPOco, to issue the Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof, (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by it and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby (including without limitation, in the case of IPOco, the issuance of the Class A Common Stock) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or limited partnership action on its part and (iv) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of it enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally.

Section 3.2. Representations and Warranties of the Holders. Each Holder, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants that (i) if it is not a natural person, that it is duly incorporated or formed and, to the extent such concept exists in its jurisdiction of organization, is in good standing under the laws of such jurisdiction, (ii) it has all requisite legal capacity and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) if it is not a natural person, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by it and the performance of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other entity action on the part of such Holder and (iv) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Holder enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally.

ARTICLE IV

Section 4.1. Additional Holders; Transfers. To the extent a Holder validly transfers any or all of such Holder’s Paired Interests to another Person in a transaction in accordance with, and not in contravention of, the LP Agreement, the IPOco Charter, the Stockholders Agreement, the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement or any lock-up agreement applicable to such Holder or such transferee (a “Permitted Transfer”), then such transferee (each, a “Permitted Transferee”) shall have the right to execute and deliver a joinder to this Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, whereupon such Permitted Transferee shall become a Holder hereunder. To the extent Holdings issues Partnership Interests and IPOco issues Class B Common Stock to a Person in the future, then the holder of such Partnership Interests and Class B Common Stock shall have the right to execute and deliver a joinder to this Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, whereupon such holder shall become a Holder hereunder. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent that a Permitted Transferee becomes a Holder hereunder pursuant to this Section 4.1 as a result of a Permitted Transfer of Paired Interests to such Permitted Transferee from Management Feeder as the transferor, such Permitted Transferee shall not be entitled to Exchange Paired Interests pursuant to Section 2 hereunder for one Business Day following such Permitted Transfer.

Section 4.2. Addresses and Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by courier service, by electronic mail or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be as specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 4.2):

 

9


  (a)

If to IPOco, to:

Core and Main, Inc.

1830 Craig Park Court

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

E-mail: X

Attention: General Counsel and Secretary

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Debevoise and Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue,

New York, New York 10022

E-mail: pmrodel@debevoise.com

Attention: Paul M. Rodel, Esq.

 

  (b)

If to Holdings, to:

Core & Main Holdings, LP

c/o Core and Main, Inc.

1830 Craig Park Court

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

E-mail: X

Attention: General Counsel and Secretary

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Debevoise and Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue,

New York, New York 10022

E-mail: pmrodel@debevoise.com

Attention: Paul M. Rodel, Esq.

 

  (c)

If to CD&R Waterworks Holdings, addressed to it at:

CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC

c/o Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC

375 Park Ave., 18th Floor

New York, New York 10152

E-mail: X

Attention: Rima Simson

and

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Debevoise and Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue,

New York, New York 10022

E-mail: pmrodel@debevoise.com

Attention: Paul M. Rodel, Esq.

 

10


  (d)

If to Management Feeder, addressed to it at:

Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC

c/o Core and Main, Inc.

1830 Craig Park Court

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

E-mail: X

Attention: General Counsel and Secretary

and

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Debevoise and Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue,

New York, New York 10022

E-mail: pmrodel@debevoise.com

Attention: Paul M. Rodel, Esq.

(e) If to any Holder other than the Continuing Limited Partners, to the address and other contact information set forth in the records of IPOco or Holdings from time to time.

Section 4.3. Further Action. The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

Section 4.4. Binding Effect. Except as herein otherwise specifically provided, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of all of the parties and, to the extent permitted by this Agreement, their successors, executors, administrators, heirs, legal representatives and assigns.

Section 4.5. Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

Section 4.6. Amendment. The provisions of this Agreement may be amended only by the affirmative vote or written consent of each of (i) IPOco, (ii) Holdings, (iii) the Continuing Limited Partners and (iv) the Holders of Partnership Interests holding a majority of the then outstanding Partnership Interests (excluding all Partnership Interests held by IPOco), except that any amendment materially detrimental to any Holder shall require the written consent of such Holder.

Section 4.7. Waiver. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

 

11


Section 4.8. Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

(a) The parties irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and of the federal courts sitting in the state of Delaware in connection with any action relating to this Agreement and each party agrees (i) to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, to appoint and maintain an agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process and notify the other parties hereto of the name and address of such agent, and (ii) that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, service of process may also be made on such party by prepaid certified mail with a proof of mailing receipt validated by the United States Postal Service constituting evidence of valid service, and that service made pursuant to (i) or (ii) above shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, have the same legal force and effect as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware. Any action against any party relating to the foregoing shall be brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery (or, solely if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over any action, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (Complex Commercial Division) or, if the subject matter jurisdiction over the action is vested exclusively in the federal courts of the United States of America, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware), and any appellate courts of any thereof. To the extent not prohibited by applicable law, each party hereto waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such proceeding brought in the above-named courts, any claim that such party is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of such courts, that such party’s property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that such proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of such proceeding is improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter thereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.

(b) TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY ISSUE OR ACTION, CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION OR SUIT (IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE), INQUIRY, PROCEEDING OR INVESTIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INFORMED BY THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO THAT THIS SECTION 4.8(b) CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT UPON WHICH THEY ARE RELYING AND WILL RELY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 4.8(b) WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

Section 4.9. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file) in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Copies of executed counterparts transmitted by telecopy, by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file or other electronic transmission service shall be considered original executed counterparts for purposes of this Section 4.9.

Section 4.10. Tax Treatment; Tax Withholding.

 

12


(a) For U.S. federal income tax purposes only, this Agreement shall be treated as part of the LP Agreement as described in Section 761(c) of the Code and Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(h) and 1.761-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. As required by the Code and the Treasury Regulations, the parties shall report any Exchange consummated hereunder as a taxable sale of the Partnership Interests and shares of Class B Common Stock by a Holder to IPOco, and no party shall take a contrary position on any income tax return, amendment thereof or any communication with a taxing authority unless an alternate position is permitted under the Code and Treasury Regulations and IPOco consents in writing.

(b) IPOco shall be entitled to deduct and withhold or cause to be deducted and withheld from any payment payable (or property deliverable) pursuant to this Agreement to a Holder such amounts (including Class A Common Stock with a fair market value equal to the amount of the applicable deduction or withholding, determined in accordance with the principles set forth in the definition of Liquidation Adjustment Price) as IPOco determines in good faith it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment (or delivery of such property) under the Code or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law; provided, however, that IPOco may, in its sole discretion, allow a Holder to pay amounts owed on an Exchange in cash in lieu of IPOco’s withholding or deducting such amounts (or property); provided, further, that prior to deducting or withholding any such amounts, IPOco shall notify the applicable Holder and shall consult in good faith with such Holder regarding the basis for such deduction or withholding. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Governmental Entity by IPOco, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to such Holder.

Section 4.11. Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms and provisions hereof, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

Section 4.12. Independent Nature of Holders’ Rights and Obligations. The obligations of each Holder hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Holder, and no Holder shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Holder under hereunder. The decision of each Holder to enter into to this Agreement has been made by such Holder independently of any other Holder. Nothing contained herein, and no action taken by any Holder pursuant hereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Holders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Holders are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 4.13. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. The parties hereto hereby declare that it is their intention that this Agreement shall be regarded as made under the laws of the State of Delaware and that the laws of said State shall be applied in interpreting its provisions in all cases where legal interpretation shall be required. Each of the parties hereto agrees (a) that this Agreement involves at least $100,000.00, and (b) that this Agreement has been entered into by the parties hereto in express reliance upon 6 Del. C. § 2708.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

13


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

 

CORE & MAIN, INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

  Name: Stephen O. LeClair
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
CORE & MAIN HOLDINGS, LP
By:  

/s/ Stephen O. LeClair

  Name: Stephen O. LeClair
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
CD&R WATERWORKS HOLDINGS, LLC
By: CD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P., its manager
By: CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Rima Simson

  Name: Rima Simson
  Title: Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
CORE & MAIN MANAGEMENT FEEDER, LLC
By:  

/s/ Mark R. Witkowski

  Name: Mark R. Witkowski
  Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Exchange Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF]

ELECTION OF EXCHANGE

Core & Main, Inc.

1830 Craig Park Court

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

Attention: General Counsel and Secretary

Core & Main Holdings, LP

Core & Main, Inc.

1830 Craig Park Court

St. Louis, Missouri 63146

Attention: General Counsel and Secretary

Reference is hereby made to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021 (the “Exchange Agreement”), among Core & Main, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Core & Main Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and the holders of Paired Interests (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Exchange Agreement.

The undersigned Holder hereby transfers and surrenders to IPOco the number of Paired Interests set forth below, for purposes of (a) the retirement of Class B Common Stock and (b) an Exchange of Partnership Interests for a Cash Exchange Payment to the account set forth below or for shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued in its name as set forth below, in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement.

Legal Name of Holder:                                                                                                          

Address:                                                                                                                                   

Number of Paired Interests to be Transferred:                                                                      

Conditions of Exchange (if any):                                                                                           

Cash Exchange Payment Instructions (if applicable):                                                          

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that (i) the undersigned has full legal capacity to execute and deliver this Election of Exchange and to perform the undersigned’s obligations hereunder; (ii) this Election of Exchange has been duly executed and delivered by the undersigned and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the undersigned enforceable against it in accordance with the terms thereof or hereof, as the case may be, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and the availability of equitable remedies; (iii) the shares of Class B Common Stock and Partnership Interests subject to this Election of Exchange are being transferred to IPOco free and clear of any pledge, lien, security interest, encumbrance, equities or claim; and (iv) no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of any third party or with any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the undersigned or the shares of Class B Common Stock or the Partnership Interests subject to this Election of Exchange is required to be obtained by the undersigned for the transfer of such shares of Class B Common Stock or Partnership Interests to IPOco.


The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints any officer of IPOco as the attorney of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and resubstitution in the premises, to do any and all things and to take any and all actions that may be necessary to transfer to IPOco the shares of Class B Common Stock and Partnership Interests subject to this Election of Exchange and to deliver to the undersigned the shares of Class A Common Stock or the Cash Exchange Payment to be delivered in Exchange therefor. Such appointment shall be coupled with an interest.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Election of Exchange to be executed and delivered by the undersigned or by its duly authorized attorney.

 

 

Name:

 

 

Dated:


EXHIBIT B

[FORM OF]

JOINDER AGREEMENT

This Joinder Agreement (“Joinder Agreement”) is a joinder to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021 (the “Agreement”), among Core & Main, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “IPOco”), Core & Main Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Holdings”), and the holders of Partnership Interests (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Joinder Agreement shall have their meanings given to them in the Agreement. This Joinder Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. In the event of any conflict between this Joinder Agreement and the Agreement, the terms of this Joinder Agreement shall control.

The undersigned, having acquired shares of Class B Common Stock and Partnership Interests, hereby joins and enters into the Agreement. By signing and returning this Joinder Agreement to IPOco, the undersigned (i) accepts and agrees to be bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of and agreements of a Holder contained in the Agreement, with all attendant rights, duties and obligations of a Holder thereunder and (ii) makes each of the representations and warranties of a Holder set forth in Section 3.2 of the Agreement as fully as if such representations and warranties were set forth herein. The parties to the Agreement shall treat the execution and delivery hereof by the undersigned as the execution and delivery of the Agreement by the undersigned and, upon receipt of this Joinder Agreement by IPOco and by Holdings, the signature of the undersigned set forth below shall constitute a counterpart signature to the signature page of the Agreement.

 

Name:                                                                  

Address for Notices:

    

With copies to:

                                                                          

 

                

  

                                                                          

                                                                          

 

                

  

                                                                          

                                                                          

 

                

  

                                                                          

Exhibit 10.9

Execution Version

FIRST AMENDMENT

FIRST AMENDMENT (this “First Amendment”), dated as of July 27, 2021, among CORE & MAIN LP, a Florida limited partnership (the “Borrower”), the several banks and financial institutions parties hereto and the Administrative Agent (as defined below).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Borrower has entered into that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2017 (as amended by the Lender Joinder Agreement, dated as of July 8, 2019, and as further amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the First Amendment Effective Date (as defined in Section 5(a) hereof), the “Existing Credit Agreement”; the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended pursuant to the Refinancing Amendments (as defined below), the “Refinanced Credit Agreement”; the Refinanced Credit Agreement, as amended pursuant to the Elective Amendments (as defined below), the “Initial Amended Credit Agreement”; the Initial Amended Credit Agreement, as amended pursuant to the Incremental Amendments (as defined below), the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and collateral agent (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with Subsection 2.11 of the Existing Credit Agreement, the Borrower has requested that Specified Refinancing Term Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $1,257,806,472.08 be made available to the Borrower, and the Tranche B Term Lenders (as defined in Section 2(c)(i) hereof) and the Administrative Agent have agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, (a) that each Tranche B Term Lender with a Tranche B Term Loan Commitment (as defined in Section 2(c)(i) hereof) will make Specified Refinancing Term Loans in the form of Tranche B Term Loans (as defined in Section 2(c)(i) hereof) in the amount of such Tranche B Term Loan Commitment, (b) that the proceeds of the Tranche B Term Loans provided by the New Tranche B Term Lenders (as defined in Section 2(c)(i) hereof), together with the proceeds of the Supplemental Term Loans (as defined below), will be used to (i) repay the Initial Term Loans outstanding on the date hereof that are not exchanged for Tranche B Term Loans pursuant to this First Amendment, (ii) to repay the Senior Notes, the Senior Add-on Notes and the Topco PIK Notes (each as defined in the Credit Agreement) and/or (iii) to pay fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing and (c) to amend the Existing Credit Agreement to the extent necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, to effect the Incurrence of the Tranche B Term Loans (such amendments, the “Refinancing Amendments”);

WHEREAS, certain Lenders holding Initial Term Loans (each, an “Existing Term Lender” and, collectively, the “Existing Term Lenders”) have elected, and the Borrower has agreed, to either (i) exchange (by exercising a cashless rollover option pursuant to Subsection 4.4(g) of the Existing Credit Agreement) their Initial Term Loans for Tranche B Term Loans and/or (ii) have their Initial Term Loans repaid, in each case, on the First Amendment Effective Date (as defined in Section 2(c)(i) hereof) by executing and delivering a Lender Signature Page to First Amendment in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto (an “Existing Lender Signature Page”);


WHEREAS, the Tranche B Term Lenders constitute the Required Lenders under the Refinanced Credit Agreement upon the First Amendment Effective Date after giving effect to the incurrence of Tranche B Term Loans and the repayment of Initial Term Loans outstanding on the date hereof that are not exchanged for Tranche B Term Loans pursuant to this First Amendment, and pursuant to and in accordance with Subsection 11.1(a) of the Refinanced Credit Agreement, each of the Tranche B Term Lenders and the Administrative Agent have agreed to amend the Refinanced Credit Agreement as set forth in Section 3 hereof (such amendments, the “Elective Amendments”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with Subsection 2.8 of the Initial Amended Credit Agreement, the Borrower has requested that the Persons set forth in Schedule A hereto (each, an “Incremental Term Lender”) make term loan commitments in an aggregate amount of $242,193,527.92 (the “Term Loan Commitment Increase”) to the Borrower on the First Amendment Effective Date, in each case subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein;

WHEREAS, each Incremental Term Lender and the Administrative Agent have agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Initial Amended Credit Agreement, that each Incremental Term Lender will make its Supplemental Term Commitment (as defined below) in an aggregate amount not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Incremental Term Lender’s name in Schedule A hereto (as to each such Incremental Term Lender, its “Supplemental Term Commitment”; term loans made by each Incremental Term Lender in respect thereof, its “Supplemental Term Loans”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with Subsection 2.8(c) of the Initial Amended Credit Agreement, the Borrower and the Incremental Term Lenders agree to amend the Initial Amended Credit Agreement as set forth in Section 4 hereof (such amendments, the “Incremental Amendments”), subject to the conditions set forth herein.

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

SECTION 1. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

 

2


SECTION 2. Agreements and Amendment of the Credit Agreement.

(a) Establishment of Tranche B Term Loans.

(i) The Tranche B Term Loans extended by the New Tranche B Term Lenders shall be deemed to be “Specified Refinancing Term Loans”, the New Tranche B Term Lenders shall be deemed to be “Specified Refinancing Lenders”, the Tranche B Term Loans representing the Original Initial Term Loans exchanged by the Existing Term Lenders by exercising a cashless rollover option pursuant to Subsection 4.4(g) of the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be “Rollover Indebtedness” and Section 2 of this First Amendment shall be deemed to be a “Specified Refinancing Amendment” and a “Loan Document”, in each case, for all purposes of the Credit Agreement, as amended by this First Amendment, and the other Loan Documents. The Borrower and the Administrative Agent hereby consent, pursuant to Subsections 11.6(b)(i) and 2.11(b) of the Credit Agreement, to the inclusion as an “Additional Specified Refinancing Lender” of each New Tranche B Term Lender that is party to this First Amendment that is not an existing Lender, an Affiliate of an existing Lender or an Approved Fund.

(b) Certain Agreements.

(i) Each Exchanging Term Lender hereby waives any right to receive any payments under Subsection 4.12 of the Credit Agreement as a result of the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions. It is understood and agreed that the Borrower, with the consent of the Administrative Agent, may elect on or prior to the First Amendment Effective Date that the Tranche B Term Loans for which the Original Initial Term Loans are exchanged be Eurodollar Loans having an Interest Period designated by the Borrower, regardless of whether the First Amendment Effective Date is the last day of an Interest Period with respect to such exchanged Original Initial Term Loans.

(ii) The Borrower hereby agrees that it shall, together with any prepayment of the Original Initial Term Loans pursuant to this First Amendment, pay to the Existing Term Lenders, on the First Amendment Effective Date, accrued and unpaid interest to the First Amendment Effective Date on the amount of Original Initial Term Loans prepaid or exchanged pursuant to this First Amendment.

(iii) The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the making of the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments, the funding of (or exchange of Initial Term Loans in lieu thereof for) the Tranche B Term Loans and the amendments to the Existing Credit Agreement effectuated by this First Amendment, shall occur in such order and such manner as set forth herein, except to the extent that the Existing Credit Agreement, the Refinanced Credit Agreement, the Initial Amended Credit Agreement or the Credit Agreement, as applicable, may otherwise so require in order to make such amendments effective or to consummate the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions, in which event they shall occur in such order or manner as shall be so required.

 

3


(c) Initial Amendments. Effective as of the First Amendment Effective Date upon the occurrence of the Refinancing Amendments Effective Time, the Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

 

  (i)

by adding the following new definitions to Subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement, to appear in proper alphabetical order:

“”Exchange Agreement”: the Exchange Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among Pubco, Topco and certain holders of Capital Stock in Topco from time to time party thereto, pursuant to which, among other things, such holders may exchange Capital Stock in Topco and Capital Stock in Pubco for Capital Stock in Pubco or, at the election of Pubco’s board of directors and subject to certain conditions, cash, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Exchanging Term Lender”: as defined in Subsection 2.1(c)(ii).

Existing Term Lenders”: those Lenders holding an Original Initial Term Loan immediately prior to the First Amendment Effective Date.

First Amendment”: the First Amendment, dated as of July 27, 2021, by and among the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

First Amendment Effective Date”: July 27, 2021.

New Tranche B Term Lenders”: as defined in Subsection 2.1(c)(i).

New Tranche B Term Loan”: as defined in Subsection 2.1(c)(i).

Non-Exchanging Term Lender”: as defined in Subsection 2.1(c)(ii).

Original Initial Term Loan”: as defined in Subsection 2.1(a).

Original Initial Term Loan Commitment”: as to any Lender, its obligation to make Original Initial Term Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Subsection 2.1(a) in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in Schedule A under the heading “Original Initial Term Loan Commitment”; collectively, as to all the Lenders, the “Original Initial Term Loan Commitments”. The original aggregate amount of the Original Initial Term Loan Commitments on the Closing Date is $1,075,000,000.

Original Initial Term Loan Maturity Date”: August 1, 2024.

Pubco”: Core & Main, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor in interest thereto.

Pubco IPO”: the Qualified IPO of Pubco relating to Pubco’s registration statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-256382).

Pubco Merger Sub 1”: Brooks Merger Sub 1, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor in interest thereto.

 

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Pubco Merger Sub 2”: Brooks Merger Sub 2, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor in interest thereto.

Pubco Merger Sub Mergers”: collectively, (i) the merger of Passthrough Holdings with and into New Blocker Holdings, with New Blocker Holdings being the survivor of such merger, (ii) the merger of Blocker Holdings with and into New Blocker, with New Blocker being the survivor of such merger, (iii) the merger of Pubco Merger Sub 1 with and into WW Advisor, with WW Advisor being the survivor of such merger and (iv) the merger of Pubco Merger Sub 2 with and into New Blocker Holdings, with New Blocker Holdings being the survivor of such merger.

Pubco Mergers”: collectively, (i) the merger of WW Advisor with and into Pubco, with Pubco being the survivor of such merger and (ii) the merger of New Blocker Holdings with and into Pubco, with Pubco being the survivor of such merger.

Reorganization Agreement”: the Master Reorganization Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among Topco, Pubco, Management Holdings, Waterworks Holdings LLC, certain CD&R Investors and other parties set forth in the preamble thereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Senior Add-on Notes”: Additional 6.125% Senior Notes due 2025 of the Borrower issued on June 5, 2020, as the same may be exchanged for substantially similar senior notes that have been registered under the Securities Act, and as the same or such substantially similar notes may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

Tax Receivables Agreements”: (i) that certain tax receivables agreement entered into in connection with the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions by and among Pubco, Topco, and certain limited partners of Topco and (ii) that certain tax receivables agreement entered into in connection with the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions by and among Pubco, Topco, and certain stockholders of Pubco, in either case of clause (i) or (ii), as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof.

Topco”: Core & Main Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto.

Topco PIK Notes”: 8.625%/9.375% Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2024 of Topco issued on September 16, 2019, as the same may be exchanged for substantially similar senior PIK toggle notes that have been registered under the Securities Act, and as the same or such substantially similar notes may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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Tranche B Effective Date Transactions”: collectively, any or all of the following (whether taking place prior to, on or following the First Amendment Effective Date): (i) the entry into the Reorganization Agreement, the Tax Receivables Agreements and the Exchange Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including those transactions described under the caption “The Reorganization Transactions” in the prospectus, dated July 22, 2021, relating to Pubco’s registration statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-256382) in the form filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act (including the Pubco Merger Sub Mergers and the Pubco Mergers), (ii) the Pubco IPO, resulting in Pubco issuing certain Capital Stock of Pubco being listed on a nationally recognized stock exchange in the U.S., (iii) the entry into the First Amendment and Incurrence of Tranche B Term Loans (including via an exchange of the Original Initial Term Loans for Tranche B Term Loans) thereunder, (iv) the entry into Amendment No. 3 to the Senior ABL Facility and any Incurrence of Indebtedness thereunder on the First Amendment Effective Date, (v) the repayment of the Original Initial Term Loans held by the Non-Exchanging Term Lenders or exchange by the Exchanging Term Lenders of the Original Initial Term Loans through a cashless rollover pursuant to Subsection 4.4(g), (vi) the repayment of the Senior Notes, the Senior Add-on Notes and the Topco PIK Notes, and (vii) all other transactions relating to any of the foregoing (including payment of fees, premiums and expenses related to any of the foregoing).

Tranche B Installment Date”: as defined in Subsection 2.2(b)(ii).

Tranche B Term Lender”: any Lender having a Tranche B Term Loan Commitment and/or a Tranche B Term Loan outstanding hereunder.

Tranche B Term Loan”: as defined in Subsection 2.1(b)(i).

Tranche B Term Loan Commitment”: as to any Lender, its obligation to make Tranche B Term Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Subsection 2.1(b) in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in Schedule A-1 under the heading “Tranche B Term Loan Commitment” or, in the case of any Lender that is an Assignee, the amount of the assigning Lender’s Tranche B Term Loan Commitment assigned to such Assignee pursuant to Subsection 11.6(b) (in each case as such amount may be adjusted from time to time as provided herein); collectively, as to all the Lenders, the “Tranche B Term Loan Commitments”. The original aggregate amount of the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments on the First Amendment Effective Date, immediately after giving effect to the First Amendment, is $1,500,000,000.

 

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Tranche B Term Loan Maturity Date”: July 27, 2028.

Waterworks Holdings LLC”: CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

WW Advisor”: CD&R WW Advisor, LLC, Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

 

  (ii)

by amending and restating the following definitions in their entirety appearing in Subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement as follows:

“”Extension of Credit”: as to any Lender, the making of an Original Initial Term Loan (excluding any Supplemental Term Loans being made under the Original Initial Term Loan Tranche), a Tranche B Term Loan (excluding any Supplemental Term Loans being made under the Tranche B Term Loan Tranche) or an Incremental Revolving Loan (other than the initial extension of credit thereunder).

Facility”: each of (a) the Original Initial Term Loan Commitments and the Extensions of Credit made thereunder (the “Initial Term Loan Facility”), (b) the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments and the Extensions of Credit made thereunder, (c) Incremental Term Loans of the same Tranche, (d) Incremental Revolving Commitments of the same Tranche and Extensions of Credit made thereunder, (e) any Extended Term Loans of the same Extension Series and (f) any Specified Refinancing Term Loans of the same Tranche (other than Tranche B Term Loans), and collectively the “Facilities.”

Initial Term Loan”: collectively, the Original Initial Term Loans and the Tranche B Term Loans.

Initial Term Loan Commitment”: as to any Lender, the Original Initial Term Loan Commitment (if any) and the Tranche B Term Loan Commitment (if any).

Initial Term Loan Maturity Date”: (a) prior to the First Amendment Effective Date, the Original Initial Term Loan Maturity Date and (b) from and after the First Amendment Effective Date, the Tranche B Term Loan Maturity Date.

 

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Tranche”: (i) with respect to Term Loans or commitments, refers to whether such Term Loans or commitments are (1) Original Initial Term Loans or Original Initial Term Loan Commitments, (2) Tranche B Term Loans or Tranche B Term Loan Commitments, (3) Incremental Loans or Incremental Term Loan Commitments with the same terms and conditions made on the same day and any Supplemental Term Loans added to such Tranche pursuant to Subsection 2.8, (4) Extended Term Loans (of the same Extension Series) or (5) Specified Refinancing Term Loan Facilities with the same terms and conditions made on the same day and any Supplemental Term Loans added to such Tranche pursuant to Subsection 2.8 (excluding Tranche B Term Loans and Tranche B Term Loan Commitments) and (ii) with respect to Revolving Loans or commitments, refers to whether such Revolving Loans or commitments are Incremental Revolving Commitments or Incremental Revolving Loans with the same terms and conditions made on the same day pursuant to Subsection 2.8.”;

 

  (iii)

by amending the definition of “Adjusted LIBOR Rate” by (x) replacing the reference to “Initial Term Loans” therein with “Original Initial Term Loans”, (y) adding “(x)” at the beginning of clause (ii) therein and (z) adding “, and (y) solely with respect to the Tranche B Term Loans, 0.00%” at the end of clause (ii) thereof;

 

  (iv)

by amending the definition of “Applicable Margin” by (x) replacing each reference to “Initial Term Loans” therein with “Original Initial Term Loans”, (y) adding “(a)” immediately after the phrase “in respect of” in the first sentence thereof and (z) adding “, and (b) Tranche B Term Loans (i) with respect to ABR Loans, 1.50% per annum, and (ii) with respect to Eurodollar Loans, 2.50% per annum” at the end of the first sentence thereof;

 

  (v)

by amending the definition of “Pricing Grid” by replacing the reference to “Initial Term Loans” therein with “Original Initial Term Loans”;

 

  (vi)

by amending and restating in its entirety Subsection 2.1(a) of the Credit Agreement as follows:

“(a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender holding an Original Initial Term Loan Commitment severally agrees to make, in Dollars, in a single draw on the Closing Date, one or more term loans (each, an “Original Initial Term Loan”) to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in Schedule A under the heading “Original Initial Term Loan Commitment”, as such amount may be adjusted or reduced pursuant to the terms hereof, which Original Initial Term Loans:

 

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(i) except as hereinafter provided, shall, at the option of the Borrower, be incurred and maintained as, and/or converted into, ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans; and

(ii) shall be made by each such Lender in an aggregate principal amount which does not exceed the Original Initial Term Loan Commitment of such Lender.

Without limitation of Subsections 2.8 and 8.1(b)(i), once repaid, Original Initial Term Loans incurred hereunder may not be reborrowed. On the Closing Date (after giving effect to the incurrence of Original Initial Term Loans on such date), the Original Initial Term Loan Commitments of each Lender shall terminate.”;

 

  (vii)

by amending Subsection 2.1 of the Credit Agreement to add a new subclause (b) as follows:

“(b) (i) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender listed on Schedule A-1 under the heading “Tranche B Term Loan Commitment” attached hereto (the “New Tranche B Term Lenders”) severally agrees to make, in Dollars, in a single draw on the First Amendment Effective Date, one or more term loans (each, a “New Tranche B Term Loan” and, collectively with the term loans representing the Original Initial Term Loans exchanged by the Existing Term Lenders by exercising a cashless rollover pursuant to Subsection 4.4(g), the “Tranche B Term Loans”) to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in Schedule A-1 under the heading “Tranche B Term Loan Commitment”, as such amount may be adjusted or reduced pursuant to the terms hereof; provided that Exchanging Term Lenders shall make their respective Tranche B Term Loans by exchanging their Original Initial Term Loans for Tranche B Term Loans constituting Rollover Indebtedness in lieu of their pro rata portion of the prepayment of Original Initial Term Loans pursuant to Subsection 4.4(g).

(ii) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, on the First Amendment Effective Date, upon execution of the First Amendment by an Existing Term Lender and the indication on such Lender’s signature page that such Existing Term Lender elects to exchange, through a cashless rollover pursuant to Subsection 4.4(g), all of such Lender’s Original Initial Term Loans for Tranche B Term Loans (each such Existing Term Lender, an “Exchanging Term Lender”, and each Existing Term Lender other than an Exchanging Lender, a “Non-Exchanging Term Lender”), the amount of Original Initial Term Loans held by such Exchanging Term Lender (or such lesser amount allocated to such Lender by the Administrative Agent) shall be exchanged for Tranche B Term Loans. For the avoidance of doubt, such Tranche B Term Loans held by an Exchanging Term Lender shall constitute “Rollover Indebtedness” for all purposes under this Agreement.

 

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(iii) The Tranche B Term Loans, except as hereinafter provided, shall, at the option of the Borrower be incurred and maintained as, and/or converted into, ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans.

Without limitation of Subsections 2.8 and 8.1(b)(i), once repaid, Tranche B Term Loans incurred hereunder may not be reborrowed. On the First Amendment Effective Date (after giving effect to the incurrence of Tranche B Term Loans on such date), the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments of each Tranche B Term Lender shall terminate.”;

(viii) by amending and restating in its entirety Subsection 2.2(a) of the Credit Agreement as follows:

(a) The Borrower agrees that, upon the request to the Administrative Agent by any Lender made on or prior to the Closing Date (in the case of requests relating to Loans other than the Tranche B Term Loans) or the First Amendment Effective Date (in the case of requests relating to the Tranche B Term Loans) or in connection with any assignment pursuant to Subsection 11.6(b), in order to evidence such Lender’s Loan, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit A (each, as amended, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, a “Note”, and, collectively, the “Notes”), in each case with appropriate insertions therein as to payee, date and principal amount, payable to such Lender and in a principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the applicable Loans made (or acquired by assignment pursuant to Subsection 11.6(b)) by such Lender to the Borrower. Each Note shall be dated the Closing Date; provided, that each Note in respect of a Tranche B Term Loan shall be dated the First Amendment Effective Date. Each Note shall be payable as provided in Subsection 2.2(b) and provide for the payment of interest in accordance with Subsection 4.1.

 

  (ix)

by amending Subsection 2.2(b) of the Credit Agreement to (x) designate Subsection 2.2(b) as a new subclause (i), (y) replace each reference to “Initial Term Loans” with “Original Initial Term Loans” and (z) replace each reference to “Initial Term Loan Maturity Date” with “Original Initial Term Loan Maturity Date”;

 

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  (x)

by amending Subsection 2.2(b) of the Credit Agreement to add a new subclause (ii) as follows:

“(ii) The Tranche B Term Loans of all the Lenders shall be payable in consecutive quarterly installments beginning on October 29, 2021 up to and including the Tranche B Term Loan Maturity Date (subject to reduction as provided in Subsection 4.4), on the dates (each such date, a “Tranche B Installment Date”) and in the principal amounts, subject to adjustment as set forth below, equal to the respective amounts set forth below (together with all accrued interest thereon) opposite the applicable Tranche B Installment Dates (or, if less, the aggregate amount of such Tranche B Term Loans then outstanding):

 

Date

  

Amount

The last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter ending prior to the Tranche B Term Loan Maturity Date    0.25% of the aggregate initial principal amount of the Tranche B Term Loans on the First Amendment Effective Date
Tranche B Term Loan Maturity Date    All unpaid aggregate principal amounts of any outstanding Tranche B Term Loans

“;

 

  (xi)

by amending Subsection 2.3 of the Credit Agreement by adding the words “or the First Amendment Effective Date, as applicable,” after the words “Closing Date” in the first and third sentences thereof;

 

  (xii)

by amending Subsection 4.4(a) of the Credit Agreement by (x) replacing the reference to “Initial Term Loans” in the last sentence thereof with “Original Initial Term Loans” and (y) inserting the following as the new last sentence thereof:

“Each prepayment of Tranche B Term Loans pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(a) made prior to the date that is six months after the First Amendment Effective Date in an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from its incurrence of new Indebtedness under first lien secured bank financing in a Repricing Transaction shall be accompanied by the payment of the fee required by Subsection 4.5(b)(ii).”;

 

  (xiii)

by amending Subsection 4.4(e) of the Credit Agreement by inserting the following new sentence before the last sentence thereof:

 

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“Each prepayment of Tranche B Term Loans pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(e)(ii)(A), but not any other prepayment of Tranche B Term Loans pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e) made prior to the date that is six months after the First Amendment Effective Date in an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from its incurrence of new Indebtedness under first lien secured bank financing in a Repricing Transaction shall be accompanied by the payment of the fee required by Subsection 4.5(b)(ii).”

 

  (xiv)

by amending Subsection 4.5(b)(i) of the Credit Agreement to replace each reference to “Initial Term Loans” with “Original Initial Term Loans”;

 

  (xv)

by amending Subsection 4.5(b) of the Credit Agreement to add a new subclause (ii) as follows:

“(ii) If, prior to the date that is six months after the First Amendment Effective Date, the Borrower makes an optional prepayment or mandatory prepayment pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e)(ii)(A) of all or a portion of the Tranche B Term Loans in an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from its incurrence of new Indebtedness under first lien secured bank financing in a Repricing Transaction, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each Lender, a prepayment premium of 1.0% of the aggregate principal amount of Tranche B Term Loans being prepaid. If, prior to the date that is six months after the First Amendment Effective Date, any Lender is replaced pursuant to Subsection 11.1(g) in connection with any amendment of this Agreement (including in connection with any refinancing transaction permitted under Subsection 11.6(g) to replace the Tranche B Term Loans) that results in a Repricing Transaction, such Lender (and not any Person who replaces such Lender pursuant to Subsection 2.10(e) or 11.1(g)) shall receive a fee equal to 1.0% of the principal amount of the Tranche B Term Loans of such Lender assigned to a replacement Lender pursuant to Subsection 2.10(e) or 11.1(g).”;

 

  (xvi)

by amending Subsection 5.16 of the Credit Agreement by (x) replacing the reference to “Initial Term Loans” in clause (i) of the first sentence thereof with “Original Initial Term Loans”, (y) deleting the reference to “and (ii)” in the first sentence thereof and replacing it with “, (ii) in the case of the Tranche B Term Loans, to effect, in part, the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions, and to pay certain fees, premiums and expenses relating thereto and (iii)” and (z) adding the words “other than those described in clauses (i) and (ii),” after the words “other Term Loans,”;

 

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  (xvii)

by amending Subsection 11.2(a) of the Credit Agreement by deleting the reference to “Schedule A” and replacing it with “Schedules A and A-1”; and

 

  (xviii) 

by amending the Schedules to the Credit Agreement by (x) amending Schedule A by deleting the reference to “Initial Term Loan Commitment” therein and replacing it with “Original Initial Term Loan Commitment” and (y) adding Annex I hereto as new Schedule A-1.

SECTION 3. Further Amendments.

(a) Pursuant to and in accordance with Subsection 11.1(a) of the Credit Agreement, effective as of the Elective Amendments Effective Time, the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended to delete the stricken text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text) and to add the double-underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double-underlined text) as set forth in the pages of the Initial Amended Credit Agreement attached as Exhibit B hereto, which such Initial Amended Credit Agreement shall supersede the Existing Credit Agreement and the Refinanced Credit Agreement.

SECTION 4. Increase Supplement.

(a) This Section 4 of this First Amendment constitutes an Increase Supplement pursuant to Subsection 2.8(c) of the Initial Amended Credit Agreement.

(b) The Supplemental Term Loans made by each Incremental Term Lender are hereby established as and shall constitute “Supplemental Term Loans” and the Supplemental Term Loan Commitments made by each Incremental Term Lender are hereby established as and shall constitute “Supplemental Term Loan Commitments”, in each case pursuant to Subsection 2.8 of the Initial Amended Credit Agreement.

SECTION 5. Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness.

(a) Effectiveness of Refinancing Amendments. The effectiveness of the Refinancing Amendments, including the obligation of each Tranche B Term Lender to make, or exchange its Original Initial Term Loan for, a Tranche B Term Loan, shall become effective on the date (the “First Amendment Effective Date”) and at the time (the “Refinancing Amendments Effective Time”) on and at which each of the following conditions is satisfied or waived:

(i) Amendment. The Administrative Agent shall have received the following, each of which shall be originals or facsimiles or “.pdf” or “tiff” files unless otherwise specified, each dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date:

 

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  (i)

this First Amendment executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower, each Tranche B Term Lender (which, in the case of Tranche B Term Lenders, may be in the form of an Existing Lender Signature Page) and each Incremental Term Lender; and

 

  (ii)

the Acknowledgment and Consent attached to this First Amendment (the “Acknowledgment”), executed by each Guarantor.

(ii) Legal Opinions. The Administrative Agent shall have received the following executed legal opinions, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

 

  (i)

executed legal opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, counsel to the Borrower and the other Loan Parties; and

 

  (ii)

executed legal opinion of Holland & Knight LLP, special Florida counsel to certain of the Loan Parties.

(iii) Officer’s Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from the Borrower, dated the First Amendment Effective Date, certifying the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in clauses (vi) and (vii) below.

(iv) Fees. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Bank of America, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Truist Securities, Inc., US Bank National Association, Credit Suisse Loan Funding LLC, Natixis, New York Branch, Nomura Securities International, Inc., Commerce Bank and Citizens Bank, N.A., each as a joint lead arranger and bookrunner in connection with the First Amendment, and the Administrative Agent shall have received all fees related to this First Amendment payable to them to the extent due (which may be offset against the proceeds of the Tranche B Term Loans).

(v) Secretary’s Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from the Borrower, dated the First Amendment Effective Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit F to the Credit Agreement, with appropriate insertions and attachments of resolutions or other actions, evidence of incumbency and the signature of authorized signatories and Organizational Documents, executed by a Responsible Officer and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary or other authorized representative.

(vi) No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the First Amendment Effective Date or after giving effect to the making of the Tranche B Term Loans on the First Amendment Effective Date.

(vii) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties set forth in Section 6 hereof shall, except to the extent that they relate to a particular date, be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the First Amendment Effective Date as if made on and as of such date.

 

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(viii) Refinancing. All amounts outstanding (other than contingent obligations) under the Senior Notes, the Senior Add-on Notes and the Topco PIK Notes (each as defined in the Credit Agreement), in each case shall have been or, substantially concurrently with the initial funding of the Tranche B Term Loans by the Tranche B Term Lenders hereunder shall be, repaid, redeemed, defeased, terminated or otherwise discharged (or notice for the repayment, redemption, defeasance, termination or discharge thereof has been given).

(ix) IPO. The Pubco IPO (as defined in the Credit Agreement) shall have been or, substantially concurrently with the initial funding of the Tranche B Term Loans by the Tranche B Term Lenders hereunder shall be, consummated and the gross proceeds thereof shall be at least $600,000,000.

The making of, or exchange of an Original Initial Term Loan for, Tranche B Term Loans by the Tranche B Term Lenders hereunder shall conclusively be deemed to constitute an acknowledgment by the Administrative Agent, and each Tranche B Term Lender and each Incremental Term Lender that each of the conditions precedent set forth in this Section 5(a) shall have been satisfied in accordance with its respective terms or shall have been irrevocably waived by such Person.

(b) Effectiveness of Elective Amendments. The Elective Amendments shall become effective on the First Amendment Effective Date at the time (the “Elective Amendments Effective Time”) immediately following the occurrence of the Refinancing Amendments Effective Time.

(c) Effectiveness of Incremental Amendments. The Incremental Amendments shall become effective on the First Amendment Effective Date at the time (the “Incremental Amendments Effective Time”) immediately following the occurrence of the Elective Amendments Effective Time.

The execution and delivery of this First Amendment by the Administrative Agent, the Tranche B Term Lenders and the Incremental Term Lenders shall conclusively be deemed to constitute an acknowledgment by the Administrative Agent and each Tranche B Term Lender and each Incremental Term Lender that each of the conditions precedent set forth in this Section 5(b) and (c) of this First Amendment shall have been satisfied in accordance with its respective terms or shall have been irrevocably waived by such Person.

SECTION 6. Representations and Warranties. In order to induce the Tranche B Term Lenders and the Incremental Term Lenders to consent to this First Amendment and to make or exchange its Original Initial Term Loans for its respective Tranche B Term Loans and Supplemental Term Loans, the Borrower with respect to itself and its Restricted Subsidiaries represents and warrants to each of the Tranche B Term Lenders, the Incremental Term Lenders and the Agents that on and as of the date hereof after giving effect to this First Amendment:

 

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(a) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party party hereto of this First Amendment is within such Loan Party’s corporate or other organizational powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and will not (i) violate any Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation of such Loan Party in any respect that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any of such Loan Party’s properties or revenues pursuant to any such Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation;

(b) this First Amendment constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party hereto, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable domestic or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law); and

(c) after giving effect to the amendments set forth in this First Amendment, each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party pursuant to the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document (or in any amendment, modification or supplement thereto) to which it is a party, and each of the representations and warranties contained in any certificate furnished at any time by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document are, except to the extent that they relate to a particular date, true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof.

SECTION 7. Effects on Loan Documents; Acknowledgment.

(a) Except as expressly set forth herein, this First Amendment (i) shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair, constitute a waiver of or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Loan Parties under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, and (ii) shall not alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other provision of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document. Each and every term, condition, obligation, covenant and agreement contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document is hereby ratified and re-affirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect and nothing herein can or may be construed as a novation thereof. Each Loan Party reaffirms its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is party and the validity, enforceability and perfection of the Liens granted by it pursuant to the Security Documents on the First Amendment Effective Date. This First Amendment shall constitute a Loan Document for purposes of the Credit Agreement and from and after the First Amendment Effective Date, all references to the Credit Agreement in any Loan Document and all references in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall, unless expressly provided otherwise, refer to the Credit Agreement as amended by this First Amendment. Each of the Loan Parties hereby consents to this First Amendment and confirms that all obligations of such Loan Party under the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party shall continue to apply to the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby.

 

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(b) Without limiting the foregoing, each of the Loan Parties party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and the other Security Documents, in each case as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, hereby (i) acknowledges and agrees that the Tranche B Term Loans and Supplemental Term Loans are Term Loans and the Tranche B Term Lenders and Incremental Term Lenders are Lenders, (ii) acknowledges and agrees that all of its obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and the other Security Documents to which it is a party are reaffirmed and remain in full force and effect on a continuous basis, (iii) reaffirms each Lien granted by such Loan Party to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and reaffirms the guaranties made pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, (iv) acknowledges and agrees that the grants of security interests by and the guaranties of such Loan Party contained in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and the other Security Documents are, and shall remain, in full force and effect after giving effect to the First Amendment and (v) agrees that the Borrower Obligations and the Guarantor Obligations (each as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) include, among other things and without limitation, the prompt and complete payment and performance by the Borrower when due and payable (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of principal and interest on, the Tranche B Term Loans and Supplemental Loans.

SECTION 8. Lender Consents and Authorization.

(a) Each Tranche B Term Lender and Incremental Term Lender party hereto (i) represents and warrants that it is legally authorized to enter into this First Amendment; (ii) confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the financial statements referred to in Subsections 5.1 and 7.1 of the Credit Agreement and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this First Amendment; (iii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; (iv) appoints and authorizes each applicable Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and discretion under the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto as are delegated to each such Agent, as applicable, by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are incidental thereto; (v) hereby affirms the acknowledgments and representations of such Tranche B Term Lender and Incremental Term Lender party hereto as a Lender contained in Subsection 10.5 of the Credit Agreement; provided, however, that the reference to the “Confidential Information Memorandum” in the second sentence thereof shall instead refer to that certain Lender Presentation dated June, 2021 and furnished to the lenders on June 2, 2021; and (vi) agrees that it will be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and will perform in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement all the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender, including its obligations pursuant to Subsection 11.16 of the Credit Agreement, and, if it is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States, its obligations pursuant to Subsection 4.11(b) of the Credit Agreement.

 

17


(b) Each Tranche B Term Lender and Incremental Term Lender party hereto has delivered or shall deliver herewith to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent such forms, certificates or other evidence with respect to United States federal income tax withholding matters as such Tranche B Term Lender and Incremental Term Lender party hereto may be required to deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent pursuant to Subsection 4.11 of the Credit Agreement.

(c) Upon execution, delivery and effectiveness hereof, the Administrative Agent will record the Tranche B Term Loans of each Tranche B Term Lender party hereto and the Supplemental Term Loans of each Incremental Term Lender party hereto in the Register.

SECTION 9. Expenses. The Borrower agrees to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent in accordance with Subsection 11.5 of the Credit Agreement for (1) all of its reasonable and documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with this First Amendment, any other documents prepared in connection herewith and the transactions contemplated hereby, and (2) the reasonable and documented and invoiced fees and disbursements of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, as counsel to the Administrative Agent (and, for the avoidance of doubt, not of counsel to any other Lender).

SECTION 10. Counterparts. This First Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this First Amendment by facsimile transmission, email or other electronic transmission (e.g., a “pdf”, “tiff” or DocuSign) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof. For purposes hereof, the words “execution,” “execute,” “executed,” “signed,” “signature” and words of like import shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formulations on electronic platforms, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act.

SECTION 11. Governing Law. THIS FIRST AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS FIRST AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ITS PRINCIPLES OR RULES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT SUCH PRINCIPLES OR RULES ARE NOT MANDATORILY APPLICABLE BY STATUTE AND WOULD REQUIRE OR PERMIT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

 

18


SECTION 12. Headings. The headings of this First Amendment are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

19


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Amendment to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

CORE & MAIN LP
By:  

/s/ Mark R. Witkowski

Name: Mark R. Witkowski
Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

[Core & Main - Signature Page to First Amendment to Term Loan Credit Agreement]


Acknowledgment and Consent

Each Guarantor acknowledges and consents to each of the foregoing provisions of this First Amendment. Each Guarantor further acknowledges and agrees that all Obligations under the Credit Agreement as modified by this First Amendment shall be fully guaranteed and secured pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement in accordance with the terms and provisions thereof.

 

CORE & MAIN MIDCO, LLC
By:  

/s/ Mark R. Witkowski

Name:   Mark R. Witkowski
Title:   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
CORE & MAIN INTERMEDIATE GP, LLC
By:  

/s/ Mark R. Witkowski

Name:   Mark R. Witkowski
Title:   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

[Core & Main - Signature Page to First Amendment to Term Loan Credit Agreement]


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent, New Tranche B Term Lender and Incremental Term Lender
By:  

/s/ James Shender

Name:   James Shender
Title:   Executive Director

 

[Core & Main - Signature Page to First Amendment to Term Loan Credit Agreement]


[LENDER SIGNATURE PAGES ON FILE WITH ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT]

 

[Core & Main - Signature Page to First Amendment to Term Loan Credit Agreement]


Exhibit A

Form of Lender Signature Page to First Amendment

The undersigned, a Lender holding Original Initial Term Loans (“you”), hereby consents to the First Amendment to which this Existing Lender Signature Page to First Amendment is attached and which will amend the Credit Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2017 (as amended by the Lender Joinder Agreement, dated as of July 8, 2019, and as further amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Existing Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and collateral agent, and which is dated as of the date first above written and to be entered into among the Borrower, the several banks and financial institutions parties thereto as Lenders and the Administrative Agent (the “First Amendment”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the First Amendment or the Existing Credit Agreement, as applicable.

If you are an Existing Term Lender, you, if and only if you indicate below, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approve of, and consent to, the First Amendment, and to the attachment of this Existing Lender Signature Page to the First Amendment, and hereby agree that all parties to the First Amendment are express third party beneficiaries of this Existing Lender Signature Page to First Amendment and hereby further agree as follows:

[Check ONLY ONE of the two boxes below]

 

 

CASHLESS ROLLOVER OPTION

Each undersigned Existing Term Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves of, and consents to, the First Amendment and the exchange (on a cashless basis) of 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Original Initial Term Loans held by such Lender for a Tranche B Term Loan in a like principal amount. By choosing this option, each undersigned Lender hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect not to exchange any amount of such Lender’s Original Initial Term Loans for Tranche B Term Loans or to exchange (on a cashless basis) less than 100% of the principal amount of such Lender’s Original Initial Term Loans for Tranche B Term Loans, in which case the difference between the current principal amount of such Lender’s Original Initial Term Loans and the allocated principal amount of Tranche B Term Loans will be prepaid on, and subject to the occurrence of, the First Amendment Effective Date.

 

Lender

   Amount of Original Initial Term Loans  
  
  
  
  
  

Total

  


 

CASH SETTLEMENT OPTION

The undersigned Existing Term Lender hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves of, and consents to, the First Amendment and having 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Original Initial Term Loans held by such Existing Term Lender repaid on the First Amendment Effective Date and to purchase by assignment Tranche B Term Loans in a like principal amount. By choosing this option, each undersigned Lender hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect not to allocate to such Lender or to allocate less than 100% of the principal amount of such Lender’s Original Initial Term Loans in Tranche B Term Loans.

 

Lender

   Amount of Original Initial Term Loans  
  
  
  
  
  

Total

  

[Signature Page Follows]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Existing Lender Signature Page to the First Amendment to be duly executed and delivered by its proper and duly authorized officer(s).

 

[NAME OF INSTITUTION]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
If a second signature is necessary:
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Name of Fund Manager (if any):                                                          


Schedule A

Supplemental Term Commitments

 

LENDER

   COMMITMENT  

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

   $ 242,193,527.92  

TOTAL:

   $ 242,193,527.92  


Annex I

Schedule A-1

Tranche B Term Loan Commitments

 

LENDER

   TRANCHE B TERM LOAN
COMMITMENT
 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

   $ 960,129,951.78  

Exchanging Term Lenders

   $ 539,870,048.22  

TOTAL:

   $ 1,500,000,000.00  


Exhibit B

Initial Amended Credit Agreement

(See attached)


$1,075,000,000

TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT

among

CD&R WATERWORKS MERGER SUB, LLC,

to be merged with and into

HD SUPPLY WATERWORKS, LTD.,

as Borrower,

THE LENDERS

FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent,

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED,

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,

NATIXIS, NEW YORK BRANCH AND

NOMURA SECURITIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

dated as of August 1, 2017

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

         Page  
  SECTION 1   
  Definitions   

1.1

  Defined Terms      1  

1.2

  Other Definitional and Interpretive Provisions      8294  
  SECTION 2   
  Amount and Terms of Commitments   

2.1

  Initial Term Loans      8698  

2.2

  Notes      8699  

2.3

  Procedure for Initial Term Loan Borrowing      87100  

2.4

  [Reserved]      87101  

2.5

  Repayment of Loans      87101  

2.6

  [Reserved]      88102  

2.7

  [Reserved]      88102  

2.8

  Incremental Facilities      88102  

2.9

  Permitted Debt Exchanges      92106  

2.10

  Extension of Term Loans      94108  

2.11

  Specified Refinancing Facilities      97112  
  SECTION 3   
  [Reserved]   
  SECTION 4   
  General Provisions Applicable to Loans   

4.1

  Interest Rates and Payment Dates      99114  

4.2

  Conversion and Continuation Options      100115  

 

(i)


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

         Page  

4.3

  Minimum Amounts; Maximum Sets      101115  

4.4

  Optional and Mandatory Prepayments      101116  

4.5

  Administrative Agent’s Fee; Other Fees      114129  

4.6

  Computation of Interest and Fees      114130  

4.7

  Inability to Determine Interest Rate      115131  

4.8

  Pro Rata Treatment and Payments      115131  

4.9

  Illegality      117133  

4.10

  Requirements of Law      117133  

4.11

  Taxes      119135  

4.12

  Indemnity      124141  

4.13

  Certain Rules Relating to the Payment of Additional Amounts      125141  

4.14

  Defaulting Lender      127143  
 

SECTION 5

  
 

Representations and Warranties

  

5.1

  Financial Condition      128144  

5.2

  No Change; Solvent      128145  

5.3

  Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law      129145  

5.4

  Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations      129145  

5.5

  No Legal Bar      130146  

5.6

  No Material Litigation      130146  

5.7

  No Default      130146  

5.8

  Ownership of Property; Liens      130146  

5.9

  Intellectual Property      130146  

5.10

  Taxes      131147  

 

(ii)


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

         Page  

5.11

  Federal Regulations      131147  

5.12

  ERISA      131147  

5.13

  Collateral      132148  

5.14

  Investment Company Act; Other Regulations      132149  

5.15

  Subsidiaries      133149  

5.16

  Purpose of Loans      133149  

5.17

  Environmental Matters      133149  

5.18

  No Material Misstatements      134150  

5.19

  Labor Matters      134150  

5.20

  Insurance      134151  

5.21

  Anti-Terrorism      135151  
  SECTION 6   
  Conditions Precedent   

6.1

  Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit      135151  
  SECTION 7   
  Affirmative Covenants   

7.1

  Financial Statements      139155  

7.2

  Certificates; Other Information      142158  

7.3

  Payment of Taxes      143159  

7.4

  Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence; Compliance with Contractual Obligations and Requirements of Law      143159  

7.5

  Maintenance of Property; Insurance      143160  

7.6

  Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions      144160  

7.7

  Notices      145161  

 

(iii)


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

         Page  

7.8

  Environmental Laws      146162  

7.9

  After-Acquired Real Property and Fixtures; Subsidiaries      146163  

7.10

  Use of Proceeds      149166  

7.11

  Commercially Reasonable Efforts to Maintain Ratings      149166  

7.12

  Accounting Changes      149166  

7.13

  Post-Closing Security Perfection      149166  
  SECTION 8   
  Negative Covenants   

8.1

  Limitation on Indebtedness      150167  

8.2

  Limitation on Restricted Payments      156174  

8.3

  Limitation on Restrictive Agreements      161180  

8.4

  Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock      164183  

8.5

  Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates      167186  

8.6

  Limitation on Liens      169188  

8.7

  Limitation on Fundamental Changes      170189  

8.8

  Change of Control; Limitation on Amendments      171191  

8.9

  Limitation on Lines of Business      172192  
  SECTION 9   
  Events of Default   

9.1

  Events of Default      173192  

9.2

  Remedies Upon an Event of Default      176196  
  SECTION 10   
  The Agents and the Other Representatives   

10.1

  Appointment      176196  

 

(iv)


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

         Page  

10.2

  The Administrative Agent and Affiliates      177197  

10.3

  Action by an Agent      177197  

10.4

  Exculpatory Provisions      178197  

10.5

  Acknowledgement and Representations by Lenders      179198  

10.6

  Indemnity; Reimbursement by Lenders      179200  

10.7

  Right to Request and Act on Instructions      180201  

10.8

  Collateral Matters      181202  

10.9

  Successor Agent      183205  

10.10

  [Reserved]      183206  

10.11

  Withholding Tax      184206  

10.12

  Other Representatives      184206  

10.13

  Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim      184206  

10.14

  Application of Proceeds      185207  

10.15

  Certain ERISA Matters      208  
  SECTION 11   
  Miscellaneous   

11.1

  Amendments and Waivers      186209  

11.2

  Notices      190216  

11.3

  No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies      192218  

11.4

  Survival of Representations and Warranties      192218  

11.5

  Payment of Expenses and Taxes      192219  

11.6

  Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments      194220  

11.7

  Adjustments; Set-off; Calculations; Computations      207234  

11.8

  Judgment      207234  

 

(v)


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

         Page  

11.9

  Counterparts      208235  

11.10

  Severability      208235  

11.11

  Integration      208235  

11.12

  Governing Law      208235  

11.13

  Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers      209235  

11.14

  Acknowledgements      210236  

11.15

  Waiver of Jury Trial      210237  

11.16

  Confidentiality      210237  

11.17

  Incremental Indebtedness; Additional Indebtedness      211238  

11.18

  USA PATRIOT Act Notice      212238  

11.19

  Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents      212239  

11.20

  Reinstatement      212239  

11.21

  Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEAAffected Financial Institutions      212239  

11.22

  [Reserved]      240  

11.23

  Recognition of U.S. Special Resolution Regime      240  

 

(vi)


SCHEDULES

 

A    —        Commitments and Addresses
1.1(a)    —        Existing Investments
1.1(b)    —        Existing Liens
5.4    —        Consents Required
5.6    —        Litigation
5.9    —        Intellectual Property Claims
5.15    —        Subsidiaries
5.17    —        Environmental Matters
5.20    —        Insurance
7.2    —        Website Address for Electronic Financial Reporting
7.13    —        Post-Closing Collateral Requirements
8.1    —        Existing Indebtedness
8.5    —        Affiliate Transactions
EXHIBITS
A    —        Form of Term Loan Note
B    —        Form of Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
C    —        [Reserved]
D    —        Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
E    —        Form of Assignment and Acceptance
F    —        Form of Secretary’s Certificate
G    —        Form of Officer’s Certificate
H    —        Form of Solvency Certificate
I-1    —        Form of Increase Supplement
I-2    —        Form of Lender Joinder Agreement
J-1    —        Form of ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement

 

(vii)


J-2    —        Form of Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement
K    —        Form of Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption
L    —        [Reserved]
M    —        [Reserved]
N    —        Form of Acceptance and Prepayment Notice
O    —        Form of Discount Range Prepayment Notice
P    —        Form of Discount Range Prepayment Offer
Q    —        Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice
R    —        Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer
S    —        Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Notice
T    —        Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Response
U    —        Form of Compliance Certificate
V    —        Form of Tax Sharing Agreement

 

(viii)


TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of August 1, 2017, among CD&R WATERWORKS MERGER SUB, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (prior to the Waterworks Merger and as further defined in Subsection 1.1, “Passthrough Mergersub”, and as further defined in Subsection 1.1, the “Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party hereto (as further defined in Subsection 1.1, the “Lenders”) and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity and as further defined in Subsection 1.1, the “Administrative Agent”) for the Lenders hereunder and as collateral agent (in such capacity and as further defined in Subsection 1.1, the “Collateral Agent”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in Subsection 1.1).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Plumb Acquisition Agreement, the Borrower will (A) enter into this Agreement to borrow Initial Term Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $1,075,000,000 (unless reduced in accordance with Subsection 6.1(b)), (B) enter into the Senior ABL Agreement to borrow an additional amount and to cause certain letters of credit to be issued and (C) issue the Senior Notes, under the Senior Notes Indenture, generating aggregate gross proceeds of up to $500,000,000 (unless reduced in accordance with Subsection 6.1(b)); and

WHEREAS, the cash proceeds of the Equity Contribution, the Initial Term Loans, any ABL Facility Loans made on the Closing Date and the issuance of the Senior Notes will be used on the Closing Date, inter alia, to consummate the Transactions, and to pay fees, premiums and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1

Definitions

1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

ABL Agent”: Citibank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the ABL Facility Documents, or any successor administrative agent or collateral agent under the ABL Facility Documents.

ABL Collateral Obligations”: the “ABL Collateral Obligations” as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement or the equivalent term in any Other Intercreditor Agreement.

ABL Facility Documents”: the “Loan Documents” as defined in the Senior ABL Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived, or otherwise modified, extended from time to time or refunded, refinanced, restructured, replaced, renewed, refinanced or replacedrepaid, increased, decreased or extended from time to time.

 

1


ABL Facility Loans”: the loans borrowed under the Senior ABL Facility.

ABL Priority Collateral”: as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement whether or not the same remains in full force and effect.

ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement”: the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereofClosing Date, between the Collateral Agent and the ABL Agent (in its capacity as collateral agent under the ABL Facility Documents), and acknowledged by certain of the Loan Parties in the form attached hereto as Exhibit J-1, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

ABR Loans”: Loans to which the rate of interest applicable is based upon the Alternate Base Rate.

Accelerated”: as defined in Subsection 9.1(e).

Acceleration”: as defined in Subsection 9.1(e).

Acceptable Discount”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iv)(2).

Acceptable Prepayment Amount”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iv)(3).

Acceptance and Prepayment Notice”: a written notice from the Borrower setting forth the Acceptable Discount pursuant to Subsection 4.4(l)(iv)(2) substantially in the form of Exhibit N.

Acceptance Date”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iv)(2).

“Acknowledging Party”: as defined in Subsection 11.21.

Acquired Companies”: Waterworks Blocker and Waterworks Opco.

Acquired Indebtedness”: Indebtedness of a Person (i) existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or (ii) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case other than Indebtedness Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such acquisition of assets. Acquired Indebtedness shall be deemed to be Incurred on the date of the related acquisition of assets from any Person or the date the acquired Person becomes a Subsidiary.

Acquisition Indebtedness”: Indebtedness of (A) the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred to finance or refinance, or otherwise Incurred in connection with, any acquisition of any assets (including Capital Stock), business or Person, or any merger or consolidation of any Person with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or (B) any Person that is acquired by or merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (including Indebtedness thereof Incurred in connection with any such acquisition, merger or consolidation).

 

2


Additional Agent”: as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable.

Additional Assets”: (i) any property or assets that replace the property or assets that are the subject of an Asset Disposition; (ii) any property or assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) used or to be used by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary or otherwise useful in a Related Business, and any capital expenditures in respect of any property or assets already so used; (iii) the Capital Stock of a Person that is engaged in a Related Business and becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary; or (iv) Capital Stock of any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary acquired from a third party.

Additional Incremental Lender”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(b).

Additional Indebtedness”: as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable.

Additional Obligations”: senior or subordinated Indebtedness (which Indebtedness may be (x) secured by a Lien ranking pari passu to the Lien securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations, (y) secured by a Lien ranking junior to the Lien securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations or (z) unsecured), including customary bridge financings, in each case issued or incurred by the Borrower, a Guarantor or an Escrow Subsidiary, the terms of which Indebtedness (ieither (x) do not provide for a maturity date or weighted average life to maturity earlier than the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date or shorter than the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Initial Term Loans, as the case may be (other than an earlier maturity date and/or shorter weighted average life to maturity (1) for customary bridge financings, which, subject to customary conditions (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), would either be automatically converted into or required to be exchanged for permanent financing which does not provide for an earlier maturity date or a shorter weighted average life to maturity than the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date or the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Initial Term Loans, as applicable or, (2) pursuant to an escrow or similar arrangement with respect to the proceeds of such Additional Obligation) or (3) of Additional Obligations in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding (together with the aggregate principal amount of any Refinancing Indebtedness and Indebtedness under any Incremental Term Loan Commitments, any applicable Extended Tranche and any Specified Refinancing Term Loan Facility, in each case outstanding under the Earlier Maturity Date Basket) not in excess of the Earlier Maturity Date Basket), or (y) in the case of any Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility, do not provide for a maturity date earlier than the Stated Maturity of the ABL Facility Loans, (ii) to the extent such Indebtedness is subordinated, provide for customary payment subordination to the Term Loan Facility Obligations under the Loan Documents as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive, and (iii) do not provide for any mandatory repayment or redemption from the Net Available Cash Proceeds of Asset Dispositions (other than any Asset Disposition in respect of any assets, business or Person the acquisition of which was financed, all or in part, with such Additional Obligations and the disposition of which was contemplated by any definitive agreement in respect of such acquisition) or Recovery Events or from Excess Cash Flow, to the extent the Net Available Cash Proceeds of such Asset Disposition or Recovery

 

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Event or such Excess Cash Flow are required to be applied to repay the Initial Term Loans hereunder pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e), on more than a ratable basis with the Initial Term Loans (after giving effect to any amendment in accordance with Subsection 11.1(d)(vi)); provided that (a) other than with respect to proceeds of such Additional Obligations which are subject to an escrow or similar arrangement and any related deposit of cash, Cash Equivalents and/or Temporary Cash Investments to cover interest and premium in respect of such Additional Obligations, such Indebtedness shall not be secured by any Lien on any asset of any Loan Party that does not also secure the Term Loan Facility Obligations, or be guaranteed by any Person other than the GuarantorsLoan Parties (it being understood that the primary obligation of an Escrow Subsidiary shall not constitute a guarantee by a Person other than a GuarantorLoan Party), and (b) if secured by Collateral, such Indebtedness (and all related Obligations) shall be subject to the terms of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement (if such Indebtedness and related Obligations constitute First Lien Obligations), any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement (if such Indebtedness and related Obligations do not constitute First Lien Obligations) or an Other Intercreditor Agreement (if otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative).

Additional Obligations Documents”: any document or instrument (including any guarantee, security agreement or mortgage and which may include any or all of the Loan Documents) issued or executed and delivered by any Loan Party or Escrow Subsidiary with respect to any Additional Obligations, Rollover Indebtedness or Letter of Credit Facilities.

Additional Specified Refinancing Lender”: as defined in Subsection 2.11(b).

Adjusted Interest Rate”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(d)(v).

Adjusted LIBOR Rate”: with respect to any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be equal to the higher of (i) (x) the LIBOR Rate for such Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans in effect for such Interest Period divided by (y) 1 minus the Statutory Reserves (if any) for such Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans for such Interest Period and (ii(x) solely with respect to Original Initial Term Loans, 1.00%, and (y) solely with respect to the Tranche B Term Loans, 0.00%.

Adjustment Date”: each date on or after the last day of the Borrower’s first full Fiscal Quarter ended at least three months after the Closing Date (i.e., January 28, 2018) that is the second Business Day following receipt by the Lenders of both (a) the financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(a) or Subsection 7.1(b), as applicable, for the most recently completed fiscal period and (b) the related Compliance Certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.2(a) with respect to such fiscal period.

Administrative Agent”: as defined in the Preamble hereto and shall include any successor to the Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to Subsection 10.9.

Affected Eurodollar Rate”: as defined in Subsection 4.7.

“Affected Financial Institution”: (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.

 

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Affected Loans”: as defined in Subsection 4.9.

Affiliate”: as to any specified Person, 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.

Affiliate Transaction”: as defined in Subsection 8.5(a).

Affiliated Debt Fund”: any Affiliated Lender that is primarily engaged in, or advises funds or other investment vehicles that are engaged in, making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans, notes, bonds and similar extensions of credit or securities in the ordinary course, so long as (i) any such Affiliated Lender is managed as to day-to-day matters (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, as to strategic direction and similar matters) independently from Sponsor and any Affiliate of Sponsor that is not primarily engaged in the investing activities described above, (ii) any such Affiliated Lender has in place customary information screens between it and Sponsor and any Affiliate of Sponsor that is not primarily engaged in the investing activities described above, and (iii) none of Passthrough Holdings, Blocker HoldingsTopco, Midco, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries directs or causes the direction of the investment policies of such entity.

Affiliated Lender”: any Lender that is a Permitted Affiliated Assignee.

Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(h)(i)(1).

Agents”: the collective reference to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, and “Agent” shall mean any of them.

Agreement”: this Credit Agreement, as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Alternate Base Rate”: for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Base Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus 0.50%, and (c) the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for an Interest Period of one-month beginning on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, on the immediately preceding Business Day) (determined as if the relevant ABR Loan were a Eurodollar Loan) plus 1.00%. If the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that it is unable to ascertain the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for any reason, including the inability or failure of the Administrative Agent to obtain sufficient quotations in accordance with the terms of the definition thereof, the Alternate Base Rate shall be determined without regard to clause (b) or (c) above, as the case may be, of the preceding sentence until the circumstances giving rise to such inability no longer exist. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Base Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted LIBOR Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Base Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted LIBOR Rate, respectively.

 

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Amendment”: as defined in Subsection 8.3(c).

Applicable Discount”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iii)(2).

“Applicable ECF Amount”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(e)(iii)(A)(1).

Applicable Margin”: in respect of (a) Original Initial Term Loans during the period from the Closing Date until the first Adjustment Date (i) with respect to ABR Loans, 2.00% per annum, and (ii) with respect to Eurodollar Loans, 3.00% per annum, and (b) Tranche B Term Loans, (i) with respect to ABR Loans, 1.50% per annum, and (ii) with respect to Eurodollar Loans, 2.50% per annum. The Applicable Margins with respect to Original Initial Term Loans will be adjusted on each Adjustment Date to the applicable rate per annum set forth under the heading “Applicable Margin for ABR Loans” or “Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans” on the Pricing Grid which corresponds to the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio determined from the financial statements and Compliance Certificate relating to the end of the Fiscal Quarter immediately preceding such Adjustment Date; provided that in the event that the financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(a) or 7.1(b), as applicable, and the related Compliance Certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.2(a), are not delivered when due, then:

(1) if such financial statements and Compliance Certificate are delivered after the date such financial statements and Compliance Certificate were required to be delivered (without giving effect to any applicable cure period) and the Applicable Margin increases from that previously in effect as a result of the delivery of such financial statements, then the Applicable Margin in respect of Original Initial Term Loans during the period from the date upon which such financial statements were required to be delivered (without giving effect to any applicable cure period) until the date upon which they actually are delivered shall, except as otherwise provided in clause (3) below, be the Applicable Margin as so increased;

(2) if such financial statements and Compliance Certificate are delivered after the date such financial statements and Compliance Certificate were required to be delivered and the Applicable Margin decreases from that previously in effect as a result of the delivery of such financial statements, then such decrease in the Applicable Margin shall not become applicable until the date upon which the financial statements and Compliance Certificate actually are delivered; and

(3) if such financial statements and Compliance Certificate are not delivered prior to the expiration of the applicable cure period, then, effective upon such expiration, for the period from the date upon which such financial statements and Compliance Certificate were required to be delivered (after the expiration of the applicable cure period) until two Business Days following the date upon which they actually are delivered, the Applicable Margin with respect to Original Initial Term Loans shall be 2.00% per annum, in the case of ABR Loans, and 3.00% per annum, in the case of Eurodollar Loans (it being understood that the foregoing shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders set forth in Section 9).

 

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“Approved Commercial Bank”: a commercial bank with a consolidated combined capital and surplus of at least $5,000,000,000.

Approved Fund”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(b).

Asset Disposition”: any sale, lease, transfer, Division or other disposition of shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares, or (in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary) to the extent required by any applicable Requirement of Law), property or other assets (each referred to for the purposes of this definition as a “disposition”) by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including any disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction) other than (i) a disposition to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) a disposition in the ordinary course of business (including in connection with any factoring agreement or similar arrangements), (iii) a disposition of Cash Equivalents, Investment Grade Securities or Temporary Cash Investments, (iv) the sale or discount (with or without recourse, and on customary or commercially reasonable terms, as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) of accounts receivable or notes receivable arisingwhich have arisen in the ordinary course of business, or the conversion or exchange of accounts receivable for notes receivable, (v) any Restricted Payment Transaction, (vi) a disposition that is governed by Subsection 8.7, (vii) any Financing Disposition, (viii) any “fee in lieu” or other disposition of assets to any Governmental Authority that continue in use by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, so long as the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may obtain title to such assets upon reasonable notice by paying a nominal fee, (ix) any exchange of property pursuant to or intended to qualify under Section 1031 (or any successor section) of the Code, or any exchange of equipment to be leased, rented or otherwise used in a Related Business, (x) any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date, including any sale/leaseback transaction or asset securitization, (xi) any disposition arising from foreclosure, condemnation, eminent domain or similar action with respect to any property or other assets, or exercise of termination rights under any lease, license, concession or other agreement, or necessary or advisable (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) in order to consummate any acquisition of any Person, business or assets, or pursuant to buy/sell arrangements under any joint venture or similar agreement or arrangement, (xiiexcept for purposes of calculating Net Available Cash for any such disposition for purposes of Subsection 8.4(b), any disposition of non-core assets acquired in connection with any acquisition of (or any merger, consolidation, amalgamation or other business combination with or into) any Person, business or assets or any Investment, (xiii) any disposition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other securities of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (xiv) a disposition of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement or other obligation with or to a Person (other than the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary) from whom such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired, or from whom such Restricted Subsidiary acquired its business and assets (having been newly formed in connection with such acquisition), entered into in connection with such acquisition, (xv) a disposition of not more than 5.0% of the outstanding Capital Stock of a Foreign Subsidiary that has been approved by the Board of Directors, (xvi) any disposition or series of related dispositions for aggregate consideration not to exceed the greater of $37,500,00082,500,000 and 5.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets (as of the earlier of the date such disposition was made or the date on which a binding commitment for such disposition was entered into), (xvii) the abandonment or other disposition of patents, trademarksany patent,

 

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trademark or other intellectual property or application that areis, in the good faith determination of the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive, no longer economically practicablereasonable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (xviii) any license, sublicense or other grant of rights in or to any trademark, copyright, patent or other intellectual property, (xix) any Exempt Sale and Leaseback Transaction, (xx) the creation or granting of any Lien permitted under this Agreement or, (xxi) any sale of property or assets, if the acquisition of such property or assets was financed with Excluded Contributions. or (xxii) any exchange of assets (including a combination of assets and Cash Equivalents, Investment Grade Securities and Temporary Cash Investments) for assets used or useful in a Related Business (other than if such assets are solely cash, Cash Equivalents, Investment Grade Securities and/or Temporary Cash Investments) (or Capital Stock of a Person that will be a Restricted Subsidiary following such transaction) of comparable or greater fair market value (as determined by the Parent Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive).

Assignee”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(b)(i).

Assignment and Acceptance”: an Assignment and Acceptance, substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto.

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

Bail-In Legislation”: (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive, the implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule. or (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).

Bank Products Agreement”: any agreement pursuant to which a bank or other financial institution or other Person agrees to provide (a) treasury services, (b) credit card, debit card, merchant card, purchasing card, stored value card, non-card electronic payable or other similar services (including the processing of payments and other administrative services with respect thereto), (c) cash management or related services (including controlled disbursements, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, netting, overdrafts, depository, lockbox, stop payment, electronic funds transfer, information reporting, wire transfer and interstate depository network services) and (d) other banking, financial or treasury products or services as may be requested by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than letters of credit and other than loans and advances except indebtedness arising from services described in clauses (a) through (c) of this definition), including, for the avoidance of doubt, bank guarantees.

Bank Products Obligations”: of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Bank Products Agreement.

 

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Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive”: Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union.

Bankruptcy Proceeding”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(h)(iv).

Base Rate”: for any day, a rate per annum that is equal to the corporate base rate of interest establishedthe rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent as its “prime rate” in effect at its principal office in New York City on such day; each) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent). Each change in the Base Rate shall be effective onfrom and including the date such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective. The corporate base rate is not necessarily the lowest rate charged by the Administrative Agent to its customers.

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

Benefited Lender”: as defined in Subsection 11.7(a).

“BHC Act Affiliate”: the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).

Blocker Aggregator”: CD&R WW Holdings, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto.

Blocker Holdings”: (a) prior to the Blocker Merger, Blocker Mergersub and (b) following the Blocker Merger, Waterworks Blocker as successor to the Blocker Merger. Following the Blocker Merger, Waterworks Blocker shall be converted to a Delaware limited liability company.

Blocker Merger”: the merger of Blocker Mergersub with and into Waterworks Blocker, with Waterworks Blocker being the survivor of such merger.

Blocker Mergersub”: CD&R WW Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

Board”: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

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

 

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Borrower”: (a) prior to the Waterworks Merger, Passthrough Mergersub and (b) following the Waterworks Merger, Waterworks Opco as successor to the Waterworks Merger, and any successor in interest thereto permitted hereunder.

Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment”: the offer by the Borrower to make a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a specified discount to par pursuant to Subsection 4.4(l)(ii).

Borrower Partnership Agreement”: that certain amended and restated limited partnershipliability company agreement of the BorrowerCore & Main Connector dated as of the date hereof, among the Borrower, Passthrough Holdings, Waterworks Blocker and Management HoldingsFirst Amendment Effective Date, among Core & Main Connector, Topco and Core & Main Buyer, as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time (so long as, in the case of Tax Distributions, such amendment, supplement or replacement agreement (which replacement agreement may be the partnership or similar agreement of another Parent Entity or, an IPO Vehicle or the Borrower) is not more disadvantageous to the Lenders in any material respect than such partnershiplimited liability company agreement as in effect on the ClosingFirst Amendment Effective Date).

Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers”: the solicitation by the Borrower of offers for, and the corresponding acceptance, if any, by a Lender of, a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a specified range at a discount to par pursuant to Subsection 4.4(l)(iii).

Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers”: the solicitation by the Borrower of offers for, and the subsequentcorresponding acceptance, if any, by a Lender of, a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a discount to par pursuant to Subsection 4.4(l)(iv).

Borrowing”: the borrowing of one Type of Loan of a single Tranche from all the Lenders having Commitments or other commitments of the respective Tranche on a given date (or resulting from a conversion or conversions on such date) having, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the same Interest Period.

Borrowing Base”: the sum of (1) 90.0% of the book value of Inventory of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, (2) 90.0% of the book value of Receivables of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (3) cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (in each case, determined as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal month of the Borrower for which internal consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available, and, in the case of any determination relating to any Incurrence of Indebtedness, on a pro forma basis including (x) any property or assets of a type described above acquired since the end of such fiscal month and (y) any property or assets of a type described above being acquired in connection therewith).

 

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Borrowing Date”: any Business Day specified in a notice delivered pursuant to either Subsection 2.3 or Subsection 2.4, as applicable, as a date on which the Borrower requests the Lenders to make Loans hereunder.

Borrowing Request”: as defined in Subsection 2.4(a).

Business Day”: a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close, except that, when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan denominated in Dollars, “Business Day” shall mean any Business Day on which dealings in Dollars between banks may be carried on in London, England and New York, New York.

Capital Expenditures”: for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities and including in all events all amounts expended or capitalized under leases evidencing Financing Lease Obligations) by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be included as capital expenditures on a consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower.

Capital Stock”: as to any Person, any and all shares or units of, rights to purchase, warrants or options for, or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

Captive Insurance Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is subject to regulation as an insurance company or captive insurance company (or any Subsidiary thereofof any of the foregoing).

Cash Capped Incremental Facility”: as defined in the definition of “Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount”.

Cash Equivalents”: any of the following: (a) money, (b) securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland or a member state of the European Union or any agency or instrumentality of any thereof, (c) time deposits, certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of (i) any bank or other institutional lender under this Agreement or the Senior ABL Facility or any affiliate thereof or (ii) any commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $250,000,000 (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof as of the date of such investment) and the commercial paper of the holding company of which is rated at least A-2 or the equivalent thereof by S&P or at least P-2 or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s (or, if at such time neither is issuing ratings, a comparable rating of another nationally recognized rating agency), (d) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven10 days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (b) and (c) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (c)(i) or (c)(ii) above, (e) money market instruments, commercial paper or other short-term obligations rated at least A-2 or the equivalent thereof by S&P or at least P-2 or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s (or, if at such time neither is issuing ratings, a comparable rating of another nationally recognized rating agency), (f) investments in money market funds subject to the risk limiting conditions of Rule 2a-7 or any successor rule of the SEC under the Investment Company

 

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Act of 1940, as amended, (g) investment funds investing at least 90.0% of their assets in cash equivalents of the types described in clauses (a) through (f) above (which funds may also hold reasonable amounts of cash pending investment and/or distribution), (h) investments similar to any of the foregoing denominated in foreign currencies approved by the Board of Directors, and (i) solely with respect to any Captive Insurance Subsidiary, any investment that any such Person is permitted to make in accordance with applicable law.

CD&R”: Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC and any successor in interest thereto, and any successor to its investment management business.

CD&R Consulting Agreement”: the Consulting Agreement, dated as of the date hereofClosing Date, as amended by that certain letter agreement, dated as of August 5, 2019, by and among the Borrower, Topco, Midco, Intermediate GP and CD&R, pursuant to which CD&R may provide management, consulting and advisory services, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time so long as such amendment, supplement, waiver or modification complies with this Agreement (including Subsection 8.5 (for the avoidance of doubt, other than by reason of Subsection 8.5(b)(vii))).

CD&R Fund X”: Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund X, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto.

CD&R Indemnification Agreement”: the Indemnification Agreement, dated as of the date hereofClosing Date, as amended by that certain letter agreement, dated as of August 5, 2019, by and among the Borrower, Topco, Midco, Intermediate GP, Passthrough Holdings, Blocker Holdings, certain CD&R Investors and CD&R and the other parties thereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

CD&R Investors”: collectively, (i) CD&R Fund X, (ii) Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund X-A, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (iii) CD&R Advisor Fund X, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (iv) CD&R Associates X, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (v) CD&R Investment Associates X, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company, and any successor in interest thereto, (viCD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (vii)LP, (vii) Waterworks Holdings LLC, (viii) Blocker Aggregator, (viiiix) New Blocker, (ixx) CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company, and any successor in interest thereto, (xxi ) New Blocker Holdings, (xixii) CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks A, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xiixiii ) CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xiiixiv) CD&R Fund X Waterworks B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xivxv ) CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xvxvi) CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks A, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xvixvii ) CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xviixviiiCD&R WW Advisor, LLC, Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto, (xviii(xix) CD&R Associates X

 

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Waterworks, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xixxx) CD&R Friends & Family Feeder Fund X Waterworks A, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xxxxi) CD&R Friends & Family Feeder Fund X Waterworks B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xxixxii) CD&R Professionals Fund X Waterworks, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xxiixxiii) CD&R WW Holdings 2, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto, (xxiiixxiv ) CD&R WW Advisor 2, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto and (xxivxxv ) any Affiliate of any CD&R Investor identified in clauses (i) through (xxiiixxiv) of this definition.

“CDD Rule”: the Customer Due Diligence Requirements for Financial Institutions issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network under the Bank Secrecy Act (such rule published May 11, 2016 and effective May 11, 2018, as amended from time to time).

Change in Law”: as defined in Subsection 4.11(a).

Change of Control”: (i) (x) the Permitted Holders shall in the aggregate be the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date) of (A) so long as the Borrower is a Subsidiary of any Parent Entity, shares or units of Voting Stock having less than 35.0% of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of such Parent Entity (other than a Parent Entity that is a Subsidiary of another Parent Entity) and (B) if the Borrower is not a Subsidiary of any Parent Entity, shares or units of Voting Stock having less than 35.0% of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of the Borrower and (y) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date), other than one or more Permitted Holders, shall be the “beneficial owner” of (A) so long as the Borrower is a Subsidiary of any Parent Entity, shares or units of Voting Stock having more than 35.0% of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of such Parent Entity (other than a Parent Entity that is a Subsidiary of another Parent Entity) and (B) if the Borrower is not a Subsidiary of any Parent Entity, shares or units of Voting Stock having more than 35.0% of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of the Borrower; (ii) so long as the Capital Stock of the Borrower is not listed on a nationally recognized stock exchange in the U.S. (whether through a Qualified IPO or otherwise), Passthrough Holdings (and any Successor Holding Company pursuant to and as defined in Subsection 9.16(e) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), Blocker HoldingsMidco (and any Successor Holding Company pursuant to and as defined in Subsection 9.16(e) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) and Management HoldingsIntermediate GP (and any Successor Holding Company pursuant to and as defined in Subsection 9.16(e) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) shall (collectively) cease to own, directly or indirectly, 100.0% of the Capital Stock of the Borrower (or any Successor Borrower); or (iii) a “Change of Control” as defined in the Senior ABL Facility (or any agreement governing Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the Senior ABL Facility, and in each case relating to Indebtedness and any unused commitments thereunder in an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than $50,000,000); or (iv) a “Change of Control” as defined in the Senior Notes Indenture (or any indenture or other agreement governing Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the Senior Notes, and in each case relating to Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than $50,000,000the greater of $100,000,000 and 6.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, the Transactions and the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions shall not constitute or give rise to a Change of Control.

 

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Change of Control Offer”: as defined in Subsection 8.8(a).

Claim”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(h)(iv).

Closing Date”: the date on which all the conditions precedent set forth in Subsection 6.1 shall be satisfied or waived.

Closing Date Material Adverse Effect”: a “Material Adverse Effect” (as defined in the Plumb Acquisition Agreement).

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

Collateral”: all assets of the Loan Parties, now owned or hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any Security Document.

Collateral Agent”: as defined in the Preamble hereto and shall include any successor to the Collateral Agent appointed pursuant to Subsection 10.9.

Collateral Representative”: (i) if the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement is then in effect, the ABL Collateral Representative (as defined therein, with respect to ABL Priority Collateral) and the Term Loan Collateral Representative (as defined therein, with respect to Term Loan Priority Collateral), (ii) if any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement is then in effect, the Senior Priority Representative (as defined therein) and (iii) if any Other Intercreditor Agreement is then in effect, the Person acting as representative for the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties thereunder for the applicable purpose contemplated by this Agreement and the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

Collection Amounts”: as defined in Section 10.14.

Commitment”: as to any Lender, such Lender’s Initial Term Loan Commitments and Incremental Commitments, as the context requires.

Committed Lenders”: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Citibank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Credit Suisse AG, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Royal Bank of Canada, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Natixis, New York Branch and Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC.

Commodities Agreement”: in respect of a Person, any commodity futures contract, forward contract, option or similar agreement or arrangement (including derivative agreements or arrangements), as to which such Person is a party or beneficiary.

Commonly Controlled Entity”: an entity, whether or not incorporated, which is under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA or is part of a group which includes the Borrower and which is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code.

 

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Compliance Certificate”: as defined in Subsection 7.2(a).

Conduit Lender”: any special purpose corporation organized and administered by any Lender for the purpose of making Loans otherwise required to be made by such Lender and designated by such Lender in a written instrument delivered to the Administrative Agent (a copy of which shall be provided by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower on request); provided that the designation by any Lender of a Conduit Lender shall not relieve the designating Lender of any of its obligations under this Agreement, including its obligation to fund a Loan if, for any reason, its Conduit Lender fails to fund any such Loan, and the designating Lender (and not the Conduit Lender) shall have the sole right and responsibility to deliver all consents and waivers required or requested under this Agreement with respect to its Conduit Lender, and; provided, further, that no Conduit Lender shall (a) be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, including Subsection 4.10, 4.11, 4.12 or 11.5, than the designating Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect of the extensions of credit made by such Conduit Lender if such designating Lender had not designated such Conduit Lender hereunder, (b) be deemed to have any Commitment or (c) be designated if such designation would otherwise increase the costs of any Facility or Tranche to the Borrower.

Confidential Information Memorandum”: that certain Confidential Information Memorandum furnished to the Lenders on or about July 12, 2017.

Consolidated Coverage Ratio”: as of any date of determination, the ratio of (i) the aggregate amount ofFour Quarter Consolidated EBITDA as of such date to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for the period of the most recent four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four Fiscal Quarters (in each of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii),(determined for any fiscal quarter (or portion thereof) ending prior to the Closing Date, on a pro forma basis to give effect to the Transactions as if they had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period); provided that

(1) if, since the beginning of such period, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred any Indebtedness or the Borrower has issued any Designated Preferred Stock that remains outstanding on such date of determination or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence of Indebtedness by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or an issuance of Designated Preferred Stock of the Borrower, Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness or Designated Preferred Stock as if such Indebtedness or Designated Preferred Stock had been Incurred or issued, as applicable, on the first day of such period (except that in making such computation, the amount of Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility outstanding on the date of such calculation shall be computed based on (A) the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such four

 

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fiscal quarters or such shorter period for which such facility was outstanding or (B) if such facility was created after the end of such four fiscal quarters, the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the period from the date of creation of such facility to the date of such calculation); provided that, in the case of both of clauses (A) and (B), the Senior ABL Facility as of the Closing Date shall be treated as if it were in place for any fiscal quarter (or portion thereof) ending prior to the Closing Date, and the daily balance of Indebtedness thereunder for any date prior to the Closing Date shall be deemed to be $0),

(2) if, since the beginning of such period, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has repaid, repurchased, redeemed, defeased or otherwise acquired, retired or dischargedDischarged any Indebtedness, or any Designated Preferred Stock of the Borrower, that is no longer outstanding on such date of determination (each, a “Discharge”) or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio involves a Discharge of Indebtedness (in each case other than Indebtedness Incurred under any revolving credit facility unless such Indebtedness has been repaidDischarged with an equivalent permanent reduction in commitments thereunder) or a Discharge of Designated Preferred Stock of the Borrower, Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Discharge of Indebtedness or Designated Preferred Stock, including with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness or such new Designated Preferred Stock of the Borrower, as if such Discharge had occurred on the first day of such period,

(3) if, since the beginning of such period, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have disposed of any company, any business or any group of assets constituting an operating unit of a business, including any such disposition occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder, or designated any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary (any such disposition or designation, a “Sale”), the Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if positive) attributable to the company, business or group of assets that are the subject of such Sale for such period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if negative) attributable thereto for such period and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to (A) the Consolidated Interest Expense attributable to any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, redeemed, defeased or otherwise acquired, retired or dischargedDischarged with respect to the Borrower and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Sale for such period (including but not limited to through the assumption of such Indebtedness by another Person) plus (B) if the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is disposed of in such Sale or any Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the Consolidated Interest Expense for such period attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Borrower and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after such Sale,

 

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(4) if, since the beginning of such period, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger, consolidation or otherwise) shall have made an Investment in any Person that thereby becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, or otherwise acquired any company, any business or any group of assets constituting an operating unit of a business, including any such Investment or acquisition occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder, or designated any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary (any such Investment, acquisition or designation, a “Purchase”), Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the Incurrence of any related Indebtedness) as if such Purchase occurred on the first day of such period, and

(5) if, since the beginning of such period, any Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, and since the beginning of such period such Person shall have Discharged any Indebtedness or made any Sale or Purchase that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (2), (3) or (4) above if made by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period, Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Discharge, Sale or Purchase occurred on the first day of such period;

provided that (in the event that the Borrower shall classify Indebtedness Incurred on the date of determination as Incurred in part under Subsection 8.1(a) and in part under Subsection 8.1(b), as provided in Subsection 8.1(c)(iii)) any such pro forma calculation of Consolidated Interest Expense shall not give effect to any such Incurrence of Indebtedness on the date of determination pursuant to Subsection 8.1(b) (other than, if the Borrower at its option has elected to disregard Indebtedness being Incurred on the date of determination in part under Subsection 8.1(a) for purposes of calculating the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio for Incurring Indebtedness on the date of determination in part under Subsection 8.1(b)(x) or (xvii), Subsection 8.1(b)(x) or (xvii)) or to any Discharge of Indebtedness from the proceeds of any such Incurrence pursuant to such Subsection 8.1(b) (other than Subsection 8.1(b)(x) or (xvii), if the Incurrence of Indebtedness under Subsection 8.1(b)(x) or (xvii), as applicable, is being given effect to in the calculation of the Consolidated Coverage Ratio).

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any Sale, Purchase or other transaction, or the amount of income or earnings relating thereto and the amount of Consolidated Interest Expense associated with any Indebtedness Incurred, Designated Preferred Stock issued, or Indebtedness or Designated Preferred Stock repaid, repurchased, redeemed, defeased or otherwise acquired, retired or dischargedDischarged in connection therewith, the pro forma calculations in respect thereof (including in respect of anticipated cost savings or synergies relating to any such Sale, Purchase or other transaction) shall be as determined in good faith by the Chief Financial Officer or a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive; provided that with respect to cost savings or synergies relating to any Sale, Purchase or other transaction, the related actions are expected by the Borrower to be taken no later than 2436 months after the date of determination. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness). If any Indebtedness bears, at the option of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, a rate of interest based on a prime or similar rate, a

 

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eurocurrency interbank offered rate or other fixed or floating rate, and such Indebtedness is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness shall be calculated by applying such optional rate as the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary may designate. If any Indebtedness that is being given pro forma effect was Incurred under a revolving credit facility, the interest expense on such Indebtedness shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period; provided that, in the case of the Senior ABL Facility as of the Closing Date, such facility shall be treated as if it were in place for any fiscal quarter (or portion thereof) ending prior to the Closing Date, and the daily balance of Indebtedness thereunder for any date prior to the Closing Date shall be deemed to be $0. Interest on a Financing Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Borrower (which determination shall be conclusive) to be the rate of interest implicit in such Financing Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated EBITDA”: for any period, the Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus (xw) the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income, without duplication: (i) the amount of Permitted Payments made with respect to Tax Distributions pursuant to Subsection 8.2(b)(vii)(C) and the provision for all taxes (whether or not paid, estimated or accrued) based on income, profits or capital (including penalties and interest, if any), (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense, all items excluded from the definition of Consolidated Interest Expense pursuant to clause (iii) thereof (other than Special Purpose Financing Expense), any Special Purpose Financing Fees, and to the extent not reflected in Consolidated Interest Expense, costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, (iii) depreciation, (iv) amortization (including but not limited to amortization of goodwill and intangibles and amortization and write-off of financing costs), (v) any non-cash charges or non-cash losses, (vi) any expenses or charges related to any equity offering, acquisition or other Investment or Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement (whether or not consummated or Incurred, and including any offering or sale of Capital Stock of a Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to the extent the proceeds thereof were contributed, or if not consummated, were intended to be contributed to the equity capital of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), (vii) the amount of any loss attributable to non-controlling interests, (viii) all deferred financing costs written off and premiums paid in connection with any early extinguishment of Indebtedness or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments, (ix) any management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees and related expenses (including any such fees and expenses paid to CD&Rthe Sponsor or any of its Affiliates), (x) interest and investment income, (xi) the amount of loss on any Financing Disposition, (xii) any costs or expenses pursuant to any management or employee stock option or other equity-related plan, program or arrangement, or other benefit plan, program or arrangement, or any equity subscription or equityholder agreement, and (xiii) the amount of any pre-opening losses attributable to any newly opened location within 12 months of the opening of such location, (xiv) net out-of-pocket costs and expenses related to the acquiring of inventory of a prior supplier of a company in connection with becoming a provider to such company, (xv) any expenses incurred in connection with any plant shutdown, (xvi) internal software development costs that are expensed during the period but could have been capitalized in accordance with GAAP, (xvii) any adjustments resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 460 and (xviii) the amount of any reduction in inventory cost attributable to rebates earned on quantities purchased under vendor programs which are recorded as reserves on the balance for such period, plus (yx) the amount of net cost savings, operating

 

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expense reductions and synergies (including revenue synergies, including those related to new business and customer wins, the modification or renegotiation of contracts and other arrangements and pricing adjustments and increases) projected by the Borrower in good faith to be realized as the result of actions taken or to be taken on or prior to the Closing Date or within 2436 months of the Closing Date in connection with the Transactions, or within 2436 months of the initiation or consummation of any operational change or other initiative, or within 2436 months of the consummation of any applicable acquisition or cessation of operations (in each case, calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions (which adjustments may be incremental to pro forma adjustments made pursuant to the proviso to the definition of “Consolidated Coverage Ratio”, “Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio” or, “Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio”). or “Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA”), plus (y) without duplication of any item in the preceding clause (w) or (x), additions of the type reflected in any quality of earnings analysis prepared by independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing or any other accounting firm reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (it being understood that any “Big Four” accounting firms are acceptable) and delivered to the Administrative Agent in connection with any acquisition of assets (including Capital Stock), business or Person, or any merger or consolidation of any Person with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any other Investment, in each case that is permitted under this Agreement.

Consolidated Interest Expense”: for any period, (i) the total interest expense of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income, net of any interest income of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, including any such interest expense consisting of (A) interest expense attributable to Financing Lease Obligations (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any lease, rental or other expense in connection with a lease that is not a Financing Lease Obligation), (B) amortization of debt discount, (C) interest in respect of Indebtedness of any other Person that has been Guaranteed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, but only to the extent that such interest is actually paid by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (D) non-cash interest expense, (E) the interest portion of any deferred payment obligation, and (F) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing, plus (ii) Preferred Stock dividends paid in cash in respect of Disqualified Stock of the Borrower held by Persons other than the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary or in respect of Designated Preferred Stock of the Borrower pursuant to Subsection 8.2(b)(xi)(A), minus (iii) to the extent otherwise included in such interest expense referred to in clause (i) above, Special Purpose Financing Expense, accretion or accrual of discounted liabilities not constituting Indebtedness, expense resulting from discounting of Indebtedness in conjunction with recapitalization or purchase accounting, any “additional interest” in respect of registration rights arrangements for any securities, amortization or write-off of financing costs, and any expensing of bridge, commitment or other financing fees, in each case under clauses (i) through (iii) above as determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that gross interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Interest Rate Agreements.

 

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Consolidated Net Income”: for any period, the net income (loss) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends minus, without duplication of any other deduction in calculating Consolidated Net Income in respect of such amounts, the amount of Permitted Payments made with respect to Tax Distributions pursuant to Subsection 8.2(b)(vii)(C); provided that, without duplication, there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:

(i) any net income (loss) of any Person if such Person is not the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, except that (A) the Borrower’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s net income for such period shall be increased by the aggregate amount actually dividended or distributed or that (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) could have been dividended or distributed by such Person during such period to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (ii) below), to the extent not already included therein, and (B) the Borrower’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s equity in the net loss of such Person shall be included to the extent of the aggregate Investment of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Person,

(ii) solely for purposes of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under Subsection 8.2(a)(3)(A) and Excess Cash Flow, any net income (loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor if such Restricted Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Borrower by operation of the terms of such Restricted Subsidiary’s charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute or governmental rule or regulation applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders (other than (x) restrictions that have been waived or otherwise released, (y) restrictions pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, the Senior Notes Documents and the ABL Facility Documents, and (z) restrictions in effect on the Closing Date with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary and other restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary that taken as a whole are not materially less favorable to the Lenders than such restrictions in effect on the Closing Date as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), except that (A) the Borrower’s equity in the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of any dividend or distribution that was or that (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) could have been made by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary (subject, in the case of a dividend that could have been made to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause (ii)) and (B) the net loss of such Restricted Subsidiary shall be included to the extent of the aggregate Investment of the Borrower or any of its other Restricted Subsidiaries in such Restricted Subsidiary,

(iii) (x) any gain or loss realized upon the sale, abandonment or other disposition of any asset of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (including pursuant to any sale/leaseback transaction) that is not sold, abandoned or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) and (y) any gain or loss realized upon the disposal, abandonment or discontinuation of operations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary,

 

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(iv) any extraordinary, unusual or, nonrecurring, exceptional, special or infrequent gain, loss or charge and any other gain, loss or charge not in the ordinary course of business (as reasonably determined and calculated by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) (including fees, expenses and charges (or any amortization thereof) associated with the Transactions, the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions or any acquisition, merger or consolidation, whether or not completed), any severance, relocation, consolidation, closing, integration, facilities opening, business optimization and/or similar initiatives or programs, transition or restructuring costs, charges or expenses (whether or not classified as restructuring costs, charges or expenses on the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower), any signing, stretch, retention or completion bonuses, and any costs associated with curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans,

(v) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies,

(vi) all deferred financing costs written off and premiums paid in connection with any early extinguishment of Indebtedness or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments,

(vii) any unrealized gains or losses in respect of Hedge Agreements,

(viii) any unrealized foreign currency translation or transaction gains or losses, including in respect of Indebtedness of any Person denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of such Person,

(ix) any non-cash compensation charge arising from any grant of limited liability company interests, stock, stock options or other equity based awards,

(x) to the extent otherwise included in Consolidated Net Income, any unrealized foreign currency translation or transaction gains or losses, including in respect of Indebtedness or other obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary,

(xi) any non-cash charge, expense or other impact attributable to application of the purchase or recapitalization method of accounting (including the total amount of depreciation and amortization, cost of sales or other non-cash expense resulting from the write-up of assets to the extent resulting from such purchase or recapitalization accounting adjustments), non-cash charges for deferred tax valuation allowances and non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by the applicable standard under GAAP,

 

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(xii) any impairment charge or asset write-off, including any charge or write-off related to intangible assets, long-lived assets or investments in debt and equity securities, and any amortization of intangibles,

(xiii) expenses related to the conversion of various employee benefit and equity programs in connection with the Transactions or the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions, and non-cash compensation related expenses,

(xiv) any fees and expenses (or amortization thereof), and any charges or costs, in connection with or related to any acquisition, Investment, Asset Disposition, issuance of Capital Stock, issuance, repayment or other equity offering, dividend, distribution or other Restricted Payment, Incurrence, Discharge or refinancing of Indebtedness, or amendment or modification of any agreement or instrument relating to any Indebtedness (in each case, whether or not completed, consummated or Incurred, and including (i) any such transaction consummated prior to the Closing Date),, (ii) any offering or sale of Capital Stock of a Parent Entity or an IPO Vehicle to the extent the proceeds thereof were contributed, or if not consummated, were intended to be contributed to the equity capital of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (iii) any rating agency fees, consulting fees and other related expenses and/or letter of credit or similar fees),

(xv) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed (or the Borrower has determined that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will be reimbursed by the insurer and such amount is not denied by the applicable insurer in writing within 180 days and is reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (with a deduction in any future calculation of Consolidated Net Income for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within such 365 day period)), any expenses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption, and

(xvi) any expenses, charges and losses in the form of earn-out obligations and contingent consideration obligations (including to the extent accounted for as performance and retention bonuses, compensation or otherwise) and adjustments thereof and purchase price adjustments, in each case paid in connection with any acquisition, merger or consolidation or Investment,

(xvii) any expenses or reserves for liabilities to the extent that the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is entitled to indemnification therefor under binding agreements and is actually reimbursed (or the Borrower has determined that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will be reimbursed by the indemnifying party and such amount is not denied by the applicable indemnifying party in writing within 180 days and is reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (with a deduction in any future calculation of Consolidated Net Income for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within such 365 day period)),

(xviii) any accruals and reserves established or adjusted within 12 months after the Closing Date that are established as a result of the Transactions, and

 

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(xix) effects of adjustments to accruals and reserves established during a prior period attributable to any change in the methodology of calculating reserves for returns, rebates and other chargebacks (including government program rebates),

provided, further, that the exclusion of any item pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i) through (xvixix) shall also exclude the tax impact of any such item, if applicable.

In the case of any unusual or nonrecurring gain, loss or charge (other than any unusual or nonrecurring gain, loss or charge related to the Transactions) not included in Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (iv) above in any determination thereof, the Borrower will deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer to the Administrative Agent promptly after the date on which Consolidated Net Income is so determined, setting forth the nature and amount of such unusual or nonrecurring gain, loss or charge. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Subsection 8.2(a)(3)(A) only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income, without duplication, any income consisting of dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, and any income consisting of return of capital, repayment or other proceeds from dispositions or repayments of Investments consisting of Restricted Payments, in each case to the extent such income would be included in Consolidated Net Income and such related dividends, repayments, transfers, return of capital or other proceeds are applied by the Borrower to increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under Subsection 8.2(a)(3)(C) or (D).

In addition, Consolidated Net Income for any period ending on or prior to the Closing Date shall be determined based upon the net income (loss) reflected in the combined financial statements of the Waterworks Business for such period, with pro forma effect being given to the Transactions; and each Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary upon giving effect to the Transactions shall be deemed to be a Restricted Subsidiary and the Transactions shall not constitute a sale or disposition under clause (iii) above, for purposes of such determination.

Consolidated Secured Indebtedness”: as of any date of determination, (i) an amount equal to the Consolidated Total Indebtedness (without regard to clause (iii) of the definition thereof) as of such date that, in each case is then secured by Liens on Collateral (other than (x) Indebtedness secured by a Lien ranking junior to or subordinated to the Liens securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not excluding ABL Facility Loans or other Consolidated Total Indebtedness secured by Liens pari passu therewith), (y) property or assets held in a defeasance or similar trust or arrangement for the benefit of the Indebtedness secured thereby and (z) solely with respect to the determination of the amount available to be Incurred pursuant to the Ratio Incremental Facility and clause (s) of “Permitted Liens”, Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to the Cash Capped Incremental Facility), minus (ii) the sum of (A) the amount of such Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness of a type referred to in, or Incurred pursuant to, Subsection 8.1(b)(ix) and, (B) Unrestricted Cash of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries. (excluding any proceeds of any Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of ABL Facility Loans or loans under any other revolving facility) and (C) the average daily balance of Unrestricted Cash of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is proceeds of any Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of ABL Facility Loans or loans under any other revolving facility for the most recent four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO

 

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Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) ending prior to the date of determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Borrower are available.

Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio”: as of any date of determination, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Secured Indebtedness as at such date (after giving effect to any Incurrence or Discharge of Indebtedness on such date) to (ii) the Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA as of such date; provided that, (x) in the event that the Borrower shall classify Indebtedness Incurred on the date of determination as secured in part pursuant to clause (k)(1) of the “Permitted Liens” definition in respect of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to the Ratio Incremental Facility and in part pursuant to such clause (k)(1) in respect of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Subsection 8.1(b)(i) (other than pursuant to the Ratio Incremental Facility) or one or more other clauses or subclauses of the definition of “Permitted Liens” (other than clause (s)), as provided in clause (w) of the final paragraph of such definition, any calculation of the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio on such date of determination, including in the definition of “Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount”, shall not include any such Indebtedness (and shall not give effect to any Discharge of Indebtedness from the proceeds thereof) not Incurred pursuant to the Ratio Incremental Facility and (y) in the event that the Borrower shall classify Indebtedness Incurred on the date of determination as secured in part pursuant to clause (s) of the “Permitted Liens” definition and in part pursuant to one or more other clause of the definition of “Permitted Liens” (other than clause (k)(1) in respect of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to the Ratio Incremental Facility), as provided in clause (x) of the final paragraph of such definition, any calculation of the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio on such date of determination shall not include any such Indebtedness (and shall not give effect to any Discharge of Indebtedness from the proceeds thereof) to the extent secured pursuant to any such other clause of such definition.

Consolidated Tangible Assets”: as of any date of determination, the total assets, less the sum of the goodwill and other intangible assets, in each case that is or would be reflected on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as at the end of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower for which such a balance sheet of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) is available, determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (and, in the case of any determination relating to any Incurrence of Indebtedness or Liens or any Investment, on a pro forma basis including any property or assets being acquired in connection therewith).

Consolidated Total Indebtedness”: as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date consisting of (without duplication) Indebtedness for borrowed money (including Purchase Money Obligations and unreimbursed outstanding drawn amounts under funded letters of credit); Financing Lease Obligations; debt obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments (but excluding surety bonds, performance bonds or other similar instruments); Disqualified Stock; and (in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor) Preferred Stock, determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (excluding (x) items eliminated in Consolidation, (y) Hedging Obligations and (z) any outstanding Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility), plus (ii) the average daily balance of Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries under

 

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any revolving credit facility for the most recent four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower ending prior to the date of determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available (provided that for any date prior to the Closing Date the daily balance of Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries under revolving credit facilities shall be deemed to be $0), minus (iii) the sum of (A) the amount of such Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness of a type referred to in, or Incurred pursuant to, Subsection 8.1(b)(ix), and (B) Unrestricted Cash of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any proceeds of any Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of ABL Facility Loans or loans under any other revolving facility) and (C) the average daily balance of Unrestricted Cash of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is proceeds of any Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of ABL Facility Loans or loans under any other revolving facility for the most recent four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) ending prior to the date of determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Borrower are available. For purposes hereof, any earn-out or similar obligations shall not constitute Consolidated Total Indebtedness until such obligation would becomebecomes a liability on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP and is not paid within 30 days after becoming due and payable.

Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio”: as of any date of determination, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Total Indebtedness as at such date (after giving effect to any Incurrence or Discharge of Indebtedness on such date) to (ii) the Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA as of such date; provided that, for purposes of the foregoing calculation, in the event that the Borrower shall classify Indebtedness Incurred on the date of determination as Incurred in part pursuant to Subsection 8.1(b)(x) (other than by reason of subclausessubclause (2) or (4) of the proviso to such clause (x)) or Subsection 8.1(b)(xvii)) and in part pursuant to one or more other clauses or subclauses of Subsection 8.1(b) and/or (unless the Borrower at its option has elected to disregard Indebtedness being Incurred on the date of determination in part pursuant to subclausessubclause (2) or (4) of the proviso to Subsection 8.1(b)(x) or Subsection 8.1(b)(xvii) for purposes of calculating the Consolidated Coverage Ratio for Incurring Indebtedness on the date of determination in part under Subsection 8.1(a)) pursuant to Subsection 8.1(a) (as provided in Subsections 8.1(c)(ii) and (iii)), Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall not include any such Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to one or more such other clauses or subclauses of Subsection 8.1(b) and/or pursuant to Subsection 8.1(a), and shall not give effect to any Discharge of any Indebtedness from the proceeds of any such Indebtedness being disregarded for purposes of the calculation of the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio on such date of determination that otherwise would be included in Consolidated Total Indebtedness.

Consolidated Working Capital”: at any date, the excess of (a) the sum of all amounts (other than cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments) that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower at such date excluding the current portion of current and deferred income taxes over (b) the sum of all amounts that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current liabilities” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower on such date, including deferred revenue but

 

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excluding, without duplication, (i) the current portion of any Funded Debt, (ii) all Indebtedness consisting of Loans to the extent otherwise included therein, (iii) the current portion of interest and (iv) the current portion of current and deferred income taxes.

Consolidation”: the consolidation of the accounts of each of the Restricted Subsidiaries with those of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP; provided that “Consolidation” will not include consolidation of the accounts of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an investment. The term “Consolidated” has a correlative meaning. For purposes of this Agreement for periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date, references to the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) shall be to the combined financial statements of the Waterworks Business for such period, with pro forma effect being given to the Transactions (with Subsidiaries that comprise the Waterworks Business that are Subsidiaries of the Borrower after giving effect to the Transactions being deemed Subsidiaries of the Borrower), as the context may require.

Contingent Obligation”: with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any obligation that does not constitute Indebtedness (a “primary obligation”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent, (1) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (2) to advance or supply funds (a) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (b) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor or (3) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

Contract Consideration”: as defined in the definition of “Excess Cash Flow.”Subsection 4.4(e)(iii)(A)(2)(z).

Contractual Obligation”: as to any Person, any provision of any material security issued by such Person or of any material agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

Contribution Amounts”: the aggregate amount of capital contributions applied by the Borrower to permit the Incurrence of Contribution Indebtedness pursuant to Subsection 8.1(b)(xi).

Contribution Indebtedness”: Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount not greater than twice the aggregate amount of cash contributions (other than Excluded Contributions, the Pubco IPO Transaction Proceeds, the proceeds from the issuance of Disqualified Stock or contributions by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) made to the capital of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date (whether through the issuance or sale of Capital Stock or otherwise); provided that such Contribution Indebtedness (a) is Incurred within 180 days after the receipt of the related cash contribution and (b) is so designated as Contribution Indebtedness pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower promptly following the date of Incurrence thereof.

 

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“Core & Main Buyer”: Core & Main Buyer, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor in interest thereto.

“Core & Main Connector”: Core & Main Connector, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

“Covered Entity”: any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

“Covered Instrument”: as defined in Subsection 11.1(k).

Covered Liabilities”: as defined in Subsection 11.21.

“COVID-19”: the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19 virus (SARS-COV-2 and all related strains and sequences) or mutation (or antigenic shift or drift) thereof or a disease or public health emergency resulting therefrom.

Cured Default”: as defined in Subsection 1.2(c).

Currency Agreement”: in respect of a Person, any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangements (including derivative agreements or arrangements), as to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

Debt Financing”: the debt financing transactions contemplated under (a) the Loan Documents, (b) the ABL Facility Documents and (c) the Senior Notes Documents, in each case including any Interest Rate Agreements related thereto.

Declined Amounts”: the sum of (x) the Term Loan Declined Amounts and (y) the amount of Excess Cash Flow and Net Available Cash Proceeds of any Asset Disposition offered (to the extent the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is required by the terms thereof) to prepay, repay or purchase other Indebtedness that is secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with the Obligations and which the holders of such Indebtedness decline to accept pursuant to the terms equivalent to Subsection 4.4(h) (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive).

Default”: any of the events specified in Subsection 9.1, whether or not any requirement for the giving of notice (other than, in the case of Subsection 9.1(e), a Default Notice), the lapse of time, or both, or any other condition specified in Subsection 9.1, has been satisfied.

“Default Direction”: as defined in Subsection 11.1(k).

Default Notice”: as defined in Subsection 9.1(e).

 

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“Default Right”: has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

Defaulting Lender”: subject to Subsection 4.14(g), any Lender or Agent whose circumstances, acts or failure to act, whether directly or indirectly, cause it to meet any part of the definition of Lender Default.

Deposit Account”: any deposit account (as such term is defined in Article 9 of the UCC).

“Designated Affiliate”: as defined in Subsection 11.1(k).

Designated Noncash Consideration”: the non-cash consideration received by the Borrower or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Disposition that is so designated as Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, setting forth the basis of such valuation.

Designated Preferred Stock”: Preferred Stock of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock) or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle that is issued after the Closing Date for cash (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower; provided that the cash proceeds of such issuance shall be excluded from the calculation set forth in Subsection 8.2(a)(3)(B).

Designation Date”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(f).

“Discharge”: as defined in clause (2) of the definition of “Consolidated Coverage Ratio.”to repay, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire, retire or discharge; and the term “Discharged” shall have a correlative meaning.

Discharge of ABL Collateral Obligations”: the “Discharge of ABL Collateral Obligations” as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement or the equivalent term in any Other Intercreditor Agreement.

Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(ii)(2).

Discount Range”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iii)(1).

Discount Range Prepayment Amount”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iii)(1).

Discount Range Prepayment Notice”: a written notice of the Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers made pursuant to Subsection 4.4(l) substantially in the form of Exhibit O.

Discount Range Prepayment Offer”: the irrevocable written offer by a Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit P, submitted in response to an invitation to submit offers following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Discount Range Prepayment Notice.

Discount Range Prepayment Response Date”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iii)(1).

 

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Discount Range Proration”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iii)(3).

Discounted Prepayment Determination Date”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iv)(3).

“Discounted Prepayment Effective Date”: in the case of a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment, Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers or Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, or otherwise, the date that is five Business Days following the receipt by each relevant Lender of notice from the Administrative Agent in accordance with Subsection 4.4(l)(ii), Subsection 4.4(l)(iii) or Subsection 4.4(l)(iv), as applicable unless a shorter period is agreed to between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

Discounted Term Loan Prepayment”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(i).

Disinterested Directors”: with respect to any Affiliate Transaction, one or more members of the Board of Directors of the Borrower, or one or more members of the Board of Directors of a Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, having no material direct or indirect financial interest in or with respect to such Affiliate Transaction. A member of any such Board of Directors shall not be deemed to have such a financial interest by reason of such member’s holding Capital Stock of the Borrower or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or any options, warrants or other rights in respect of such Capital Stock or by reason of such member receiving any compensation from the Borrower or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, as applicable, on whose Board of Directors such member serves in respect of such member’s role as director.

Disposition”: as defined in the definition of “Asset Disposition” in this Subsection 1.1.

“Disqualified Party”: (i) any competitor of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is in the same or a similar line of business as the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries or any affiliate of such competitor and, (ii) any PersonsPerson whose principal investment strategy is investing in distressed debt or the pursuance of loan-to-own strategies that is identified from time to time in writing by the Borrower or CD&R to the Administrative Agent, (iii) any Person designated in writing by the Borrower or CD&R to the Administrative Agent (a) on or prior to June 4, 2017.the First Amendment Effective Date or (b) following the First Amendment Effective Date with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); provided, that in no event shall any notice given pursuant to clauses (ii) and (iii)(b) above apply to retroactively disqualify any Person who previously acquired and continues to hold, any Loans, Commitments or participations prior to the receipt of such notice, and (iv) any Lender that has made an incorrect representation or warranty or deemed representation or warranty with respect to not being a Net Short Lender as provided in Subsection 11.1(k); provided, that any Lender that has inadvertently or unintentionally made such incorrect representation or warranty or deemed representation or warranty with respect to not being a Net Short Lender shall cease to be a Disqualified Party if it has notified the Borrower in good faith that it has made such incorrect representation or warranty or deemed representation or warranty inadvertently or unintentionally.

 

 

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Disqualified Stock”: with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock (other than Management Stock) that 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 (other than following the occurrence of a Change of Control or other similar event described under such terms as a “change of control” or an Asset Disposition or other disposition) (i) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (ii) is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or (iii) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than following the occurrence of a Change of Control or other similar event described under such terms as a “change of control” or an Asset Disposition or other disposition), in whole or in part, in each case on or prior to the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date; provided that Capital Stock issued to any employee benefit plan, or by any such plan to any employees of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased or otherwise acquired or retired in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

“Division”: as defined in Subsection 1.2(k).

Dollars” and “$”: dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.

Domestic Borrowing Base”: the sum of (1) 90.0% of the book value of Inventory of the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries, (2) 90.0% of the book value of Receivables of the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries and (3) cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments of the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries (in each case, determined as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal month of the Borrower for which internal consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available, and, in the case of any determination relating to any Incurrence of Indebtedness, on a pro forma basis including (x) any property or assets of a type described above acquired since the end of such fiscal month and (y) any property or assets of a type described above being acquired in connection therewith).

Domestic Subsidiary”: any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower other than a Foreign Subsidiary.

“Earlier Maturity Date Basket”: at any date of determination, an amount equal to the greater of (1) $200,000,000 and (2) 50.0% of Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA.

“ECF Acquisition”: as defined in clause (a)(iii) of the definition of “Excess Cash Flow”.

“ECF Disposition”: as defined in clause (a)(iii) of the definition of “Excess Cash Flow”.

ECF Payment Date”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(e)(iii).

ECF Prepayment Amount”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(e)(iii).

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

 

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

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

Environmental Costs”: any and all costs or expenses (including attorney’s and consultant’s fees, investigation and laboratory fees, response costs, court costs and litigation expenses, fines, penalties, damages, settlement payments, judgments and awards), of whatever kind or nature, known or unknown, contingent or otherwise, arising out of, or in any way relating to, any actual or alleged violation of, noncompliance with or liability under any Environmental Laws. Environmental Costs include any and all of the foregoing, without regard to whether they arise out of or are related to any past, pending or threatened proceeding of any kind.

Environmental Laws”: any and all U.S. or foreign, federal, state, provincial, territorial, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, enforceable guidelines and orders-in-council, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees, and such requirements of any Governmental Authority properly promulgated and having the force and effect of law or other Requirements of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning protection of human health (as it relates to exposure to Materials of Environmental Concern) or the environment, as have been, or now or at any relevant time hereafter are, in effect.

Environmental Permits”: any and all permits, licenses, registrations, notifications, exemptions and any other authorization required under any Environmental Law.

Equity Contribution”: the direct or indirect cash equity contribution to Passthrough Holdings and New Blocker (with any cash equity contribution to Passthrough Holdings and New Blocker used in full to finance the Transactions or otherwise contributed to the Borrower) by CD&R Fund X and any other investors arranged by CD&R (collectively, the “Investors”), in an aggregate amount, when combined with the value of the equity of management of the Waterworks Business retained, rolled over or otherwise invested in connection with the Transactions is equal to at least 25% of the pro forma capitalization of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries after giving effect to the Transactions; provided that, for purposes of such calculation increased levels of Indebtedness (x) from any ABL Facility Loans Incurred on the Closing Date, other than Borrowings to finance the Transactions and (y) as a result of OID and/or upfront fees in respect of the Facilities and/or the Senior Notes other than the upfront fees (including such upfront fees that are structured as OID) payable under the Fee Letter shall be excluded from such calculation.

ERISA”: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Escrow Borrower”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(a).

 

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Escrow Subsidiary”: a Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary formed or, established or designated for the purpose of Incurring Indebtedness the proceeds of which will be subject to an escrow or other similar arrangement; provided that upon the termination of all such escrow or similar arrangementarrangements of such Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall cease to constitute an “Escrow Subsidiary” hereunder and shall merge with and into the Borrower or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party in accordance with Subsection 8.7. Prior to its merger with and into the Borrowersuch Person, each Escrow Subsidiary shall not own, hold or otherwise have any interest in any material assets other than the proceeds of the applicable Indebtedness Incurred by such Escrow Subsidiary and any cash, Cash Equivalents or Temporary Cash Investments Investedinvested in such Escrow Subsidiary to cover interest and premium in respect of such Indebtedness.

“Ethically Screened Affiliate”: any Affiliate of a Person that (i) is managed as to day-to-day matters (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, as to strategic direction and similar matters) independently from such Person and any other Affiliate of such Person that is not an Ethically Screened Affiliate, (ii) has in place customary information screens between it and such Person and any other Affiliate of such Person that is not an Ethically Screened Affiliate and (iii) such Person or any other Affiliate of such Person that is not an Ethically Screened Affiliate does not direct or cause the direction of the investment policies of such entity, nor does such Person’s or any such other Affiliate’s investment decisions influence the investment decisions of such entity.

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

Eurodollar Loans”: Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the Adjusted LIBOR Rate.

Event of Default”: any of the events specified in Subsection 9.1, provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, or any other condition, has been satisfied.

Excess Cash Flow”: for any period, an amount equal to the excess of:

(a) the sum, without duplication, of

(i) Consolidated Net Income for such period,

(ii) an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash charges to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income and cash receipts to the extent excluded in calculating such Consolidated Net Income (except to the extent such cash receipts are attributable to revenue or other items that would be included in calculating Consolidated Net Income for any prior period),

(iii) decreases in Consolidated Working Capital for such period (other than any such decreases arising (x) from any acquisition or disposition of (a) any business unit, division, line of business or Person or (b) any assets other than in the ordinary course of business (each, an “ECF Acquisition” or “ECF Disposition”, respectively) by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries completed during such period, (y) from the application of purchase accounting or (z) as a result of the reclassification of any balance sheet item from short-term to long-term or vice versa),

 

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(iv) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash loss on Asset Dispositions (or any disposition specifically excluded from the definition of “Asset Disposition”) by the Borrower and theor any Restricted SubsidiariesSubsidiary during such period (other than in the ordinary course of business) to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income,

(v) cash receipts in respect of Hedge Agreements during such period to the extent not otherwise included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income, and

(vi) any extraordinary, unusual or, nonrecurring cash gain,, exceptional, special or infrequent cash gain and any other cash gain not in the ordinary course of business (as reasonably determined and calculated by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), in each case to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income,

over (b) the sum, without duplication, of

(i) an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash credits included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income and cash charges to the extent not deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income,

(ii) [reserved],

(iii) the aggregate amount of all principal payments, purchases or other retirements of Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (including (A) the principal component of payments in respect of Financing Lease Obligations, and (Bthe amount of any repayment of Term Loans pursuant to Subsection 2.2(b) and (C) the amount of a mandatory prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e)(i) and any mandatory prepayment, repayment or redemption of Pari Passu Indebtedness pursuant to requirements under the agreements governing such Pari Passu Indebtedness similar to the requirements set forth in Subsection 4.4(e)(i) (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), to the extent required due to an Asset Disposition (or any disposition specifically excluded from the definition of “Asset Disposition”) that resulted in an increase to Consolidated Net Income and not in excess of the amount of such increase, but excluding (x) all other prepayments of Loans, (y) all prepayments of ABL Facility Loans and (z) all prepayments of revolving loans (other than Revolving Loans hereunder), to the extent there is not an equivalent permanent reduction in commitments thereunder) made during such period, except to the extent financed with the proceeds of long-term Indebtedness of the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries,

(iv) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash gain on Asset Dispositions (or any disposition specifically excluded from the definition of “Asset Disposition”) by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (other than in the ordinary course of business) to the extent included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income,

 

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(v) increases in Consolidated Working Capital for such period (other than any such increases arising (x) from any ECF Acquisition or ECF Disposition by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries completed during such period, (y) from the application of purchase accounting or (z) as a result of the reclassification of any balance sheet item from short-term to long-term or vice versa),

(vi) payments by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of long-term liabilities of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries other than Indebtedness, to the extent not already deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income,

(vii) [reserved],

(viii) the amount of Restricted Payments (other than Investments) made in cash during such period (on a consolidated basis) by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Subsection 8.2(b) (other than with respect to Related Taxes pursuant to Subsection 8.2(b)(vii)(C) and pursuant to Subsections 8.2(b)(vi), (vii)(B) and (xvi)), to the extent such Restricted Payments were financed with internally generated cash flow of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries,

(ix) the aggregate amount of expenditures actually made by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in cash during such period (including expenditures for the payment of financing fees) to the extent that such expenditures are not expensed during such period and are not deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income,

(x) the aggregate amount of any premium, make-whole or penalty payments actually paid in cash by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period that are made in connection with any prepayment of Indebtedness to the extent that such payments are not deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income,

(xi) [reserved],

(xii) the aggregate amount of Permitted Payments made pursuant to Subsection 8.2(b)(vii)(B), with respect to Related Taxes pursuant to Subsection 8.2(b)(vii)(C) and taxes (including penalties and interest) paid in cash or tax reserves set aside or payable (without duplication) in such period to the extent they exceed the amount of tax expense deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income for such period,

(xiii) cash expenditures in respect of Hedge Agreements during such period to the extent not deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income, and

 

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(xiv) (v) any extraordinary, unusual or, nonrecurring, exceptional, special or infrequent cash loss or charge and any other cash loss or charge not in the ordinary course of business (as reasonably determined and calculated by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) (including fees, expenses, charges (or any amortization thereof) associated with the Transactions, the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions or any acquisition, merger or consolidation, whether or not completed), (w) any fees and expenses (or amortization thereof), and any charges or costs, in connection with or related to any acquisition, Investment, Asset Disposition, issuance of Capital Stock, issuance, repayment or other equity offering, dividend, distribution or other Restricted Payment, Incurrence, Discharge or refinancing of Indebtedness, or amendment or modification of any agreement or instrument relating to any Indebtedness (in each case, whether or not completed, after the date hereof or any accounting changeconsummated or Incurred, and including (i) any such transaction consummated prior to the date hereofClosing Date, (ii) any offering or sale of Capital Stock of a Parent Entity or an IPO Vehicle to the extent the proceeds thereof were contributed, or if not consummated, were intended to be contributed to the equity capital of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (iii) any rating agency fees, consulting fees and other related expenses and/or letter of credit or similar fees), (x) any severance, relocation, consolidation, closing, integration, facilities opening, business optimization and/or similar initiatives or programs, transition or restructuring costs, charges or expenses (whether or not classified as restructuring costs, charges or expenses on the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower), (y) any signing, stretch, retention or completion bonuses and (z) any costs associated with curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans, in each case, to the extent not already deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income.

For the avoidance of doubt, any amounts received or paid in respect of purchase price adjustments in accordance with the Plumb Acquisition Agreement shall be disregarded in calculating Excess Cash Flow.

Exchange Act”: the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

“Exchange Agreement”: the Exchange Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among Pubco, Topco and certain holders of Capital Stock in Topco from time to time party thereto, pursuant to which, among other things, such holders may exchange Capital Stock in Topco and Capital Stock in Pubco for Capital Stock in Pubco or, at the election of Pubco’s board of directors and subject to certain conditions, cash, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Exchanging Term Lender”: as defined in Subsection 2.1(c)(ii).

“Excluded Affiliate”: as defined in Subsection 11.1(k).

Excluded Assets”: as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

Excluded Contribution”: Net Cash Proceeds, or the Fair Market Value (as of the date of contribution, issuance or sale) of property or assets, received by the Borrower as capital contributions to the Borrower after the Closing Date or from the issuance or sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock) of the Borrower, in each case to the extent designated as an Excluded Contribution pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and not previously included in the calculation set forth in Subsection 8.2(a)(3)(B)(x) for purposes of determining whether a Restricted Payment may be made.

 

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Excluded Information”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(i).

Excluded Liability”: any liability that is excluded under the Bail-In Legislation from the scope of any Bail-In Action including, without limitation, any liability excluded pursuant to Article 44 of the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive.

Excluded Subsidiary”: at any date of determination, any Subsidiary of the Borrower:

(a) that is an Immaterial Subsidiary;

(b) that is prohibited by Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligations existing on the Closing Date (or, in the case of any newly acquired Subsidiary, in existence at the time of acquisition but not entered into in contemplation thereof) from Guaranteeing, or granting Liens to secure, the Term Loan Facility Obligations or if Guaranteeing, or granting Liens to secure, the Term Loan Facility Obligations would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received;

(c) with respect to which the Borrower and the Administrative Agent reasonably agree that the burden or cost or other consequences of providing a guarantee of the Term Loan Facility Obligations shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom;

(d) with respect to which the provision of such guarantee of the Term Loan Facility Obligations would result in material adverse tax consequences to Management Holdings, Waterworks Holdings LP, Waterworks Holdings LLC, Pubco, New Blocker, New Blocker Holdings, Blocker Holdings, Passthrough Holdings, Management Holdings, the BorrowerTopco or one of its Subsidiaries (or, at the election of the Borrower in connection with an initial public offering or other restructuring of the Borrower, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive, and the Borrower shall take commercially reasonable efforts to promptly notify the Administrative Agent of any such determination, but failure to so notify the Administrative Agent shall not invalidate such determination);

(e) that is a Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary;

(f) that is a joint venture or Non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary;

(g) that is an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(h) that is a Captivean Insurance Subsidiary;

(i) that is a Special Purpose Entity;

 

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(j) that is a Subsidiary formed solely for the purpose of (x) becoming a Parent Entity, or (y) merging with the Borrower in connection with another Subsidiary becoming a Parent Entity, in each case to the extent such entity becomes a Parent Entity or is merged with the Borrower within 60 days of the formation thereof, or otherwise creating or forming a Parent Entity;

(k) that is a Subsidiary acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary and, at the time of the relevant acquisition, is an obligor in respect of Acquired Indebtedness to the extent (and solely for so long as) the documents or instruments governing the applicable Acquired Indebtedness prohibits such Subsidiary from granting a Guarantee of the Term Loan Facility Obligations; or

(l) that is an Escrow Subsidiary; or

(m) that is a not-for-profit Subsidiary;

provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) no Subsidiary that becomes a Guarantor at the election of the Borrower pursuant to Subsection 7.9(b) shall be an Excluded Subsidiary until it is released from its Term Loan Facility Obligations pursuant to Subsection 7.9(b) and (y) any Domestic Subsidiary that Guarantees the payment of, or is a borrower or obligor in respect of, the Senior ABL Facility or the Senior Notes shall not be an Excluded Subsidiary.

Subject to the proviso in the preceding sentence, any Subsidiary that fails to meet the foregoing requirements as of the last day of the period of the most recent four consecutive Fiscal Quarters for which consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available shall continue to be deemed an Excluded Subsidiary hereunder until the date that is 60 days following the date on which such annual or quarterly financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1 with respect to such period.

Excluded Taxes”: (a) any Taxes measured by or imposed upon the net income of any Agent or Lender or its applicable lending office, or any branch or affiliate thereof, and all franchise Taxes, branch Taxes, Taxes on doing business or Taxes measured by or imposed upon the overall capital or net worth of any such Agent or Lender or its applicable lending office, or any branch or affiliate thereof, in each case imposed: (i) by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Agent or Lender, applicable lending office, branch or affiliate is organized or is located, or in which its principal executive office is located, or any nation within which such jurisdiction is located or any political subdivision thereof; or (ii) by reason of any connection between the jurisdiction imposing such Tax and such Agent or Lender, applicable lending office, branch or affiliate other than a connection arising solely from such Agent or Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations under, or received payment under or enforced, this Agreement or any Notes, and (b) any Tax imposed by FATCA.

 

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Exempt Sale and Leaseback Transaction”: any Sale and Leaseback Transaction (a) in which the sale or transfer of property occurs within 180 days of the acquisition of such property by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or (b) that involves property with a book value equal to the greater of $25,000,000 and 3.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets (as of the date on which a legally binding commitment for such Sale and Leaseback Transaction was entered into) equal to the greater of $58,000,000 and 3.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets or less and is not part of a series of related Sale and Leaseback Transactions involving property with an aggregate value in excess of such amount and entered into with a single Person or group of Persons. For purposes of the foregoing, “Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of real or personal property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Borrower or any such Subsidiary to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or rental obligations of the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

Existing Interest Rate”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(d)(v).

Existing Loans”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(a).

“Existing Term Lenders”: those Lenders holding an Original Initial Term Loan immediately prior to the First Amendment Effective Date.

Existing Term Loans”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(a).

Existing Term Tranche”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(a).

Existing Tranche”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(a).

Extended Loans”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(a).

Extended Term Loans”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(a).

Extended Term Tranche”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(a).

Extended Tranche”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(a).

Extending Lender”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(b).

Extension”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(b).

Extension Amendment”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(c).

Extension Date”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(d).

Extension Election”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(b).

“Extension of Credit”: as to any Lender, the making of an Original Initial Term Loan (excluding any Supplemental Term Loans being made under the Original Initial Term Loan Tranche), a Tranche B Term Loan (excluding any Supplemental Term Loans being made under the Tranche B Term Loan Tranche) or an Incremental Revolving Loan (other than the initial extension of credit thereunder).

Extension Request”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(a).

 

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Extension Request Deadline”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(b).

Extension Series”: all Extended Loans that are established pursuant to the same Extension Amendment (or any subsequent Extension Amendment to the extent such Extension Amendment expressly provides that the Extended Loans provided for therein are intended to be part of any previously established Extension Series) and that provide for the same interest margins and amortization schedule.

“Facility”: each of (a) the Original Initial Term Loan Commitments and the Extensions of Credit made thereunder (the “Initial Term Loan Facility”), (b) the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments and the Extensions of Credit made thereunder, (c) Incremental Term Loans of the same Tranche, (cd) Incremental Revolving Commitments of the same Tranche and Extensions of Credit made thereunder, (de) any Extended Term Loans of the same Extension Series and (ef) any Specified Refinancing Term Loans of the same Tranche (other than Tranche B Term Loans), and collectively the “Facilities.”

Fair Market Value”: with respect to any asset or property, the fair market value of such asset or property as determined in good faith by senior management of the Borrower or the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive.

FATCA”: Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as in effect on the Closing Date (and any amended or successor provisions that are substantively comparable), and any regulations or other administrative authority promulgated thereunder, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with any of the foregoing and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any such intergovernmental agreement.

Federal District Court”: as defined in Subsection 11.13(a).

Federal Funds Effective Rate”: for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositarydepository institutions (as determined in such manner as the NYFRB shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the federal funds effective rate; provided that, if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

Fee Letter”: the Fee Letter, dated as of June 4, 2017, as amended by the letter agreement, dated as of June 23, 2017, and the letter agreement, dated as of July 14, 2017, among Passthrough Holdings, Passthrough Mergersub, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Credit Suisse AG, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Natixis, New York Branch and Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC.

Financing Disposition”: any sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of, or creation or incurrence of any Lien on, property or assets (a) by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof to or in favor of any Special Purpose Entity, or by any Special Purpose Subsidiary, in each case in connection with the Incurrence by a Special Purpose Entity of Indebtedness, or obligations to make payments to the obligor on Indebtedness, which may be secured by a Lien in respect of such property or assets or (b) by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof to or in favor of any Special Purpose Entity that is not a Special Purpose Subsidiary.

 

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Financing Lease Obligation”: an obligation that is”: any lease of property, real or personal, the obligations of the lessee in respect of which are required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized or financing lease (and not, for the avoidance of doubt, notas an operating lease) on the balance sheet of such lessee for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (and all calculations and deliverables under this Agreement (other than those made under Subsection 7.1) shall be made or delivered, as applicable, based on GAAP as in effect prior to such adoption). The Stated Maturity of any Financing Lease Obligation shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under the related lease.

“FIRREA”: the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989, as amended from time to time.

“Financing Lease Obligation”: an obligation under any Financing Lease.

“First Amendment”: the First Amendment, dated as of July 27, 2021, by and among the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

“First Amendment Effective Date”: July 27, 2021.

First Lender Joinder Agreement Effective Date”: July 8, 2019.

First Lien Obligations”: (i) the Term Loan Facility Obligations and (ii) the Additional Obligations, Permitted Debt Exchange Notes, Rollover Indebtedness and Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the Indebtedness described in this clause (ii) (other than any such Additional Obligations, Permitted Debt Exchange Notes, Rollover Indebtedness and Refinancing Indebtedness that are unsecured or secured by a Lien ranking junior to the LienLiens securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations) secured by a first priority security interest in the Term Loan Priority Collateral and a second priority security interest in the ABL Priority Collateral, collectively.

first priority”: with respect to any Lien purported to be created in any Collateral pursuant to any Security Document, that such Lien is the most senior Lien to which such Collateral is subject (subject to Liens permitted hereunder (including Permitted Liens) applicable to such Collateral which have priority over the respective Liens on such Collateral created pursuant to the relevant Security Document (or, in the case of Collateral constituting Pledged Stock (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), Permitted Liens of the type described in clauses (a), (k)(4) (other than subclause (z)), (l), (m), (n), (p)(1), (s) and, solely with respect to Permitted Liens described in the foregoing clauses, (o) of the definition thereof)). For purposes of this definition, a Lien purported to be created in any Collateral pursuant to any Security Document will be construed as the “most senior Lien” to which such Collateral is subject, notwithstanding the existence of a Permitted Lien on the Collateral that is pari passu with the Lien on such Collateral, so long as such Permitted Lien is subject to the terms of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement or an Other Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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Fiscal Quarter”: for any fiscal year, each 13-week or 14-week fiscal period commencing on the day immediately following the last day of the previous Fiscal Quarter and ending on the Sunday closest to January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31 (as applicable) of such fiscal year, or as otherwise designated by the Borrower in accordance with Subsection 7.12.

Fixed GAAP Date”: the ClosingFirst Amendment Effective Date; provided that at any time after the Closing Date, the Borrower may by written notice to the Administrative Agent elect to change the Fixed GAAP Date to be the date specified in such notice, and upon such notice, the Fixed GAAP Date shall be such date for all periods beginning on and after the date specified in such notice.

Fixed GAAP Terms”: (a) the definitions of the terms “Borrowing Base”, “Capital Expenditures”, “Consolidated Coverage Ratio”, “Consolidated EBITDA”, “Consolidated Interest Expense”, “Consolidated Net Income”, “Consolidated Secured Indebtedness”, “Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio”, “Consolidated Tangible Assets”, “Consolidated Total Indebtedness”, “Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio”, “Consolidated Working Capital”, “Consolidation”, “Domestic Borrowing Base”, “Excess Cash Flow”, “Financing Lease Obligation”, “Foreign Borrowing Base”, “Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA”, “Inventory” and “Receivable”, (b) all defined terms in this Agreement to the extent used in or relating to any of the foregoing definitions, and all ratios and computations based on any of the foregoing definitions, and (c) any other term or provision of this Agreement or the Loan Documents that, at the Borrower’s election, may be specified by the Borrower by written notice to the Administrative Agent from time to time.

Foreign Borrowing Base”: the sum of (1) 90% of the book value of Inventory of the Borrower’s Foreign Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries, (2) 90% of the book value of Receivables of the Borrower’s Foreign Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries and (3) cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments of the Borrower’s Foreign Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries (in each case, determined as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal month of the Borrower for which internal consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available, and, in the case of any determination relating to any Incurrence of Indebtedness, on a pro forma basis including (x) any property or assets of a type described above acquired since the end of such fiscal month and (y) any property or assets of a type described above being acquired in connection therewith).

Foreign Pension Plan”: a registered pension plan which is subject to applicable pension legislation other than ERISA or the Code, which a Restricted Subsidiary sponsors or maintains, or to which it makes or is obligated to make contributions.

Foreign Plan”: each Foreign Pension Plan, deferred compensation or other retirement or superannuation plan, fund, program, agreement, commitment or arrangement whether oral or written, funded or unfunded, sponsored, established, maintained or contributed to, or required to be contributed to, or with respect to which any liability is borne, outside the United States of America, by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than any such plan, fund, program, agreement or arrangement sponsored by a Governmental Authority.

 

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Foreign Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Borrower (a) that is organized under the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States of America and any Subsidiary of such Foreign Subsidiary or (b) that is a Foreign Subsidiary Holdco. Any subsidiary of the Borrower which is organized and existing under the laws of Puerto Rico or any other territory of the United States of America shall be a Foreign Subsidiary.

Foreign Subsidiary Holdco”: any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, so long as such Restricted Subsidiary has no material assets other than shares, equity interests, Capital Stock or other securities or indebtedness of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries (or Subsidiaries thereof), intellectual property relating to such Foreign Subsidiaries (or Subsidiaries thereof), and/or other assets (including cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments) relating to an ownership interest in any such securities, indebtedness, intellectual property or Subsidiaries. Any Subsidiary which is a Foreign Subsidiary Holdco that fails to meet the foregoing requirements as of the last day of the period for which consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available shall continue to be deemed a “Foreign Subsidiary Holdco” hereunder until the date that is 60 days following the date on which such annual or quarterly financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1 with respect to such period.

Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA”: as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available (determined for any fiscal quarter (or portion thereof) ending prior to the Closing Date, on a pro forma basis to give effect to the Transactions as if they had occurred at the beginning of such four quarter period), provided that:

(1) if, since the beginning of such period, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made a Sale (including any Sale occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder), the Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if positive) attributable to the company, business, group of assets or Subsidiary that are the subject of such Sale for such period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if negative) attributable thereto for such period;

(2) if, since the beginning of such period, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger, consolidation or otherwise) shall have made a Purchase (including any Purchase occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder), Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Purchase occurred on the first day of such period; and

 

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(3) if, since the beginning of such period, any Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, and since the beginning of such period such Person shall have made any Sale or Purchase that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above if made by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period, Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Sale or Purchase occurred on the first day of such period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any Sale, Purchase or other transaction, or the amount of income or earnings relating thereto, the pro forma calculations in respect thereof (including, without limitation, in respect of anticipated cost savings or synergies relating to any such Sale, Purchase or other transaction) shall be as determined in good faith by the Chief Financial Officer or another authorizedResponsible Officer of the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive; provided that with respect to cost savings or synergies relating to any Sale, Purchase or other transaction, the related actions are expected by the Borrower to be taken no later than 2436 months after the date of determination.

“Funded Debt”: all Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for borrowed money that matures more than one year from the date of its creation or matures within one year from such date that is renewable or extendable, at the option of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, to a date that is more than one year from such date, or that arises under a revolving credit or similar agreement that obligates the lender or lenders to extend credit during a period of more than one year from such date, including all amounts of such debt required to be paid or prepaid within one year from the date of its creation and, in the case of the Borrower, Indebtedness in respect of the Term Loans.

GAAP”: generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect on the Fixed GAAP Date (for purposes of the Fixed GAAP Terms) and as in effect from time to time (for all other purposes of this Agreement), including those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, and subject to the following sentence. If at any time the SEC permits or requires U.S. domiciled companies subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act to use IFRS in lieu of GAAP for financial reporting purposes, the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) may elect by written notice to the Administrative Agent to so use IFRS in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such notice, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean (a) for periods beginning on and after the date specified in such notice, IFRS as in effect on the date specified in such notice (for purposes of the Fixed GAAP Terms) and as in effect from time to time (for all other purposes of this Agreement) and (b) for prior periods, GAAP as defined in the first sentence of this definition. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Agreement shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.

Governmental Authority”: the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supranational bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

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Guarantee”: any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person; provided 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.

Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”: the Term Loan Guarantee and Collateral Agreement delivered to the Collateral Agent as of the date hereofClosing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Guarantee Obligation”: as to any Person (the “guaranteeing person”), any obligation of (a) the guaranteeing person or (b) another Person (including any bank under any letter of credit) to induce the creation of which the guaranteeing person has issued a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, in either case guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations (the “primary obligations”) of any other third Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any such obligation of the guaranteeing person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (A) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (B) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of any such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term Guarantee Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any guaranteeing person shall be deemed to be the lower of (a) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee Obligation is made and (b) the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such primary obligation and the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable are not stated or determinable, in which case the amount of such Guarantee Obligation shall be such guaranteeing person’s maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive.

Guarantor Subordinated Obligations”: with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Closing Date or thereafter Incurred) that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guaranty pursuant to a written agreement.

Guarantors”: the collective reference to each Holding Company (or any Successor Holding Company in respect thereof pursuant to and as defined in Subsection 9.16(e) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) (unless and until such Holding Company is released from all of its obligations pursuant to Subsection 9.16(h) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) and each Subsidiary Guarantor; individually, a “Guarantor.”

 

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Hedge Agreements”: collectively, Interest Rate Agreements, Currency Agreements and Commodities Agreements.

Hedging Obligations”: as to any Person, the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or Commodities Agreement.

Holding Companies”: Passthrough Holdings, Blocker Holdings and Management Holdings, collectivelyMidco and Intermediate GP, collectively (and, in each case, any Successor Holding Company in respect thereof pursuant to and as defined in Subsection 9.16(e) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), and each individually, a “Holding Company.”

Identified Participating Lenders”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iii)(3).

Identified Qualifying Lenders”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iv)(3).

IFRS”: International Financial Reporting Standards and applicable accounting requirements set by the International Accounting Standards Board or any successor thereto (or the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, or any successor to either such board, or the SEC, as the case may be), as in effect from time to time.

Immaterial Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Borrower designated as such in writing by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent that (i) (x) contributed 5.0% or less of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available, and (y) had consolidated assets representing 5.0% or less of Consolidated Tangible Assets as of the end of the most recently ended financial period for which consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available; and (ii) together with all other Immaterial Subsidiaries designated pursuant to the preceding clause (i), (x) contributed 5.07.5% or less of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available, and (y) had consolidated assets representing 5.07.5% or less of Consolidated Tangible Assets as of the end of the most recently ended financial period for which consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available. Any Subsidiary so designated as an Immaterial Subsidiary that fails to meet the foregoing requirements as of the last day of the period of the most recent four consecutive Fiscal Quarters for which consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available shall continue to be deemed an “Immaterial Subsidiary” hereunder until the date that is 60 days following the date on which such annual or quarterly financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(a) or 7.1(b) with respect to such period.

 

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Increase Supplement”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(c).

Increased Amount”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(d)(v).

Incremental Commitment Amendment”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(d).

Incremental Commitments”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(a).

Incremental Indebtedness”: Indebtedness Incurred by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with Subsection 2.8.

Incremental Lenders”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(b).

Incremental Letter of Credit Commitments”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(a).

Incremental Loans”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(d).

Incremental Revolving Commitments”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(a).

Incremental Revolving Loans”: any loans drawn under an Incremental Revolving Commitment.

Incremental Term Loan”: any Incremental Loan made pursuant to an Incremental Term Loan Commitment.

Incremental Term Loan Commitments”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(a).

Incur”: issue, assume, enter into any Guarantee of, incur or otherwise become liable for; and the terms “Incurs”, “Incurred” and “Incurrence” shall have a correlative meaning; provided 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 Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness, and the payment of dividends on Capital Stock constituting Indebtedness in the form of additional shares of the same class of Capital Stock, will be deemed not to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness. Any Indebtedness issued at a discount (including Indebtedness on which interest is payable through the issuance of additional Indebtedness) shall be deemed Incurred at the time of original issuance of the Indebtedness at the initial accreted amount thereof.

Indebtedness”: with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):

(i) the principal of indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;

 

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(ii) the principal of obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

(iii) all reimbursement obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments (the amount of such obligations being equal at any time to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other instruments plus the aggregate amount of drawings thereunder that have not then been reimbursed) (except to the extent such reimbursement obligations relate to Trade Payables and such obligations are expected to be satisfied within 30 days of becoming due and payable);

(iv) the principal component of all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property (except Trade Payables), which purchase price is due more than one year after the date of placing such property in final service or taking final delivery and title thereto;

(v) all Financing Lease Obligations of such Person;

(vi) the redemption, repayment or other repurchase amount of such Person with respect to any Disqualified Stock of such Person or (if such Person is a Subsidiary of the Borrower other than a Subsidiary Guarantor) any Preferred Stock of such Subsidiary, but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends (the amount of such obligation to be equal at any time to the maximum fixed involuntary redemption, repayment or repurchase price for such Capital Stock, or if less (or if such Capital Stock has no such fixed price), to the involuntary redemption, repayment or repurchase price therefor calculated in accordance with the terms thereof as if then redeemed, repaid or repurchased, and if such price is based upon or measured by the fair market value of such Capital Stock, such fair market value shall be as determined in good faith by senior management of the Borrower, the Board of Directors of the Borrower or the Board of Directors of the issuer of such Capital Stock, in each case which determination shall be conclusive);

(vii) 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 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 (as determined in good faith by the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive) and (B) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Persons;

(viii) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of other Persons, to the extent so Guaranteed by such Person; and

(ix) to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, net Hedging Obligations of such Person (the amount of any such obligation to be equal at any time to the termination value of such agreement or arrangement giving rise to such Hedging Obligation that would be payable by such Person at such time);

 

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provided that Indebtedness shall not include (t) any obligations attributable to the exercise of dissenters’ or appraisal rights and the settlement of any claims or actions (whether actual, contingent or potential) with respect thereto, (u) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing to any government or other taxing authority, (v) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the respective seller, (w) obligations, to the extent such obligations constitute Indebtedness, under any agreement that has been defeased or satisfied and discharged pursuant to the terms of such agreement, (x) Contingent Obligations Incurredincurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, (y) in connection with the purchase by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of any business, any 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, (so long as (i) at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, (ii) to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid in a timely manner) or (z) for the avoidance of doubt, any obligations or liabilities which would be required to be classified and accounted for as an operating lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP as of the date hereofprior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be determined as set forth above or as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, or otherwise shall equal the amount thereof that would appear as a liability on a balance sheet of such Person (excluding any notes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Indemnified Liabilities”: as defined in Subsection 11.5(d).

Indemnitee”: as defined in Subsection 11.5(d).

Initial Agreement”: as defined in Subsection 8.3(c).

Initial Default”: as defined in Subsection 1.2(c).

Initial Lien”: as defined in Subsection 8.6.

Initial Term Loan”: as defined in Subsection 2.1(a)collectively, the Original Initial Term Loans and the Tranche B Term Loans.

Initial Term Loan Commitment”: as to any Lender, its obligation to make Initial Term Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Subsection 2.1(a) in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in Schedule A under the heading “the Original Initial Term Loan Commitment”; collectively, as to all the Lenders, the “ Initial Term Loan Commitments.”The original aggregate amount of the Initial Term Loan Commitments on the Closing Date is $1,075,000,000. (if any) and the Tranche B Term Loan Commitment (if any).

Initial Term Loan Facility”: as defined in the definition of “Facility.”

 

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Initial Term Loan Maturity Date”: August 1, 2024(a) prior to the First Amendment Effective Date, the Original Initial Term Loan Maturity Date and (b) from and after the First Amendment Effective Date, the Tranche B Term Loan Maturity Date.

Insolvency”: with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.

Installment Date”: as defined in Subsection 2.2(b)(i).

“Insurance Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Borrower (i) that is a Captive Insurance Subsidiary or (ii) whose primary purpose and activity is the assumption of self-insurance risks and activities reasonably related thereto.

Intellectual Property”: as defined in Subsection 5.9.

Intercreditor Agreement Supplement”: as defined in Subsection 10.8(a).

Interest Payment Date”: (a) as to any ABR Loan, the last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter to occur while such Loan is outstanding, and the final maturity date of such Loan, (b) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less, the last day of such Interest Period, and (c) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period longer than three months, (i) each day which is three months, or a whole multiple thereof, after the first day of such Interest Period and (ii) the last day of such Interest Period.

Interest Period”: with respect to any Eurodollar Loan:

(a) initially, the period commencing on the borrowing or conversion date, as the case may be, with respect to such Eurodollar Loan and ending (x) one, two, three or six months (or if agreed to by each affected Lender, 12 months or a shorter period) thereafter or, (y) on the last day of the first fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date or (z) on the last day of the first or the first full fiscal quarter ending after the First Amendment Effective Date, as selected by the Borrower in its notice of borrowing or notice of conversion, as the case may be, given with respect thereto; and

(b) thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, two, three or six months (or if agreed to by each affected Lender, 12 months or a shorter period) thereafter, as selected by the Borrower by irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent not less than three Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto; provided that all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject to the following:

(i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

 

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(ii) any Interest Period that would otherwise extend beyond the applicable Maturity Date shall (for all purposes other than Subsection 4.12) end on the applicable Maturity Date; and

(iii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of a calendar month; and.

(iv) the Borrower shall select Interest Periods so as not to require a scheduled payment of any Eurodollar Loan during an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan.

Interest Rate Agreement”: with respect to any Person, any interest rate protection agreement, future agreement, option agreement, swap agreement, cap agreement, collar agreement, hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement (including derivative agreements or arrangements), as to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

“Intermediate GP”: Core & Main Intermediate GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

Interpolated Screen Rate”: in relation to the LIBOR Rate for any Loan, the rate which results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the rate appearing on the ICE Benchmark Administration page (or on any successor or substitute page of such service) for the longest period (for which that rate is available) which is less than the Interest Period and (b) the rate appearing on the ICE Benchmark Administration page (or on any successor or substitute page of such service) for the shortest period (for which that rate is available) which exceeds the Interest Period, each as of approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

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

Investment”: in any Person by any other Person, any direct or indirect advance, loan or other extension of credit (other than to customers, dealers, distributors, licensees, franchisees, suppliers, consultants, directors, officers or employees of any Person in the ordinary course of business) or capital contribution (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others) to, or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar instruments issued by, such Person. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Subsection 8.2 only, (i) “Investment” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Borrower’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of any Subsidiary of the Borrower at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary, provided that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (x) the Borrower’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (y) the portion (proportionate to the Borrower’s equity interest in such

 

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Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, (ii) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive) at the time of such transfer and (iii) for purposes of Subsection 8.2(a)(3)(C), the amount resulting from the redesignation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall be the Fair Market Value of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation. Guarantees shall not be deemed to be Investments. The amount of any Investment outstanding at any time shall be the original cost of such Investment, reduced (at the Borrower’s option) by any dividend, distribution, interest payment, return of capital, repayment or other amount or value received in respect of such Investment; provided that to the extent that the amount of Restricted Payments outstanding at any time pursuant to Subsection 8.2(a) is so reduced by any portion of any such amount or value that would otherwise be included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income, such portion of such amount or value shall not be so included for purposes of calculating the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to Subsection 8.2(a).

Investment Company Act”: the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.

Investment Grade Rating”: a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or any equivalent rating by any other Rating Agencynationally recognized rating agency.

Investment Grade Securities”: (i) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents); (ii) debt securities or debt instruments with an Investment Grade Rating, but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; (iii) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, which fund may also hold cash pending investment or distribution; and (iv) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments.

IPO Vehicle”: (aanPubco and/or any other entity formed or designated for the purpose of facilitating an issuance or sale of common equity interests (which represent an indirect economic and/or voting interest in the Borrower or a Parent Entity and through which investors shall indirectly hold their equity interests in the Borrower or a Parent Entity) in an underwritten public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act (whether alone or in connection with a secondary public offering) and such equity interests are listed on a nationally-recognized stock exchange in the U.S. and (banyNew Blocker, the Pubco Merger Subs and/or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the entity referred to in clause (a) above other than a Parent Entity or any Subsidiary of a Parent Entity (including the Pubco Merger Subs) (unless the entity in clause (a) is a Parent Entity, in which case other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof).

Investors”: as defined in the definition of “Equity Contribution”.

 

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“ISDA CDS Definitions”: as defined in Subsection 11.1(k).

Judgment Conversion Date”: as defined in Subsection 11.8(a).

Judgment Currency”: as defined in Subsection 11.8(a).

Junior Capital”: collectively, any Indebtedness of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or the Borrower that (i) is not secured by any asset of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) is expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full of the Term Loan Facility Obligations hereunder on terms consistent with those for senior subordinated high yield debt securities issued by U.S. companies sponsored by CD&R (as determined in good faith by the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive), (iii) has a final maturity date that is not earlier than, and provides for no scheduled payments of principal prior to, the date that is 91 days after the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date (other than through conversion or exchange of any such Indebtedness for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower, Capital Stock of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or any other Junior Capital), (iv) has no mandatory redemption or prepayment obligations other than (a) obligations that are subject to the prior payment in full in cash of the Term Loans and (b) pursuant to an escrow or similar arrangement with respect to the proceeds of such Junior Capital and (v) does not require the payment of cash interest until the date that is 91 days after the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date.

Junior Debt”: (i) the Senior Notes (and Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to Subsection 8.1(b)(iii)) and (ii) any Subordinated Obligations and Guarantor Subordinated Obligations.

Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement”: an intercreditor agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit J-2 to be entered into as required by the terms hereof, as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

LCT Election”: as defined in Subsection 1.2(j).

LCT Test Date”: as defined in Subsection 1.2(j).

Lead Arrangers”: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Natixis, New York Branch and Nomura Securities International, Inc. as Joint Lead Arrangers.

Lender Default”: (a) the refusal (which may be given verbally or in writing and has not been retracted) or failure of any Lender (including any Agent in its capacity as Lender) to make available its portion of any incurrence of Loans, which refusal or failure is not cured within two Business Days after the date of such refusal or failure, (b) the failure of any Lender (including any Agent in its capacity as Lender) to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, (c) a Lender (including any Agent in its capacity as Lender) has notified the Borrower or the Administrative Agent that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, (d) a Lender (including any Agent in its capacity as Lender) has failed, within 10 Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent, to

 

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confirm that it will comply with its funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender Default pursuant to this clause (d) shall cease to be a Lender Default upon receipt of such confirmation by the Administrative Agent) or (e) an Agent or a Lender has admitted in writing that it is insolvent or such Agent or Lender becomes subject to a Lender-Related Distress Event or Bail-In Action.

Lender Joinder Agreement”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(c).

Lender-Related Distress Event”: with respect to any Agent or Lender (each, a “Distressed Person”), a voluntary or involuntary case with respect to such Distressed Person under any debt relief law, or a custodian, conservator, receiver or similar official is appointed for such Distressed Person or any substantial part of such Distressed Person’s assets, or such Distressed Person makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or is otherwise adjudicated as, or determined by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Distressed Person to be, insolvent or bankrupt; provided that a Lender-Related Distress Event shall not be deemed to have occurred solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interests in any Agent or Lender or any person that directly or indirectly controls such Agent or Lender by a Governmental Authority or an instrumentality thereof; provided, further, that the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official by a supervisory authority or regulator with respect to an Agent or Lender or any other person that directly or indirectly controls such Agent or Lender under the Dutch Financial Supervision Act 2007 (as amended from time to time and including any successor legislation) shall not be deemed to be a “Lender-Related Distress Event” with respect to such Agent or Lender or any person that directly or indirectly controls such Agent or Lender.

Lenders”: the several lenders from time to time parties to this Agreement together with, in the case of any such lender that is a bank or financial institution, any affiliate of any such bank or financial institution through which such bank or financial institution elects, by notice to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to make any Loans available to the Borrower, provided that for all purposes of voting or consenting with respect to (a) any amendment, supplementationsupplement or modification of or to any Loan Document, (b) any waiver of any of the requirements of any Loan Document or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences or (c) any other matter as to which a Lender may vote or consent pursuant to Subsection 11.1, the bank or financial institution making such election shall be deemed the “Lender” rather than such affiliate, which shall not be entitled to so vote or consent.

Letter of Credit Facility”: any facility, in each case with one or more banks or other lenders, institutions or financing providers providing for letters of credit or bank guarantees, in each case including all agreements, instruments and documents executed and delivered pursuant to or in connection with any of the foregoing.

Leverage Excess Proceeds”: as defined in Subsection 8.4(b).

Liabilities”: collectively, any and all claims, obligations, liabilities, causes of action, actions, suits, proceedings, investigations, judgments, decrees, losses, damages, fees, costs and expenses (including interest, penalties and fees and disbursements of attorneys, accountants, investment bankers and other professional advisors), in each case whether incurred, arising or existing with respect to third parties or otherwise at any time or from time to time.

 

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LIBOR Rate”: with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be:

(a) the London Interbank Offered Rate for deposits in Dollars for a duration equal to or comparable to the duration of such Interest Period which appear on the relevant Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service page for the applicable currency (being currently the page designated as “LIBO”) (or such other commercially available source providing quotations of the London Interbank Offered Rates for deposits in Dollars as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time and as consented to by the Borrower) at or about 11:00 A.M. (London time) two London Business Days before the first day of such Interest Period; or

(b) if no such page (or other source) is available, the Interpolated Screen Rate; or

(c) if no such page (or other source) is available and it is not possible to calculate an Interpolated Screen Rate for the applicable Loan, (x) the arithmetic mean of the rates per annum as supplied to the Administrative Agent at its request quoted by the Reference Banks to leading banks in the London interbank market two London Business Days before the first day of such Interest Period for deposits in Dollars of a duration equal to the duration of such Interest Period; provided that any Reference Bank that has failed to provide a quote in accordance with Subsection 4.6(c) shall be disregarded for purposes of determining the mean or (y) if consented to by the Borrower, the average of the rates per annum quoted by the Administrative Agent to leading banks in the London interbank market at or about 11:00 A.M. (London time) two London Business Days before the first day of such Interest Period for deposits in Dollars of a duration equal to the duration of such Interest Period.

If at any time the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that (i) the circumstances set forth in Subsection 4.7 have arisen and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary or (ii) the circumstances set forth in Subsection 4.7 have not arisen but the supervisor for the administrator of the London Interbank Offered Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which the London Interbank Offered Rate shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans in Dollars or the applicable Designated Foreign Currency, then, at the Borrower’s request, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall endeavor to establish an alternate rate of interest to the LIBOR Rate that gives due consideration to the then prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest for syndicated loans in the United States at such time, and shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement to reflect such alternate rate of interest and such other related changes to this Agreement as may be applicable (including amendments to the Applicable Margin to preserve the terms of the economic transactions initially agreed to among the Borrower, on the one hand, and the Lenders on the other hand (including with respect to impact of any “floors”)). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.

 

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

Limited Condition Transaction”: (x) any acquisition, including by way of merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other business combination or the acquisition of Capital Stock or otherwise, of any assets, business or Person, or any other Investment by one or more of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries of any assets, business or Person or any other Investment permitted by this Agreement, in each case, whose consummation is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing or (y) any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock requiring irrevocable notice in advance of such redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment.

Loan”: each Initial Term Loan, Incremental Term Loan, Extended Term Loan, Specified Refinancing Term Loan or Incremental Revolving Loan, as the context shall require; collectively, the “Loans.”

Loan Documents”: this Agreement, any Notes, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement (on and after the execution thereof), each Other Intercreditor Agreement (on and after the execution thereof) and any other Security Documents, each as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Loan Parties”: each Holding Company (orincluding, in each case, any Successor Holding Company in respect thereof pursuant to and as defined in Subsection 9.16(e) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) (unless and until such Holding Company is released from all of its obligations pursuant to Subsection 9.16(h) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors; each individually, a “Loan Party.”

Management Advances”: (1) loans or advances made to directors, management members, officers, employees or consultants of any Parent Entity, IPO Vehicle, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (x) in respect of travel, entertainment or moving related expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business, (y) in respect of moving related expenses incurred in connection with any closing or consolidation of any facility, or (z) in the ordinary course of business and (in the case of this clause (z)) not exceeding $15,000,000the greater of $30,000,000 and 2.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets in the aggregate outstanding at any time, (2) promissory notes of Management Investors acquired in connection with the issuance of Management Stock to such Management Investors, (3) Management Guarantees, or (4) other Guarantees of borrowings by Management Investors in connection with the purchase of Management Stock, which Guarantees are permitted under Subsection 8.1.

 

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Management Guarantees”: guarantees (x) of up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time of $30,000,000the greater of $60,000,000 and 4.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets of borrowings by Management Investors in connection with their purchase of Management Stock or (y) made on behalf of, or in respect of loans or advances made to, directors, officers, employees, management members or consultants of any Parent Entity, IPO Vehicle, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (1) in respect of travel, entertainment and moving related expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business, or (2) in the ordinary course of business and (in the case of this clause (2)) not exceeding $10,000,000the greater of $20,000,000 and 1.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets in the aggregate outstanding at any time.

Management Holdings”: Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC (formerly known as CD&R Waterworks Management Feeder, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

Management Indebtedness”: Indebtedness Incurred to (a) any Person other than a Management Investor of up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time of $25,000,000the greater of $50,000,000 and 3.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, and (b) any Management Investor, in each case, to finance the repurchase or other acquisition of Capital Stock of the Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof) Management Stock from any Management Investor, which repurchase or other acquisition of Capital Stock is permitted by Subsection 8.2.

Management Investors”: the current or former management members, officers, directors, employees and other members of the management of any Parent Entity, IPO Vehicle, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or family members or relatives of any of the foregoing (provided that, solely for purposes of the definition of “Permitted Holders”, such relatives shall include only those Persons who are or become Management Investors in connection with estate planning for or inheritance from other Management Investors, as determined in good faith by the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive), or trusts, partnerships or limited liability companies for the benefit of any of the foregoing, or any of their heirs, executors, successors and legal representatives, who at any date beneficially own or have the right to acquire, directly or indirectly, Capital Stock of the Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary,of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof).

Management Stock”: Capital Stock of the Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary, or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof) held by any of the Management Investors.

Margin Stock”: as defined in Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Market Capitalization”: an amount equal to (i) the total number of issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Borrower, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (including all shares of Capital Stock of such Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle reserved for issuance upon conversion or exchange of Capital Stock of another Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle outstanding on such date) on the date of declaration of the relevant dividend or making of any other Restricted Payment, as applicable, multiplied by (ii) the arithmetic mean of the closing prices per share of such capital stock on the New York Stock Exchange (or, if the primary listing of such capital stock is on another exchange, on such other exchange) for the 30 consecutive trading days immediately preceding such date.

 

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Material Adverse Effect”: (x) on, or as of, the Closing Date, a Closing Date Material Adverse Effect, or (y) after the Closing Date, a material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, property or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole (other than resulting from any event, development or circumstance related to the COVID-19 pandemic that was disclosed to the Lenders on or prior to the First Amendment Effective Date), (b) the validity or enforceability as to the Loan Parties (taken as a whole) party thereto of the Loan Documents taken as a whole or (c) the rights or remedies of the Agents and the Lenders under the Loan Documents, in each case, taken as a whole.

Material Subsidiaries”: Restricted Subsidiaries of the Borrower constituting, individually or in the aggregate (as if such Restricted Subsidiaries constituted a single Subsidiary), a “significant subsidiary” in accordance with Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X.

Materials of Environmental Concern”: any pollutants, contaminants, hazardous or toxic substances or materials or wastes defined, listed, or regulated as such in or under, or which may give rise to liability under, any applicable Environmental Law, including gasoline, petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof), petroleum products or by-products, asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Maturity Date”: the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date, for any Extended Tranche the “Maturity Date” set forth in the applicable Extension Amendment, for any Incremental Commitments the “Maturity Date” set forth in the applicable Incremental Commitment Amendment and for any Specified Refinancing Tranche the “Maturity Date” set forth in the applicable Specified Refinancing Amendment, in each case as the context may require.

Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount”: at any date of determination, the sum of (i) an amount equal to the greater of (1)  $225,000,000400,000,000 and (2) Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA (amounts Incurred pursuant to this clause (i), the “Cash Capped Incremental Facility”) plus (ii) an unlimited amount if, after giving effect to the Incurrence of such amount (or, at the Borrower’s option, on the date of the initial commitment to lend such additional amount after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence of the entire committed amount of such additional amount), either (x) the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 4.753.75 to 1.00 (or (y) in the case of Indebtedness being Incurred to finance or refinance, or otherwise Incurred in connection with, any acquisition of assets (including Capital Stock), business or Person, or any merger or consolidation of any Person with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any other Investment, the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio of the Borrower would equal or be less than the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio of the Borrower immediately prior to giving effect thereto (in each case under this clause (ii), as set forth in a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent at the time of such Incurrence, together with calculations demonstrating compliance with such ratio (amounts Incurred pursuant to this clause (ii), the “Ratio Incremental Facility”) (it being understood that (A) if pro forma effect is given to the entire committed amount of any such additional amount on the date of initial borrowing of such Indebtedness or entry into the

 

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definitive agreement providing the commitment to fund such Indebtedness, such committed amount may thereafter be borrowed and reborrowed in whole or in part, from time to time, without further compliance with this clause (ii) and (B) for purposes of so calculating the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio under this clause (ii), any additional amount Incurred pursuant to this clause (ii) shall be treated as if such amount is Consolidated Secured Indebtedness, regardless of whether such amount is actually secured or is secured by Liens ranking junior to the Liens securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations)); provided that, at the Borrower’s option, capacity under the Ratio Incremental Facility shall be deemed to be used before capacity under the Cash Capped Incremental Facility.

“MFN Threshold Amount”: the greater of (i) $200,000,000 and (ii) 50.0% of Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA.

“Midco”: Core & Main Midco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

Minimum Exchange Tender Condition”: as defined in Subsection 2.9(b).

Minimum Extension Condition”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(g).

Moody’s”: Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and its successors.

Most Recent Four Quarter Period”: the four-fiscal-quarterfour Fiscal Quarter period of the Borrower ending on the last day of the most recently completed fiscal year or Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) have been (or have been required to be) delivered under Subsection 7.1(a) or 7.1(b).

Multiemployer Plan”: a Plan which is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

Net Available Cash”: from an Asset Disposition or Recovery Event, an amount equal to the cash payments received (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other obligations relating to the properties or assets that are the subject of such Asset Disposition or Recovery Event or received in any other non-cash form) therefrom, in each case net of (i) all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred, and all Tax Distributions made or to be made and (without duplication) all Federalfederal , state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be paid or to be accrued as a liability under GAAP, in each case, as a consequence of, or in respect of, such Asset Disposition or Recovery Event (including as a consequence of any transfer of funds in connection with the application thereof in accordance with Subsection 8.4), (ii) all payments made, and all installment payments required to be made, on any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness secured by Liens on the Collateral that are required by the express terms of this Agreement to be pari passu with or junior to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations) (x) that is secured by any assets subject to such Asset Disposition or involved in such Recovery Event, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon such assets, or

 

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(y) that must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Disposition, or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition or Recovery Event, including but not limited to any payments required to be made to increase borrowing availability under any revolving credit facility, (iii) all distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Disposition or Recovery Event, or to any other Person (other than the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary) owning a beneficial interest in the assets disposed of in such Asset Disposition or subject to such Recovery Event, (iv) any liabilities or obligations associated with the assets disposed of in such Asset Disposition or involved in such Recovery Event and retained, indemnified or insured by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Disposition or Recovery Event, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters, and liabilities relating to any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Disposition or Recovery Event, (v) in the case of an Asset Disposition, the amount of any purchase price or similar adjustment (x) claimed by any Person to be owed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, until such time as such claim shall have been settled or otherwise finally resolved, or (y) paid or payable by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case in respect of such Asset Disposition and (vi) in the case of any Recovery Event, any amount thereof that constitutes or represents reimbursement or compensation for any amount previously paid or to be paid by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

Net Available Cash Amount”: as defined in Subsection 8.4(a)(iii).

Net Cash Proceeds”: with respect to any issuance or sale of any securities of, or the Incurrence of Indebtedness by, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any capital contribution to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, the cash proceeds of such issuance, sale, Incurrence or contribution received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in connection with such issuance, sale, contribution or Incurrence and net of Tax Distributions made or to be made and all taxes paid or payable as a result, or in respect, thereof.

“Net Short Lender”: as defined in Subsection 11.1(k).

“Net Short Lender Default Breach”: as defined in Subsection 11.1(k).

“Net Short Lender Verification Covenant”: as defined in Subsection 11.1(k).

New Blocker”: CD&R WW, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

New Blocker Holdings”: CD&R WW Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

“New Tranche B Term Lenders”: as defined in Subsection 2.1(c)(i).

“New Tranche B Term Loan”: as defined in Subsection 2.1(c)(i).

New York Courts”: as defined in Subsection 11.13(a).

 

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New York Supreme Court”: as defined in Subsection 11.13(a).

Non-Consenting Lender”: as defined in Subsection 11.1(g).

Non-Defaulting Lender”: any Lender other than a Defaulting Lender.

“Non-Exchanging Term Lender”: as defined in Subsection 2.1(c)(ii).

Non-Excluded Taxes”: all Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

Non-Extending Lender”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(e).

Non-Extension Notice Date”: as defined in Subsection 2.6(j).

Non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary”: each Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary.

Note”: as defined in Subsection 2.2(a).

NYFRB”: the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

NYFRB Rate”: for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.mA.M. (New York City time) on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a Federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

“Obligation Currency”: as defined in Subsection 11.8(a).

Obligations”: with respect to any Indebtedness, any principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, Guarantees of such Indebtedness (or of Obligations in respect thereof), other monetary obligations of any nature and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof.

OFAC”: as defined in clause (c) of the first sentence of Subsection 5.21(b).

Offered Amount”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iv)(1).

Offered Discount”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iv)(1).

OID”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(d).

 

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Organizational Documents”: with respect to any Person, (a) the articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation or certificate of formation (or the equivalent organizational documents) of such Person and (b) the bylaws, operating agreement or partnership agreement (or the equivalent governing documents) of such Person.

“Original Initial Term Loan”: as defined in Subsection 2.1(a).

“Original Initial Term Loan Commitment”: as to any Lender, its obligation to make Original Initial Term Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Subsection 2.1(a) in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in Schedule A under the headingOriginal Initial Term Loan Commitment”; collectively, as to all the Lenders, the Original Initial Term Loan Commitments”. The original aggregate amount of the Original Initial Term Loan Commitments on the Closing Date is $1,075,000,000.

“Original Initial Term Loan Maturity Date”: August 1, 2024.

Other Intercreditor Agreement”: an intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Collateral Agent.

Other Representatives”: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Barclays Bank PLC, in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., in its capacity Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Royal Bank of Canada, in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Natixis, New York Branch, in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, and Nomura Securities International, Inc., in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner.

Outstanding Amount”: with respect to the Loans on any date, the principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments thereof occurring on such date.

Overnight Bank Funding Rate”: for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar borrowings by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions (as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate (from and after such date as the NYFRB shall commence to publish such composite rate).

Parent Entity”: any of Blocker Holdings, Passthrough Holdings, Management Holdings and , Waterworks Holdings LP, Waterworks Holdings LLC, Pubco, New Blocker, Topco, Core & Main Buyer, Core & Main Connector, the Holding Companies (including, in each case, any Successor Holding Company pursuant to and as defined in Subsection 9.16(e) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), any Other Parent and any other Person that is a Subsidiary of Blocker Holdings, Passthrough Holdings, Management Holdings, Waterworks Holdings LP, Waterworks

 

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Holdings LLC, Pubco, New Blocker, Topco, Core & Main Buyer, Core & Main Connector, any Holding Company (including, in each case, any Successor Holding Company pursuant to and as defined in Subsection 9.16(e) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) or any Other Parent and of which the Borrower is a Subsidiary, in each case, solely for so long as the Borrower isremains a Subsidiary of such Person. As used herein, “Other Parent” means a Person (which may be an IPO Vehicle) of which the Borrower is or becomes a Subsidiary after the Closing Date that is designated by the Borrower as an “Other Parent” after the Closing Date; provided that either (x) immediately after the Borrower first becomes a Subsidiary of such Person, more than 50.0% of the Voting Stock of such Person shall be held by one or more Persons that held more than 50.0% of the Voting Stock of the Borrower or a Parent Entity of the Borrower immediately prior to the Borrower first becoming such Subsidiary, (y) such Person shall be deemed not to be an Other Parent for the purpose of determining whether a Change of Control shall have occurred by reason of the Borrower first becoming a Subsidiary of such Person, or (z) in the case of an IPO Vehicle, no Change of Control shall have occurred in treating such IPO Vehicle as if it were a Parent Entity both before and after giving effect to the Borrower becoming a Subsidiary of such IPO Vehicle. The Borrower shall not in any event be deemed to be a “Parent Entity.”

Parent Expenses”: (i) costs (including all professional fees and expenses) incurred by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in connection with maintaining its existence or in connection with its reporting obligations under, or in connection with compliance with, applicable laws or applicable rules of any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory body or stock exchange, this Agreement or any other agreement or instrument relating to Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, including in respect of any reports filed with respect to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or the respective rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (ii) expenses incurred by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in connection with the acquisition, development, maintenance, ownership, prosecution, protection and defense of its intellectual property and associated rights (including but not limited to trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade dress, patents, copyrights and similar rights, including registrations and registration or renewal applications in respect thereof; inventions, processes, designs, formulae, trade secrets, know-how, confidential information, computer software, data and documentation, and any other intellectual property rights; and licenses of any of the foregoing) or assertions of infringement, misappropriation, dilution or other violation of third-party intellectual property or associated rights, to the extent such intellectual property and associated rights or assertions relate to the business or businesses of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, (iii) indemnification obligations of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle owing to directors, officers, employees or other Persons under its charter or by-laws (or equivalent) or pursuant to written agreements with or for the benefit of any such Person (including the CD&R Indemnification Agreement), or obligations in respect of director and officer insurance (including premiums therefor), (iv) other administrative and operational expenses of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle incurred in the ordinary course of business, (v) fees and expenses incurred by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in connection with maintenance and implementation of any management equity incentive plan associated with the management of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and (vi) fees and expenses incurred by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in connection with any offering of Capital Stock or Indebtedness, (w) which offering is not completed, or (x) where the net proceeds of such offering are intended to be received by or contributed or loaned to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, or (y) in a prorated amount of such expenses in proportion to the amount of such net

 

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proceeds intended to be so received, contributed or loaned, or (z) otherwise on an interim basis prior to completion of such offering so long as any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle shall cause the amount of such expenses to be repaid to the Borrower or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary out of the proceeds of such offering promptly if completed.

Pari Passu Indebtedness”: any Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the Collateral ranking pari passu with the Liens securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations.

Participant”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(c)(i).

Participant Register”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(b)(v).

Participating Lender”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iii)(2).

Passthrough Holdings”: CD&R Plumb Buyer, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

Passthrough Mergersub”: as defined in the Preamble hereto, and any successor in interest thereto.

Patriot Act”: as defined in Subsection 11.18.

PBGC”: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA (or any successor thereto).

Permitted Affiliated Assignee”: (i) CD&R, and any investment fund managed or controlled by CD&R and, (ii) any special purpose vehicle established by CD&R or by one or more of such investment funds managed or controlled by CD&R and (iii) any Parent Entity.

Permitted Cure Securities”: common equity securities of the Borrower or any Parent Entity or other qualified equity securities of the Borrower or any Parent Entity that do not constitute Disqualified Stock.

Permitted Debt Exchange”: as defined in Subsection 2.9(a).

Permitted Debt Exchange Notes”: as defined in Subsection 2.9(a).

Permitted Debt Exchange Offer”: as defined in Subsection 2.9(a).

Permitted Holders”: any of the following: (i) any of the CD&R Investors; (ii) any of the Management Investors, CD&R and their respective Affiliates; (iii) any investment fund or vehicle managed, sponsored or advised by CD&R or any Affiliate thereof, and any Affiliate of or successor to any such investment fund or vehicle; (iv) any limited or general partners of, or other investors in, any CD&R Investor or any Affiliate thereof, or any such investment fund or vehicle; (v) any “group” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date) of which any of the Persons specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above is a member (provided that (without giving effect to the existence of such “group” or any other “group”) one or more of such Persons collectively have beneficial ownership, directly

 

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or indirectly, of more than 50.0% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Borrower or theany Parent Entity held by such “group”), and any other Person that is a member of such “group”; (vi) any Person acting in the capacity of an underwriter (solely to the extent that and for so long as such Person is acting in such capacity) in connection with a public or private offering of Capital Stock of the Borrower or any Parent Entity, or IPO Vehicle or the Borrower; and (vii) unless and until it constitutes a Parent Entity, any IPO Vehicle (provided that no “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date), other than one or more “Permitted Holders” described in the preceding clauses (i) through (vi), has beneficial ownership (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13-d5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date), directly or indirectly, of more than 50.0% of the total voting power of voting stock of such IPO Vehicle). In addition, any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date) whose status as a “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date) constitutes or results in a Change of Control in respect of which the Borrower makes a Change of Control Offer pursuant to Subsection 8.8(a) (whether or not in connection with any repayment or repurchase of Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to Junior Debt), together with its Affiliates, shall thereafter constitute Permitted Holders.

Permitted Investment”: an Investment by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in, or consisting of, any of the following:

(i) a Restricted Subsidiary, the Borrower, or a Person that will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary (and any Investment held by such Person that was not acquired by such Person, or made pursuant to a commitment by such Person that was not entered into, in contemplation of so becoming a Restricted Subsidiary);

(ii) another Person if as a result of such Investment such other Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary (and, in each case, any Investment held by such other Person that was not acquired by such Person, or made pursuant to a commitment by such Person that was not entered into, in contemplation of such merger, consolidation or transfer);

(iii) Temporary Cash Investments, Investment Grade Securities or Cash Equivalents;

(iv) receivables owing to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business;

(v) any securities or other Investments received as consideration in, or retained in connection with, sales or other dispositions of property or assets, including Asset Dispositions made in compliance with Subsection 8.4;

(vi) securities or other Investments received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to, or of other claims asserted by, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or as a result of foreclosure, perfection or enforcement of any Lien, or in satisfaction of judgments, including in connection with any bankruptcy proceeding or other reorganization of another Person;

 

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(vii) Investments in existence or made pursuant to legally binding written commitments in existence on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 1.1(a), and, in each case, any extension, modification, replacement, reinvestment or renewal thereof; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased in such extension, modification, replacement, reinvestment or renewal only (x) as required by the terms of such Investment or binding commitment as in existence on the Closing Date (including as a result of the accrual or accretion of interest or original issue discount or the issuance of pay-in-kind securities) or (y) as otherwise permitted by this Agreement;

(viii) Currency Agreements, Interest Rate Agreements, Commodities Agreements and related Hedging Obligations, which obligations are Incurred in compliance with Subsection 8.1;

(ix) pledges or deposits (x) with respect to leases or utilities provided to third parties in the ordinary course of business or (y) otherwise described in the definition of “Permitted Liens” or made in connection with Liens permitted under Subsection 8.6;

(x) (1) Investments in or by any Special Purpose Subsidiary, or in connection with a Financing Disposition by, to, in or in favor of any Special Purpose Entity, including Investments of funds held in accounts permitted or required by the arrangements governing such Financing Disposition or any related Indebtedness, or (2) any promissory note issued by the Borrower or any Parent Entity; provided that if such Parent Entity receives cash from the relevant Special Purpose Entity in exchange for such note, an equal cash amount is contributed by any Parent Entity to the Borrower;

(xi) bonds secured by assets leased to and operated by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that were issued in connection with the financing of such assets so long as the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may obtain title to such assets at any time by paying a nominal fee, canceling such bonds and terminating the transaction;

(xii) [reserved];

(xiii) any Investment to the extent made using Capital Stock of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock), Capital Stock of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or Junior Capital as consideration;

(xiv) Management Advances;

(xv) Investments in Related Businesses in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed an amount equal to the greater of $125,000,000272,500,000 and 16.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(xvi) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted by and made in accordance with the provisions of Subsection 8.5(b) (except transactions described in clauses (i), (ii)(4), (iii), (v), (vi), (ix) and (x) therein), including any Investment pursuant to any transaction described in Subsection 8.5(b)(ii) (whether or not any Person party thereto is at any time an Affiliate of the Borrower);

 

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(xvii) any Investment by any Captive Insurance Subsidiary in connection with the provision of insurance to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

(xviii) other Investments in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed an amount equal to the greater of $125,000,000272,500,000 and 16.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets; and

(xix) Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers compensation, performance and similar deposits entered into as a result of the operations of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice.;

(xx) Investments consisting of purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, supplies, services, material or equipment or the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

(xxi) any Investment in any joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice; and

(xxii) Investments made in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice in connection with obtaining, maintaining or renewing client contracts and loans or advances made to distributors in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice.

If any Investment pursuant to clause (xv) or (xviii) above, or Subsection 8.2(b)(vi) or 8.2(b)(xv), as applicable, is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary and such Person thereafter (A) becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (B) is merged or consolidated into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, then such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, respectively, and not clause (xv) or (xviii) above, or Subsection 8.2(b)(vi) or 8.2(b)(xv), as applicable, to the extent of such Investment remaining at such Unrestricted Subsidiary immediately after its redesignation as a Restricted Subsidiary.

Permitted Liens”:

(a) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet delinquent or the nonpayment of which in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Borrower or a Subsidiary thereof, as the case may be, in accordance with GAAP;

 

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(b) Liens with respect to outstanding motor vehicle fines and carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, landlords’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations that are not known to be overdue for a period of more than 60 days or that are bonded or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or which in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(c) pledges, deposits or Liens in connection with workers’ compensation, professional liability insurance, insurance programs, unemployment insurance and other social security and other similar legislation or other insurance-related obligations (including pledges or deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements);

(d) pledges, deposits or Liens to secure the performance of bids, tenders, trade, government or other contracts (other than for borrowed money), obligations for utilities, leases, licenses, statutory obligations, completion guarantees, surety, judgment, appeal or performance bonds, other similar bonds, instruments or obligations, and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(e) (i) easements (including reciprocal easement agreements), rights-of-way, building, zoning and similar restrictions, utility agreements, covenants, reservations, restrictions, encroachments, charges, and other similar encumbrances or title defects or irregularities incurred, or(ii) any other matters that would be disclosed in an accurate survey affecting real property or (iii) leases or subleases granted to others, in the ordinary course of business,, licenses or sublicenses granted, or occupancy agreements granted to others, whether or not of record and whether now in existence or hereafter entered into which do not in the aggregate materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(f) Liens existing on, or provided for under written arrangements existing on, the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 1.1(b), or (in the case of any such Liens securing Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries existing or arising under written arrangements existing on the Closing Date) securing any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness Incurred under Subsection 8.1(b)(i) and secured under clause (k)(1) of this definition), so long as the Lien securing such Refinancing Indebtedness is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or under such written arrangements could secure) the original Indebtedness;

(g) (i) mortgages, liens, security interests, restrictions, encumbrances or any other matters of record that have been placed by any developer, landlord or other third party on property over which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower has easement rights or on any leased property and subordination or similar agreements relating thereto and (ii) any condemnation or eminent domain proceedings affecting any real property;

(h) Liens securing Indebtedness (including Liens securing any Obligations in respect thereof) consisting of Hedging Obligations, Bank Products Obligations, Purchase Money Obligations or Financing Lease Obligations Incurred in compliance with Subsection 8.1;

 

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

(j) leases, subleases, licenses or, sublicenses or occupancy agreements to or from third parties;

(k) Liens securing Indebtedness (including Liens securing any Obligations in respect thereof) consisting of (1) Indebtedness Incurred in compliance with Subsection 8.1(b)(i) pursuant to (a) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) the Senior ABL Facility (provided any such Liens on the Term Loan Priority Collateral rank junior to the Liens securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations on the Term Loan Priority Collateral), (c) any Permitted Debt Exchange Notes (and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), (d) any Rollover Indebtedness (and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), (e) any Additional Obligations (and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) and (f) Letter of Credit Facilities (and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), provided, that any Liens on Collateral pursuant to subclause (b), (c), (d) or (e) of this clause (k)(1) shall be subject to the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or an Other Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, (2) Indebtedness Incurred in compliance with clauses (b)(iv), (b)(v), (b)(vii), (b)(viii), (b)(xi), (b)(xvi) or clauses (b)(iii)(B) and (C) of Subsection 8.1 (other than Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect of Indebtedness described in Subsection 8.1(a) or 8.1(b)(xvii)), (3) any Indebtedness Incurred in compliance with Subsection 8.1(b)(xiii) or (b)(xvii) or (in the case of Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect of Indebtedness described in Subsection 8.1(b)(xvii)) clause (b)(iii)(C) of Subsection 8.1, provided that any Liens securing such Indebtedness shall rank junior to the Liens securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations and shall be subject to the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and/or an Other Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, (4) (A) Acquisition Indebtedness Incurred in compliance with Subsection 8.1(b)(x) or (xib)(xiv); provided that (x) such Liens are limited to all or part of the same property or assets, including Capital Stock (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof, or replacements of any thereof) acquired, or of any Person acquired or merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, in any transaction to which such Acquisition Indebtedness relates, (y) on the date of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness after giving effect to such Incurrence, the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio would equal or be less than the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio immediately prior to giving effect thereto or (z) such Liens rank junior to the Liens securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations and shall be subject to the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and/or an Other Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, or (B) any Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect thereof, (5) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor (limited, in the case of this clause (k)(5), to Liens on any of the property and assets of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor), or (6) obligations in respect of Management Advances or Management Guarantees, in each case under the foregoing clauses (1) through (6) including Liens securing any Guarantee of any thereof;

 

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(l) Liens existing on property or assets of a Person at, or provided for under written arrangements existing at, the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower (or at the time the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary acquires such property or assets, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary); provided, however, that such Liens and arrangements are not created in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary (or such acquisition of such property or assets), and that such Liens are limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which such Liens arose, could secure) the obligations to which such Liens relate; provided, further, that for purposes of this clause (l), if a Person other than the Borrower is the Successor Borrower with respect thereto, any Subsidiary thereof shall be deemed to become a Subsidiary of the Borrower, and any property or assets of such Person or any such Subsidiary shall be deemed acquired by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, when such Person becomes such Successor Borrower;

(m) Liens on Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other securities of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any joint venture that secure Indebtedness or other obligations of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture, respectively;

(n) any encumbrance or restriction (including, but not limited to, pursuant to put and call agreements or buy/sell arrangements) with respect to Capital Stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

(o) Liens securing Indebtedness (including Liens securing any Obligations in respect thereof) consisting of Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect of any Indebtedness (other than any Indebtedness described in clause (k)(1) above of this definition) secured by, or securing any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (in whole or in part) of any other obligation secured by, any other Permitted Liens, provided that any such new Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which the original Lien arose, could secure) the obligations to which such Liens relate;

(p) Liens (1) arising by operation of law (or by agreement to the same effect) in the ordinary course of business, including Liens arising under or by reason of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act of 1930, as amended from time to time, (2) on property or assets under construction (and related rights) in favor of a contractor or developer or arising from progress or partial payments by a third party relating to such property or assets, (3) on Margin Stock, if and to the extent the value of all Margin Stock of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries exceeds 25% of the value of the total assets subject to Subsection 8.6, (4) on cash set aside at the time of the Incurrence of any Indebtedness or government securities purchased with such cash, in either case to the extent that such cash or government securities prefund the payment of interest on such Indebtedness and are held in an escrow account or similar arrangement to be applied for such purpose, (5) securing or arising by reason of any netting or set-off or customer deposit arrangement entered into in the ordinary course of banking or other trading activities (including in connection with purchase orders and other agreements with customers), (6) in favor of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than Liens on property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor in favor of any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor), (7) arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business, (8) on inventory or other goods and proceeds

 

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securing obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods, (9) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft, cash pooling or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business, (10) attaching to commodity trading or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, (11) arising in connection with repurchase agreements permitted under Subsection 8.1 on assets that are the subject of such repurchase agreements, (12in favor of any Special Purpose Entity in connection with any Financing Disposition, (13) on any amounts (including the proceeds of the applicable Indebtedness and any cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments deposited to cover interest and premium in respect of such Indebtedness) held by a trustee or escrow agent under any indenture or other debt agreement governing Indebtedness issued in escrow pursuant to customary escrow arrangements (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) pending the release thereof, or on the proceeds deposited to discharge, redeem or defease Indebtedness under any indenture or other debt agreement pursuant to customary discharge, redemption or defeasance provisions (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), pending such discharge, redemption ofor defeasance and after irrevocable notice thereof has been delivered to the applicable trustee or agent or, (1314) on equipment of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries granted in the ordinary course of business to the Borrower’s or a Restricted Subsidiary’s customers; or (15) (x) on accounts receivable or notes receivable (including any ancillary rights pertaining thereto) purported to be sold or disposed of in connection with any factoring agreement or similar arrangements to secure obligations owed under such factoring agreement or similar arrangements and (y) any bank accounts used by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with any factoring agreement or any similar arrangements;

(q) other Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations that in the aggregate at any time outstanding do not exceed an amount equal to the greater of $75,000,000165,000,000 and 10.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligations;

(r) Liens securing Indebtedness (including Liens securing any Obligations in respect thereof) or other obligations of, or in favor of, any Special Purpose Entity, or in connection with a Special Purpose Financing or otherwise, Incurred pursuant to clause (b)(ix) of Subsection 8.1;

(s) Liens securing Indebtedness (including Liens securing any Obligations in respect thereof) consisting of Indebtedness Incurred in compliance with Subsection 8.1; provided that on the date of Incurrence of such Indebtedness after giving effect to such Incurrence (or, at the Borrower’s option, on the date of the initial borrowing of such Indebtedness or entry into the definitive agreement providing the commitment to fund such Indebtedness after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence of the entire committed amount thereof, in which case such committed amount may thereafter be borrowed and reborrowed in whole or in part, from time to time, without further compliance with this clause), either (x) the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 4.753.75 to 1.00; and or (y) in the case of Liens securing Indebtedness being Incurred to finance or refinance, or otherwise Incurred in connection with any acquisition of assets (including Capital Stock), business or Person, or any merger or consolidation of any Person with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any other Investment, the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio of the Borrower would equal or be less than the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio of the Borrower immediately prior to giving effect thereto; and

 

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(t) Liens on the Collateral, if such Liens rank junior to the Liens on such Collateral in relation to the Lien securing the Loans and the Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable.

For purposes of determining compliance with this definition, (s) a Lien need not be incurred solely by reference to one category of Permitted Liens described in this definition but may be incurred under any combination of such categories (including in part under one such category and in part under any other such category), (t) the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by a Lien outstanding under any category of Permitted Liens shall be determined after giving effect to the application of proceeds of any such Indebtedness to refinance any such other Indebtedness, (u) in the event that a Lien (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of such categories of Permitted Liens, the Borrower shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify such Lien (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this definition, (v) any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness shall also be permitted to secure any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with the accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness and the payment of dividends on Capital Stock constituting Indebtedness in the form of additional shares of the same class of Capital Stock, (w) in the event that a portion of Indebtedness secured by a Lien could be classified as secured in part pursuant to clause (k)(1) above in respect of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to the Ratio Incremental Facility (giving effect to the Incurrence of such portion of such Indebtedness), the Borrower, in its sole discretion, may classify such portion of such Indebtedness (and any Obligations in respect thereof) as having been secured pursuant to clause (k)(1) above in respect of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to the Ratio Incremental Facility and the remainder of the Indebtedness as having been secured pursuant to such clause (k)(1) in respect of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Subsection 8.1(b)(i) (other than pursuant to the Ratio Incremental Facility) or one or more of the other clauses or subclauses of this definition (other than clause (s) above), (x) in the event that a portion of Indebtedness secured by a Lien could be classified in part pursuant to clause (s) above (giving effect to the Incurrence of such portion of Indebtedness), the Borrower, in its sole discretion, may classify such portion of Indebtedness (and any Obligations in respect thereof) as having been secured pursuant to clause (s) above and the remainder of the Indebtedness as having been secured pursuant to one or more of the other clauses or subclauses of this definition (other than clause (k)(1) above in respect of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to the Ratio Incremental Facility), (y) if any Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations are Incurred to refinance Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations initially Incurred (or, to refinance Liens Incurred to refinance Liens initially Incurred) in reliance on any category of Permitted Liens measured by reference to a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets at the time of Incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligation, and is refinanced by any Indebtedness or other obligation secured by any Lien incurred by reference to such category of Permitted Liens, and such refinancing (or any subsequent refinancing) would cause the percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets to be exceeded if calculated based on the Consolidated Tangible Assets on the date of such refinancing, such percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets shall not be deemed to be exceeded (and such refinancing Lien shall be deemed permitted) so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness or other obligation does not exceed an amount equal to the

 

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principal amount of such Indebtedness or other obligation being refinanced, plus the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing and (z) if any Indebtedness or other obligation is secured by any Lien outstanding under any category of Permitted Liens measured by reference to a dollar amount, and is refinanced by any Indebtedness or other obligation secured by any Lien incurred by reference to such category of Permitted Liens, and such refinancing (or any subsequent refinancing) would cause such dollar amount to be exceeded, such dollar amount shall not be deemed to be exceeded (and such refinancing Lien shall be deemed permitted) so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness or other obligation does not exceed an amount equal to the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced, plus the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing.

Permitted Payment”: as defined in Subsection 8.2(b).

Permitted Repricing Amendment”: as defined in Subsection 11.1(i).

Person”: an individual, partnership, corporation, company, limited liability company, business trust, trust, joint stock company, unincorporated organization, association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever nature.

Plan”: at a particular time, any employee benefit plan which is covered by ERISA and in respect of which the Borrower or a Commonly Controlled Entity is an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

Platform”: Intralinks, SyndTrak Online, Debtdomain or any other similar electronic distribution system.

Plumb Acquisition Agreement”: the Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 4, 2017, as amended and restated pursuant to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 14, 2017, by and among Passthrough Holdings, Passthrough Mergersub, New Blocker, Blocker Mergersub, the Sellers, Waterworks Blocker, Waterworks Opco and HD Supply, Inc., as the same may be further amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

Preferred Stock”: as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation or company, Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) that by its terms is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such corporation or company, over Capital Stock of any other class of such corporation or company.

Prepayment Date”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(h).

Pricing Grid”: with respect to Original Initial Term Loans:

 

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Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio

   Applicable Margin for
ABR Loans
    Applicable Margin for
Eurodollar Loans
 

Greater than or equal to 5.75 to 1.00

     2.00     3.00

Less than 5.75 to 1.00

     1.75     2.75

Projections”: those financial projections included in the confidential information memoranda and related material prepared in connection with the syndication of the Facilities and provided to the Lenders on or about July 12, 2017.

“Pubco”: Core & Main, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor in interest thereto.

“Pubco IPO”: the Qualified IPO of Pubco relating to Pubco’s registration statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-256382).

“Pubco IPO Transaction Proceeds”: the cash equity contributions to the Borrower on the First Amendment Effective Date from the proceeds of the Pubco IPO solely to the extent used to fund the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions.

“Pubco Merger Sub 1”: Brooks Merger Sub 1, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor in interest thereto.

“Pubco Merger Sub 2”: Brooks Merger Sub 2, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor in interest thereto.

“Pubco Merger Subs”: Pubco Merger Sub 1 and Pubco Merger Sub 2, collectively, and each individually, a “Pubco Merger Sub.”

“Pubco Merger Sub Mergers”: collectively, (i) the merger of Passthrough Holdings with and into New Blocker Holdings, with New Blocker Holdings being the survivor of such merger, (ii) the merger of Blocker Holdings with and into New Blocker, with New Blocker being the survivor of such merger, (iii) the merger of Pubco Merger Sub 1 with and into WW Advisor, with WW Advisor being the survivor of such merger and (iv) the merger of Pubco Merger Sub 2 with and into New Blocker Holdings, with New Blocker Holdings being the survivor of such merger.

“Pubco Mergers”: collectively, (i) the merger of WW Advisor with and into Pubco, with Pubco being the survivor of such merger and (ii) the merger of New Blocker Holdings with and into Pubco, with Pubco being the survivor of such merger.

“PTE”: a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

Purchase”: as defined in clause (4) of the definition of “Consolidated Coverage Ratio.”

 

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Purchase Money Obligations”: any Indebtedness Incurred to finance or refinance the acquisition, leasing, construction or improvement of property (real or personal) or assets, and whether acquired through the direct acquisition of such property or assets or the acquisition of the Capital Stock of any Person owning such property or assets, or otherwise.

Qualified IPO”: the issuance or, sale or listing of common equity interests of the Borrower, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in an underwritten public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act (whether alone or, in connection with aan underwritten or secondary public offering or otherwise) and such equity interests are listed on a nationally-recognized stock exchange in the U.S.

Qualifying Lender”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iv)(3).

“Rating Agency”: Moody’s or S&P or, if Moody’s or S&P or both shall not make a rating on the applicable security or instrument publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Borrower which shall be substituted for Moody’s or S&P or both, as the case may be.

Ratio Incremental Facility”: as defined in the definition of “Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount”.

Receivable”: a right to receive payment pursuant to an arrangement with another Person pursuant to which such other Person is obligated to pay, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Recovery Event”: any settlement of or payment in respect of any property or casualty insurance claim or any condemnation proceeding relating to any asset of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary constituting Collateral giving rise to Net Available Cash to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in excess of $25,000,000the greater of $50,000,000 and 3.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, to the extent that such settlement or payment does not constitute reimbursement or compensation for amounts previously paid by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such casualty or condemnation.

Reference Banks”: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Citibank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Credit Suisse AG, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Royal Bank of Canada, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Natixis, New York Branch and Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC.

refinance”: refinance, refund, replace, renew, repay, modify, restate, defer, substitute, supplement, reissue, resell or extend (including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism); and the terms “refinances”, “refinanced” and “refinancing” as used for any purpose in this Agreement shall have a correlative meaning.

Refinancing Agreement”: as defined in Subsection 8.3(c).

 

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Refinancing Indebtedness”: Indebtedness that is Incurred to refinance Indebtedness (or unutilized commitments in respect of Indebtedness) Incurred pursuant to this Agreement and the Loan Documents, the Senior ABL Facility, the Senior Notes and any Indebtedness (or unutilized commitment in respect of Indebtedness) existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 8.1 or Incurred (or established) in compliance with this Agreement (including Indebtedness of the Borrower that refinances Indebtedness of(or unutilized commitments in respect of Indebtedness) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (to the extent permitted in this Agreement) and Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of the(or unutilized commitments in respect of Indebtedness) of the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary) including Indebtedness that refinances Refinancing Indebtedness, and Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to a commitment that refinances any Indebtedness or unutilized commitment; provided that (1) if the Indebtedness being refinanced is Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations, the Refinancing Indebtedness (x) has a final Stated Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal tothe same as or greaterlater than the final Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced (or, if shorterearlier, the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date), (y) has a weighted average life to maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal to or longer than the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced (or, if shorter, the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Initial Term Loans) (provided that any applicable Refinancing Indebtedness may have an earlier maturity date and/or shorter weighted average life to maturity (1) in the case of customary bridge financings, which, subject to customary conditions (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), would either be automatically converted into or required to be exchanged for permanent financing which does not provide for such earlier maturity date or such shorter weighted average life to maturity, (2) pursuant to an escrow or similar arrangement with respect to the proceeds of such Refinancing Indebtedness or (3) if the aggregate principal amount of such applicable Refinancing Indebtedness at any time outstanding (together with the aggregate principal amount of any Additional Obligations and Indebtedness under any Incremental Term Loan Commitments, any Specified Refinancing Term Loan Facility and any applicable Extended Tranche, in each case outstanding under the Earlier Maturity Date Basket) does not exceed the Earlier Maturity Date Basket) and (z) if an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) is continuing, is subordinated in right of payment to the Term Loan Facility Obligations to the same extent as the Indebtedness being refinanced, (2) such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred in an aggregate principal amount (or, if issued with original issue discount, with an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the sum of (x) the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of the Indebtedness being refinanced, plus (y) an amount equal to any unutilized commitment relating to the Indebtedness being refinanced or otherwise then outstanding under the financing arrangement being refinanced to the extent the unutilized commitment being refinanced could be drawn in compliance with Subsection 8.1 immediately prior to such refinancing, plus (z) fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) Incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing, (3) Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include (x) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor that could not have been initially Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Subsection 8.1 or (y) Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, and (4) if the Indebtedness being refinanced constitutes Additional Obligations, Rollover Indebtedness, Permitted Debt Exchange Notes or Term Loan Facility Obligations Incurred pursuant to Subsection 8.1(b)(i)(II)(a) (or Refinancing

 

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Indebtedness in respect of the foregoing Indebtedness), (w) the Refinancing Indebtedness complies with the requirements of the definition of “Additional Obligations” (other than clause (ii) thereof), (x) if the Indebtedness being refinanced is unsecured and an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) is continuing, the Refinancing Indebtedness is unsecured and (y) if the Indebtedness being refinanced is secured by a Lien on Term Loan Priority Collateral ranking junior to the Liens on Term Loan Priority Collateral securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations and an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) is continuing, the Refinancing Indebtedness is unsecured or secured by a Lien on Term Loan Priority Collateral ranking junior to the Liens on Collateral securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations.

Refunding Capital Stock”: as defined in Subsection 8.2(b)(i).

Register”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(b)(iv).

“Regulated Bank”: (x) an Approved Commercial Bank that is (i) a U.S. depository institution the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; (ii) a corporation organized under Section 25A of the U.S. Federal Reserve Act of 1913; (iii) a branch, agency or commercial lending company of a foreign bank operating pursuant to approval by and under the supervision of the Board under 12 CFR part 211; (iv) a non-U.S. branch of a foreign bank managed and controlled by a U.S. branch referred to in clause (iii); or (v) any other U.S. or non-U.S. depository institution or any branch, agency or similar office thereof supervised by a bank regulatory authority in any jurisdiction or (y) any Affiliate of a Person set forth in clause (x) to the extent that (1) all of the Capital Stock of such Affiliate is directly or indirectly owned by either (I) such Person set forth in clause (x) or (II) a parent entity that also owns, directly or indirectly, all of the Capital Stock of such Person set forth in clause (x) and (2) such Affiliate is a securities broker or dealer registered with the SEC under Section 15 of the Exchange Act.

Regulation D”: Regulation D of the Board as in effect from time to time.

Regulation S-X”: Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC as in effect on the Closing Date.

Regulation T”: Regulation T of the Board as in effect from time to time.

Regulation U”: Regulation U of the Board as in effect from time to time.

Regulation X”: Regulation X of the Board as in effect from time to time.

Reinvestment Period”: as defined in Subsection 8.4(b)(i).

Related Business”: those businesses in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is engaged on the Closing Date, or that are similar, related, complementary, incidental or ancillary thereto or extensions, developments or expansions thereof.

Related Parties”: with respect to any Person, such Person’s affiliatesAffiliates and the partners, officers, directors, trustees, employees, equity holders, shareholders, members, attorneys and other advisors, agents and controlling persons of such Person and of such Person’s affiliates and “Related Party” shall mean any of them.

 

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Related Taxes”: (x) any taxes, charges or assessments, including but not limited to sales, use, transfer, rental, ad valorem, value added, stamp, property, consumption, franchise, license, capital, net worth, gross receipts, excise, occupancy, intangibles or similar taxes, charges or assessments (other than federal, state or local taxes measured by income and federal, state or local withholding imposed by any government or other taxing authority on payments made by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle other than to another Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle), required to be paid by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle by virtue of its being incorporated or having Capital Stock outstanding (but not by virtue of owning stock or other equity interests of any corporation or other entity other than the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle), or being a holding company parent of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or receiving dividends from or other distributions in respect of the Capital Stock of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, or having guaranteed any obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, or having received any payment in respect of any of the items for which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is permitted to make payments to any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle pursuant to Subsection 8.2, or acquiring, developing, maintaining, owning, prosecuting, protecting or defending its intellectual property and associated rights (including but not limited to receiving or paying royalties for the use thereof), or assertions of infringement, misappropriation, dilution or other violation of third-party intellectual property or associated rights, to the extent relating to the business or businesses of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, (y) any taxes attributable to any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the Closing Date, or to the consummation of any of the Transactions or the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions, or to any Parent Entity’s or IPO Vehicle’s receipt of (or entitlement to) any payment in connection with the Transactions or the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions, including any payment received after the Closing Date pursuant to any agreement related to the Transactions or the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions or (z) any Tax Distributions; provided that at the election of the Borrower in connection with an initial public offering or other restructuring of the Borrower, Passthrough Holdings, Blocker Holdings, Management Holdings, any other or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, this clause (z) shall instead mean any other federal, state, foreign, provincial or local taxes measured by income for which any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle is liable up to an amount not to exceed, with respect to federal taxes, the amount of any such taxes that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries would have been required to pay on a separate company basis, or on a consolidated basis as if the Borrower had filed a consolidated return on behalf of an affiliated group (as defined in Section 1504 of the Code) of which it were the common parent, or with respect to state, foreign, provincial and local taxes, the amount of any such taxes that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries would have been required to pay on a separate company basis, or on a consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated basis as if the Borrower had filed a consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated return on behalf of an affiliated group (as defined in the applicable state, foreign, provincial or local tax laws for filing such return) consisting only of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. Taxes include all interest, penalties and additions relating thereto.

“Reorganization Agreement”: the Master Reorganization Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among Topco, Pubco, Management Holdings, Waterworks Holdings LLC, certain CD&R Investors and other parties set forth in the preamble thereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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“Reportable Event”: any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, other than those events as to which the 30 day notice period is waived under Section 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27 or 28 of PBGC Regulation Section 4043 or any successor regulation thereto.

Repricing Transaction”: the prepayment, refinancing, substitution or replacement of all or a portion of the Initial Term Loans (including, without limitation, as may be effected through any amendment, waiver or modification to this Agreement relating to the interest rate for, or weighted average yield of, the Initial Term Loans), (a) if the primary purpose of such prepayment, refinancing, substitution, replacement, amendment, waiver or modification is (as reasonably determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) to refinance the Initial Term Loans at a lower “effective yield” (taking into account, among other factors, margin, upfront or similar fees or original issue discount shared with all providers of such financing, but excluding the effect of any arrangement, commitment, underwriting, structuring, syndication or other fees payable in connection therewith that are not shared with all providers of such financing, and without taking into account any fluctuations in the Adjusted LIBOR Rate, but including any LIBOR floor or similar floor that is higher than the then applicable Adjusted LIBOR Rate), (b) if the prepayment, refinancing, substitution, replacement, amendment, waiver or modification is effectuated by the incurrence by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of new Indebtedness, such new Indebtedness is broadly marketed or syndicated first lien secured bank financing, and (c) if such prepayment, refinancing, substitution, replacement, amendment, waiver or modification results in first lien secured bank financing having an “effective yield” (as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Borrower, consistent with generally accepted financial practices, after giving effect to, among other factors, margin, upfront or similar fees or original issue discount shared with all providers of such financing (calculated based on assumed four-year average life and without present value discount), but excluding the effect of any arrangement, commitment, underwriting, structuring, syndication or other fees payable in connection therewith that are not shared with all providers of such financing, and without taking into account any fluctuations in the Adjusted LIBOR Rate, but including any LIBOR floor or similar floor that is higher than the then applicable Adjusted LIBOR Rate) that is less than the “effective yield” (as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Borrower, on the same basis) of the Initial Term Loans prior to being so prepaid, refinanced, substituted or replaced or subject to such amendment, waiver or modification to this Agreement.

Required Lenders”: Lenders the Term Credit Percentages of which aggregate to greater than 50.0%; provided that the Term Loans and unused Term Loan Commitments (if any) held or deemed held by Defaulting Lenders shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders; provided further, that the Term Loans and unused Term Loan Commitments (if any) held or deemed held by a Disqualified Party shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

Required Majority in Interest Lenders”: Lenders of any Tranche or Lenders of any group of affected Lenders, as applicable, the Total Credit Percentages of which aggregate to greater than 50.0% of the Total Credit Percentages of such Tranche or Lenders of such group of affected Lenders; provided that Incremental Revolving Commitments and Term Loans and unused Term Loan Commitments (if any) held or deemed held by Defaulting Lenders shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Majority in Interest Lenders; provided, further, that the Incremental Revolving Commitments and Term Loans and unused Term Loan Commitments (if any) held or deemed held by a Disqualified Party shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Majority in Interest Lenders.

 

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Requirement of Law”: as to any Person, the Organizational Documents of such Person, and any law, statute, ordinance, code, decree, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its material property or to which such Person or any of its material property is subject, including laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to zoning, occupancy and subdivision of real properties; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any non-binding recommendation of any Governmental Authority.

“Resolution Authority”: an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

Responsible Officer”: as to any Person, any of the following officers of such Person: (a) the chief executive officer or the president of such Person and, with respect to financial matters, the chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, the treasurer or the controller of such Person, (b) any vice president of such Person or, with respect to financial matters, any assistant treasurer or assistant controller of such Person, in each case who has been designated in writing to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent as a Responsible Officer by such chief executive officer or president of such Person or, with respect to financial matters, by such chief financial officer of such Person, (c) with respect to the fifth and sixth sentences of Subsection 1.2(c), Subsection 7.7 and ERISA matters and without limiting the foregoing, the general counsel (or substantial equivalent) of such Person, (d) with respect to any Person that does not have officers, the officer listed in clauses (a) through (c) of a Person that has the authority to act on behalf of such Person and (e) any other individual designated as a “Responsible Officer” for the purposes of this Agreement by the Board of Directors or equivalent body of such Person.

Restricted Payment”: as defined in Subsection 8.2(a).

Restricted Payment Transaction”: any Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to Subsection 8.2, any Permitted Payment, any Permitted Investment, or any transaction specifically excluded from the definition of the term “Restricted Payment” (including pursuant to the exception contained in clause (i) of such definition and the parenthetical exclusions contained in clauses (ii) and (iii) of such definition).

Restricted Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Borrower other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Revolving Lender”: any Incremental Revolving Lender.

Revolving Loans”: any Incremental Revolving Loans.

Rollover Indebtedness”: Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Guarantor issued to any Lender in lieu of such Lender’s pro rata portion of any repayment of Term Loans made pursuant to Subsection 4.4(a) or (e); so long as (other than in connection with a refinancing in full of the Facilities) such Indebtedness would not have a weighted average life to maturity earlierthat is shorter than the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Term Loans being repaid.

 

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S&P”: Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a division of S&P Global, Inc., and its successors.

Sale”: as defined in clause (3) of the definition of “Consolidated Coverage Ratio.”

“Sanctions”: as defined in clause (c) of the first sentence of Subsection 5.21.

SEC”: the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

Secured Parties”: the “Secured Parties” as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

Securities Act”: the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

Security Documents”: the collective reference to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and all other similar security documents hereafter delivered to the Collateral Agent granting or perfecting a Lien on any asset or assets of any Loan Party to secure the obligations and liabilities of the Loan Parties hereunder and/or under any of the other Loan Documents or to secure any guarantee by any Guarantor of any such obligations and liabilities, including any security documents executed and delivered or caused to be delivered to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Subsection 7.9(a), 7.9(b), 7.9(c) or 7.9(d), in each case, as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Sellers”: HD Supply Holdings, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, and HD Supply GP & Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and in each case any successor in interest thereto.

Senior ABL Agreement”: the ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereofClosing Date, as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated as of July 8, 2019, Amendment No. 2, dated as of May 4, 2020, and Amendment No. 3, dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date, among the Borrower, the subsidiary borrowers party thereto from time to time, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Citibank, N.A. (and/or one of its Affiliates), as administrative agent and collateral agent thereunder, as such agreement may be further amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time or refunded, refinanced, restructured, replaced, renewed, repaid, increased, decreased or extended from time to time (whether in whole or in part, whether with the original administrative agent and lenders or other agents and lenders or otherwise, and whether provided under the original Senior ABL Agreement or one or more other credit agreements or otherwise), except to the extent such agreement, instrument or document expressly provides that it is not intended to be and is not a Senior ABL Agreement. Any reference to the Senior ABL Agreement hereunder shall be deemed a reference to each Senior ABL Agreement then in existence.

 

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Senior ABL Facility”: the collective reference to the Senior ABL Agreement, any Loan Documents (as defined therein), any notes and letters of credit issued pursuant thereto and any guarantee and collateral agreement, patent, trademark and copyright security agreement, mortgages, letter of credit applications and other guarantees, pledge agreements, security agreements and collateral documents, and other instruments and documents, executed and delivered pursuant to or in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, or refunded, refinanced, restructured, replaced, renewed, repaid, increased, decreased or extended from time to time (whether in whole or in part, whether with the original agent and lenders or other agents and lenders or otherwise, and whether provided under the original Senior ABL Agreement or one or more other credit agreements, indentures (including the Senior Notes Indenture) or financing agreements or otherwise) except to the extent such agreement, instrument or document expressly provides that it is not intended to be and is not a Senior ABL Facility. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “Senior ABL Facility” shall include any agreement (i) changing the maturity of any Indebtedness Incurred thereunder or contemplated thereby, (ii) adding Subsidiaries of the Borrower as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder, (iii) increasing or decreasing the amount of Indebtedness Incurred thereunder or available to be borrowed thereunder or (iv) otherwise altering the terms and conditions thereof.

“Senior Add-on Notes”: Additional 6.125% Senior Notes due 2025 of the Borrower issued on June 5, 2020, as the same may be exchanged for substantially similar senior notes that have been registered under the Securities Act, and as the same or such substantially similar notes may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

Senior Notes”: 6.125% Senior Notes due 2025 of the Borrower issued on the date hereofClosing Date, as the same may be exchanged for substantially similar senior notes that have been registered under the Securities Act, and as the same or such substantially similar notes may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

Senior Notes Documents”: the Senior Notes Indenture and all other instruments, agreements and other documents evidencing or governing the Senior Notes and the Senior Add-on Notes or providing for any guarantee, obligation, security or other right in respect thereof, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Senior Notes Indenture”: the Indenture dated as of the date hereofClosing Date, under which the Senior Notes and the Senior Add-on Notes are issued, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

Set”: the collective reference to Eurodollar Loans of a single Tranche, the then current Interest Periods with respect to all of which begin on the same date and end on the same later date (whether or not such Eurodollar Loans shall originally have been made on the same day).

Settlement Service”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(b).

Single Employer Plan”: any Plan which is covered by Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan.

Solicited Discount Proration”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iv)(3).

 

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Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iv)(1).

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice”: an irrevocable written notice of a Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offer made pursuant to Subsection 4.4(l)(iv) substantially in the form of Exhibit Q.

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer”: the irrevocable written offer by each Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit R, submitted following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice.

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iv)(1).

Solvent” and “Solvency”: with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions on the Closing Date means (i) the Fair Value and Present Fair Salable Value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole exceed their Stated Liabilities and Identified Contingent Liabilities; (ii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole do not have Unreasonably Small Capital; and (iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be able to pay their Stated Liabilities and Identified Contingent Liabilities as they mature (all capitalized terms used in this definition (other than “Borrower”, “Closing Date”, “Subsidiary” and “Transactions”, which have the meanings set forth in this Agreement) shall have the meaningmeanings assigned to such terms in the form of solvency certificate attached hereto as Exhibit H).

Special Purpose Entity”: (x) any Special Purpose Subsidiary or (y) any other Person that is engaged in the business of (i) acquiring, selling, collecting, financing or refinancing Receivables, accounts (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code or any analogous law, as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction from time to time), other accounts and/or other receivables, and/or related assets, (ii) acquiring, selling, leasing, financing or refinancing Real Property and/or related rights (including under leases and insurance policies) and/or related assets (including managing, exercising and disposing of any such rights and/or assets) and/or (iiiii) financing or refinancing in respect of Capital Stock of any Special Purpose Subsidiary.

Special Purpose Financing”: any financing or refinancing of assets consisting of or including Receivables and/or Real Property of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that have been transferred to a Special Purpose Entity or made subject to a Lien in a Financing Disposition (including any financing or refinancing in respect of Capital Stock of a Special Purpose Subsidiary held by another Special Purpose Subsidiary).

Special Purpose Financing Expense”: for any period, (a) the aggregate interest expense for such period on any Indebtedness of any Special Purpose Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary, which Indebtedness is not recourse to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Special Purpose Subsidiary (other than with respect to Special Purpose Financing Undertakings), and (b) Special Purpose Financing Fees.

Special Purpose Financing Fees”: distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interest issued or sold in connection with, and other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Special Purpose Financing.

 

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Special Purpose Financing Undertakings”: representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities, guarantees of performance and (subject to clause (y) of the proviso below) other agreements and undertakings entered into or provided by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that the Borrower determines in good faith (which determination shall be conclusive) are customary or otherwise necessary or advisable in connection with a Special Purpose Financing or a Financing Disposition; provided that (x) it is understood that Special Purpose Financing Undertakings may consist of or include (i) reimbursement and other obligations in respect of notes, letters of credit, surety bonds and similar instruments provided for credit enhancement purposes, (ii) Hedging Obligations or other obligations relating to Interest Rate Agreements, Currency Agreements or Commodities Agreements entered into by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, in respect of any Special Purpose Financing or Financing Disposition, or (iii) any Guarantee in respect of customary recourse obligations (as determined in good faith by the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive) in connection with any collateralized mortgage-backed securitization or any other Special Purpose Financing or Financing Disposition, including in respect of Liabilities in the event of any involuntary case commenced with the collusion of any Special Purpose Subsidiary or any Affiliate thereof, or any voluntary case commenced by any Special Purpose Subsidiary, under any applicable bankruptcy law, and (y) subject to the preceding clause (x), any such other agreements and undertakings shall not include any Guarantee of Indebtedness of a Special Purpose Subsidiary by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Special Purpose Subsidiary.

Special Purpose Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Borrower that (a) is engaged solely in (x) the business of (i) acquiring, selling, collecting, financing or refinancing Receivables, accounts (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code or any analogous law, as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction from time to time) and other accounts and receivables (including any thereof constituting or evidenced by chattel paper, instruments or general intangibles), all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual and other), collateral and other assets relating thereto, (ii) acquiring, selling, leasing, financing or refinancing Real Property and/or related rights (including under leases and insurance policies) and/or related assets (including managing, exercising and disposing of any such rights and/or assets), all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual and other), collateral and/or other assets relating thereto, and/or (iiiii) owning or holding Capital Stock of any Special Purpose Subsidiary and/or engaging in any financing or refinancing in respect thereof, and (y) any business or activities incidental or related to such business, and (b) is designated as a “Special Purpose Subsidiary” by the Borrower.

Specified Discount”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(ii)(1).

Specified Discount Prepayment Amount”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(ii)(1).

Specified Discount Prepayment Notice”: an irrevocable written notice of the Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment made pursuant to Subsection 4.4(l)(ii) substantially in the form of Exhibit S.

 

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Specified Discount Prepayment Response”: the written response by each Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit T, to a Specified Discount Prepayment Notice.

Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(ii)(1).

Specified Discount Proration”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(ii)(3).

Specified Existing Tranche”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(a)(ii).

Specified Refinancing Amendment”: an amendment to this Agreement effecting the incurrence of Specified Refinancing Facilities in accordance with Subsection 2.11.

Specified Refinancing Facilities”: as defined in Subsection 2.11(a).

Specified Refinancing Indebtedness”: Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with Subsection 2.11.

Specified Refinancing Lenders”: as defined in Subsection 2.11(b).

Specified Refinancing Loans”: as defined in Subsection 2.11(a).

Specified Refinancing Term Loan Facilities”: as defined in Subsection 2.11(a).

Specified Refinancing Term Loans”: as defined in Subsection 2.11(a).

Specified Refinancing Tranche”: Specified Refinancing Facilities with the same terms and conditions made on the same day and any Supplemental Term Loan in respect thereof added to such Tranche pursuant to Subsection 2.8.

Specified Representations”: the representations set forth in (x) the last sentence of Subsection 5.2, (ySubsections 5.3(a) (with respect to due organization and valid existence), 5.4 (other than the second sentence thereof), (to the extent the incurrence of the Loans, the provision of guarantees and granting of security would contravene the Organizational Documents of any Loan Party) 5.5(c), 5.11, 5.13 (subject to the limitations set forth in the proviso to Subsections 6.1(a), 6.1(g) and 6.1(h)), 5.21(a) and (to the extent the use of proceeds of the Loans on the Closing Date would violate OFAC) clause (c) of the first sentence of Subsection 5.21 and (z) the first sentence of Subsection 5.14.

Sponsor”: CD&R.

Stated Maturity”: with respect to any Indebtedness, the date specified in such Indebtedness as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such Indebtedness is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase or repayment of such Indebtedness at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency).

 

 

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Statutory Reserves”: for any day as applied to a Eurodollar Loan, the average maximum rate at which reserves (including any marginal, supplemental or emergency reserves) are required to be maintained during such Interest Period under Regulation D by member banks of the United States Federal Reserve System in New York City with deposits exceeding $1,000,000,000 against “Eurocurrency liabilities” (as such term is used in Regulation D). Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency liabilities and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exceptions or offsets which may be available from time to time to any Lender under Regulation D.

Submitted Amount”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iii)(1).

Submitted Discount”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(l)(iii)(1).

Subordinated Obligations”: any Indebtedness of the Borrower (whether outstanding on the Closing Date or thereafter Incurred) that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Term Loan Facility Obligations pursuant to a written agreement.

Subsection 2.10 Additional Amendment”: as defined in Subsection 2.10(c).

Subsidiary”: as to any Person, a corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company or other entity (a) of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the Board of Directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity are at the time owned by such Person, or (b) the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person and, in the case of this clause (b), which is treated as a consolidated subsidiary for accounting purposes. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

Subsidiary Guarantor”: (x) each Domestic Subsidiary (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) of the Borrower which executes and delivers a Subsidiary Guaranty pursuant to Subsection 7.9 or otherwise, in each case, unless and until such time as the respective Subsidiary Guarantor (a) ceases to constitute a Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof, (b) is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or (c) is released from all of its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty in accordance with the terms and provisions thereof and (y) each other Subsidiary of the Borrower which the Borrower causes to execute and deliver a Subsidiary Guaranty pursuant to the last sentence of Subsection 7.9(b) or otherwise, in each case, unless and until such time as the respective Subsidiary Guarantor (a) ceases to constitute a Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof, (b) is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or (c) is released from all of its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty in accordance with the terms and provisions thereof.

Subsidiary Guaranty”: the guaranty of the Term Loan Facility Obligations of the Borrower under the Loan Documents provided pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or pursuant to a guaranty in such other form as may be agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

Successor Borrower”: as defined in Subsection 8.7(a)(i).

 

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Supplemental Term Loan Commitments”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(a).

Supplemental Term Loans”: Term Loans made in respect of Supplemental Term Loan Commitments.

Supply Agreement”: the Supply Agreement, dated as of the date hereofClosing Date, by and between the Borrower and HD Supply Facilities Maintenance, Ltd. d/b/a USABlueBook, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Tax Distributions”: tax distributions to members of the BorrowerCore & Main Connector pursuant to the Borrower Partnership Agreement.

“Tax Receivables Agreements”: (i) that certain tax receivables agreement entered into in connection with the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions by and among Pubco, Topco, and certain limited partners of Topco and (ii) that certain tax receivables agreement entered into in connection with the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions by and among Pubco, Topco, and certain stockholders of Pubco, in either case of clause (i) or (ii), as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof.

Tax Sharing Agreement”: theany Tax Sharing Agreement between the Borrower and any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to be entered into at the election of the Borrower in connection with an initial public offering or other a restructuring of the Borrower, Passthrough Holdings, Blocker Holdings, Management HoldingsTopco, Midco, Intermediate GP, any other Parent Entity or any IPO Vehicle, on or prior to such initial public offering or other restructuring that (i) in the case of a Tax Sharing Agreement providing for the sharing of taxes in respect of a consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated tax group, is substantially in the form of Exhibit V and (ii) in the case of a Tax Sharing Agreement that is a tax receivables agreement providing for the payment of certain incremental tax savings arising to the Borrower, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in connection with (x) the implementation of such initial public offering or other restructuring through the use of an “Up-C” structure or (y) the use of net operating losses or other tax attributes of any Parent Entity, IPO Vehicle, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries generated prior to such initial public offering or other restructuring, is on customary market terms for such agreements, in either case of clause (i) or (ii), as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof.

Taxes”: any and all present or future income, stamp or other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority.

Temporary Cash Investments”: any of the following: (i) any investment in (x) direct obligations of the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, a member state of the European Union or any country in whose currency funds are being held pending their application in the making of an investment or capital expenditure by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in that country or with such funds, or any agency or instrumentality of any thereof, or obligations Guaranteed by the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland or a member state of the European Union or any country in whose

 

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currency funds are being held pending their application in the making of an investment or capital expenditure by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in that country or with such funds, or any agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, or obligations guaranteed by any of the foregoing or (y) direct obligations of any foreign country recognized by the United States of America rated at least “A” by S&P or “A-1A2 ” by Moody’s (or, in either case, the equivalent of such rating by such organization or, if no rating of S&P or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any nationally recognized rating organization), (ii) overnight bank deposits, and investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and money market deposits (or, with respect to foreign banks, similar instruments) maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition thereof issued by (x) any bank or other institutional lender under this Agreement or any Senior ABL Facility or any affiliate thereof or (y) a bank or trust company that is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America having capital and surplus aggregating in excess of $250,000,000 (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and whose long term debt is rated at least “A” by S&P or “A-1A2” by Moody’s (or, in either case, the equivalent of such rating by such organization or, if no rating of S&P or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any nationally recognized rating organization) at the time such Investment is made, (iii) repurchase obligations for underlying securities or instruments of the types described in clause (i) or (ii) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (ii) above, (iv) Investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than 24 months after the date of acquisition, issued by a Person (other than that of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries), with a rating at the time as of which any Investment therein is made of “P-2” (or higher) according to Moody’s or “A-2” (or higher) according to S&P (or, in either case, the equivalent of such rating by such organization or, if no rating of S&P or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any nationally recognized rating organization), (v) Investments in securities maturing not more than 24 months after the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least “BBB-” by S&P or “Baa3” by Moody’s (or, in either case, the equivalent of such rating by such organization or, if no rating of S&P or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any nationally recognized rating organization), (vi) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock (other than of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) having a rating of “A” or higher by S&P or “A2” or higher by Moody’s (or, in either case, the equivalent of such rating by such organization or, if no rating of S&P or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any nationally recognized rating organization), (vii) investment funds investing at least 90.0% of their assets in securities of the type described in clauses (i) through (vi) above (which funds may also hold cash pending investment and/or distribution), (viii) any money market deposit accounts issued or offered by a domestic commercial bank or a commercial bank organized and located in a country recognized by the United States of America, in each case, having capital and surplus in excess of $250,000,000 (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof), or investments in money market funds subject to the risk limiting conditions of Rule 2a-7 (or any successor rule) of the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and (ix) similar investments approved by the Board of Directors in the ordinary course of business.

Term Credit Percentage”: as to any Lender at any time, the percentage of the aggregate outstanding Term Loans (if any) of the Lenders and aggregate unused Term Loan Commitments of the Lenders (if any) then constituted by such Lender’s outstanding Term Loans (if any) and such Lender’s unused Term Loan Commitments (if any).

 

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Term Loan Commitment”: as to any Lender, the aggregate of its Initial Term Loan Commitments, Incremental Term Loan Commitment and Supplemental Term Loan Commitments; collectively as to all Lenders the “Term Loan Commitments.”

Term Loan Declined Amount”: as defined in Subsection 4.4(h).

Term Loan Facility Obligations”: obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties from time to time arising under or in respect of the due and punctual payment of (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including interest accruing during (or that would accrue but for) the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise and (ii) all other monetary obligations, including fees, costs, expenses and indemnities, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Term Loan Priority Collateral”: as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, whether or not the same remains in full force and effect.

Term Loans”: the Initial Term Loans, Incremental Term Loans, Extended Term Loans and Specified Refinancing Term Loans, as the context shall require.

“Topco”: Core & Main Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto.

“Topco PIK Notes”: 8.625%/9.375% Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2024 of Topco issued on September 16, 2019, as the same may be exchanged for substantially similar senior PIK toggle notes that have been registered under the Securities Act, and as the same or such substantially similar notes may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Total Credit Percentage”: as to any Lender at any time, the percentage which (a) the sum of (i) such Lender’s Incremental Revolving Commitment (if any) then outstanding (or, if the Incremental Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, such Lender’s then outstanding Revolving Loans) and (ii) such Lender’s then outstanding Term Loans (if any) and such Lender’s unused Term Loan Commitments (if any) then outstanding constitutes of (b) the sum of (i) the Incremental Revolving Commitments (if any) of all Lenders then outstanding (or, if the Incremental Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, such Lender’s then outstanding Revolving Loans) and (ii) the aggregate outstanding Term Loans (if any) of all Lenders then outstanding and aggregate unused Term Loan Commitments of all Lenders (if any) then outstanding.

 

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Trade Payables”: 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.

Trading Price”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(m)(iv)(A)(3)(z).

“Tranche”: (i) with respect to Term Loans or commitments, refers to whether such Term Loans or commitments are (1Original Initial Term Loans or Original Initial Term Loan Commitments, (2) Tranche B Term Loans or Tranche B Term Loan Commitments, (3) Incremental Loans or Incremental Term Loan Commitments with the same terms and conditions made on the same day and any Supplemental Term Loans added to such Tranche pursuant to Subsection 2.8, (34) Extended Term Loans (of the same Extension Series) or (45) Specified Refinancing Term Loan Facilities with the same terms and conditions made on the same day and any Supplemental Term Loans added to such Tranche pursuant to Subsection 2.8 (excluding Tranche B Term Loans and Tranche B Term Loan Commitments) and (ii) with respect to Revolving Loans or commitments, refers to whether such Revolving Loans or commitments are Incremental Revolving Commitments or Incremental Revolving Loans with the same terms and conditions made on the same day pursuant to Subsection 2.8.

“Tranche B Effective Date Transactions”: collectively, any or all of the following (whether taking place prior to, on or following the First Amendment Effective Date): (i) the entry into the Reorganization Agreement, the Tax Receivables Agreements and the Exchange Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including those transactions described under the caption “The Reorganization Transactions” in the prospectus, dated July 22, 2021, relating to Pubco’s registration statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-256382) in the form filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act (including the Pubco Merger Sub Mergers and the Pubco Mergers), (ii) the Pubco IPO, resulting in Pubco issuing certain Capital Stock of Pubco being listed on a nationally recognized stock exchange in the U.S., (iii) the entry into the First Amendment and Incurrence of Tranche B Term Loans (including via an exchange of the Original Initial Term Loans for Tranche B Term Loans) thereunder, (iv) the entry into Amendment No. 3 to the Senior ABL Facility and any Incurrence of Indebtedness thereunder on the First Amendment Effective Date, (v) the repayment of the Original Initial Term Loans held by the Non-Exchanging Term Lenders or exchange by the Exchanging Term Lenders of the Original Initial Term Loans through a cashless rollover pursuant to Subsection 4.4(g), (vi) the repayment of the Senior Notes, the Senior Add-on Notes and the Topco PIK Notes, and (vii) all other transactions relating to any of the foregoing (including payment of fees, premiums and expenses related to any of the foregoing).

“Tranche B Installment Date”: as defined in Subsection 2.2(b)(ii).

“Tranche B Term Lender”: any Lender having a Tranche B Term Loan Commitment and/or a Tranche B Term Loan outstanding hereunder.

“Tranche B Term Loan”: as defined in Subsection 2.1(b)(i).

 

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“Tranche B Term Loan Commitment”: as to any Lender, its obligation to make Tranche B Term Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Subsection 2.1(b) in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in Schedule A-1 under the heading “Tranche B Term Loan Commitment” or, in the case of any Lender that is an Assignee, the amount of the assigning Lender’s Tranche B Term Loan Commitment assigned to such Assignee pursuant to Subsection 11.6(b) (in each case as such amount may be adjusted from time to time as provided herein); collectively, as to all the Lenders, the “Tranche B Term Loan Commitments”. The original aggregate amount of the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments on the First Amendment Effective Date, immediately after giving effect to the First Amendment, is $1,500,000,000.

“Tranche B Term Loan Maturity Date”: July 27, 2028.

Transaction Agreements”: collectively, (i) the Plumb Acquisition Agreement, (ii) the CD&R Indemnification Agreement, (iii) the CD&R Consulting Agreement, (iv) the Transition Services Agreement, (v) the Supply Agreement, and (vi) the Reorganization Agreement, (vii) the Exchange Agreement and (viii) any agreement primarily providing for indemnification and/or contribution for the benefit of any Permitted Holder in respect of Liabilities resulting from, arising out of or in connection with, based upon or relating to (a) any management, consulting or advisory services, or any financing, underwriting or placement services or other investment banking activities to, for or in respect of any Parent Entity or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) any offering of securities or other financing activity or arrangement of or by any Parent Entity or any of its Subsidiaries or (c) any action or failure to act of or by any Parent Entity or any of its Subsidiaries (or any of their respective predecessors), in each case as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Transactions”: collectively, any or all of the following (whether taking place prior to, on or following the date hereofClosing Date): (i) the entry into the Plumb Acquisition Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including (a) the Waterworks Merger, whereby (1) a portion of the proceeds of the transaction financing shall be distributed pro rata to interest holders in Waterworks Opco including the Sellers and Waterworks Blocker and (2) immediately following such distribution, Passthrough Holdings purchases the Sellers’ direct interests in Waterworks Opco, (b) the Blocker Merger and (c) the subsequent acquisition by the Borrower from Affiliates of the Sellers of certain assets related to the Waterworks Business, (ii) the conversion of Blocker Holdings into a Delaware limited liability company following the Blocker Merger, (iii) the contribution of Blocker Holdings to Blocker Aggregator following the conversion described in the preceding clause (ii) of this definition, (iv) the entry into the Senior Notes Documents, and the offer and issuance of the Senior Notes, (v) the entry into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and Incurrence of Indebtedness hereunder, (vi) the entry into the ABL Facility Documents and any Incurrence of Indebtedness thereunder on the date hereofClosing Date, (vii) the Equity Contribution and (viii) all other transactions relating to any of the foregoing (including payment of fees and expenses related to any of the foregoing).

Transferee”: any Participant or Assignee.

Transition Services Agreement”: the Transition Services Agreement, to be dated as of the date hereofClosing Date, by and between the Borrower, on behalf of itself and certain of its Affiliates, and HD Supply, Inc., a Delaware corporation (and any successors in interest thereto), on behalf of itself and certain of its subsidiaries, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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Treasury Capital Stock”: as defined in Subsection 8.2(b)(i).

Type”: the type of Loan determined based on the interest option applicable thereto, with there being two Types of Loans hereunder, namely ABR Loans and Eurodollar Loans.

UCC”: the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York from time to time.

“UK Financial Institution”: any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended form time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.

“UK Resolution Authority”: the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.

United States Person”: any United States person within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

Unrestricted Cash”: at any date of determination, without duplication, (a) the aggregate amount of cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments included in the cash accounts that would be listed on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower prepared in accordance with GAAP as of the end of the most recent four consecutiverecently ended Fiscal QuartersMonth of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available to the extent such cash is not classified as “restricted” for financial statement purposes (unless so classified solely because of any provision under the Loan Documents, the ABL Facility Documents or any other agreement or instrument governing other Indebtedness that is subject to the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement governing the application thereof or because they are subject to a Lien securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations, Obligations under the ABL Facility Documents or other Indebtedness that is subject to the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement), plus (bcash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments from the proceeds of any capital contribution to the Borrower or from the issuance or sale of its Capital Stock or from any Incurrence of Indebtedness in reliance on the Ratio Incremental Facility or any other Indebtedness which is secured by Liens pursuant to clause (s) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” since the date of such consolidated balance sheetsince the end of such Fiscal Month and on or prior to the date of determination (that, in the case of Indebtedness, are (in the good faith judgment ofby the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive), intended to be used for working capital purposes.), plus (c) cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments that cash collateralize letters of credit issued on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including the proceeds of any Indebtedness being borrowed at the time of determination.

 

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Unrestricted Subsidiary”: (i) any Subsidiary of the Borrower that at the time of determination is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, as designated by the Board of Directors in the manner provided below, and (ii) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any Subsidiary of the Borrower (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the Borrower) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided, that (A) such designation was made at or prior to the Closing Date, or (B) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets of $1,000 or less or (C) if such Subsidiary has consolidated assets greater than $1,000, then such designation would be permitted under Subsection 8.2 and (D) immediately after such designation, no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) shall have occurred and be continuing. The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, that immediately after giving effect to such designation (1) (xw) the Borrower could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Subsection 8.1(a) or (ySubsection 8.1(b)(xvii) or (x) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be equal to or greater than it wasor exceed the Consolidated Coverage Ratio immediately prior to giving effect to such designation or (y) the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio would be equal or be less than the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio immediately prior to giving effect to such designation or (z) such Subsidiary shall be a Special Purpose Subsidiary with no Indebtedness outstanding other than Indebtedness that can be Incurred (and upon such designation shall be deemed to be Incurred and outstanding) pursuant to Subsection 8.1(b) and (2) immediately after such designation, no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) shall have occurred and be continuing. Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the Administrative Agent by promptly filing with the Administrative Agent a copy of the resolution of the Borrower’s Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

“U.S. Special Resolution Regime”: each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”: as defined in Subsection 4.11(b)(ii)(2).

Voting Stock”: as to any entity, all classes of Capital Stock of such entity then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election of directors or all interests in such entity with the ability to control the management or actions of such entity.

Waterworks Acquisition”: the acquisition by Passthrough Holdings and New Blocker on the Closing Date, in accordance with the Plumb Acquisition Agreement, from the Sellers and Affiliates thereof of the Waterworks Business by means of (i) the Waterworks Merger, (ii) the Blocker Merger and (iii) the subsequent acquisition by the Borrower from Affiliates of the Sellers of certain assets related to the Waterworks Business.

 

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Waterworks Blocker”: HD Supply Waterworks Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor in interest thereto.

Waterworks Business”: the operations reflected in the financial statements delivered pursuant to Subsection 6.1(d), including the distribution of complete lines of water and wastewater transmission products, serving contractors and municipalities in the water and wastewater industries for residential and non-residential uses, in the following markets: non-residential, residential, water systems and sewage systems, to the extent operated by the Acquired Companies and its Affiliates; provided, that, “Waterworks Business” does not include any (a) assets or operations of the “USA Blue Book” business of Sellers’ Affiliates or (b) corporate level services.

“Waterworks Holdings LLC”: CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

“Waterworks Holdings LP”: CD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto.

Waterworks Merger”: the merger of Passthrough Mergersub with and into Waterworks Opco, with Waterworks Opco being the survivor of such merger.

Waterworks Opco”: HD Supply Waterworks, Ltd., a Florida limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto. As of the First Amendment Effective Date, Waterworks Opco is Core & Main LP, a Florida limited partnership.

Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary”: as to any Person, any Domestic Subsidiary of such Person of which such Person owns, directly or indirectly through one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, all of the Capital Stock of such Domestic Subsidiary other than directors qualifying shares or shares held by nominees.

Wholly Owned Subsidiary”: as to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person of which such Person owns, directly or indirectly through one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary other than directors qualifying shares or shares held by nominees.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers”: (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule., and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, the powers of the applicable Resolution Authority in each case under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.

 

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“WW Advisor”: CD&R WW Advisor, LLC, Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

1.2 Other Definitional and Interpretive Provisions.

(a) Unless otherwise specified therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any Notes, any other Loan Document or any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto.

(b) As used herein and in any Notes and any other Loan Document, and any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, accounting terms relating to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries not defined in Subsection 1.1 and accounting terms partly defined in Subsection 1.1, to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP.

(c) The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section, Subsection, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns permitted hereunder. With respect to any Default or Event of Default, the words “exists,” “is continuing” or similar expressions with respect thereto shall mean that such Default or Event of Default has occurred and has not yet been cured or waived. If any Default or Event of Default has occurred hereunder (any such Default or Event of Default, an “Initial Default”) and is subsequently cured (a “Cured Default”), any other Default or, Event of Default thator failure of a condition precedent that resulted or may have resulted from (i) the making or deemed making of any representation or warranty by any Loan Party or (iithe taking of any actionact or omission by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party that was prohibited hereunder solely as a result of the continuation of such Cured Default (and was not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement), in each case which subsequent Default or, Event of Default or failure would not have arisen had the Cured Default not been continuing at the time of such representation, warranty or, action or omission, shall be deemed to automatically be cured or satisfied, as applicable, upon, and simultaneously with, the cure of the Cured Default, so long as at the time of such representation, warranty or, action or omission, no Responsible Officer of the Borrower had knowledge of any such Initial Default. To the extent not already so notified, the Borrower will provide prompt written notice of any such automatic cure to the Administrative Agent after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower knows of the occurrence of any such automatic cure. Any time period in this Agreement to cure any actual or alleged Default or Event of Default may be extended or stayed by a court of competent jurisdiction to the extent such actual or alleged Default or Event of Default is the subject of litigation.

 

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(d) For purposes of determining any financial ratio or making any financial calculation for any fiscal quarter (or portion thereof) ending prior to the Closing Date, the components of such financial ratio or financial calculation shall be determined on a pro forma basis to give effect to the Transactions as if they had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; and each Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary upon giving effect to the Transactions shall be deemed to be a Restricted Subsidiary for purposes of the components of such financial ratio or financial calculation as of the beginning of such four-quarter period.

(e) For purposes of this Agreement for periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date, references to the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle) shall be to the combined financial statements of the Waterworks Business, with pro forma effect being given to the Transactions (with Subsidiaries of the Waterworks Business that are Subsidiaries of the Borrower after giving effect to the Transactions being deemed Subsidiaries of the Borrower), as the context may require, provided that nothing in this clause (e) shall require the delivery of combined or consolidated financial statements or other similar materials for or with respect to the Waterworks Business, except as otherwise specifically required by this Agreement.

(f) Any financial ratios required to be maintained pursuant to this Agreement (or required to be satisfied in order for a specific action to be permitted under this Agreement) shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (rounding up if there is no nearest number).

(g) Any references in this Agreement to “cash and/or Cash Equivalents”, “cash, Cash Equivalents and/or Temporary Cash Investments” or any similar combination of the foregoing shall be construed as not double counting cash or any other applicable amount which would otherwise be duplicated therein.

(h) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

(i) In connection with any action being taken in connection with a Limited Condition Transaction, for purposes of determining compliance with any provision of this Agreement which requires that no Default, Event of Default or specified Default or Event of Default, as applicable, has occurred, is continuing or would result from any such action, as applicable, such condition shall, at the option of the Borrower, be deemed satisfied, so long as no Default, Event of Default or specified Default or Event of Default, as applicable, exists on the date (x) a definitive agreement for such Limited Condition Transaction is entered into, (y) in connection with an acquisition to which the United Kingdom City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (or any comparableequivalent thereof under the laws, rules or regulations in any other applicable jurisdiction) applies, the date on which a “Rule 2.7 announcement” of a firm intention to make an offer in respect of a target of a Limited Condition Transaction is made (or the equivalent notice under such

 

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comparableequivalent laws, rules or regulations in such other applicable jurisdiction) or (zirrevocable notice of redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is given. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Borrower has exercised its option under the first sentence of this clause (i), and any Default, Event of Default or specified Default or Event of Default, as applicable, occurs following the date (x) a definitive agreement for the applicable Limited Condition Transaction was entered into, (y) in connection with an acquisition to which the United Kingdom City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (or any comparableequivalent thereof under the laws, rules or regulations in any other applicable jurisdiction) applies, the date on which a “Rule 2.7 announcement” of a firm intention to make an offer in respect of a target of a Limited Condition Transaction is made (or the equivalent notice under such comparableequivalent laws, rules or regulations in such other applicable jurisdiction) or (zirrevocable notice of redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is given and prior to the consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, any such Default, Event of Default or specified Default or Event of Default, as applicable, shall be deemed to not have occurred or be continuing for purposes of determining whether any action being taken in connection with such Limited Condition Transaction is permitted hereunder.

(j) In connection with any action being taken in connection with a Limited Condition Transaction, for purposes of:

(i) determining compliance with any provision of this Agreement which requires the calculation of the Consolidated Coverage Ratio, the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio or the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio or any other financial measure;

(ii) testing baskets set forth in this Agreement (including baskets measured as a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets or Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA); or

(iii) any other determination as to whether any such Limited Condition Transaction and any related transactions (including any financing thereof) complies with the covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement;

in each case, at the option of the Borrower (the Borrower’s election to exercise such option in connection with any Limited Condition Transaction, an “LCT Election”), the date of determination of whether any such action is permitted hereunder, shall be deemed to be the date (x) a definitive agreement for such Limited Condition Transaction is entered into, (y) in connection with an acquisition to which the United Kingdom City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (or any comparableequivalent thereof under the laws, rules or regulations in any other applicable jurisdiction) applies, the date on which a “Rule 2.7 announcement” of a firm intention to make an offer in respect of a target of a Limited Condition Transaction is made (or the equivalent notice under such comparableequivalent laws, rules or regulations in such other applicable jurisdiction) or (zirrevocable notice of redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge

 

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or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is given, as applicable (the “LCT Test Date”), and if, after giving pro forma effect to the Limited Condition Transaction and the other transactions to be entered into in connection therewith (including any Incurrence or Discharge of Indebtedness and Liens and the use of proceeds thereof) as if they had occurred at the beginning of the most recent four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower ending prior to the LCT Test Date for which consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available, the Borrower could have taken such action on the relevant LCT Test Date in compliance with such ratio, basket or amount, such ratio, basket or amount shall be deemed to have been complied with; provided, that (a) if financial statements for one or more subsequent Fiscal Quarters or Fiscal Years shall have been delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(a) or 7.1(b), the Borrower may elect, in its sole discretion, to re-determine all such ratios, baskets or amounts on the basis of such financial statements, in which case, such date of redetermination shall thereafter be deemed to be the applicable LCT Test Date for purposes of such ratios, baskets or amounts and (b) except as contemplated in the foregoing clause (a), compliance with such ratios, baskets or amounts (and any related requirements and conditions) shall not be determined or tested at any time after the applicable LCT Test Date for such Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto (including any Incurrence or Discharge of Indebtedness and Liens and the use of proceeds thereof). For purposes of determining compliance with any ratio, basket or amount on the applicable LCT Test Date, Consolidated Interest Expense for purposes of the Consolidated Coverage Ratio will be calculated using an assumed interest rate based on the indicative interest margin contained in any financing commitment documentation with respect to such Indebtedness or, if no such indicative interest margin exists, as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Borrower has made an LCT Election and any of the ratios, baskets or amounts for which compliance was determined or tested as of the LCT Test Date are exceeded as a result of fluctuations in any such ratio, basket or amount, including due to fluctuations in exchange rates or in Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Tangible Assets of the Borrower or the Person subject to such Limited Condition Transaction or any applicable currency exchange rate, at or prior to the consummation of the relevant transaction or action, such ratios, baskets or amounts will not be deemed to have been exceeded as a result of such fluctuations. If the Borrower has made an LCT Election for any Limited Condition Transaction, then in connection with any subsequent calculation of any ratio, basket or amount with respect to the Incurrence or Discharge of Indebtedness or Liens, or the making of Restricted Payments, Asset Dispositions, mergers, the conveyance, lease or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower or the designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary on or following the relevant LCT Test Date and prior to the earlier of the date on which (1) such Limited Condition Transaction is consummated or, (2) the definitive agreement for, or firm offer in respect of, such Limited Condition Transaction (if an acquisition or investment) is terminated or expires without consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction or (3) such notice of redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is revoked or expires

 

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without consummation, any such ratio, basket or amount shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming such Limited Condition Transaction and other transactions in connection therewith (including any Incurrence or Discharge of Indebtedness and Liens and the use of proceeds thereof) have been consummated.

(k) Any reference herein or in any other Loan Document to (i) a transfer, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to a division of or by a limited liability company or a limited partnership, as applicable, or an allocation of assets to a series of a limited liability company (collectively, a “Division”), as if it were a transfer, assignment, sale or transfer, or similar term, as applicable, to a separate Person, and (ii) a merger, consolidation, amalgamation or consolidation, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to the division of or by a limited liability company, or an allocation of assets to a series of a limited liability company, or the unwinding of such a division or allocation, as if it were a merger, consolidation, amalgamation or consolidation or similar term, as applicable, with a separate Person.

SECTION 2

Amount and Terms of Commitments

2.1 Initial Term Loans. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender holding an Original Initial Term Loan Commitment severally agrees to make, in Dollars, in a single draw on the Closing Date, one or more term loans (each, an “Original Initial Term Loan”) to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in Schedule A under the heading “Original Initial Term Loan Commitment”, as such amount may be adjusted or reduced pursuant to the terms hereof, which Original Initial Term Loans:

(i) except as hereinafter provided, shall, at the option of the Borrower, be incurred and maintained as, and/or converted into, ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans; and

(ii) shall be made by each such Lender in an aggregate principal amount which does not exceed the Original Initial Term Loan Commitment of such Lender.

Without limitation of Subsections 2.8 and 8.1(b)(i), once repaid, Original Initial Term Loans incurred hereunder may not be reborrowed. On the Closing Date (after giving effect to the incurrence of Original Initial Term Loans on such date), the Original Initial Term Loan Commitments of each Lender shall terminate.

(b)

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender listed on Schedule A-1 under the heading “Tranche B Term Loan Commitment” attached hereto (the “New Tranche B Term Lenders”) severally agrees to make, in Dollars, in a single draw on the First Amendment Effective Date, one or more term loans (each, a “New Tranche B Term Loan” and, collectively with the term loans representing the Original Initial Term Loans exchanged by the Existing Term Lenders by exercising a cashless rollover pursuant to Subsection 4.4(g), the “Tranche B Term Loans”) to the Borrower in an aggregate

 

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principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in Schedule A-1 under the heading “Tranche B Term Loan Commitment”, as such amount may be adjusted or reduced pursuant to the terms hereof; provided that Exchanging Term Lenders shall make their respective Tranche B Term Loans by exchanging their Original Initial Term Loans for Tranche B Term Loans constituting Rollover Indebtedness in lieu of their pro rata portion of the prepayment of Original Initial Term Loans pursuant to Subsection 4.4(g).

(ii) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, on the First Amendment Effective Date, upon execution of the First Amendment by an Existing Term Lender and the indication on such Lender’s signature page that such Existing Term Lender elects to exchange, through a cashless rollover pursuant to Subsection 4.4(g), all of such Lender’s Original Initial Term Loans for Tranche B Term Loans (each such Existing Term Lender, an “Exchanging Term Lender”, and each Existing Term Lender other than an Exchanging Lender, a “Non-Exchanging Term Lender”), the amount of Original Initial Term Loans held by such Exchanging Term Lender (or such lesser amount allocated to such Lender by the Administrative Agent) shall be exchanged for Tranche B Term Loans. For the avoidance of doubt, such Tranche B Term Loans held by an Exchanging Term Lender shall constitute “Rollover Indebtedness” for all purposes under this Agreement.

(iii) The Tranche B Term Loans, except as hereinafter provided, shall, at the option of the Borrower, be incurred and maintained as, and/or converted into, ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans.

Without limitation of Subsections 2.8 and 8.1(b)(i), once repaid, Tranche B Term Loans incurred hereunder may not be reborrowed. On the First Amendment Effective Date (after giving effect to the incurrence of Tranche B Term Loans on such date), the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments of each Tranche B Term Lender shall terminate.

2.2 Notes. (a) The Borrower agrees that, upon the request to the Administrative Agent by any Lender made on or prior to the Closing Date (in the case of requests relating to Loans other than the Tranche B Term Loans) or the First Amendment Effective Date (in the case of requests relating to the Tranche B Term Loans) or in connection with any assignment pursuant to Subsection 11.6(b), in order to evidence such Lender’s Loan, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit A (each, as amended, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, a “Note”, and, collectively, the “Notes”), in each case with appropriate insertions therein as to payee, date and principal amount, payable to such Lender and in a principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the applicable Loans made (or acquired by assignment pursuant to Subsection 11.6(b)) by such Lender to the Borrower. Each Note shall be dated the Closing Date and; provided, that each Note in respect of a Tranche B Term Loan shall be dated the First Amendment Effective Date. Each Note shall be payable as provided in Subsection 2.2(b) and provide for the payment of interest in accordance with Subsection 4.1.

 

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(b) (i) The Original Initial Term Loans of all the Lenders shall be payable in consecutive quarterly installments beginning on January 26, 2018 up to and including the Original Initial Term Loan Maturity Date (subject to reduction as provided in Subsection 4.4), on the dates (each such date, an “Installment Date”) and in the principal amounts, subject to adjustment as set forth below, equal to the respective amounts set forth below (together with all accrued interest thereon) opposite the applicable Installment Dates (or, if less, the aggregate amount of such Original Initial Term Loans then outstanding):

 

Date

  

Amount

The last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter ending prior to the First Lender Joinder Agreement Effective Date    0.25% of the aggregate initial principal amount of the Original Initial Term Loans on the Closing Date
The last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter ending on or after the First Lender Joinder Agreement Effective Date and prior to the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date    $3,258,565.99
Initial Term Loan Maturity Date    allAll unpaid aggregate principal amounts of any outstanding Initial Term Loans

(ii) The Tranche B Term Loans of all the Lenders shall be payable in consecutive quarterly installments beginning on October 29, 2021 up to and including the Tranche B Term Loan Maturity Date (subject to reduction as provided in Subsection 4.4), on the dates (each such date, a “Tranche B Installment Date”) and in the principal amounts, subject to adjustment as set forth below, equal to the respective amounts set forth below (together with all accrued interest thereon) opposite the applicable Tranche B Installment Dates (or, if less, the aggregate amount of such Tranche B Term Loans then outstanding):

 

Date

  

Amount

The last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter ending prior to the Tranche B Term Loan Maturity Date   

0.25% of the aggregate initial principal amount of the Tranche B Term Loans on the First Amendment Effective Date

 

Tranche B Term Loan Maturity Date    All unpaid aggregate principal amounts of any outstanding Tranche B Term Loans

2.3 Procedure for Initial Term Loan Borrowing. The Borrower shall have given the Administrative Agent notice (which notice must have been received by the Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 P.M., New York City time (or such later time as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), and shall be revocable at any

 

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time prior to funding) one Business Day prior to the Closing Date or the First Amendment Effective Date, as applicable, specifying the amount of the Initial Term Loans to be borrowed by the Borrower. Upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each applicable Lender thereof. Each Lender having an Initial Term Loan Commitment will make the amount of its pro rata share of the applicable Initial Term Loan Commitments available to the Administrative Agent, in each case for the account of the Borrower at the office of the Administrative Agent specified in Subsection 11.2 prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time (or, if the time period for the Borrower’s delivery of notice was extended, such later time as agreed to by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, but in no event less than one hour following notice), on the Closing Date or the First Amendment Effective Date, as applicable, in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall on such date credit the account of the Borrower on the books of the Administrative Agent with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the Lenders and in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.

2.4 [Reserved].

2.5 Repayment of Loans. (a) The Borrower hereby, unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent in the currency in which the applicable Loans are denominated for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Initial Term Loan of such Lender made to the Borrower, on the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date (or such earlier date on which the Initial Term Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 9). The Borrower hereby, further agrees to pay interest (which payments shall be payable in the same currency in which the respective Loan is denominated) on the unpaid principal amount of such Loans from time to time outstanding from the date hereofClosing Date until payment in full thereof at the rates per annum, and on the dates, set forth in Subsection 4.1.

(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan of such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register pursuant to Subsection 11.6(b), and a subaccount therein for each Lender, in which shall be recorded (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, whether such Loan is a Term Loan, the Type thereof, the Tranche thereof and each Interest Period, if any, applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each applicable Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower and each applicable Lender’s share thereof.

(d) The entries made in the Register and the accounts of each Lender maintained pursuant to Subsection 2.5(c) shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain the Register or any such account, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the Loans made to the Borrower by such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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2.6 [Reserved].

2.7 [Reserved].

2.8 Incremental Facilities. (a) So long as no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) exists or would arise therefrom, the Borrower shall have the right (on behalf of itself, or in the case of Incremental Loans the proceeds of which will be subject to an escrow or other similar arrangement, an Escrow Subsidiary (any such Escrow Subsidiary, an “Escrow Borrower”)), at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date, (i) to request new term loan commitments under one or more new term loan credit facilities to be included in this Agreement (the “Incremental Term Loan Commitments”), (ii) to increase the Existing Term Loans by requesting new term loan commitments to be added to an Existing Tranche of Term Loans (the “Supplemental Term Loan Commitments”), (iii) to request new commitments under one or more new revolving facilities to be included in this Agreement (the “Incremental Revolving Commitments”), and (iv) to request new letter of credit facility commitments under one or more new letter of credit facilities to be included in this Agreement (the “Incremental Letter of Credit Commitments” and, together with the Incremental Term Loan Commitments, Supplemental Term Loan Commitments and the Incremental Revolving Commitments, the “Incremental Commitments”), provided that, (i) the aggregate amount of Incremental Commitments permitted pursuant to this Subsection 2.8 shall not exceed, at the time the respective Incremental Commitment becomes effective (and after giving effect to the Incurrence of Indebtedness in connection therewith and the application of proceeds of any such Indebtedness, including to refinance other Indebtedness), an amount that could then be Incurred under this Agreement in compliance with Subsection 8.1(b)(i) and (ii) if any portion of an Incremental Commitment is to be incurred in reliance on clause (ii) of the definition of “Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount”, the Chief Financial Officer or a Responsible Officer of the Borrower shall have delivered a certificate to the Administrative Agent, certifying compliance with the financial test set forth in such clause (together with calculations demonstrating compliance with such test). Any loans made in respect of any such Incremental Commitment (other than Supplemental Term Loan Commitments) shall be made by creating a new Tranche. Each Incremental Commitment made available pursuant to this Subsection 2.8 shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of at least $10,000,000 and in integral multiples of $5,000,000 in excess thereof (or such lower minimum amounts or multiples as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion); provided that such amount may be less than $10,000,000 if such amount represents the then remaining aggregate principal amount available to be Incurred in compliance with Subsection 8.1(b)(i).

(b) Each request from the Borrower pursuant to this Subsection 2.8 shall set forth the requested amount and proposed terms of the relevant Incremental Commitments. The Incremental Commitments (or any portion thereof) may be made by any existing Lender or by any other bank or other financial institution (any such other bank or other financial institution, an “Additional Incremental Lender”, and the Additional Incremental Lenders together with any existing Lender providing Incremental Commitments, the “Incremental Lenders”); provided that if such Additional Incremental Lender is not already a Lender hereunder or an Affiliate of a Lender hereunder or an Approved Fund, the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) shall be required (it being understood that any such Additional Incremental Lender that is an Affiliated Lender shall be subject to the

 

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provisions of Subsection 11.6(h), mutatis mutandis, to the same extent as if such Incremental Commitments and related Obligations had been obtained by such Lender by way of assignment). The Borrower may agree, in its sole discretion, to accept a lesser amount of any Incremental Commitment than originally requested. In the event there are Lenders and Additional Incremental Lenders that have committed to an Incremental Commitment in excess of the maximum amount requested (or permitted), then the Borrower shall have the right to allocate such commitments on whatever basis the Borrower determines is appropriate.

(c) Supplemental Term Loan Commitments shall become commitments under this Agreement pursuant to a supplement specifying the Tranche of Term Loans to be increased, executed by the Borrower and each increasing Lender substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I-1 or in such other form as may be appropriate in the opinion of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (the “Increase Supplement”) or by each Additional Incremental Lender substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I-2 or in such other form as may be appropriate in the opinion of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (the “Lender Joinder Agreement”), as the case may be, which shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent for recording in the Register. Upon effectiveness of the Lender Joinder Agreement each Additional Incremental Lender shall be a Lender for all intents and purposes of this Agreement and the term loan made pursuant to such Supplemental Term Loan Commitment shall be a Term Loan. Each Increase Supplement and/or Lender Joinder Agreement may, without the consent of any other Lender, effect such amendments to any Loan Documents (including amendments to Subsection 2.2(b) to increase the amortization payments or interest rate margins thereunder or add customary call protection provisions with respect thereto to allow for the applicable Incremental Loans to be fungible with an existing Tranche of Term Loans hereunder) as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Subsection 2.8(c).

(d) Incremental Commitments (other than Supplemental Term Loan Commitments) shall become commitments under this Agreement pursuant to an amendment (an “Incremental Commitment Amendment”) to this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by the Borrower, an Escrow Borrower (if applicable) and each applicable Incremental Lender. An Incremental Commitment Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lender, effect such amendments to any Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Subsection 2.8; provided, however, that (i) (A) the Incremental Commitments will not be guaranteed by any Subsidiary of the Borrower other than the Subsidiary Guarantors (it being understood that the primary obligation of an Escrow Borrower shall not constitute a guarantee by a Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor), and (other than with respect to proceeds of such Incremental Commitments which are subject to an escrow or other similar arrangement and any related deposit of cash, Cash Equivalents and/or Temporary Cash Investments to cover interest and premium in respect of such Incremental Commitments) will be secured on a pari passu or (at the Borrower’s option) junior basis by the same Collateral securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations (so long as any such Incremental Commitments (and related Obligations) are subject to the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or an Other Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, or (at the Borrower’s option) will be unsecured), (B) the Incremental Commitments and any incremental loans drawn thereunder (the “Incremental Loans”) shall rank pari passu in right of payment with

 

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or (at the Borrower’s option) junior to the Term Loan Facility Obligations and (C) no Incremental Commitment Amendment may provide for (I) any Incremental Commitment or any Incremental Loans to be secured by any Lien on any asset (other than proceeds of Incremental Loans which are subject to an escrow or similar arrangement and any related deposit of cash, Cash Equivalents and/or Temporary Cash Investments to cover interest and premium in respect of such Incremental Loans) of any Loan Party that does not also secure the Term Loan Facility Obligations and (II) so long as any Initial Term Loans are outstanding, any mandatory prepayment from the Net Available Cash Proceeds of Asset Dispositions (other than any Asset Disposition in respect of any assets, business or Person the acquisition of which was financed, all or in part, with Incremental Loans provided pursuant to such Incremental Commitment Amendment and the disposition of which was contemplated by any definitive agreement in respect of such acquisition) or Recovery Event or from Excess Cash Flow, to the extent the Net Available Cash Proceeds of such Asset Disposition or Recovery Event or such Excess Cash Flow are required to be applied to repay the Initial Term Loans pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e), on more than a ratable basis with the Initial Term Loans (after giving effect to any amendment in accordance with Subsection 11.1(d)(vi)); (ii) no Lender will be required to provide any such Incremental Commitment unless it so agrees; (iii) [reserved]; (iv) the maturity date and the weighted average life to maturity of any Incremental Term Loan Commitments shall be no earlier than or shorter than, as the case may be, the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date or the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Initial Term Loans, as applicable (other than an earlier maturity date and/or shorter weighted average life to maturity (1) for customary bridge financings, which, subject to customary conditions (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), would either be automatically converted into or required to be exchanged for permanent financing which does not provide for an earlier maturity date or a shorter weighted average life to maturity than the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date or the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Initial Term Loans, as applicable or, (2) pursuant to an escrow or similar arrangement with respect to the proceeds of such Incremental Term Loans or (3) of Indebtedness under any Incremental Term Loan Commitments in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding (together with the aggregate principal amount of any Additional Obligations, any Refinancing Indebtedness and Indebtedness under any Specified Refinancing Term Loan Facility and any applicable Extended Tranche, in each case outstanding under the Earlier Maturity Date Basket) not in excess of the Earlier Maturity Date Basket); (v) the interest rate margins and (subject to clause (iv) above) amortization schedule applicable to the loans made pursuant to the Incremental Commitments shall be determined by the Borrower and the applicable Incremental Lenders; provided that in the event that the applicable interest rate margins for any syndicated floating rate Incremental Term Loans denominated in Dollars, the principal amount of which exceeds the MFN Threshold Amount, that are secured on a pari passu basis by the Collateral securing the First Lien Obligations, with a Stated Maturity that is earlier than 12 months following the InitialTranche B Term Loan Maturity Date, Incurred by the Borrower pursuant to the Ratio Incremental Facility, made on or prior to the 12-month anniversary of the Closing DateFirst Amendment Effective Date and not Incurred to finance or refinance, or otherwise in connection with, any acquisition of assets (including Capital Stock), business or Person, or any merger or consolidation of any Person with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any other Investment, are higher than the applicable interest rate margin for the InitialTranche B Term Loans by more than 75 basis points, then the effective interest rate margin for the applicable InitialTranche B Term Loans at the time

 

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such Incremental Commitments become effective (the “Existing Interest Rate”) shall be increased to the extent necessary so that the Existing Interest Rate is equal to the applicable interest rate margins for such Incremental Term Loan Commitment minus 75 basis points (the “Adjusted Interest Rate”, and the number of basis points by which the Existing Interest Rate is increased, the “Increased Amount”); provided, further that, in determining the applicable interest rate margins for the applicable InitialTranche B Term Loans and the Incremental Term Loans, (A) original issue discount (“OID”) or upfront fees payable generally to all participating Lenders in lieu of OID (which shall be deemed to constitute like amounts of OID) payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under such InitialTranche B Term Loans or any Incremental Term Loan, as applicable, in the initial primary syndication thereof shall be included (with OID and upfront fees being equated to interest rate based on an assumed four-year life to maturity) (provided that, if such InitialTranche B Term Loans are issued in a manner such that all such InitialTranche B Term Loans were not issued with a uniform amount of OID or upfront fees within the applicable Tranche of InitialTranche B Term Loans, the amount of OID and upfront fees attributable to the entire Tranche of InitialTranche B Term Loans shall be determined on a weighted average basis); (B) any arrangement or structuring fees payable in connection with the Incremental Term Loans or any other fees payable in connection with the Incremental Term Loans that are not(other than, in the case of syndicated Incremental Term Loans, and only if such fees are shared with all Additional Incremental Lenders providing such syndicated Incremental Term Loans) shall, in each case, be excluded; (C) any amendments to the Applicable Margin or effective interest rate margin on the applicable InitialTranche B Term Loans that became effective subsequent to the ClosingFirst Amendment Effective Date but prior to the effective time of such Incremental Term Loans shall also be included in such calculations, (D) if the Incremental Term Loans include an interest rate floor greater than the interest rate floor applicable to the applicable InitialTranche B Term Loans, such increased amount shall be equated to the applicable interest rate margin for purposes of determining whether an increase to the Applicable Margin for such InitialTranche B Term Loans shall be required, to the extent an increase in the interest rate floor for such InitialTranche B Term Loans would cause an increase in the interest rate then in effect thereunder, and in such case the interest rate floor (but not the Applicable Margin) applicable to such InitialTranche B Term Loans shall be increased by such amount to the extent necessary to adjust the applicable Existing Interest Rate to be equal to the applicable Adjusted Interest Rate, (E) if the Incremental Term Loans include an interest rate floor lower than the interest rate floor applicable to the applicable Tranche of InitialTranche B Term Loans or do not include any interest rate floor, to the extent a reduction in the interest rate floor for such InitialTranche B Term Loans would cause a reduction in the interest rate then in effect thereunder, an amount equal to the difference between the interest rate floor applicable to the InitialTranche B Term Loans and the interest rate floor applicable to such Incremental Term Loans (which shall be deemed to equal 0% for any Incremental Term Loans without any interest rate floor), but which in any event shall not exceed the maximum amount by which a reduction in the interest rate floor applicable to the InitialTranche B Term Loans would cause a reduction in the interest rate then in effect thereunder, shall reduce the applicable interest rate margin of the applicable Incremental Term Loans for purposes of determining whether an increase in the Existing Interest Rate shall be required and (F) if the applicable Tranche of InitialTranche B Term Loans includeincludes a pricing grid the interest rate margins in such pricing grid which are not in effect at the time the applicable Incremental Commitments become effective shall also each be increased by an amount equal to the Increased Amount; (vi) such Incremental

 

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Commitment Amendment may provide (1) for the inclusion, as appropriate, of Additional Incremental Lenders in any required vote or action of the Required Lenders or of the Lenders of each Tranche hereunder, (2) class voting and other class protections for any additional credit facilities, (3) for the amendment of the definitions of “Additional Obligations”, “Disqualified Stock”, “Junior Capital” and “Refinancing Indebtedness” and Subsection 8.8(b), in each case only to extend the maturity date and the weighted average life to maturity requirements, from the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date and remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Initial Term Loans to the extended maturity date and the remaining weighted average life to maturity of such Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, (4) in the case of an Incremental Revolving Commitment or an Incremental Letter of Credit Commitment, provide for amendments and modifications necessary or desirable to account for the Incremental Revolving Commitments and Incremental Letter of Credit Commitments to be included in this Agreement, in each case on terms agreed by the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Commitments (including any swingline lender or issuing lender) and with the consent of the Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and (5) for the amendment of clause (iii) of the definition of “Additional Obligations” to provide for the applicable mandatory prepayment protections to apply to such Incremental Term Loans; and (vii) the other terms and documentation in respect thereof, to the extent not consistent with this Agreement as in effect prior to giving effect to the Incremental Commitment Amendment, shall otherwise be reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower; provided that to the extent such terms and documentation are not consistent with, in the case of Incremental Term Loans, the terms and documentation governing the Initial Term Loans (except to the extent permitted by clauses (iv), (v) or (vi) above), they shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

2.9 Permitted Debt Exchanges. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, pursuant to one or more offers (each, a “Permitted Debt Exchange Offer”) made from time to time by the Borrower to all Lenders (other than any Lender that, if requested by the Borrower, is unable to certify that it is either a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) or an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act)) with outstanding Term Loans of a particular Tranche, as selected by the Borrower, the Borrower may from time to time following the Closing Date consummate one or more exchanges of Term Loans of such Tranche for Additional Obligations in the form of notes (such notes, “Permitted Debt Exchange Notes”, and each such exchange a “Permitted Debt Exchange”), so long as the following conditions are satisfied: (i) the aggregate principal amount (calculated on the face amount thereof) of Term Loans exchanged shall be equal to or more than the aggregate principal amount (calculated on the face amount thereof) of Permitted Debt Exchange Notes issued in exchange for such Term Loans, plus the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) incurred or payable in connection with such exchange, (ii) the aggregate principal amount (calculated on the face amount thereof) of all Term Loans exchanged by the Borrower pursuant to any Permitted Debt Exchange shall automatically be cancelled and retired by the Borrower on the date of the settlement thereof (and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, any applicable exchanging Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, or such other form as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, in respect thereof pursuant to which the respective Lender assigns its interest in the Term Loans being exchanged pursuant to the Permitted Debt Exchange to the Borrower for immediate cancellation), (iii) if the aggregate principal amount of

 

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all Term Loans (calculated on the face amount thereof) tendered by Lenders in respect of the relevant Permitted Debt Exchange Offer (with no Lender being permitted to tender a principal amount of Term Loans which exceeds the principal amount of the applicable Tranche actually held by it) shall exceed the maximum aggregate principal amount of Term Loans offered to be exchanged by the Borrower pursuant to such Permitted Debt Exchange Offer, then the Borrower shall exchange Term Loans subject to such Permitted Debt Exchange Offer tendered by such Lenders ratably up to such maximum amount based on the respective principal amounts so tendered, (iv) each such Permitted Debt Exchange Offer shall be made on a pro rata basis to the Lenders (other than any Lender that, if requested by the Borrower, is unable to certify that it is either a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) or an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act)) based on their respective aggregate principal amounts of outstanding Term Loans of the applicable Tranche, (v) all documentation in respect of such Permitted Debt Exchange shall be consistent with the foregoing and all written communications generally directed to the Lenders in connection therewith shall be in form and substance consistent with the foregoing and made in consultation with the Administrative Agent and (vi) any applicable Minimum Exchange Tender Condition shall be satisfied. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Lender shall have any obligation to agree to have any of its Loans exchanged pursuant to any Permitted Debt Exchange Offer.

(b) With respect to all Permitted Debt Exchanges effected by the Borrower pursuant to this Subsection 2.9, (i) such Permitted Debt Exchanges (and the cancellation of the exchanged Term Loans in connection therewith) shall not constitute voluntary or mandatory payments or prepayments for purposes of Subsection 4.4 and (ii) such Permitted Debt Exchange Offer shall be made for not less than $5,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Term Loans (or, in each case, such lower principal amount as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), provided that subject to the foregoing clause (ii), the Borrower may at its election specify as a condition (a “Minimum Exchange Tender Condition”) to consummating any such Permitted Debt Exchange that a minimum amount (to be determined and specified in the relevant Permitted Debt Exchange Offer in the Borrower’s discretion) of Term Loans be tendered.

(c) In connection with each Permitted Debt Exchange, the Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent at least tenfive Business Days’ (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent) prior written notice thereof, and the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, acting reasonably, shall mutually agree to such procedures as may be necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Subsection 2.9 and without conflict with Subsection 2.9(d); provided that the terms of any Permitted Debt Exchange Offer shall provide that the date by which the relevant Lenders are required to indicate their election to participate in such Permitted Debt Exchange shall be not less than five Business Days following the date on which the Permitted Debt Exchange Offer is made (or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion).

(d) The Borrower shall be responsible for compliance with, and hereby agrees to comply with, all applicable securities and other laws in connection with each Permitted Debt Exchange, it being understood and agreed that (x) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender assumes any responsibility in connection with the Borrower’s compliance with such laws in connection with any Permitted Debt Exchange (other than the Borrower’s reliance on any certificate delivered by a Lender pursuant to Subsection 2.9(a) above for which such Lender shall bear sole responsibility) and (y) each Lender shall be solely responsible for its compliance with any applicable “insider trading” laws and regulations to which such Lender may be subject under the Exchange Act.

 

 

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2.10 Extension of Term Loans. (a) The Borrower may at any time and from time to time request that all or a portion of the Term Loans of one or more Tranches (including any Extended Term Loans) existing at the time of such request (each, an “Existing Term Tranche” or “Existing Tranche” and the Term Loans of such Tranche, the “Existing Term Loans” or the “Existing Loans”) be converted to extend the scheduled maturity date(s) of any payment of principal or scheduled termination date(s) of any commitments, as applicable, with respect to all or a portion of any principal or committed amount of any Existing Tranche (any such Existing Tranche which has been so extended, an “Extended Term Tranche” or “Extended Tranche”, and the Term Loans of such Extended Tranches, the “Extended Term Loans” or the “Extended Loans”) and to provide for other terms consistent with this Subsection 2.10; provided that (i) any such request shall be made by the Borrower to all Lenders with Term Loans with a like maturity date (whether under one or more Tranches) on a pro rata basis (based on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the applicable Term Loans), and (ii) any applicable Minimum Extension Condition shall be satisfied unless waived by the Borrower. In order to establish any Extended Tranche, the Borrower shall provide a notice to the Administrative Agent (who shall provide a copy of such notice to each of the Lenders of the applicable Existing Tranche) (an “Extension Request”) setting forth the proposed terms of the Extended Tranche to be established, which terms shall be identical to those applicable to the Existing Tranche from which they are to be extended (the “Specified Existing Tranche”), except (x) all or any of the final maturity dates of such Extended Tranches may be delayed to later dates than the final maturity dates of the Specified Existing Tranche, (y) (A) the interest margins with respect to the Extended Tranche may be higher or lower than the interest margins for the Specified Existing Tranche and/or (B) additional fees may be payable to the Lenders providing such Extended Tranche in addition to or in lieu of any increased margins contemplated by the preceding clause (A), in each case to the extent provided in the applicable Extension Amendment, and (z) amortization with respect to the Extended Term Tranche may be greater or lesser than amortization for the Specified Existing Tranche, so long as the Extended Term Tranche does not have a weighted average life to maturity shorter than the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Specified Existing Tranche (provided that any applicable Extended Tranche may have an earlier maturity date and/or shorter weighted average life to maturity (1) in the case of customary bridge financings, which, subject to customary conditions (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), would either be automatically converted into or required to be exchanged for permanent financing which does not provide for such earlier maturity date or such shorter weighted average life to maturity, (2) pursuant to an escrow or similar arrangement with respect to the proceeds of such Extended Tranche or (3) if the aggregate principal amount of such applicable Extended Tranche at any time outstanding (together with the aggregate principal amount of any Additional Obligations, any Refinancing Indebtedness and Indebtedness under any Incremental Term Loan Commitments and any Specified Refinancing Term Loan Facility, in each case outstanding under the Earlier Maturity Date Basket) does not exceed the Earlier Maturity Date Basket); provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Subsection 2.10 or otherwise, assignments and participations of

 

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Extended Tranches shall be governed by the same or, at the Borrower’s discretion, more restrictive assignment and participation provisions than the assignment and participation provisions applicable to Initial Term Loans set forth in Subsection 11.6. No Lender shall have any obligation to agree to have any of its Existing Loans converted into an Extended Tranche pursuant to any Extension Request. Any Extended Tranche shall constitute a separate Tranche of Term Loans from the Specified Existing Tranches and from any other Existing Tranches (together with any other Extended Tranches so established on such date).

(b) The Borrower shall provide the applicable Extension Request at least tenfive Business Days (or such shorter period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) prior to the date on which Lenders under the applicable Existing Tranche(s) are requested to respond. Any Lender (an “Extending Lender”) wishing to have all or a portion of its Specified Existing Tranche converted into an Extended Tranche shall notify the Administrative Agent (each, an “Extension Election”) on or prior to the date specified in such Extension Request of the amount of its Specified Existing Tranche that it has elected to convert into an Extended Tranche. In the event that the aggregate amount of the Specified Existing Tranche subject to Extension Elections exceeds the amount of Extended Tranches requested pursuant to the Extension Request, the Specified Existing Tranches subject to Extension Elections shall be converted to Extended Tranches on a pro rata basis based on the amount of Specified Existing Tranches included in each such Extension Election. In connection with any extension of Term Loans pursuant to this Subsection 2.10 (each, an “Extension”), the Borrower shall agree to such procedures regarding timing, rounding and other administrative adjustments to ensure reasonable administrative management of the credit facilities hereunder after such Extension, as may be established by, or acceptable to, the Administrative Agent, in each case acting reasonably to accomplish the purposes of this Subsection 2.10. The Borrower may amend, revoke or replace an Extension Request pursuant to procedures reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent at any time prior to the date (the “Extension Request Deadline”) on which Lenders under the applicable Existing Term Tranche are requested to respond to the Extension Request. Any Lender may revoke an Extension Election at any time prior to 5:00 P.M. on the date that is two Business Days prior to the Extension Request Deadline, at which point the Extension Election becomes irrevocable (unless otherwise agreed by the Borrower). The revocation of an Extension Election prior to the Extension Request Deadline shall not prejudice any Lender’s right to submit a new Extension Election prior to the Extension Request Deadline.

(c) Extended Tranches shall be established pursuant to an amendment (an “Extension Amendment”) to this Agreement (which may include amendments to (i) provisions related to maturity, interest margins, fees or amortization referenced in clauses (x) through (z) of Subsection 2.10(a), (ii) the definitions of “Additional Obligations”, “Disqualified Stock”, “Junior Capital” and “Refinancing Indebtedness” and Subsection 8.8(b) to amend the maturity date and the weighted average life to maturity requirements, from the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date and remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Initial Term Loans to the extended maturity date and the remaining weighted average life to maturity of such Extended Tranche, as applicable and (iii) clause (iii) of the definition of “Additional Obligations” to provide for the applicable mandatory prepayment protections to apply to such Extended Term Tranche, and which in each case, except to the extent expressly contemplated by the third to last sentence of this Subsection 2.10(c) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Subsection 11.1,

 

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shall not require the consent of any Lender other than the Extending Lenders with respect to the Extended Tranches established thereby) executed by the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent, and the Extending Lenders. No Extension Amendment shall provide for any Extended Tranche in an aggregate principal amount that is less than $10,000,000 (or, in each case, such lower principal amount as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement and without limiting the generality or applicability of Subsection 11.1 to any Subsection 2.10 Additional Amendments, any Extension Amendment may provide for additional terms and/or additional amendments other than those referred to or contemplated above (any such additional amendment, a “Subsection 2.10 Additional Amendment”) to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that such Subsection 2.10 Additional Amendments do not become effective prior to the time that such Subsection 2.10 Additional Amendments have been consented to (including pursuant to consents applicable to holders of any Extended Tranches provided for in any Extension Amendment) by such of the Lenders, Loan Parties and other parties (if any) as may be required in order for such Subsection 2.10 Additional Amendments to become effective in accordance with Subsection 11.1; provided, further, that no Extension Amendment may provide for any Extended Tranche to be secured by any Collateral or other assets of any Loan Party that does not also secure the Specified Existing Tranche. It is understood and agreed that each Lender has consented for all purposes requiring its consent, and shall at the effective time thereof be deemed to consent to each amendment to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents authorized by this Subsection 2.10 and the arrangements described above in connection therewith except that the foregoing shall not constitute a consent on behalf of any Lender to the terms of any Subsection 2.10 Additional Amendment. In connection with any Extension Amendment, at the request of the Administrative Agent or the Extending Lenders, the Borrower shall deliver an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent as to the enforceability of this Agreement as amended by such Extension Amendment, and such of the other Loan Documents (if any) as may be amended thereby.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, on any date on which any Existing Tranche is converted to extend the related scheduled maturity date(s) in accordance with clause (a) above (an “Extension Date”), in the case of the Specified Existing Tranche of each Extending Lender, the aggregate principal amount of such Specified Existing Tranche shall be deemed reduced by an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Extended Tranche so converted by such Lender on such date, and such Extended Tranches shall be established as a separate Tranche from the Specified Existing Tranche and from any other Existing Tranches (together with any other Extended Tranches so established on such date).

(e) If, in connection with any proposed Extension Amendment, any Lender declines to consent to the applicable extension on the terms and by the deadline set forth in the applicable Extension Request (each such other Lender, a “Non-Extending Lender”) then the Borrower may, on notice to the Administrative Agent and the Non-Extending Lender, (i) replace such Non-Extending Lender by causing such Lender to (and such Lender shall be obligated to) assign pursuant to Subsection 11.6 (with the assignment fee and any other costs and expenses to be paid by the Borrower in such instance) all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more assignees; provided that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to the Borrower to find a replacement Lender; provided, further, that the

 

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applicable assignee shall have agreed to provide Extended Loans on the terms set forth in such Extension Amendment; and provided, further, that all obligations of the Borrower owing to the Non-Extending Lender relating to the Existing Loans so assigned shall be paid in full by the assignee Lender (or, at its option, the Borrower) to such Non-Extending Lender concurrently with such Assignment and Acceptance or (ii) if no Event of Default exists under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f), upon notice to the Administrative Agent, prepay the Existing Loans in whole or in part, subject to Subsection 4.12, without premium or penalty. In connection with any such replacement under this Subsection 2.10, if the Non-Extending Lender does not execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance and/or any other documentation necessary to reflect such replacement by the later of (A) the date on which the replacement Lender executes and delivers such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation and (B) the date as of which all obligations of the Borrower owing to the Non-Extending Lender relating to the Existing Loans so assigned shall be paid in full by the assignee Lender (or, at its option, the Borrower) to such Non-Extending Lender, then such Non-Extending Lender shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation as of such date, the Administrative Agent shall record such assignment in the Register and the Borrower shall be entitled (but not obligated) to execute and deliver such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation on behalf of such Non-Extending Lender.

(f) Following any Extension Date, with the written consent of the Borrower, any Non-Extending Lender may elect to have all or a portion of its Existing Loans deemed to be an Extended Loan under the applicable Extended Tranche on any date (each date a “Designation Date”) prior to the maturity date of such Extended Tranche; provided that such Lender shall have provided written notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at least 10 Business Days prior to such Designation Date (or such shorter period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion). Following a Designation Date, the Existing Loans held by such Lender so elected to be extended will be deemed to be Extended Loans of the applicable Extended Tranche, and any Existing Loans held by such Lender not elected to be extended, if any, shall continue to be “Existing Loans” of the applicable Tranche.

(g) With respect to all Extensions consummated by the Borrower pursuant to this Subsection 2.10, (i) such Extensions shall not constitute optional or mandatory payments or prepayments for purposes of Subsection 4.4 and (ii) no Extension Request is required to be in any minimum amount or any minimum increment, provided that the Borrower may at its election specify as a condition (a “Minimum Extension Condition”) to consummating any such Extension that a minimum amount (to be determined and specified in the relevant Extension Request in the Borrower’s sole discretion and which may be waived by the Borrower) of Existing Loans of any or all applicable Tranches be extended. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby consent to the transactions contemplated by this Subsection 2.10 (including, for the avoidance of doubt, payment of any interest, fees or premium in respect of any Extended Loans on such terms as may be set forth in the relevant Extension Request) and hereby waive the requirements of any provision of this Agreement (including Subsections 4.4 and 4.8) or any other Loan Document that may otherwise prohibit any such Extension or any other transaction contemplated by this Subsection 2.10.

 

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2.11 Specified Refinancing Facilities. (a) The Borrower may, from time to time, add one or more new term loan facilities (the “Specified Refinancing Term Loan Facilities”) to the Facilities to refinance all or any portion of any Tranche of Term Loans then outstanding under this Agreement; provided that (i) the Specified Refinancing Facilities will not be guaranteed by any Subsidiary of the Borrower other than the Subsidiary Guarantors, and will be secured on a pari passu or (at the Borrower’s option) junior basis by the same Collateral securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations (so long as any applicable Specified Refinancing Amendments (and related Obligations) are subject to the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or an Other Intercreditor Agreement) or (at the Borrower’s option) will be unsecured, (ii) the Specified Refinancing Term Loan Facilities and any term loans drawn thereunder (the “Specified Refinancing Term Loans”) shall rank pari passu in right of payment with or (at the Borrower’s option) junior to the Term Loan Facility Obligations, (iii) no Specified Refinancing Amendment may provide for any Specified Refinancing Facility or any Specified Refinancing Loans to be secured by any Collateral or other assets of any Loan Party that do not also secure the Term Loan Facility Obligations, (iv) the Specified Refinancing Facilities will have such pricing, amortization (subject to clause (vi) below) and optional and mandatory prepayment terms as may be agreed by the Borrower and the applicable Lenders thereof, (v) [reserved], (vi) the maturity date and the weighted average life to maturity of any Specified Refinancing Term Loan Facility shall be no earlier than or shorter than, as the case may be, the Maturity Date of the Tranche of Term Loans being refinanced or the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Term Loans being refinanced, as applicable (other than an earlier maturity date and/or shorter weighted average life to maturity (1) for customary bridge financings, which, subject to customary conditions (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), would either be automatically converted into or required to be exchanged for permanent financing which does not provide for an earlier maturity date or a shorter weighted average life to maturity than the Maturity Date of the Tranche of Term Loans being refinanced or the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Term Loans being refinanced, as applicable), (2) pursuant to an escrow or similar arrangement with respect to the proceeds of such Specified Refinancing Term Loans or (3) of Indebtedness under any Specified Refinancing Term Loan Facility in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding (together with any Additional Obligations, any Refinancing Indebtedness and Indebtedness under any Incremental Term Loan Commitments and any applicable Extended Tranche, in each case outstanding under the Earlier Maturity Date Basket) not in excess of the Earlier Maturity Date Basket), (vii) the Net Cash Proceeds of such Specified Refinancing Facility shall be applied, substantially concurrently with the incurrence thereof, to the pro rata prepayment of outstanding Loans being so refinanced, in each case pursuant to Subsection 4.4 (including prepayments made with an exchange of Rollover Indebtedness under the applicable Specified Refinancing Facility as provided for in the final sentence of Subsection 4.4(g)); and (viii) the Specified Refinancing Facilities shall not have a principal or commitment amount greater than the Loans being refinanced plus the aggregate amount of all fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing.

 

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(b) Each request from the Borrower pursuant to this Subsection 2.11 shall set forth the requested amount and proposed terms of the relevant Specified Refinancing Facility. The Specified Refinancing Facilities (or any portion thereof) may be made by any existing Lender or by any other bank or financial institution (any such bank or other financial institution, an “Additional Specified Refinancing Lender”, and the Additional Specified Refinancing Lenders together with any existing Lender providing Specified Refinancing Facilities, the “Specified Refinancing Lenders”); provided that if such Additional Specified Refinancing Lender is not already a Lender hereunder or an Affiliate of a Lender hereunder or an Approved Fund, the consent of the Administrative Agent and (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) shall be required (it being understood that any such Additional Specified Refinancing Lender that is an Affiliated Lender shall be subject to the provisions of Subsection 11.6(h), mutatis mutandis, to the same extent as if such Specified Refinancing Facilities and related Obligations had been obtained by such Lender by way of assignment).

(c) Specified Refinancing Facilities shall become facilities under this Agreement pursuant to a Specified Refinancing Amendment to this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by the Borrower and each applicable Specified Refinancing Lender. Any Specified Refinancing Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lender, effect such amendments to any Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Subsection 2.11, in each case on terms consistent with this Subsection 2.11.

(d) Any loans made in respect of any such Specified Refinancing Facility shall be made by creating a new Tranche. Each Specified Refinancing Facility made available pursuant to this Subsection 2.11 shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of at least $10,000,000 and in integral multiples of $5,000,000 in excess thereof (or, such lower minimum amounts or multiples as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion).

(e) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Specified Refinancing Amendment. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Specified Refinancing Amendment, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary or appropriate to reflect the existence and terms of the Specified Refinancing Facilities incurred pursuant thereto (including the addition of such Specified Refinancing Facilities as separate “Facilities” and “Tranches” hereunder and treated in a manner consistent with the Facilities being refinanced, including for purposes of prepayments and voting). Any Specified Refinancing Amendment may, without the consent of any Person other than the Borrower, the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and the Lenders providing such Specified Refinancing Facilities, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Subsection 2.11.

 

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SECTION 3

[Reserved]

SECTION 4

General Provisions Applicable to Loans

4.1 Interest Rates and Payment Dates. (a) Each Eurodollar Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate determined for such day plus the Applicable Margin in effect for such day.

(b) Each ABR Loan shall bear interest for each day that it is outstanding at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate in effect for such day plus the Applicable Margin in effect for such day.

(c) [Reserved].

(d) [Reserved].

(e) If all or a portion of (i) the principal amount of any Loan, (ii) any interest payable thereon or (iii) any other amount payable hereunder shall not be paid when due (whether at the Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum which is (x) in the case of overdue principal, the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant to the relevant foregoing provisions of this Subsection 4.1, plus 2.00% and, (y) in the case of other amounts (including overdue interest), the rate that would otherwise be applicable to principal of the related Loan pursuant to the relevant foregoing provisions of this Subsection 4.1, plus 2.00% and (z) in the case of other amounts, the rate described in clause (b) of this Subsection 4.1 for ABR Loans accruing interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus 2.00%, in each case from the date of such nonpayment until such amount is paid in full (after as well as before judgment); provided that (1) no amount shall be payable pursuant to this Subsection 4.1(e) to a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender and (2) no amounts shall accrue pursuant to this Subsection 4.1(e) on any overdue amount or other amount payable to a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender.

(f) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date, provided that interest accruing pursuant to clause (e) of this Subsection 4.1 shall be payable from time to time on demand exercised in accordance with Subsection 9.2.

(g) It is the intention of the parties hereto to comply strictly with applicable usury laws; accordingly, it is stipulated and agreed that the aggregate of all amounts which constitute interest under applicable usury laws, whether contracted for, charged, taken, reserved, or received, in connection with the indebtedness evidenced by this Agreement or any Notes, or any other document relating or referring hereto or thereto, now or hereafter existing, shall never exceed under any circumstance whatsoever the maximum amount of interest allowed by applicable usury laws.

 

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4.2 Conversion and Continuation Options. (a) Subject to its obligations pursuant to Subsection 4.12(c), the Borrower may elect from time to time to convert outstanding Loans of a given Tranche denominated in Dollars from Eurodollar Loans to ABR Loans by giving the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice of such election prior to 1:00 P.M., New York City time two Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) prior to such election. The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert outstanding Loans of a given Tranche from ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans by giving the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice of such election prior to 1:00 P.M., New York City time at least three Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) prior to such election. Any such notice of conversion to Eurodollar Loans shall specify the length of the initial Interest Period or Interest Periods therefor. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender thereof. All or any part of outstanding Eurodollar Loans denominated in Dollars or ABR Loans may be converted as provided herein, provided that (i) (unless the Required Lenders otherwise consent) no Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Loan when any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and, in the case of any Default (other than a Default under Subsection 9.1(f)), the Administrative Agent has given notice to the Borrower that no such conversions may be made and (ii) no Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Loan after the date that is one month prior to the applicable Maturity Date.

(b) Any Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such upon the expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the Borrower giving notice to the Administrative Agent of the length of the next Interest Period to be applicable to such Eurodollar Loan, determined in accordance with the applicable provisions of the term “Interest Period” set forth in Subsection 1.1, provided that no Eurodollar Loan denominated in Dollars may be continued as such (i) (unless the Required Lenders otherwise consent) when any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and, in the case of any Default (other than a Default under Subsection 9.1(f)), the Administrative Agent has given notice to the Borrower that no such continuations may be made or (ii) after the date that is one month prior to the applicable Maturity Date, and provided, further, that if the Borrower shall fail to give any required notice as described above in this clause (b) or if such continuation is not permitted pursuant to the preceding proviso such Eurodollar Loans shall be automatically converted to ABR Loans as on the last day of such then expiring Interest Period. Upon receipt of any such notice of continuation pursuant to this Subsection 4.2(b), the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender thereof.

4.3 Minimum Amounts; Maximum Sets. All borrowings, conversions and continuations of Loans hereunder and all selections of Interest Periods hereunder shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such elections so that, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount of the Eurodollar Loans comprising each Set shall be equal to $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing (x) any Loan may be borrowed in an amount equal to the aggregate amount of the Commitments in respect of such Loan and (y) any Loan may be converted or continued in its entirety), and so that there shall not be more than 20 Sets at any one time outstanding.

 

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4.4 Optional and Mandatory Prepayments. (a) Optional Prepayment of Term Loans. The Borrower may at any time and from time to time prepay the Term Loans, in whole or in part, subject to Subsection 4.12, without premium or penalty (except as provided in Subsection 4.5(b)), upon notice by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent prior to 1:00 P.M., New York City time, at least three Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) prior to the date of prepayment (in the case of Eurodollar Loans), or prior to 12:00 P.M., New York City time on the date of prepayment (in the case of ABR Loans) (or such later time as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) (in the case of ABR Loans). Such notice shall specify, in the case of any prepayment of Term Loans, the applicable Tranche being repaid, and if a combination thereof, the principal amount allocable to each, the date and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of Eurodollar Loans, ABR Loans or a combination thereof, and, in each case if a combination thereof, the principal amount allocable to each. Any such notice may state that such notice is conditioned upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event specified therein (including the effectiveness of other credit facilities), in which case such notice may be revoked or extended by the Borrower (by written notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied or waived. Upon the receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender thereof. If any such notice is given and not revoked, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with (if a Eurodollar Loan is prepaid other than at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto) any amounts payable pursuant to Subsection 4.12. Partial prepayments pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(a) shall be in multiples of $1,000,000; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any Term Loan may be prepaid in its entirety. Each prepayment of Original Initial Term Loans pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(a) made on or prior to the six-month anniversary of the Closing Date in an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from its incurrence of new Indebtedness under first lien secured bank financing in a Repricing Transaction shall be accompanied by the payment of the fee required by Subsection 4.5(b).(i). Each prepayment of Tranche B Term Loans pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(a) made prior to the date that is six months after the First Amendment Effective Date in an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from its incurrence of new Indebtedness under first lien secured bank financing in a Repricing Transaction shall be accompanied by the payment of the fee required by Subsection 4.5(b)(ii).

(b) [Reserved].

(c) [Reserved].

(d) [Reserved].

(e) Mandatory Prepayment of Term Loans. (i) The Borrower shall, in accordance with Subsection 4.4(g), prepay the Term Loans to the extent required by Subsection 8.4(b) (subject to Subsection 8.4(c)), (ii) if on or after the Closing Date, the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall Incur (A) Specified Refinancing Term Loans or (B) Indebtedness for borrowed money (excluding Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Subsection 8.1), the Borrower shall, in accordance with Subsection 4.4(g), prepay (or, exchange for Rollover Indebtedness) the Term Loans (or, in the case of the Incurrence of any Specified Refinancing Term Loans, the Tranche of Term Loans being refinanced) in an amount equal to 100.0% of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof (plus any portion of such Indebtedness which represents Rollover

 

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Indebtedness) minus the portion of such Net Cash Proceeds applied or offered (to the extent the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is required by the terms thereof) to prepay, repay or purchase Pari Passu Indebtedness on a no more than pro rata basis with the Term Loans, in each case with such prepayment to be made on or before the fifth Business Day following notice given to each Lender of the Prepayment Date, as contemplated by Subsection 4.4(h) and (iii) the Borrower shall, in accordance with Subsection 4.4(g), prepay the Term Loans within five Business Days following the day on which financial statements in respect of the immediately preceding fiscal year are delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(a) (commencing with the fiscal year ending on or about February 3, 2019) (or, if later, the date on which such financial statements are required to be delivered) (each, an “ECF Payment Date”), in an amount equal to (A) (1) 50.0% (as may be adjusted pursuant to the last proviso of this clause (iii)) of the Borrower’s Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year (such amount, the “Applicable ECF Amount”), if and to the extent that the amount of such Excess Cash FlowApplicable ECF Amount exceeds $10,000,00020,000,000 , minus (2) the sum of (tq) the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans (including Incremental Term Loans, Extended Term Loans and Specified Refinancing Term Loans) prepaid pursuant to Subsection 4.4(a), Incremental Revolving Loans voluntarily prepaid to the extent accompanied by a corresponding permanent Incremental Revolving Commitment reduction, Pari Passu Indebtedness (in the case of revolving loans, to the extent accompanied by a corresponding permanent commitment reduction) voluntarily prepaid, repaid, redeemed, repurchased or retired and any prepayment of Term Loans (including Incremental Term Loans, Extended Term Loans and Specified Refinancing Term Loans) pursuant to Subsection 4.4(l) or 11.6(h) (by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries) (provided that such deduction for prepayments pursuant to Subsection 4.4(l) or 11.6(h) (by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries) shall be limited to the actual cash amount of such prepayment), in each case during such fiscal year (which, in any event, shall not include any designated prepayment pursuant to clause (wu) below), (ur) the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans (including Incremental Term Loans, Extended Term Loans and Specified Refinancing Term Loans) repaid pursuant to Subsection 2.2 and Pari Passu Indebtedness repaid pursuant to any amortization schedule provided for in such facility, in each case during such fiscal year, (s) the aggregate amount of cash consideration (including any expenses, charges and losses in the form of earn-out obligations and contingent consideration obligations (including to the extent accounted for as performance and retention bonuses, compensation or otherwise) and adjustments thereof and purchase price adjustments) paid by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) in connection with Investments (including acquisitions) made during such fiscal year constituting “Permitted Investments” (other than Permitted Investments of the type described in clause (iii) of the definition thereof and intercompany Investments by and among the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries) or made pursuant to Subsection 8.2 (which, in any event, shall not include any deemed applicationContract Consideration previously deducted pursuant to clause (z) below), (vt) the amount of Capital Expenditures either made in cash or accrued during such fiscal year (provided that, whether any such Capital Expenditures shall be deducted for the fiscal year in which cash payments for such Capital Expenditures have been paid or the fiscal year in which such Capital Expenditures have been accrued shall be at the Borrower’s election; provided, further that, in no case shall any accrual of a Capital Expenditure which has previously been deducted under this clause (2t) give rise to a subsequent deduction upon the making of such Capital Expenditure in cash in the same or any subsequent fiscal year) (which, in any event, shall not include any deemed applicationCapital Expenditures previously deducted pursuant to clause

 

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(z) below), (wu) the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans (including Incremental Term Loans, Extended Term Loans and Specified Refinancing Term Loans) repaid or prepaid pursuant to Subsection 2.2(b) or 4.4(a), Incremental Revolving Loans voluntarily prepaid to the extent accompanied by a corresponding permanent Incremental Revolving Commitment reduction, Pari Passu Indebtedness (in the case of revolving loans, to the extent accompanied by a corresponding permanent commitment reduction) voluntarily prepaid, repaid, redeemed, repurchased or retired and any prepayment of Term Loans (including Incremental Term Loans, Extended Term Loans and Specified Refinancing Term Loans) pursuant to Subsection 4.4(l) or 11.6(h) (by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries) (provided that such deduction for prepayments pursuant to Subsection 4.4(l) or 11.6(h) (by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries) shall be limited to the actual cash amount of such prepayment), in each case during the period beginning with the day following the last day of such fiscal year and ending on the ECF Payment Date and stated by the Borrower as prepaid pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(e)(iii), (xv) any ABL Facility Loans prepaid to the extent accompanied by a corresponding permanent commitment reduction under the ABL Facility during such fiscal year (which, in any event, shall not include any designated prepayment pursuant to clause (w), (x) or (y) below), (yw) the aggregate principal amount of ABL Facility Loans prepaid to the extent accompanied by a corresponding permanent commitment reduction under the ABL Facility during the period beginning with the day following the last day of such fiscal year and ending on the ECF Payment Date and stated by the Borrower as prepaid pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(e)(iii) (which, in any event, shall not include any designated prepayment pursuant to clause (x) or (y) below), (x) the aggregate principal amount of ABL Facility Loans prepaid during such fiscal year, in each case to the extent such amounts are drawn to fund any OID or upfront fees in respect of the Tranche B Term Loans or any Incremental Term Loans and stated by the Borrower as prepaid pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(e)(iii) (which, in any event, shall not include any designated prepayment pursuant to clause (y) below), (y) the aggregate principal amount of ABL Facility Loans prepaid during the period beginning with the day following the last day of such fiscal year and ending on the ECF Payment Date and stated by the Borrower as prepaid pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(e)(iii), in each case to the extent such amounts are drawn to fund any OID or upfront fees in respect of the Tranche B Term Loans or any Incremental Term Loans and stated by the Borrower as prepaid pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(e)(iii) and (z) at the Borrower’s election, without duplication of amounts deducted from Excess Cash Flow pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(e)(iii)(A)(2) in respect of prior fiscal years, the aggregate consideration required to be paid in cash by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to binding contracts (the “Contract Consideration”) entered into prior to or during such fiscal year relating to Investments constituting “Permitted Investments” (other than Permitted Investments of the type described in clause (iii) of the definition thereof and intercompany Investments by and among the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries) or made pursuant to Subsection 8.2 or Capital Expenditures to be consummated or made during the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower following the end of such fiscal year, provided that to the extent the aggregate amount of cash actually utilized to finance such Investments and Capital Expenditures during such period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters is less than the Contract Consideration, the amount of such shortfall shall be added to the calculation of Excess Cash Flow at the end of such period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters (provided that, except as otherwise specified herein, no prepayments made pursuant to the other clauses of this Subsection 4.4(e) shall be included in Subsection 4.4(e)(iii)(A)(2)(q), (r), (s), (t), (u), (v), (w), (x), (y) or (z)), in each case, excluding prepayments funded with proceeds from the

 

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Incurrence of long-term Indebtedness (unless, in the case of clause (u) or (v), such Indebtedness has been repaid) (the amount described in this clause (A), the “ECF Prepayment Amount”) minus (B) the portion of such ECF Prepayment Amount applied or offered (to the extent the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is required by the terms thereof) to prepay, repay or purchase Pari Passu Indebtedness on no more than a pro rata basis with the Term Loans; provided that such percentage in clause (1) above shall be reduced to 0% if the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year was less than 4.23.2 5:1.00, after giving pro forma effect to the applicable prepayment with the Applicable ECF Amount pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(e)(iii); provided, further that, with respect to any portion of the Applicable ECF Amount in excess of the portion required to achieve, on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio threshold specified in the immediately foregoing proviso, such reduced percentage shall apply. Each prepayment of Original Initial Term Loans pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(e)(ii)(A), but not any other prepayment of Original Initial Term Loans pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e) made on or prior to the 6 month anniversary of the Closing Date in an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from its incurrence of new Indebtedness under first lien secured bank financing in a Repricing Transaction shall be accompanied by the payment of the fee required by Subsection 4.5(b)(i). Each prepayment of Tranche B Term Loans pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(e)(ii)(A), but not any other prepayment of Tranche B Term Loans pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e) made prior to the date that is six months after the First Amendment Effective Date in an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from its incurrence of new Indebtedness under first lien secured bank financing in a Repricing Transaction shall be accompanied by the payment of the fee required by Subsection 4.5(b)(ii). Nothing in this Subsection 4.4(e) shall limit the rights of the Agents and the Lenders set forth in Section 9.

(f) [Reserved].

(g) Subject to the last sentence of Subsection 4.4(h) and Subsection 4.4(k), each prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e) (other than a prepayment with the proceeds of Specified Refinancing Term Loans) shall be allocated pro rata among the Initial Term Loans, the Incremental Term Loans, the Extended Term Loans and the Specified Refinancing Term Loans; provided, that at the request of the Borrower, in lieu of such application on a pro rata basis among all Tranches of Term Loans, such prepayment may be applied to any Tranche of Term Loans so long as the maturity date of such Tranche of Term Loans precedes the maturity date of each other Tranche of Term Loans then outstanding or, in the event more than one Tranche of Term Loans shall have an identical maturity date that precedes the maturity date of each other Tranche of Term Loans then outstanding, to such Tranches on a pro rata basis. Each prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to Subsection 4.4(a) shall be applied within each applicable Tranche of Term Loans to the respective installments of principal thereof in the manner directed by the Borrower (or, if no such direction is given, in direct order of maturity). Each prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e) shall be applied within each applicable Tranche of Term Loans, first, to the accrued interest on the principal amount of Term Loans being prepaid and, second, to the respective installments of principal thereof in the manner directed by the Borrower (or, if no such direction is given in direct order of maturity). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Subsection 4.4, a Lender may, at its option, and if agreed by the Borrower, in connection with any prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to Subsection 4.4(a) or (e), exchange such Lender’s portion of the Term Loan to be prepaid for Rollover Indebtedness, in lieu of such Lender’s pro rata portion of such prepayment (and any such Term Loans so exchanged shall be deemed repaid for all purposes under the Loan Documents).

 

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(h) The Borrower shall give notice to the Administrative Agent of any mandatory prepayment of the Term Loans (x) pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e)(iii), three Business Days prior to the date on which such payment is due and (y) pursuant to any other provision of Subsection 4.4(e), promptly (and in any event within five Business Days) upon becoming obligated to make such prepayment. Such notice shall state that the Borrower is offering to make or will make such mandatory prepayment (i) in the case of mandatory prepayments pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e)(i), on or before the date specified in Subsection 8.4(b) and (ii) in the case of mandatory prepayments pursuant to any other clause of Subsection 4.4(e), on or before the date specified in such clause, as the case may be (each, a “Prepayment Date”). Subject to the following sentence, once given, such notice shall be irrevocable and all amounts subject to such notice shall be due and payable on the Prepayment Date (except as otherwise provided in the last sentence of this Subsection 4.4(h)). Any such notice of prepayment pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e) may state that such notice is conditioned upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event specified therein (including the effectiveness of other credit facilities), in which case such notice may be revoked or extended by the Borrower (by written notice to the Administrative Agent, on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied or waived. Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall immediately give notice to each Lender of the prepayment and the Prepayment Date. The Borrower (in its sole discretion) may give each Lender the option (in its sole discretion) to elect to decline any such prepayment (other than a prepayment pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e)(ii), except as otherwise provided for in the last sentence of Subsection 4.4(g)) by giving notice of such election in writing to the Administrative Agent by 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the date that is three Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) prior to the Prepayment Date. Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall immediately notify the Borrower of such election. Any amount so declined by any Lender (the “Term Loan Declined Amount”) may, at the option of the Borrower, be applied to the payment or prepayment of Indebtedness, including any Junior Debt, or otherwise be retained by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and/or applied by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any manner not inconsistent with this Agreement.

(i) Without limitation of Subsections 2.8 and 8.1(b)(i), amounts prepaid on account of Term Loans pursuant to Subsection 4.4(a), (e) or (l) may not be reborrowed.

(j) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Subsection 4.4, if at any time any prepayment of Loans pursuant to Subsection 4.4(a) or (e) would result, after giving effect to the procedures set forth in this Agreement, in the Borrower incurring breakage costs under Subsection 4.12 as a result of Eurodollar Loans being prepaid other than on the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto, then, the Borrower may, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in its sole discretion, initially (i) deposit a portion (up to 100.0%) of the amounts that otherwise would have been paid in respect of such Eurodollar Loans with the Administrative Agent (which deposit must be equal in amount to the amount of such Eurodollar Loans not immediately prepaid), to be held as security for the obligations of the

 

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Borrower to make such prepayment pursuant to a cash collateral agreement to be entered into on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent with such cash collateral to be directly applied upon the first occurrence thereafter of the last day of an Interest Period with respect to such Eurodollar Loans (or such earlier date or dates as shall be requested by the Borrower) or (ii) make a prepayment of Loans in accordance with Subsection 4.4(a) with an amount equal to a portion (up to 100.0%) of the amounts that otherwise would have been paid in respect of such Eurodollar Loans (which prepayment, together with any deposits pursuant to clause (i) above, must be equal in amount to the amount of such Eurodollar Loans not immediately prepaid); provided that, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) above, such unpaid Eurodollar Loans shall continue to bear interest in accordance with Subsection 4.1 until such unpaid Eurodollar Loans or the related portion of such Eurodollar Loans, as the case may be, have or has been prepaid. In addition, if the Borrower determines in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive, that repatriating any amounts attributable to Foreign Subsidiaries that are required to be applied to prepay Term Loans pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e)(i) or 4.4(e)(iii) (x) would result in material adverse tax consequences to Management Holdings, Waterworks Holdings LP, Waterworks Holdings LLC, Pubco, New Blocker, New Blocker Holdings, Blocker Holdings, Passthrough Holdings, Management Holdings, the BorrowerTopco or one of its Subsidiaries (or, at the election of the Borrower in connection with an initial public offering or other restructuring of the Borrower, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) or (y) (1) could reasonably be expected to be prohibited or delayed by or violate or conflict with applicable local law, (2) is restricted by applicable organizational documents or any agreement or, (3is subject to other organizational or administrative impediments from being repatriated to the United States or (4) conflicts with the fiduciary duties of the applicable directors, or result in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a material risk of personal or criminal liability for any applicable officer, director or manager, then, in each case the Borrower shall not be required to prepay such amounts as required thereunder, and such amounts may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary; provided that, in the case of this clause (y), the Borrower shall take commercially reasonable actions to cause the applicable Foreign Subsidiary to take all actions reasonably required by the applicable local law, the applicable organizational documents or agreements, the applicable organizational impediments or other impediment to permit repatriation of the proceeds subject to such prepayments.

(k) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Subsection 4.4 may be amended (and the Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into any such amendments) to the extent necessary to reflect differing amounts payable, and priorities of payments, to Lenders participating in any new classes or tranches of Term Loans added pursuant to Subsections 2.8, 2.10 and, 2.11 or 11.1(h), as applicable, or pursuant to any other credit or letter of credit facility added pursuant to Subsection 2.8 or 11.1(e).

(l) Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, so long as no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower may prepay the outstanding Term Loans on the following basis:

 

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(i) The Borrower shall have the right to make a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a discount to par (such prepayment, the “Discounted Term Loan Prepayment”) pursuant to a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment, a Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers, or a Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, in each case made in accordance with this Subsection 4.4(l); provided that the Borrower shall not initiate any action under this Subsection 4.4(l) in order to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment unless (1) at least ten Business Days shall have passed since the consummation of the most recent Discounted Term Loan Prepayment as a result of a prepayment made by the Borrower on the applicable Discounted Prepayment Effective Date (or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) or (2) at least three Business Days shall have passed since the date the Borrower was notified that no Lender was willing to accept any prepayment of any Term Loan at the Specified Discount, within the Discount Range or at any discount to par value, as applicable, or in the case of Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, the date of the Borrower’s election not to accept any Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers made by a Lender (or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion). Each Lender participating in any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment acknowledges and agrees that in connection with such Discounted Term Loan Prepayment, (1) the Borrower then may have, and later may come into possession of, information regarding the Term Loans or the Loan Parties hereunder that is not known to such Lender and that may be material to a decision by such Lender to participate in such Discounted Term Loan Prepayment (“Excluded Information”), (2) such Lender has independently and, without reliance on any Holding CompanyParent Entity or IPO Vehicle, the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent or any of their respective Affiliates, has made its own analysis and determination to participate in such Discounted Term Loan Prepayment notwithstanding such Lender’s lack of knowledge of the Excluded Information and (3) none of the Holding CompaniesParent Entities or IPO Vehicles, the Borrower, its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent, or any of their respective Affiliates shall have any liability to such Lender, and such Lender hereby waives and releases, to the extent permitted by law, any claims such Lender may have against any Holding CompanyParent Entity or IPO Vehicle, the Borrower, its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent, and their respective Affiliates, under applicable laws or otherwise, with respect to the nondisclosure of the Excluded Information. Each Lender participating in any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment further acknowledges that the Excluded Information may not be available to the Administrative Agent or the other Lenders. Any Term Loans prepaid pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(l) shall be immediately and automatically cancelled.

(ii) Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment. (1) The Borrower may from time to time offer to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment by providing the Administrative Agent with three Business Days’ (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) notice in the form of a Specified Discount Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such offer shall be made available, at the sole discretion of the Borrower, to each Lender or to each Lender with respect to any Tranche on an individual Tranche basis, (II) any such offer shall specify the aggregate Outstanding Amount offered to be prepaid (the “Specified Discount Prepayment Amount”), the Tranches of Term Loans subject to such offer and the specific percentage discount to par value (the “Specified Discount”) of the Outstanding Amount of such Term Loans to be prepaid, (III) the Specified Discount Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate principal amount not less than $5,000,000 and whole increments of $500,000 in excess thereof (or such lower minimum amounts or multiples as may be

 

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agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), and (IV) each such offer shall remain outstanding through the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date. The Administrative Agent will promptly provide each relevant Lender with a copy of such Specified Discount Prepayment Notice and a form of the Specified Discount Prepayment Response to be completed and returned by each such Lender to the Administrative Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to the relevant Lenders (or such later date designated by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Borrower) (the “Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date”).

(2) Each relevant Lender receiving such offer shall notify the Administrative Agent (or its delegate) by the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date whether or not it agrees to accept a prepayment of any of its relevant then outstanding Term Loans at the Specified Discount and, if so (such accepting Lender, a “Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender”), the amount of such Lender’s Outstanding Amount and Tranches of Term Loans to be prepaid at such offered discount. Each acceptance of a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment by a Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender shall be irrevocable. Any Lender whose Specified Discount Prepayment Response is not received by the Administrative Agent by the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept such Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment.

(3) If there is at least one Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender, the Borrower will make prepayment of outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(l)(ii) to each Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender in accordance with the respective Outstanding Amount and Tranches of Term Loans specified in such Lender’s Specified Discount Prepayment Response given pursuant to the foregoing clause (2); provided that, if the aggregate Outstanding Amount of Term Loans accepted for prepayment by all Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders exceeds the Specified Discount Prepayment Amount, such prepayment shall be made pro rata among the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders in accordance with the respective Outstanding Amounts accepted to be prepaid by each such Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender and the Administrative Agent (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Administrative Agent made in its reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “Specified Discount Proration”). The Administrative Agent shall promptly, and in any case within three Business Days following the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date, notify (I) the Borrower of the respective Lenders’ responses to such offer, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and the Tranches to be prepaid, (II) each Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, and the aggregate Outstanding Amount and the Tranches of all Term Loans to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date, and (III) each Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender of the Specified Discount Proration, if any, and confirmation of the Outstanding Amount, Tranche and Type of Term Loans of such Lender to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such

 

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date. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the Borrower and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the Borrower shall be due and payable by the Borrower on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with Subsection 4.4(l)(vi) below (subject to Subsection 4.4(l)(x) below).

(iii) Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers. (1) The Borrower may from time to time solicit Discount Range Prepayment Offers by providing the Administrative Agent with three Business Days’ (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) notice in the form of a Discount Range Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of the Borrower, to each Lender or to each Lender with respect to any Tranche on an individual Tranche basis, (II) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate Outstanding Amount of the relevant Term Loans that the Borrower is willing to prepay at a discount (the “Discount Range Prepayment Amount”), the Tranches of Term Loans subject to such offer and the maximum and minimum percentage discounts to par (the “Discount Range”) of the Outstanding Amount of such Term Loans willing to be prepaid by the Borrower, (III) the Discount Range Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate principal amount not less than $5,000,000 and whole increments of $500,000 in excess thereof (or such lower minimum amounts or multiples as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), and (IV) each such solicitation by the Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date. The Administrative Agent will promptly provide each relevant Lender with a copy of such Discount Range Prepayment Notice and a form of the Discount Range Prepayment Offer to be submitted by a responding relevant Lender to the Administrative Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to the relevant Lenders (or such later date as may be designated by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Borrower) (the “Discount Range Prepayment Response Date”). Each relevant Lender’s Discount Range Prepayment Offer shall be irrevocable and shall specify a discount to par within the Discount Range (the “Submitted Discount”) at which such Lender is willing to allow prepayment of any or all of its then outstanding Term Loans and the maximum aggregate Outstanding Amount and Tranches of such Term Loans such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Submitted Discount (the “Submitted Amount”). Any Lender whose Discount Range Prepayment Offer is not received by the Administrative Agent by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment of any of its Term Loans at any discount to their par value within the Discount Range.

(2) The Administrative Agent shall review all Discount Range Prepayment Offers received by it by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date and will determine (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Administrative Agent made in its reasonable discretion) the Applicable Discount and Term Loans to be prepaid at such Applicable Discount in accordance with this Subsection 4.4(l)(iii). The Borrower agrees to accept on the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date all Discount

 

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Range Prepayment Offers received by the Administrative Agent by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date, in the order from the Submitted Discount that is the largest discount to par to the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par, up to and including the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range (such Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par being referred to as the “Applicable Discount”) which yields a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment in an aggregate Outstanding Amount equal to the lesser of (I) the Discount Range Prepayment Amount and (II) the sum of all Submitted Amounts. Each Lender that has submitted a Discount Range Prepayment Offer to accept prepayment at a discount to par that is larger than or equal to the Applicable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to prepayment of Term Loans equal to its Submitted Amount (subject to any required proration pursuant to the following Subsection 4.4(l)(iii)(3)) at the Applicable Discount (each such Lender, a “Participating Lender”).

(3) If there is at least one Participating Lender, the Borrower will prepay the respective outstanding Term Loans of each Participating Lender in the aggregate Outstanding Amount and of the Tranches specified in such Lender’s Discount Range Prepayment Offer at the Applicable Discount; provided that if the Submitted Amount by all Participating Lenders offered at a discount to par greater than the Applicable Discount exceeds the Discount Range Prepayment Amount, prepayment of the Outstanding Amount of the relevant Term Loans for those Participating Lenders whose Submitted Discount is a discount to par greater than or equal to the Applicable Discount (the “Identified Participating Lenders”) shall be made pro rata among the Identified Participating Lenders in accordance with the Submitted Amount of each such Identified Participating Lender and the Administrative Agent (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Administrative Agent made in its reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “Discount Range Proration”). The Administrative Agent shall promptly, and in any case within three Business Days following the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date, notify (w) the Borrower of the respective Lenders’ responses to such solicitation, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and the Tranches to be prepaid, (x) each Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate Outstanding Amount and Tranches of all Term Loans to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (y) each Participating Lender of the aggregate Outstanding Amount and Tranches of such Lender to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, and (z) if applicable, each Identified Participating Lender of the Discount Range Proration. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the Borrower and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the Borrower shall be due and payable by the Borrower on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with Subsection 4.4(l)(vi) below (subject to Subsection 4.4(l)(x) below).

 

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(iv) Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers. (1) The Borrower may from time to time solicit Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers by providing the Administrative Agent with three Business Days’ (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) notice in the form of a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of the Borrower, to each Lender or to each Lender with respect to any Tranche on an individual Tranche basis, (II) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans and the Tranches of Term Loans the Borrower is willing to prepay at a discount (the “Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount”), (III) the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate principal amount not less than $5,000,000 and whole increments of $500,000 in excess thereof (or such lower minimum amounts or multiples as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), and (IV) each such solicitation by the Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date. The Administrative Agent will promptly provide each relevant Lender with a copy of such Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice and a form of the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer to be submitted by a responding Lender to the Administrative Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 P.M., New York City time on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to the relevant Lenders (or such later date as may be designated by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Borrower) (the “Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date”). Each Lender’s Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer shall (x) be irrevocable, (y) remain outstanding until the Acceptance Date and (z) specify both a discount to par (the “Offered Discount”) at which such Lender is willing to allow prepayment of its then outstanding Term Loans and the maximum aggregate Outstanding Amount and Tranches of such Term Loans (the “Offered Amount”) such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Offered Discount. Any Lender whose Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer is not received by the Administrative Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined prepayment of any of its Term Loans at any discount to their par value.

(2) The Administrative Agent shall promptly provide the Borrower with a copy of all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received by it by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date. The Borrower shall review all such Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers and select, at its sole discretion, the smallest of the Offered Discounts specified by the relevant responding Lenders in the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers that the Borrower is willing to accept (the “Acceptable Discount”), if any; provided that the Acceptable Discount shall not be an Offered Discount that is larger than the smallest Offered Discount for which the sum of all Offered Amounts affiliated with Offered Discounts that are larger than or equal to such smallest Offered Discount would, if purchased at such smallest Offered Discount, yield an amount at least equal to the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount. If the Borrower elects to accept any Offered Discount as the Acceptable Discount, then as soon as practicable after the determination of the Acceptable Discount, but in no event later than by the third Business Day after the date of receipt by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent of a copy of all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers pursuant to the

 

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first sentence of this clause (2) (the “Acceptance Date”), the Borrower shall submit an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice to the Administrative Agent setting forth the Acceptable Discount. If the Administrative Agent shall fail to receive an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice from the Borrower by the Acceptance Date, the Borrower shall be deemed to have rejected all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers.

(3) Based upon the Acceptable Discount and the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received by the Administrative Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, within three Business Days after receipt of an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice (the “Discounted Prepayment Determination Date”), the Administrative Agent will determine (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Administrative Agent made in its reasonable discretion) the aggregate Outstanding Amount and the Tranches of Term Loans (the “Acceptable Prepayment Amount”) to be prepaid by the Borrower at the Acceptable Discount in accordance with this Subsection 4.4(l)(iv). If the Borrower elects to accept any Acceptable Discount, then the Borrower agrees to accept all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received by the Administrative Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, in the order from largest Offered Discount to smallest Offered Discount, up to and including the Acceptable Discount. Each Lender that has submitted a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer to accept prepayment at an Offered Discount that is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to prepayment of Term Loans equal to its Offered Amount (subject to any required proration pursuant to the following sentence) at the Acceptable Discount (each such Lender, a “Qualifying Lender”). The Borrower shall prepay outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(l)(iv) to each Qualifying Lender in the aggregate Outstanding Amount and of the Tranches specified in such Lender’s Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer at the Acceptable Discount; provided that if the aggregate Offered Amount by all Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount exceeds the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount, prepayment of the Outstanding Amount of the Term Loans for those Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount (the “Identified Qualifying Lenders”) shall be made pro rata among the Identified Qualifying Lenders in accordance with the Offered Amount of each such Identified Qualifying Lender and the Administrative Agent (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Administrative Agent made in its reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “Solicited Discount Proration”). On or prior to the Discounted Prepayment Determination Date, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify (w) the Borrower of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and Acceptable Prepayment Amount comprising the Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and the Tranches to be prepaid, (x) each Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Acceptable Discount, and the Acceptable Prepayment Amount of all Term Loans and the Tranches to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (y) each Qualifying Lender of the aggregate Outstanding Amount and the

 

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Tranches of such Lender to be prepaid at the Acceptable Discount on such date, and (z) if applicable, each Identified Qualifying Lender of the Solicited Discount Proration. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the Borrower and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the Borrower shall be due and payable by the Borrower on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with Subsection 4.4(l)(vi) below (subject to Subsection 4.4(l)(x) below).

(v) Expenses. In connection with any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment, the Borrower and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Administrative Agent may require as a condition to any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment, the payment of reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses from the Borrower in connection therewith.

(vi) Payment. If any Term Loan is prepaid in accordance with Subsections 4.4(l)(ii) through (iv) above, the Borrower shall prepay such Term Loans on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date. The Borrower shall make such prepayment to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in immediately available funds not later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and all such prepayments shall be applied to the remaining principal installments of the Term Loans in inverse order of maturity. The Term Loans so prepaid shall be accompanied by all accrued and unpaid interest on the par principal amount so prepaid up to, but not including, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date. Each prepayment of the outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(l) shall be paid to the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable. The aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Tranches of the Term Loans outstanding shall be deemed reduced by the full par value of the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Tranches of Term Loans prepaid on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment. The Lenders hereby agree that, in connection with a prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(l) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, (i) interest in respect of the Term Loans may be made on a non-pro rata basis among the Lenders holding such Term Loans to reflect the payment of accrued interest to certain Lenders as provided in this Subsection 4.4(l)(vi) and (ii) all subsequent prepayments and repayments of the Term Loans (except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement) shall be made on a pro rata basis among the respective Lenders based upon the then outstanding principal amounts of the Term Loans then held by the respective Lenders after giving effect to any prepayment pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(l) as if made at par. It is also understood and agreed that prepayments pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(l) shall not be subject to Subsection 4.4(a), or, for the avoidance of doubt, Subsection 11.7(a) or the pro rata allocation requirements of Subsection 4.8(a).

 

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(vii) Other Procedures. To the extent not expressly provided for herein, each Discounted Term Loan Prepayment shall be consummated pursuant to procedures consistent with the provisions in this Subsection 4.4(l), established by the Administrative Agent acting in its reasonable discretion and as reasonably agreed by the Borrower.

(viii) Notice. Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, for purposes of this Subsection 4.4(l), each notice or other communication required to be delivered or otherwise provided to the Administrative Agent (or its delegate) shall be deemed to have been given upon the Administrative Agent’s (or its delegate’s) actual receipt during normal business hours of such notice or communication; provided that any notice or communication actually received outside of normal business hours shall be deemed to have been given as of the opening of business on the next Business Day.

(ix) Actions of Administrative Agent. Each of the Borrower and the Lenders acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties under this Subsection 4.4(l) by itself or through any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent and expressly consents to any such delegation of duties by the Administrative Agent to such Affiliate and the performance of such delegated duties by such Affiliate. The exculpatory provisions in this Agreement shall apply to each Affiliate of the Administrative Agent and its respective activities in connection with any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment provided for in this Subsection 4.4(l) as well as to activities of the Administrative Agent in connection with any Discounted Term Loan Prepayment provided for in this Subsection 4.4(l).

(x) Revocation. The Borrower shall have the right, by written notice to the Administrative Agent, to revoke in full (but not in part) its offer to make a Discounted Term Loan Prepayment and rescind the applicable Specified Discount Prepayment Notice, Discount Range Prepayment Notice or Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice therefor at its discretion at any time on or prior to the applicable Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date (and if such offer is so revoked, any failure by the Borrower to make any prepayment to a Lender pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(l) shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Subsection 9.1 or otherwise).

(xi) No Obligation. This Subsection 4.4(l) shall not (i) require the Borrower to undertake any prepayment pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(l) or (ii) limit or restrict the Borrower from making voluntary prepayments of the Term Loans in accordance with the other provisions of this Agreement.

4.5 Administrative Agent’s Fee; Other Fees. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the fees set forth in the last paragraph under the heading “Term Loan Facility Fees” of the Fee Letter on the payment dates set forth therein.

(b)

(i) If, on or prior to the six-month anniversary of the Closing Date, the Borrower makes an optional prepayment or mandatory prepayment pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e)(e)(ii)(A) of all or a portion of the Original Initial Term Loans in an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from its incurrence of new Indebtedness under first lien secured bank

 

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financing in a Repricing Transaction, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each Lender, a prepayment premium of 1.0% of the aggregate principal amount of Original Initial Term Loans being prepaid. If, on or prior to the six-month anniversary of the Closing Date, any Lender is replaced pursuant to Subsection 11.1(g) in connection with any amendment of this Agreement (including in connection with any refinancing transaction permitted under Subsection 11.6(g) to replace the Original Initial Term Loans) that results in a Repricing Transaction, such Lender (and not any Person who replaces such Lender pursuant to Subsection 2.10(e) or 11.1(g)) shall receive a fee equal to 1.0% of the principal amount of the Original Initial Term Loans of such Lender assigned to a replacement Lender pursuant to Subsection 2.10(e) or 11.1(g).

(ii) If, prior to the date that is six months after the First Amendment Effective Date), the Borrower makes an optional prepayment or mandatory prepayment pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e)(ii)(A) of all or a portion of the Tranche B Term Loans in an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from its incurrence of new Indebtedness under first lien secured bank financing in a Repricing Transaction, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each Lender, a prepayment premium of 1.0% of the aggregate principal amount of Tranche B Term Loans being prepaid. If, prior to the date that is six months after the First Amendment Effective Date, any Lender is replaced pursuant to Subsection 11.1(g) in connection with any amendment of this Agreement (including in connection with any refinancing transaction permitted under Subsection 11.6(g) to replace the Tranche B Term Loans) that results in a Repricing Transaction, such Lender (and not any Person who replaces such Lender pursuant to Subsection 2.10(e) or 11.1(g)) shall receive a fee equal to 1.0% of the principal amount of the Tranche B Term Loans of such Lender assigned to a replacement Lender pursuant to Subsection 2.10(e) or 11.1(g).

4.6 Computation of Interest and Fees. (a) Interest (other than interest based on the Base Rate) shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed; and interest based on the Base Rate shall be calculated on the basis of a 365-day year (or 366-day year, as the case may be) for the actual days elapsed. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Borrower and the affected Lenders of each determination of an Adjusted LIBOR Rate. Any change in the interest rate on a Loan resulting from a change in the Alternate Base Rate or the Statutory Reserves shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such change becomes effective. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Borrower and the affected Lenders of the effective date and the amount of each such change in interest rate.

(b) Each determination of an interest rate by the Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error. The Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Borrower or any Lender, deliver to the Borrower or such Lender a statement showing in reasonable detail the calculations used by the Administrative Agent in determining any interest rate pursuant to Subsection 4.1, excluding any LIBOR Rate which is based upon the Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service page and any ABR Loan which is based upon the Alternate Base Rate.

 

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(c) Upon the request of the Administrative Agent, each Reference Bank (whether or not currently a Lender hereunder) agrees that, if such Reference Bank is currently providing quotes for deposits in Dollars to leading banks in the London interbank market, it will promptly (and no later than the Business Day following any such request) supply the Administrative Agent with the rate quoted by such Reference Bank to leading banks in the London interbank market two Business Days before the first day of the relevant Interest Period for deposits in Dollars of a duration equal to the duration of such Interest Period. The Borrower agrees to keep confidential the rate quoted by any Reference Bank and provided to it or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Subsection 4.6(c); provided, that such rates may be disclosed to (i) to the Sponsor, CD&R, the Investors, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, the Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary and to their respective officers, directors, employees, attorneys, accountants and advisors on a confidential and need-to-know basis, (ii) if the applicable Reference Bank consents to such proposed disclosure (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) or (iii) to the extent necessary in connection with the exercise of any remedy or enforcement of any rights.

4.7 Inability to Determine Interest Rate. If, prior to the first day of any Interest Period, the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBOR Rate with respect to any Eurodollar Loan for such Interest Period (the “Affected Eurodollar Rate”), the Administrative Agent shall give facsimile or telephonic notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such notice is given (a) any Eurodollar Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based on the Affected Eurodollar Rate requested to be made on the first day of such Interest Period shall be made as ABR Loans, (b) [reserved], (c) [reserved] and (d) any Loans that were to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to or continued as Eurodollar Loans in Dollars the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the Affected Eurodollar Rate shall be converted to or continued as ABR Loans. Until such notice has been withdrawn by the Administrative Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the Affected Eurodollar Rate shall be made or continued as such, nor shall the Borrower have the right to convert ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans, the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the Affected Eurodollar Rate.

4.8 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments.

(a) Except as expressly otherwise provided herein, each payment (including each prepayment, but excluding payments made pursuant to SubsectionsSubsection 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 4.5(b), 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13(d), 4.14, 11.1(g) or 11.6) by the Borrower on account of principal of and interest on account of any Loans of a given Tranche (other than (v) payments in respect of any difference in the Applicable Margin, Adjusted LIBOR Rate or Alternate Base Rate in respect of any Tranche, (w) any payments pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e) to the extent declined by any Lender in accordance with Subsection 4.4(h), (x) any payments pursuant to Subsection 4.4(l) which shall be allocated as set forth in Subsection 4.4(l) and (y) any prepayments pursuant to Subsection 11.6(h)(i)(2)) shall be allocated by the Administrative Agent pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of such Loans of such Tranche then held by the respective Lenders; provided that a Lender may, at its option, and if agreed by

 

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the Borrower, exchange such Lender’s portion of a Term Loan to be prepaid for Rollover Indebtedness, in lieu of such Lender’s pro rata portion of such prepayment, pursuant to the last sentence of Subsection 4.4(g). All payments (including prepayments) to be made by the Borrower hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made without set-off or counterclaim and shall be made on or prior to the time expressly required hereunder or under such other Loan Document for such payment (or, if no such time is expressly required, prior to 2:00 P.M., New York City time), on the due date thereof to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders holding the relevant Loans, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, or the Other Representatives, as the case may be, at the Administrative Agent’s office specified in Subsection 11.2, in Dollars and in immediately available funds. Payments received by the Administrative Agent after such time shall be deemed to have been received on the next Business Day. The Administrative Agent shall distribute such payments to such Lenders or Other Representatives, as the case may be, if any such payment is received prior to 2:00 P.M., New York City time, on a Business Day, in like funds as received prior to the end of such Business Day and otherwise the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to such Lenders or Other Representatives, as the case may be, on the next succeeding Business Day. If any payment hereunder (other than payments on the Eurodollar Loans) becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity of such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, with respect to payments of principal, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension. If any payment on a Eurodollar Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity of such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day (and, with respect to payments of principal, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension) unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. This Subsection 4.8(a) may be amended in accordance with Subsection 11.1(d) to the extent necessary to reflect differing amounts payable, and priorities of payments, to Lenders participating in any new Tranches added pursuant to Subsections 2.8, 2.10, 2.11 and 11.1(h), as applicable, or pursuant to any other credit or letter of credit facility added pursuant to Subsection 2.8 or 11.1(e).

(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by any Lender prior to a borrowing that such Lender will not make the amount that would constitute its share of such borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender is making such amount available to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower in respect of such borrowing a corresponding amount. If such amount is not made available to the Administrative Agent by the required time on the Borrowing Date therefor, such Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent on demand, such amount with interest thereon at a rate equal to the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate for the period until such Lender makes such amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent. A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this Subsection 4.8(b) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. If such Lender’s share of such borrowing is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three Business Days of such Borrowing Date, (x) the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of the failure of such Lender to make such amount available to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans hereunder on demand from the Borrower; provided that the foregoing notice and recovery provisions shall not apply to the funding of Initial Term Loans on the Closing Date and (y) then the Borrower may, without waiving or limiting any rights or remedies it may have against such Lender hereunder or under applicable law or otherwise, borrow a like amount on an unsecured basis from any commercial bank for a period ending on the date upon which such Lender does in fact make such borrowing available.

 

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4.9 Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof in each case occurring after the Closing Date shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make or maintain any Eurodollar Loans as contemplated by this Agreement (“Affected Loans”), (a) such Lender shall promptly give written notice of such circumstances to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (which notice shall be withdrawn whenever such circumstances no longer exist), (b) the commitment of such Lender hereunder to make Affected Loans, continue Affected Loans as such and convert an ABR Loan to an Affected Loan shall forthwith be cancelled and, until such time as it shall no longer be unlawful for such Lender to make or maintain such Affected Loans, such Lender shall then have a commitment only to make an ABR Loan when an Affected Loan is requested, (c) such Lender’s Loans then outstanding as Affected Loans, if any, shall be converted automatically to ABR Loans on the respective last days of the then current Interest Periods with respect to such Affected Loans or within such earlier period as required by law and (d) such Lender’s then outstanding Affected Loans, if any, not converted to ABR Loans pursuant to clause (c) of this Subsection 4.9 shall, at the option of the Borrower (i) be prepaid with accrued interest thereon on the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto (or such earlier date as may be required by any such Requirement of Law) or (ii) bear interest at an alternate rate which reflects such Lender’s cost of funding such Loans (which rate, if less than zero, shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement), as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, plus the Applicable Margin hereunder. If any such conversion or prepayment of an Affected Loan occurs on a day which is not the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such amounts, if any, as may be required pursuant to Subsection 4.12.

4.10 Requirements of Law. (a) If the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof applicable to any Lender, or compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority, in each case made subsequent to the Closing Date (or, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender):

(i) shall subject such Lender to any Tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to any Eurodollar Loans made or maintained by it or its obligation to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof, in each case, except for Non-Excluded Taxes, Taxes imposed by FATCA and Taxes measured by or imposed upon net income, or franchise Taxes, or Taxes measured by or imposed upon overall capital or net worth, or branch Taxes (in the case of such capital, net worth or branch Taxes, imposed in lieu of such net income Tax), of such Lender or its applicable lending office, branch, or any affiliate thereof;

 

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(ii) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances, loans or other extensions of credit by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender which is not otherwise included in the determination of the LIBOR Rate, as applicable, hereunder; or

(iii) shall impose on such Lender any other condition (excluding any Tax of any kind whatsoever);

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender, by an amount which such Lender deems to be material, of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Loans or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any such case, upon notice to the Borrower from such Lender, through the Administrative Agent in accordance herewith, the Borrower shall promptly pay such Lender, upon its demand, any additional amounts necessary to compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduced amount receivable with respect to such Eurodollar Loans; provided that, in any such case, the Borrower may elect to convert the Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender hereunder to ABR Loans by giving the Administrative Agent at least one Business Day’s (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) notice of such election, in which case the Borrower shall promptly pay to such Lender, upon demand, without duplication, amounts theretofore required to be paid to such Lender pursuant to this Subsection 4.10(a) and such amounts, if any, as may be required pursuant to Subsection 4.12. If any Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this Subsection 4.10(a), it shall provide prompt notice thereof to the Borrower, through the Administrative Agent, certifying (x) that one of the events described in this clause (a) has occurred and describing in reasonable detail the nature of such event, (y) as to the increased cost or reduced amount resulting from such event and (z) as to the additional amount demanded by such Lender and a reasonably detailed explanation of the calculation thereof. Such a certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Subsection 4.10(a) submitted by such Lender, through the Administrative Agent, to the Borrower shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Subsection 4.10(a), the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Subsection 4.10(a) (i) for any amounts incurred more than six months prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor or (ii) for any amounts, if such Lender is applying this provision to the Borrower in a manner that is inconsistent with its application of “increased cost” or other similar provisions under other syndicated credit agreements to similarly situated borrowers. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

(b) If any Lender shall have determined that the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or liquidity or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy or liquidity (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority, in each case, made subsequent to the Closing Date, does or shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such corporation’s capital as a consequence of such Lender’s obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or such corporation could have achieved but for such change or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such corporation’s policies with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity) by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then from

 

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time to time, within ten Business Days after submission by such Lender to the Borrower (through the Administrative Agent) of a written request therefor certifying (x) that one of the events described in this clause (b) has occurred and describing in reasonable detail the nature of such event, (y) as to the reduction of the rate of return on capital resulting from such event and (z) as to the additional amount or amounts demanded by such Lender or corporation and a reasonably detailed explanation of the calculation thereof, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or corporation for such reduction. Such a certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Subsection 4.10(b) submitted by such Lender, through the Administrative Agent, to the Borrower shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Subsection 4.10(b), the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Subsection 4.10(b) (i) for any amounts incurred more than six months prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor or (ii) for any amounts, if such Lender is applying this provision to the Borrower in a manner that is inconsistent with its application of “increased cost” or other similar provisions under other syndicated credit agreements to similarly situated borrowers. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines and directives promulgated thereunder or issued in connection therewith, and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, in each case shall be deemed to have been enacted, adopted or issued, as applicable, subsequent to the Closing Date for all purposes herein.

4.11 Taxes. (a) Except as provided below in this Subsection 4.11 or as required by law (which for purposes of this Subsection 4.11 shall include FATCA), all payments made by the Borrower or the Agents under this Agreement and any Notes shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of any Taxes; provided that the Borrower or the Agents may withhold from any payment made under this Agreement or any Notes to or for the benefit of any Person who is not a United States Person any U.S. federal withholding tax that would apply to such payment if all payments of interest (including original issue discount), fees and commissions under this Agreement and any Notes were treated as income from sources within the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes; provided further that if any Non-Excluded Taxes are required to be withheld from any amounts payable by the Borrower to any Agent or any Lender hereunder or under any Notes, the amounts so payable by the Borrower shall be increased to the extent necessary to yield to such Agent or such Lender (after payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes) interest or any such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this Agreement; provided, however, that the Borrower shall be entitled to deduct and withhold, and the Borrower shall not be required to indemnify for, any Non-Excluded Taxes, and any such amounts payable by the Borrower to or for the account of any Agent or Lender shall not be increased (x) if such Agent or Lender fails to comply with the requirements of clause (b), (c), (d) or (e) of this Subsection 4.11 or with the requirements of Subsection 4.13, or (y) with respect to any Non-Excluded Taxes imposed in connection with the

 

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payment of any fees paid under this Agreement unless such Non-Excluded Taxes are imposed as a result of a Change in Law, or (z) with respect to any Non-Excluded Taxes imposed by the United States or any state or political subdivision thereof, unless such Non-Excluded Taxes are imposed as a result of a change in treaty, law or regulation that occurred after such Agent became an Agent hereunder or such Lender became a Lender hereunder (or, if such Agent or Lender is a non-U.S. intermediary or flow-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, after the relevant beneficiary or member of such Agent or Lender became such a beneficiary or member, if later) (any such change, at such time, a “Change in Law”). Whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes are payable by the Borrower, as promptly as possible thereafter the Borrower shall send to the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account of the respective Lender or Agent, as the case may be, a certified copy of an original official receipt received by the Borrower showing payment thereof. If the Borrower fails to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes when due to the appropriate Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law or the Borrower fails to remit to the Administrative Agent the required receipts or other required documentary evidence, the Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Agents for any incremental Taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable by the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of any such failure. The agreements in this Subsection 4.11 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Term Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

(b) Each Agent and each Lender that is not a United States Person shall:

(i) (1) on or before the date of any payment by the Borrower under this Agreement or any Notes to, or for the account of, such Agent or Lender, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (A) two accurate and complete original signed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8BEN-E (certifying that it is a resident of the applicable country within the meaning of the income tax treaty between the United States and that country) or Forms W-8ECI, or successor applicable form, as the case may be, in each case certifying that it is entitled to receive all payments under this Agreement and any Notes without deduction or withholding of any U.S. federal income taxes, and (B) such other forms, documentation or certifications, as the case may be, certifying that it is entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding tax with respect to payments under this Agreement and any Notes;

(2) deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two further accurate and complete original signed forms or certifications provided in Subsection 4.11(b)(i)(1) on or before the date that any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form or certificate previously delivered by it to the Borrower;

(3) obtain such extensions of time for filing and completing such forms or certifications as may reasonably be requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent; and

 

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(4) deliver, to the extent legally entitled to do so, upon reasonable request by the Borrower, to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent such other forms as may be reasonably required in order to establish the legal entitlement of such Agent or such Lender to an exemption from, or reduction of, withholding with respect to payments under this Agreement and any Notes, provided that, in determining the reasonableness of a request under this clause (4), such Lender shall be entitled to consider the cost (to the extent unreimbursed by any Loan Party) which would be imposed on such Lender of complying with such request; or

(ii) in the case of any such Lender that is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code and is claiming the so-called “portfolio interest exemption”,

(1) represent to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that it is not (A) a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code;

(2) on or before the date of any payment by the Borrower under this Agreement or any Notes to, or for the account of, such Lender, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, (A) two certificates substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto (any such certificate a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (B) two accurate and complete original signed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8BEN-E, or successor applicable form, certifying to such Lender’s legal entitlement at the date of such form to an exemption from U.S. withholding tax under the provisions of Section 871(h) or Section 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments to be made under this Agreement and any Notes and (C) such other forms, documentation or certifications, as the case may be certifying that it is entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding tax with respect to payments under this Agreement and any Notes (and shall also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two further accurate and complete original signed forms or certificates on or before the date it expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recently provided form or certificate and, if necessary, obtain any extensions of time reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent for filing and completing such forms or certificates); and

(3) deliver, to the extent legally entitled to do so, upon reasonable request by the Borrower, to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent such other forms as may be reasonably required in order to establish the legal entitlement of such Lender to an exemption from, or reduction of, withholding with respect to payments under this Agreement and any Notes, provided that, in determining the reasonableness of a request under this clause (3), such Lender shall be entitled to consider the cost (to the extent unreimbursed by the Borrower) which would be imposed on such Lender of complying with such request; or

 

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(iii) in the case of any such Agent or Lender that is a non-U.S. intermediary or flow-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes,

(1) on or before the date of any payment by the Borrower under this Agreement or any Notes to, or for the account of, such Agent or Lender, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two accurate and complete original signed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8IMY, or successor applicable form, and, if any beneficiary or member of such Agent or such Lender is claiming the so-called “portfolio interest exemption”, (I) represent to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that such Agent or such Lender is not (A) a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (II) also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates certifying to such Agent’s or such Lender’s legal entitlement at the date of such certificate to an exemption from U.S. withholding tax under the provisions of Section 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments to be made under this Agreement and any Notes; and

(A) with respect to each beneficiary or member of such Agent or Lender that is not claiming the so-called “portfolio interest exemption”, also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (I) two accurate and complete original signed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8BEN-E (certifying that such beneficiary or member is a resident of the applicable country within the meaning of the income tax treaty between the United States and that country), Forms W-8ECI or Forms W-9, or successor applicable form, as the case may be, in each case so that each such beneficiary or member is entitled to receive all payments under this Agreement and any Notes without deduction or withholding of any U.S. federal income taxes and (II) such other forms, documentation or certifications, as the case may be, certifying that each such beneficiary or member is entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding tax with respect to all payments under this Agreement and any Notes; and

(B) with respect to each beneficiary or member of such Lender that is claiming the so-called “portfolio interest exemption”, (I) represent to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that such beneficiary or member is not (1) a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (3) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (II) also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates from each beneficiary or member and two accurate and complete original signed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8BEN-E, or successor applicable form, certifying to such beneficiary’s or member’s legal entitlement at the date of such certificate to an exemption

 

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from U.S. withholding tax under the provisions of Section 871(h) or Section 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments to be made under this Agreement and any Notes, and (III) also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent such other forms, documentation or certifications, as the case may be, certifying that it is entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding tax with respect to payments under this Agreement and any Notes;

(2) deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two further accurate and complete original signed forms, certificates or certifications referred to above on or before the date any such form, certificate or certification expires or becomes obsolete, or any beneficiary or member changes, and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recently provided form, certificate or certification and obtain such extensions of time reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent for filing and completing such forms, certificates or certifications; and

(3) deliver, to the extent legally entitled to do so, upon reasonable request by the Borrower, to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent such other forms as may be reasonably required in order to establish the legal entitlement of such Agent or Lender (or beneficiary or member) to an exemption from, or reduction of, withholding with respect to payments under this Agreement and any Notes, provided that in determining the reasonableness of a request under this clause (3) such Agent or Lender shall be entitled to consider the cost (to the extent unreimbursed by the Borrower) which would be imposed on such Agent or Lender (or beneficiary or member) of complying with such request;

unless, in any such case (other than with respect to United States backup withholding tax), there has been a Change in Law which renders all such forms inapplicable or which would prevent such Agent or such Lender (or such beneficiary or member) from duly completing and delivering any such form with respect to it and such Agent or such Lender so advises the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(c) Each Lender and each Agent, in each case that is a United States Person, shall, on or before the date of any payment by the Borrower under this Agreement or any Notes to such Lender or Agent, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two accurate and complete original signed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-9, or successor applicable form, certifying that such Lender or Agent is a United States Person and that such Lender or Agent is entitled to complete exemption from United States backup withholding tax.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent is not a United States Person, on or before the date of any payment by the Borrower under this Agreement or any Notes to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall:

 

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(i) deliver to the Borrower (A) two accurate and complete original signed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8ECI, or successor applicable form, with respect to any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent for its own account, (B) two accurate and complete original signed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8IMY, or successor applicable form, with respect to any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent for the account of others, certifying that it is a “U.S. branch” and that the payments it receives for the account of others are not effectively connected with the conduct of its trade or business in the United States and that it is using such form as evidence of its agreement with the Borrower to be treated as a U.S. person with respect to such payments (and the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree to so treat the Administrative Agent as a U.S. person with respect to such payments as contemplated by U.S. Treasury Regulation § 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv)) and (C) such other forms or certifications as may be sufficient under applicable law to establish that the Administrative Agent is entitled to receive any payment by the Borrower under this Agreement or any Notes (whether for its own account or for the account of others) without deduction or withholding of any U.S. federal income taxes;

(ii) deliver to the Borrower two further accurate and complete original signed forms or certifications provided in Subsection 4.11(d)(i) on or before the date that any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form or certificate previously delivered by it to the Borrower; and

(iii) obtain such extensions of time for filing and completing such forms or certifications as may reasonably be requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent;

unless in any such case (other than with respect to United States backup withholding tax) there has been a Change in Law which renders all such forms inapplicable or which would prevent the Administrative Agent from duly completing and delivering any such form with respect to it and the Administrative Agent so advises the Borrower.

(e) If a payment made to an Agent or a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Agent or such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA, such Agent or such Lender shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, such documentation prescribed by applicable law and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower as may be necessary for the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to comply with their respective obligations (including any applicable reporting requirements) under FATCA, to determine whether such Agent or such Lender has complied with such Agent’s or such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. For the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall be permitted to withhold any Taxes imposed by FATCA.

 

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4.12 Indemnity. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender in respect of Extensions of Credit made, or requested to be made, to the Borrower, and to hold each such Lender harmless from any loss or expense which such Lender may sustain or incur (other than through such Lender’s bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and nonappealable decision) as a consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in making a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (b) default by the Borrower in making any prepayment or conversion of Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or (c) the making of a payment or prepayment of Eurodollar Loans or the conversion of Eurodollar Loans on a day which is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. Such indemnification may include an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or converted, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from the date of such prepayment or conversion or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of the applicable Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Eurodollar Loans provided for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin included therein, if any) over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) which would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank eurodollar market. If any Lender becomes entitled to claim any amounts under the indemnity contained in this Subsection 4.12, it shall provide prompt notice thereof to the Borrower, through the Administrative Agent, certifying (x) that one of the events described in clause (a), (b) or (c) has occurred and describing in reasonable detail the nature of such event, (y) as to the loss or expense sustained or incurred by such Lender as a consequence thereof and (z) as to the amount for which such Lender seeks indemnification hereunder and a reasonably detailed explanation of the calculation thereof. Such a certificate as to any indemnification pursuant to this Subsection 4.12 submitted by such Lender, through the Administrative Agent, to the Borrower shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within five Business Days after receipt thereof. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Term Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

4.13 Certain Rules Relating to the Payment of Additional Amounts. (a) Upon the request, and at the expense of the Borrower, each Lender and Agent to which the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount pursuant to Subsection 4.10 or 4.11, and any Participant in respect of whose participation such payment is required, shall reasonably afford the Borrower the opportunity to contest, and reasonably cooperate with the Borrower in contesting, the imposition of any Non-Excluded Tax giving rise to such payment; provided that (i) such Lender or Agent shall not be required to afford the Borrower the opportunity to so contest unless the Borrower shall have confirmed in writing to such Lender or Agent its obligation to pay such amounts pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) the Borrower shall reimburse such Lender or Agent for its reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees and disbursements incurred in so cooperating with the Borrower in contesting the imposition of such Non-Excluded Tax; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing no Lender or Agent shall be required to afford the Borrower the opportunity to contest, or cooperate with the Borrower in contesting, the imposition of any Non-Excluded Taxes, if such Lender or Agent in its sole discretion in good faith determines that to do so would have an adverse effect on it.

 

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(b) If a Lender changes its applicable lending office (other than (i) pursuant to clause (c) below or (ii) after an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) has occurred and is continuing) and the effect of such change, as of the date of such change, would be to cause the Borrower to become obligated to pay any additional amount under Subsection 4.10 or 4.11, the Borrower shall not be obligated to pay such additional amount.

(c) If a condition or an event occurs which would, or would upon the passage of time or giving of notice, result in the payment of any additional amount to any Lender or Agent by the Borrower pursuant to Subsection 4.10 or 4.11 or result in Affected Loans or commitments to make Affected Loans being automatically converted to ABR Loans or Loans bearing an alternate rate of interest or commitments to make ABR Loans or Loans bearing an alternate rate of interest, as the case may be, pursuant to Subsection 4.9, such Lender or Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and shall take such steps as may reasonably be available to it to mitigate the effects of such condition or event (which shall include efforts to rebook the Loans and Commitments held by such Lender at another lending office, or through another branch or an affiliate, of such Lender); provided that such Lender or Agent shall not be required to take any step that, in its reasonable judgment, would be materially disadvantageous to its business or operations or would require it to incur additional costs (unless the Borrower agrees to reimburse such Lender or Agent for the reasonable incremental out-of-pocket costs thereof).

(d) If the Borrower shall become obligated to pay additional amounts pursuant to Subsection 4.10 or 4.11 and any affected Lender shall not have promptly taken steps necessary to avoid the need for payments under Subsection 4.10 or 4.11 or if Affected Loans or commitments to make Affected Loans are automatically converted to ABR Loans or Loans bearing an alternate rate of interest or commitments to make ABR Loans or Loans bearing an alternate rate of interest, as the case may be, under Subsection 4.9 and any affected Lender shall not have promptly taken steps necessary to avoid the need for such conversion under Subsection 4.9, the Borrower shall have the right, for so long as such obligation remains, (i) with the assistance of the Administrative Agent to seek one or more substitute Lenders reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to purchase the affected Loan or Commitment, in whole or in part, at an aggregate price no less than such Loan’s or Commitment’s principal amount plus accrued interest, and assume the affected obligations under this Agreement, or (ii) so long as no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) then exists or will exist immediately after giving effect to the respective prepayment, upon notice to the Administrative Agent to prepay the affected Loan, in whole or in part, subject to Subsection 4.12, without premium or penalty. In the case of the substitution of a Lender, then, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the affected Lender, and any substitute Lender shall execute and deliver an appropriately completed Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to Subsection 11.6(b) to effect the assignment of rights to, and the assumption of obligations by, the substitute Lender; provided that any fees required to be paid by Subsection 11.6(b) in connection with such assignment shall be paid by the Borrower or the substitute Lender. In the case of a prepayment of an affected Loan, the amount specified in the notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with any accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid. In the case of each of the substitution of a Lender and of the prepayment of an affected Loan, the Borrower shall first pay the affected Lender any additional amounts owing under Subsections 4.10 and 4.11 (as well as any commitment fees and other amounts then due and owing to such Lender, including any amounts under this Subsection 4.13) prior to such substitution or prepayment. In the case of the substitution of a Lender pursuant to this Subsection 4.13(d), if the

 

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Lender being replaced does not execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance and/or any other documentation necessary to reflect such replacement by the later of (a) the date on which the assignee Lender executes and delivers such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation and (b) the date as of which all obligations of the Borrower owing to such replaced Lender relating to the Loans and participations so assigned shall be paid in full by the assignee Lender and/or the Borrower to such Lender being replaced, then the Lender being replaced shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation as of such date and the Borrower shall be entitled (but not obligated) to execute and deliver such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation on behalf of such Lender.

(e) If any Agent or any Lender receives a refund directly attributable to Taxes for which the Borrower has made additional payments pursuant to Subsection 4.10(a) or 4.11(a), such Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, shall promptly pay such refund (together with any interest with respect thereto received from the relevant taxing authority, but net of any reasonable cost incurred in connection therewith) to the Borrower; provided, however, that the Borrower agrees promptly to return such refund (together with any interest with respect thereto due to the relevant taxing authority) (free of all Non-Excluded Taxes) to such Agent or the applicable Lender, as the case may be, upon receipt of a notice that such refund is required to be repaid to the relevant taxing authority.

(f) The obligations of any Agent, Lender or Participant under this Subsection 4.13 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Term Loans and all amounts payable hereunder.

4.14 Defaulting Lender. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, if any Revolving Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Revolving Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(a) in determining the Required Lenders, any Lender that at the time is a Defaulting Lender (and the Loans and/or Incremental Revolving Commitment of such Defaulting Lender) shall be excluded and disregarded; and

(b) the Borrower shall have the right, at its sole expense and effort (i) to seek one or more Persons reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to each become a substitute Revolving Lender and assume all or part of the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and any such substitute Revolving Lender shall execute and deliver, and such Defaulting Lender shall thereupon be deemed to have executed and delivered, an appropriately completed Assignment and Acceptance to effect such substitution or (ii) so long as no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) then exists or will exist immediately after giving effect to the respective prepayment, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, to prepay the Loans and, at the Borrower’s option, terminate the Commitments of such Defaulting Lender, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty.

 

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SECTION 5

Representations and Warranties

To induce the Administrative Agent and each Lender to make the Extensions of Credit requested to be made by it on the Closing Date and on each other date thereafter on which an Extension of Credit is made, the Borrower with respect to itself and its Restricted Subsidiaries, hereby represents and warrants, on the Closing Date, in each case after giving effect to the Transactions (solely to the extent required to be true and correct for such Extension of Credit pursuant to Subsection 6.1), and on every other date thereafter on which an Extension of Credit is made (solely to the extent required to be true and correct for such Extension of Credit pursuant to Subsection 6.2), to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:

5.1 Financial Condition. (a) (i) The audited combined balance sheets of the Waterworks Business as of January 29, 2017 and January 31, 2016 and related statements of operations and cash flows of the Waterworks Business for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2017, January 31, 2016 and February 1, 2015 reported on by and accompanied by unqualified reports from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and (ii) unaudited combined balance sheets and related statements of operations and cash flows of the Waterworks Business for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2017, presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition as at such dates, and the statements of operations and cash flows of the Waterworks Business for the periods then ended, of the Waterworks Business. All such financial statements, including the related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby (except as approved by a Responsible Officer, and disclosed in any such schedules and notes).

(b) As of the Closing Date, except as set forth in the financial statements referred to in Subsection 5.1(a), there are no liabilities of any Loan Party of any kind, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet and related unaudited pro forma statement of operations of the Waterworks Business and its Subsidiaries as of and for the 12-month period ending April 30, 2017, adjusted to give effect (as if such events had occurred on such date for purposes of the balance sheet and at the beginning of such period, for purposes of the statement of operations), to the consummation of the Transactions, and the Extensions of Credit hereunder on the Closing Date.

(d) The Projections have been prepared by management of the Borrower in good faith based upon assumptions believed by management to be reasonable at the time of preparation thereof (it being understood that such Projections, and the assumptions on which they were based, may or may not prove to be correct).

 

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5.2 No Change; Solvent. Since the Closing DateMay 2, 2021, there has been no development or event relating to or affecting any Loan Party which has had or would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (after giving effect to (i) the consummation of the Transactions and the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions, (ii) the making of the Extensions of Credit to be made on the Closing Date and the First Amendment Effective Date and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated hereby, and (iii) the payment of actual or estimated fees, expenses, financing costs and tax payments related to the Transactions and Tranche B Effective Date Transactions contemplated hereby). As of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions to be consummated on the Closing Date, the Borrower, together with its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, is Solvent.

5.3 Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law. Each of the Loan Parties (a) is duly organized, validly existing and (to the extent applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, except (other than with respect to the Borrower), to the extent that the failure to be organized, existing and (to the extent applicable) in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) has the legal right to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged, except to the extent that the failure to have such legal right would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation or limited liability company and (to the extent applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified and (to the extent applicable) in good standing would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law, except to the extent that the failure to comply therewith would not, in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.4 Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations. Each Loan Party has the corporate or other organizational power and authority, and the legal right, to make, deliver and perform the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to obtain Extensions of Credit hereunder, and each such Loan Party has taken all necessary corporate or other organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to authorize the Extensions of Credit to it, if any, on the terms and conditions of this Agreement and any Notes. No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other similar act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required to be obtained or made by or on behalf of any Loan Party in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents to which it is a party or, in the case of the Borrower, with the Extensions of Credit to it, if any, hereunder, except for (a) consents, authorizations, notices and filings described in Schedule 5.4, all of which have been obtained or made prior to the Closing Date, (b) filings to perfect the Liens created by the Security Documents and (c) consents, authorizations, notices and filings which the failure to obtain or make would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower, and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is a party will be duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Loan Party. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is a party when executed and delivered will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, in each case except as enforceability may be limited by applicable domestic or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).

 

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5.5 No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents by any of the Loan Parties, the Extensions of Credit hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof (a) will not violate any Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation of such Loan Party in any respect that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) will not result in, or require the creation or imposition of any Lien (other than Liens securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations or otherwise permitted hereby) on any of its properties or revenues pursuant to any such Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation and (c) will not violate any provision of the Organizational Documents of such Loan Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, except (other than with respect to the Borrower) as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.6 No Material Litigation. No litigation, investigation or proceeding ofby or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened by or against the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or against any of their respective properties or revenues, (a) except as described on Schedule 5.6, which is so pending or threatened at any time on or prior to the Closing Date and relates to any of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or (b) which would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.7 No Default. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any of its Contractual Obligations in any respect which would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Since the Closing Date, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

5.8 Ownership of Property; Liens. Each of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries has good title in fee simple to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its material real property located in the United States of America, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other material property located in the United States of America, except those for which the failure to have such good title or such leasehold interest would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and none of such real or other property is subject to any Lien, except for Liens permitted hereby (including Permitted Liens).

5.9 Intellectual Property. The Borrower and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries owns beneficially, or has the legal right to use, all United States and foreign patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, design registrations and applications, trade names, copyrights, and rights in know-how and trade secrets necessary for each of them to conduct its business as currently conducted (the “Intellectual Property”) except for those for which the failure to own or have such legal right to use would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as provided on Schedule 5.9, to the knowledge of the Borrower, (1) no claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person against the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries challenging or questioning the use of any such Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any such Intellectual Property, nor does the Borrower know of any such claim, and , to the knowledge of the Borrower,and (2) the use of such Intellectual Property by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries does not infringe on the rights of any Person, except (in each case under the preceding clauses (1) and (2)) for such claims and infringements which in the aggregate, would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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5.10 Taxes. To the knowledge of the Borrower, (1) the Borrower and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all material tax returns which are required to be filed by it and has paid (a) all Taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns and (b) all Taxes shown to be due and payable on any assessments of which it has received notice made against it or any of its property and all other Taxes imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority; and (2) no taxTax Liens have been filed (except for Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable), and no claim is being asserted in writing, with respect to any such Taxes (in each case under the preceding clauses (1) and (2)other than in respect of any such (i) Taxes with respect to which the failure to pay, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) Taxes the amount or validity of which are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be).

5.11 Federal Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Extensions of Credit will be used for any purpose which violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board. If requested by any Lender or the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form G-3 or FR Form U-1, referred to in said Regulation U.

5.12 ERISA. (a) During the five year period prior to each date as of which this representation is made, or deemed made, with respect to any Plan, none of the following events or conditions, either individually or in the aggregate, has resulted or is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect: (i) a Reportable Event, (ii) a failure to satisfy the minimum funding standard (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), (iii) any material noncompliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA or the Code, (iv) a termination of a Single Employer Plan (other than a standard termination pursuant to Section 4041(b) of ERISA), (v) a Lien on the property of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in favor of the PBGC or a Plan, (vi) a complete or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan by the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity, (vii) the Insolvency of any Multiemployer Plan or (viii) any transactions that resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in any liability to the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity under Section 4069 of ERISA or Section 4212(c) of ERISA.

(b) With respect to any Foreign Plan, none of the following events or conditions exists and is continuing that, either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) substantial non-compliance with its terms andor with the requirements of any and all applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations and orders, (ii) failure to be maintained, where required, in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities, (iii) any obligation of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with the termination or partial termination of, or withdrawal from, any Foreign Plan, (iv) any Lien on the property of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in favor of a Governmental Authority as a

 

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result of any action or inaction regarding a Foreign Plan, (v) for each Foreign Plan which is a funded or insured plan, failure to be funded or insured on an ongoing basis to the extent required by applicable non-U.S. law (using actuarial methods and assumptions which are consistent with the valuations last filed with the applicable Governmental Authorities, if applicable), (vi) any facts that, to the best knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, exist that would reasonably be expected to give rise to a dispute and any pending or threatened disputes that, to the best knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries concerning the assets of any Foreign Plan (other than individual claims for the payment of benefits) and (vii) failure to make all contributions in a timely manner to the extent required by applicable non-U.S. law.

5.13 Collateral. Upon execution and delivery thereof by the parties thereto, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement will be effective to create (to the extent described therein) in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a valid and enforceable security interest in or liens on the Collateral described therein, except as to enforcement, as may be limited by applicable domestic or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. When (a) all Filings (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) have been completed, (b) all applicable Instruments, Chattel Paper and Documents (each as described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) constituting Collateral a security interest in which is perfected by possession have been delivered to, and/or are in the continued possession of, the Collateral Agent, the applicable Collateral Representative or any Additional Agent, as applicable (or their respective agents appointed for purposes of perfection), in accordance with the applicable ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Other Intercreditor Agreement and (c) all Deposit Accounts and Pledged Stock (each as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) a security interest in which is required by the Security Documents to be perfected by “control” (as described in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in each applicable jurisdiction (in the case of Deposit Accounts) and the State of New York (in the case of Pledged Stock) from time to time) are under the “control” of the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent, the applicable Collateral Representative or any Additional Agent, as applicable (or their respective agents appointed for purposes of perfection), in accordance with the applicable ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Other Intercreditor Agreement, the security interests and liens granted pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall constitute (to the extent described therein) a perfected security interest in (to the extent intended to be created thereby and required to be perfected under the Loan Documents), all right, title and interest of each pledgor party thereto in the Collateral described therein (excluding Commercial Tort Claims, as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, other than such Commercial Tort Claims set forth on Schedule 6 thereto (if any)) with respect to such pledgor. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, capitalized terms that are used in this Subsection 5.13 and not defined in this Agreement are so used as defined in the applicable Security Document.

 

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5.14 Investment Company Act; Other Regulations. The Borrower is not required to be registered as an “investment company”, or a company “controlled” by an entity required to be registered as an “investment company”, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. The Borrower is not subject to regulation under any federal or state statute or regulation (other than Regulation X of the Board) which limits its ability to incur Indebtedness as contemplated hereby.

5.15 Subsidiaries. Schedule 5.15 sets forth all the Subsidiaries of the Borrower at the Closing Date (after giving effect to the Transactions), the jurisdiction of their organization and the direct or indirect ownership interest of the Borrower therein.

5.16 Purpose of Loans. The proceeds of Term Loans shall be used by the Borrower (i) in the case of the Original Initial Term Loans, to effect, in part, the Transactions, and to pay certain fees, premiums and expenses relating thereto and, (ii) in the case of the Tranche B Term Loans, to effect, in part, the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions, and to pay certain fees, premiums and expenses relating thereto, and (iii) in the case of all other Term Loans, other than those described in clauses (i) and (ii), to finance the working capital, capital expenditures, business requirements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and for other purposes not prohibited by this Agreement.

5.17 Environmental Matters. Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.17 or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

(a) The Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries: (i) are, and within the period of all applicable statutes of limitation have been, in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) hold all Environmental Permits (each of which is in full force and effect) required for any of their current operations or for any property owned, leased, or otherwise operated by any of them; and reasonably expect to timely obtain without material expense all such Environmental Permits required for planned operations; (iii) are, and within the period of all applicable statutes of limitation have been, in compliance with all of their Environmental Permits; and (iv) believe they will be able to maintain compliance with Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits, including any reasonably foreseeable future requirements thereof.

(b) Materials of Environmental Concern have not been transported, disposed of, emitted, discharged, or otherwise released or threatened to be released, to, at or from any real property presently or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, formerly owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or at any other location, which would reasonably be expected to (i) give rise to liability or other Environmental Costs of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under any applicable Environmental Law, or (ii) interfere with the planned or continued operations of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) impair the fair saleable value of any real property owned by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is part of the Collateral.

(c) There is no judicial, administrative, or arbitral proceeding (including any notice of violation or alleged violation) under any Environmental Law to which the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is, or to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is reasonably likely to be, named as a party that is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, threatened.

 

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(d) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has received any written request for information, or been notified that it is a potentially responsible party, under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act or any similar Environmental Law, or received any other written request for information from any Governmental Authority with respect to any Materials of Environmental Concern.

(e) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has entered into or agreed to any consent decree, order, or settlement or other agreement, nor is subject to any judgment, decree, or order or other agreement, in any judicial, administrative, arbitral, or other forum, relating to compliance with or liability under any Environmental Law.

5.18 No Material Misstatements. The written information (including the Confidential Information Memorandum), reports, financial statements, exhibits and schedules furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, the Other Representatives and the Lenders on or prior to the Closing Date in connection with the negotiation of any Loan Document or included therein or delivered pursuant thereto, taken as a whole, did not contain as of the Closing Date any material misstatement of fact and did not omit to state as of the Closing Date any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading in their presentation of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole. It is understood that (a) no representation or warranty is made concerning the forecasts, estimates, pro forma information, projections and statements as to anticipated future performance or conditions, and the assumptions on which they were based or concerning any information of a general economic nature or general information about the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ industry, contained in any such information, reports, financial statements, exhibits or schedules, except that, in the case of such forecasts, estimates, pro forma information, projections and statements, as of the date such forecasts, estimates, pro forma information, projections and statements were generated, (i) such forecasts, estimates, pro forma information, projections and statements were based on the good faith assumptions of the management of the Borrower and (ii) such assumptions were believed by such management to be reasonable and (b) such forecasts, estimates, pro forma information and statements, and the assumptions on which they were based, may or may not prove to be correct.

5.19 Labor Matters. There are no strikes pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, reasonably expected to be commenced against the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The hours worked and payments made to employees of the Borrower and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries have not been in violation of any applicable laws, rules or regulations, except where such violations would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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5.20 Insurance. Schedule 5.20 sets forth a complete and correct listing, as of the date that is two Business Days prior to the Closing Date, of all insurance that is (a) maintained by the Loan Parties (other than any Holding Company) and (b) material to the business and operations of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, with the amounts insured (and any deductibles) set forth therein.

5.21 Anti-Terrorism. To the extent applicable, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Holding Company, the Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary is in compliance with (a) the PATRIOT Act, (b) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended and (c) any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”), U.S. Department of State, United Nations Security Council, European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury (collectively, “Sanctions”) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto. Neither any Loan Party nor, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party or (ii) to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer or employee of any Holding Company, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, is the target of any Sanctions. None of the Holding Companies, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary will knowingly use the proceeds of the Loans for the purpose of funding or financing any activities or business of or with any Person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of such funding or financing is restricted under Sanctions.

SECTION 6

Conditions Precedent

6.1 Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit. This Agreement, including the agreement of each Lender to make the initial Extension of Credit requested to be made by it, shall become effective on the date on which the following conditions precedent shall have been satisfied or waived:

(a) Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received (or, in the case of certain Loan Parties, shall receive substantially concurrently with the satisfaction of the other conditions precedent set forth in this Subsection 6.1) the following Loan Documents, executed and delivered as required below:

(i) this Agreement, executed and delivered by the Borrower;

(ii) ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, acknowledged by a duly authorized officer of each Loan Party; and

(iii) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, executed and delivered by each Loan Party required to be a signatory thereto;

 

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provided that, clause (iii) above notwithstanding, but without limiting the requirements set forth in Subsections 6.1(g) and (h), to the extent that a valid security interest in the Collateral covered by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (to the extent and with priority contemplated thereby) is not provided on the Closing Date and to the extent any Holding Company and its Subsidiaries have used commercially reasonable efforts to provide such Collateral, the provisions of clause (iii) above shall be deemed to have been satisfied and the Loan Parties shall be required to provide such Collateral in accordance with the provisions set forth in Subsection 7.13 if, and only if, each Loan Party shall have executed and delivered the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall have a perfected security interest in all Collateral of the type for which perfection may be accomplished by filing a UCC financing statement and shall have possession of all certificated Capital Stock of the Borrower and of its Domestic Subsidiaries (to the extent constituting Collateral) together with undated stock powers executed in blank (provided that certificated Capital Stock of the Waterworks Business and its Subsidiaries will only be required to be delivered on the Closing Date to the extent received from the Sellers so long as the Borrower has used reasonable best efforts to obtain them on the Closing Date).

(b) Plumb Acquisition Agreement. The Waterworks Acquisition shall have been or, substantially concurrently with the initial funding pursuant to the Debt Financing, shall be, consummated in all material respects in accordance with the terms of the Plumb Acquisition Agreement, without giving effect to any modifications, amendments, express waivers or express consents thereunder by the Borrower that are materially adverse to the Lenders without the consent of the Lead Arrangers (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) (it being understood and agreed that (A) any change in the purchase price shall not be deemed to be materially adverse to the Lenders but (x) any resulting reduction in cash uses shall be allocated (I) first, to a reduction in the Equity Contribution to 25% of the pro forma capitalization of the Borrower after giving effect to the Transactions and (II) second, (1) 75% to a reduction of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes, which reduction in the Senior Notes shall not result in an aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes of less than $250,000,000 (followed by a reduction of the Initial Term Loan Facility) and (2) 25% to a reduction in the Equity Contribution and (y) any increase in purchase price (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any purchase price adjustments in accordance with the terms of the Plumb Acquisition Agreement) shall be funded (at the Borrower’s option) with the proceeds of an equity contribution (which shall be on terms consistent with the requirements for the Equity Contribution set forth in Subsection 6.1(c)) and/or ABL Facility Loans and (B) any modification, amendment, express consent or express waiver to the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” in the Plumb Acquisition Agreement shall be deemed to be materially adverse to the Lenders.

(c) Equity Contribution. The Equity Contribution shall have been, or substantially concurrently with the initial funding pursuant to the Debt Financing shall be, consummated, which to the extent including equity interests of any Holding Company or the Borrower shall be common equity interests thereof.

(d) Financial Information. The Committed Lenders shall have received (I) (i) audited combined balance sheets of the Waterworks Business as of January 29, 2017 and January 31, 2016 and related statements of operations and cash flows of the Waterworks Business for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2017, January 31, 2016 and February 1, 2015, and (ii) unaudited combined balance sheets and related statements of operations and cash flows of the Waterworks Business for the fiscal quarter ended April

 

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30, 2017 and (II) an unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet and a related unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations of the Waterworks Business as of and for the 12-month period ending on April 30, 2017 adjusted to give effect (as if such events had occurred on such date for purposes of the balance sheet and at the beginning of such period, for purposes of the statement of operations) to the consummation of the Transactions, and the Extensions of Credit hereunder on the Closing Date.

(e) Legal Opinions. The Administrative Agent shall have received the following executed legal opinions, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

(i) executed legal opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, counsel to the Borrower and the other Loan Parties;

(ii) executed legal opinions of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., special Delaware counsel to certain of the Loan Parties; and

(iii) executed legal opinion of Holland & Knight LLP, special Florida counsel to certain of the Loan Parties.

(f) Officer’s Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from the Borrower, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto.

(g) Perfected Liens. The Collateral Agent shall have obtained a valid security interest in the Collateral covered by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (to the extent and with the priority contemplated therein and in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement); and all documents, instruments, filings and recordations reasonably necessary in connection with the perfection and, in the case of the filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, protection of such security interests shall have been executed and delivered or made, or shall be delivered or made substantially concurrently with the initial funding pursuant to the Debt Financing under the Loan Documents pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or, in the case of UCC filings, written authorization to make such UCC filings shall have been delivered to the Collateral Agent, and none of such Collateral shall be subject to any other pledges or security interests except for Permitted Liens or pledges or security interests to be released on the Closing Date; provided that with respect to any such Collateral the security interest in which may not be perfected by filing of a UCC financing statement or by possession of certificated Capital Stock of the Borrower or its Domestic Subsidiaries (to the extent constituting Collateral) (provided that certificated Capital Stock of the Waterworks Business and its Subsidiaries will only be required to be delivered on the Closing Date to the extent received from the Sellers, so long as the Borrower has used commercially reasonable efforts to obtain them on the Closing Date), if perfection of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in such Collateral may not be accomplished on or before the Closing Date after the applicable Loan Party’s commercially reasonable efforts to do so, then delivery of documents and instruments for perfection of such security interest shall not constitute a condition precedent to the initial

 

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borrowings hereunder if the applicable Loan Party agrees to deliver or cause to be delivered such documents and instruments, and take or cause to be taken such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to perfect such security interests in accordance with Subsection 7.13 and otherwise pursuant to arrangements to be mutually agreed by the applicable Loan Party and the Administrative Agent acting reasonably, but in no event later than the 91st day after the Closing Date (unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion).

(h) Pledged Stock; Stock Powers. The Collateral Agent shall have received the certificates, if any, representing the Pledged Stock under (and as defined in) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the pledgor thereof; provided that such Pledged Stock and related stock powers of the Waterworks Business and its Subsidiaries will only be required to be delivered on the Closing Date to the extent received from the Sellers, so long as the Borrower has used reasonable best efforts to obtain them on the Closing Date; provided, further, that with respect to any such Pledged Stock other than Capital Stock of the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries (to the extent constituting Collateral), if delivery of such Pledged Stock and related stock powers to the Collateral Agent may not be accomplished on or before the Closing Date after the applicable Loan Party’s commercially reasonable efforts to do so, then delivery of such Pledged Stock and related stock powers shall not constitute a condition precedent to the initial borrowings hereunder if the applicable Loan Party agrees to deliver or cause to be delivered such Pledged Stock and related stock powers in accordance with Subsection 7.13 and otherwise pursuant to arrangements to be mutually agreed by the applicable Loan Party and the Administrative Agent acting reasonably, but in no event later than the 91st day after the Closing Date (unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion).

(i) Lien Searches. The Collateral Agent shall have received customary lien searches requested by it at least 30 calendar days prior to the Closing Date.

(j) Fees. The Committed Lenders, the Lead Arrangers, the Agents and the Lenders, respectively, shall have received all fees related to the Transactions payable to them to the extent due (which may be offset against the proceeds of the Facilities).

(k) Secretary’s Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from the Borrower and, substantially concurrently with the satisfaction of the other conditions precedent set forth in this Subsection 6.1, each other Loan Party, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto, with appropriate insertions and attachments of resolutions or other actions, evidence of incumbency and the signature of authorized signatories and Organizational Documents, executed by a Responsible Officer and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary or other authorized representative of such Loan Party.

(l) No Closing Date Material Adverse Effect. Since June 4, 2017 there has not been any Closing Date Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(m) Solvency. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the chief financial officer or treasurer (or other comparable officer) of the Waterworks Business certifying the Solvency, after giving effect to the Transactions, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in substantially the form of Exhibit H hereto.

(n) Patriot Act. The Administrative Agent and the Committed Lenders shall have received at least three Business Days prior to the Closing Date all documentation and other information about the Loan Parties mutually agreed to be required by U.S. regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act, that has been reasonably requested in writing at least twelve Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

(o) Plumb Acquisition Agreement Conditions; Specified Representations. (i) The condition in Section 7.3(a) of the Plumb Acquisition Agreement (but only with respect to the representations that are material to the interests of the Lenders, and only to the extent that Borrower (or any of its Affiliates party to the Plumb Acquisition Agreement) has the right to terminate its obligations under the Plumb Acquisition Agreement (or otherwise decline to consummate the Waterworks Acquisition) without liability to any of them as a result of a breach of such representations in the Plumb Acquisition Agreement) shall have been satisfied and (ii) the Specified Representations shall, except to the extent they relate to a particular date, be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date.

(p) Borrowing Notice. With respect to the initial Extensions of Credit, the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice of such Borrowing as required by Subsection 2.3.

The making of the initial Extensions of Credit by the Lenders hereunder shall conclusively be deemed to constitute an acknowledgement by the Administrative Agent and each Lender that each of the conditions precedent set forth in this Subsection 6.1 shall have been satisfied in accordance with its respective terms or shall have been irrevocably waived by such Person.

SECTION 7

Affirmative Covenants

The Borrower hereby agrees that, from and after the Closing Date, until payment in full of the Loans and all other Term Loan Facility Obligations then due and owing to any Lender or any Agent hereunder, the Borrower shall and shall (except in the case of delivery of financial information, reports and notices) cause each of its respective Restricted Subsidiaries to:

7.1 Financial Statements. Furnish to the Administrative Agent for delivery to each Lender (and the Administrative Agent agrees to make and so deliver such copies):

 

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(a) as soon as available, but in any event not later than the fifth Business Day after (i) the 135th day following the end of the fiscal year of the Borrower ending January 28, 2018 and (ii) the 120th day following the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower (or, in each case, such longer period as would be permitted by the SEC if the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligationobligations under this Subsection 7.1(a)) were then subject to SEC reporting requirements as a non-accelerated filer) ending thereafter, a copy of the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as at the end of such year and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity and cash flows for such year, setting forth, commencing with the financial statements for the fiscal year ending February 3, 2019, in each case, in comparative form the figures for and as of the end of the previous year, reported on without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit (provided that such report may contain a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, if such qualification or exception is related solely toarises solely with respect to, results from or arises on account of (i) an upcoming Maturity Date hereunder or an upcoming “maturity date” under the Senior ABL Facility, Senior Notes or any other Indebtedness Incurred in compliance with this Agreement, (ii) any potential or actual inability to satisfy any financial maintenance covenant included in anythe Senior ABL Agreement or any other Indebtedness of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries on a future date in a future period or (iii) the activities, operations, financial results, assets or liabilities of any Unrestricted Subsidiary), by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing (it being agreed that the furnishing of (x) the Borrower’s or any Parent Entity’s or IPO Vehicle’s annual report on Form 10-K for such year, as filed with the SEC, or (y) the financial statements of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, will, in each case, satisfy the Borrower’s obligation under this Subsection 7.1(a) with respect to such year, including with respect to the requirement that such financial statements be reported on without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, so long as the report included in such Form 10-K or accompanying such financial statements, as applicable, does not contain any “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than a “going concern” or like qualification or exception with respect to, resulting from or arising on account of (i) an upcoming Maturity Date hereunder or an upcoming “maturity date” under the Senior ABL Facility, the Senior Notes or any other Indebtedness Incurred in compliance with this Agreement, (ii) any potential or actual inability to satisfy any financial maintenance covenant included in anythe Senior ABL Agreement or any other Indebtedness of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries on a future date or in a future period or (iii) the activities, operations, financial results, assets or liabilities of any Unrestricted Subsidiary)), together with a management’s discussion and analysis of financial information (which need not be prepared in accordance with Item 303 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, and which may be in a form substantially similar to the management’s discussion and analysis of financial information included in the offering memorandum for the Senior Notes);

(b) as soon as available, but in any event not later than the fifth Business Day following (I) the 90th day following the end of the quarterly period ending July 30, 2017, the unaudited combined balance sheets and related statements of operations and cash flows of the Waterworks Business for such quarterly period and (II) (i) the 90th day following the end of the quarterly period ending October 29, 2017 and (ii) the 60th day following the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each fiscal year of the

 

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Borrower (or such longer period as would be permitted by the SEC if the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligationobligations under this Subsection 7.1(b)) were then subject to SEC reporting requirements as a non-accelerated filer) commencing, in the case of clause (ii), with the fiscal quarter ending April 29, 2018, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as at the end of such quarter and the related unaudited consolidated statements of operations and changes in cash flows of the Borrower for such quarter and the portion of the fiscal year through the end of such quarter, setting forth commencing with the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ending October 28, 2018 in comparative form the figures for and as of the corresponding periods of the previous year, in each case certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as being fairly stated in all material respects (subject to normal year-end audit and other adjustments) (it being agreed that the furnishing of (x) the Borrower’s or any Parent Entity’s or IPO Vehicle’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for such quarter, as filed with the SEC, or (y) the financial statements of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, will, in each case, satisfy the Borrower’s obligations under this Subsection 7.1(b) with respect to such quarter), together with a management’s discussion and analysis of financial information (which need not be prepared in accordance with Item 303 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, and which may be in a form substantially consistent with the management’s discussion and analysis of financial information with respect to the financial statements included in the offering memorandum for the Senior Notes);

(c) to the extent applicable, concurrently with any delivery of consolidated financial statements referred to in Subsections 7.1(a) and (b) above, related unaudited condensed consolidating financial statements and appropriate reconciliations reflecting the material adjustments necessary (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements; and

(d) all such financial statements delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(a) or (b) to (and, in the case of any financial statements delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(b) shall be certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and, if applicable the applicable Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle and, its Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP and to be (and, in the case of any financial statements delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(b) shall be certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, to the knowledge of such Responsible Officer, as being) in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior periods that began on or after the Closing Date (except as disclosed therein, and except, in the case of any financial statements delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(b), for the absence of certain notes).

Notwithstanding anything in clausesclause (a) or (b) of this Subsection 7.1 to the contrary, except as expressly required with respect to Unrestricted Subsidiaries in clause (c) above, in no event shall any annual or quarterly financial statements delivered pursuant to clausesclause (a) or (b) of this Subsection 7.1 be required to (x) include any segment reporting, reporting with respect to non-consolidated subsidiaries, separate consolidating financial

 

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information with respect to the Borrower, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Affiliate of the Borrower, or any segment reporting, reporting with respect to non-consolidated subsidiaries, separate financial statements or information for the Borrower, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Affiliate of the Borrower, (y) comply with Section 302, Section 404 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, or related items 307, 308 and 308T of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act andor (z) comply with Rule 3-03(e), Rule 3-05, Rule 3-09, Rule 3-10 and Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

7.2 Certificates; Other Information. Furnish to the Administrative Agent for delivery to each Lender (and the Administrative Agent agrees to make and so deliver such copies):

(a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements and reports referred to in Subsections 7.1(a) and (b), a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit U or such other form as may be agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (a “Compliance Certificate”) (i) stating that, to the best of such Responsible Officer’s knowledge, each of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period has observed or performed all of its covenants and other agreements, and satisfied every condition, contained in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to which it is a party to be observed, performed or satisfied by it, and that such Responsible Officer has obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default, except, in each case, as specified in such certificate, (iicommencing with the delivery of the Compliance Certificate for the fiscal year ending January 28, 2018, setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation of the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio for the Most Recent Four Quarter Period[reserved] and (iii) commencing with the delivery of the Compliance Certificate for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2019, if (A) delivered with the financial statements required by Subsection 7.1(a) and (B) the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year was greater than or equal to 4.23.2 5:1.00, set forth in reasonable detail the amount of (and the calculations required to establish the amount of) Excess Cash Flow for the respective fiscal year covered by such financial statements;

(b) within five Business Days after the same are filed, copies of all financial statements and periodic reports which the Borrower may file with the SEC or any successor or analogous Governmental Authority;

(c) within five Business Days after the same are filed, copies of all registration statements and any amendments and exhibits thereto, which the Borrower may file with the SEC or any successor or analogous Governmental Authority;

(d) subject to the last sentence of Subsection 7.6, promptly, such additional financial and other information regarding the Loan Parties as any Agent or the Required Lenders through the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request; and

 

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(e) promptly upon reasonable request from the Administrative Agent calculations of Consolidated EBITDA and other Fixed GAAP Terms as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent promptly following receipt of a written notice from the Borrower electing to change the Fixed GAAP Date, which calculations shall show the calculations of the respective Fixed GAAP Terms both before and after giving effect to the change in the Fixed GAAP Date and identify the material change(s) in GAAP giving rise to the change in such calculations.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(a), 7.1(b), 7.1(c), 7.2(a), 7.2(b), 7.2(c), 7.2(d) or 7.2(e) or this Subsection 7.2 may at the Borrower’s option be delivered electronically and, if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s (or any Parent Entity’s or IPO Vehicle’s) website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 7.2 (or such other website address as the Borrower may specify by written notice to the Administrative Agent from time to time); or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s (or any Parent Entity’s or IPO Vehicle’s) behalf on an Internet or intranet website to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website (including any website maintained by the SEC) or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent). Following the electronic delivery of any such documents by posting such documents to a website in accordance with the preceding sentence (other than the posting by the Borrower of any such documents on any website maintained for or sponsored by the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall promptly provide the Administrative Agent notice of such delivery (which notice may be by facsimile or electronic mail) and the electronic location at which such documents may be accessed; provided that, in the absence of bad faith, the failure to provide such prompt notice shall not constitute a Default hereunder.

7.3 Payment of Taxes. Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all taxes except where the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and reserves in conformity in all material respects with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on the books of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, or except to the extent that failure to do so, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

7.4 Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence; Compliance with Contractual Obligations and Requirements of Law. Preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its existence and take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except as otherwise permitted pursuant to Subsection 8.4 or 8.7, provided that the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be required to maintain any such rights, privileges or franchises and the Borrower’sBorrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be required to maintain such existence, if the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and comply with all Contractual Obligations and Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to comply therewith, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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7.5 Maintenance of Property; Insurance. (i) Keep all property necessary in the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in good working order and condition, except where failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies (or any Captive Insurance Subsidiary) insurance on, or self-insure, all property material to the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public liability and business interruption) as are consistent with the past practice of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries or usually insured against in the same general area by companies engaged in the same or a similar business; (iii) furnish to the Administrative Agent, upon written request, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance carried; (iv) use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain property and liability policies that provide that in the event of any cancellation thereof during the term of the policy, either by the insured or by the insurance company, the insurance company shall provide to the secured party at least 30 days prior written notice thereof, or in the case of cancellation for non-payment of premium, ten days prior written notice thereof; (v) in the event of any material change in any of the property or liability policies referenced in the preceding clause (iv), use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Administrative Agent with at least 30 days prior written notice thereof; and (vi) use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that, subject to the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement, at all times the Collateral Agent, the applicable Collateral Representative or any Additional Agent, in accordance with the applicable ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Other Intercreditor Agreement, for the benefit of the applicable Secured Parties, shall be named as an additional insured with respect to liability policies maintained by the Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor and the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall be named as loss payee with respect to the property insurance maintained by the Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that, unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (A) the Collateral Agent shall turn over to the Borrower any amounts received by it as an additional insured or loss payee under any property insurance maintained by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (B) the Collateral Agent agrees that the Borrower and/or its applicable Subsidiary shall have the sole right to adjust or settle any claims under such insurance and (C) all proceeds from a Recovery Event shall be paid to the Borrower.

7.6 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions. In the case of the Borrower, keep proper books and records in a manner to allow financial statements to be prepared in conformity with GAAP consistently applied in respect of all material financial transactions and matters involving the material assets and business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and permit representatives of the Administrative Agent to visit and inspect any of its properties and examine and, to the extent reasonable, make abstracts from any of its books and records and to discuss the business, operations, properties and financial and other condition of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries with officers of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and with its independent certified public accountants, in each case at any reasonable time, upon reasonable notice; provided that (a) except during the continuation of an Event of Default, only one such visit per year shall be at the Borrower’s expense, and (b) during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent or its representatives may do any of the foregoing at the Borrower’s expense; provided, further, that representatives of the Borrower may be present during any such visits, discussions and inspections. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Subsection 7.2(d) or in this Subsection 7.6 or any other provision in any Loan Document, none of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary will be required to disclose or permit the inspection or discussion of, any

 

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document, information or other matter (i) that constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders (or their respective representatives) is prohibited by Requirement of Law or any binding agreement or (iii) that is subject to attorney client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product.

7.7 Notices. Promptly give notice to the Administrative Agent and each Lender of:

(a) as soon as possible after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower knows thereof, the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

(b) as soon as possible after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower knows thereof, any default or event of default under any Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than as previously disclosed in writing to the Lenders, which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) as soon as possible after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower knows thereof, the occurrence of (i) any default or event of default under the Senior ABL Agreement, (iiany default or event of default under the Senior Notes Indenture[reserved] or (iii) any payment default under any Additional Obligations Documents or under any agreement or document governing other Indebtedness, in each case under this clause (c) relating to Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than $50,000,000the greater of $100,000,000 and 6.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(d) as soon as possible after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower knows thereof, any litigation, investigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(e) the following events, as soon as possible and in any event within 30 days after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower knows thereof: (i) the occurrence or expected occurrence of any Reportable Event (or similar event) with respect to any Single Employer Plan (or Foreign Plan), a failure to make any required contribution to a Single Employer Plan, Multiemployer Plan or Foreign Plan, the creation of any Lien on the property of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in favor of the PBGC, a Plan or a Foreign Plan or any withdrawal from, or the full or partial termination or Insolvency of, any Multiemployer Plan or Foreign Plan; or (ii) the institution of proceedings or the taking of any other formal action by the PBGC or the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Commonly Controlled Entity or any Multiemployer Plan which would reasonably be expected to result in the withdrawal from, or the termination or Insolvency of, any Single Employer Plan, Multiemployer Plan or Foreign Plan; provided, however, that no such notice will be required under clause (i) or (ii) above unless the event giving rise to such notice, when aggregated with all other such events under clause (i) or (ii) above, would be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

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(f) as soon as possible after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower knows thereof, (i) any release or discharge by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any Materials of Environmental Concern required to be reported under applicable Environmental Laws to any Governmental Authority, unless the Borrower reasonably determines that the total Environmental Costs arising out of such release or discharge would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) any condition, circumstance, occurrence or event not previously disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent that would reasonably be expected to result in liability or expense under applicable Environmental Laws, unless the Borrower reasonably determines that the total Environmental Costs arising out of such condition, circumstance, occurrence or event would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or would not reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of any lien or other material restriction on the title, ownership or transferability of any facilities and properties owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) any proposed action to be taken by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to subject the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any material additional or different requirements or liabilities under Environmental Laws, unless the Borrower reasonably determines that the total Environmental Costs arising out of such proposed action would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

(g) as soon as possible after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower knows thereof, any loss, damage, or destruction to a significant portion of the Collateral, whether or not covered by insurance.

Each notice pursuant to this Subsection 7.7 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (and, if applicable, the relevant Restricted Subsidiary) setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower (or, if applicable, the relevant Restricted Subsidiary) proposes to take with respect thereto.

7.8 Environmental Laws. (a) (i) Comply substantially with, and require substantial compliance by all tenants, subtenants, contractors, and invitees with, all applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) obtain, comply substantially with and maintain any and all Environmental Permits necessary for its operations as conducted and as planned; and (iii) require that all tenants, subtenants, contractors, and invitees obtain, comply substantially with and maintain any and all Environmental Permits necessary for their operations as conducted and as planned, with respect to any property leased or subleased from, or operated by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Subsection 7.8(a), noncompliance shall not constitute a breach of this covenant, provided that, upon learning of any actual or suspected noncompliance, the Borrower and any such affected Restricted Subsidiary shall promptly undertake and diligently pursue reasonable efforts, if any, to achieve compliance, and provided, further, that in any case such noncompliance would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b) Promptly comply, in all material respects, with all orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental Laws, other than such orders or directives (i) as to which the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) as to which: (x) appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP; (y) an appeal or other appropriate contest is or has been timely and properly taken and is being diligently pursued in good faith; and (z) if the effectiveness of such order or directive has not been stayed, the failure to comply with such order or directive during the pendency of such appeal or contest would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

7.9 After-Acquired Subsidiaries. (a) [Reserved].

(b) With respect to any Domestic Subsidiary that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) (i) created or acquired subsequent to the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries that are Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (other than an Excluded Subsidiary), (ii) being designated as a Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) ceasing to be an Immaterial Subsidiary or other Excluded Subsidiary as provided in the applicable definition thereof after the expiry of any applicable period referred to in such definition or (iv) that becomes a Domestic Subsidiary as a result of a Permitted Investment or a transaction pursuant to, and permitted by, Subsection 8.2 or 8.7 (other than an Excluded Subsidiary), promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and, if the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders so request, promptly (i) cause the Loan Party that is required to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a perfected first priority security interest (as and to the extent provided in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) in the Capital Stock of such new Domestic Subsidiary owned directly by the Borrower or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries that are Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) to execute and deliver a Supplemental Agreement (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) pursuant to SectionSubsection 9.15 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, (ii) deliver to the Collateral Agent, the applicable Collateral Representative or any Additional Agent, in accordance with the applicable ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Other Intercreditor Agreement, the certificates (if any) representing such Capital Stock, together with undated stock powers, executed and delivered in blank by a duly authorized officer of the parent of such new Domestic Subsidiary, and (iii) cause such new Domestic Subsidiary (A) to become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and (B) to take all actions reasonably deemed by the Collateral Agent to be necessary or advisable to cause the Lien created by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement in such new Domestic Subsidiary’s Collateral to be duly perfected in accordance with all applicable Requirements of Law (as and to the extent provided in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), including the filing of financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent. In addition, the Borrower may cause any Subsidiary that is not required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor to become a Subsidiary Guarantor by executing and delivering a Subsidiary Guaranty. (which Subsidiary Guaranty shall be accompanied by all documentation and other information about such Subsidiary as shall be mutually agreed to be required by applicable regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and the CDD Rule); provided that in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, such Foreign Subsidiary shall guarantee the Borrower Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) and grant a perfected lien with the priority contemplated herein on substantially all of its assets pursuant to arrangements (including security documents governed by foreign law) reasonably agreed between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (which

 

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arrangements (w) shall be subject to customary limitations in such jurisdiction as may be reasonably agreed between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, (x) shall only operate to create guarantees or security rather than to impose new commercial obligations or restrictions, and accordingly shall not operate to prevent any transaction otherwise permitted under this Agreement or the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, require additional consents or authorizations, or contain any additional representations or undertakings, in each case unless the same are required for the creation of the guarantee or the creation or perfection of the security (as and to the extent that such creation or perfection is required pursuant to the terms this Agreement or the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) and are no more onerous than any equivalent representation or undertaking in this Agreement or the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, (y) shall not permit the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent to enforce any such arrangements or exercise any power of attorney granted thereunder unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (z) to the extent possible under the laws governing such arrangements, shall contain a release clause automatically releasing, reassigning and cancelling the guarantee or security constituted thereby, and shall otherwise require the Collateral Agent to release such security in accordance with Subsection 9.16 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), and nothing in the definition of “Excluded Assets” or other limitation in this Agreement shall in any way limit or restrict the pledge of assets and property by any such Foreign Subsidiary that is a Guarantor or the pledge of the Capital Stock of such Foreign Subsidiary by any other Loan Party that holds such Capital Stock; provided, further, that if the Borrower elects to cause any Subsidiary to become a Guarantor pursuant to this Subsection 7.9(b), in addition to, and without limiting the applicability to such Guarantor of other Guarantor release provisions set forth in the Loan Documents, the Borrower may, in its sole discretion, elect to release such Guarantor from its Term Loan Facility Obligations by a written notice to the Administrative Agent, provided that immediately after giving effect to such release, (1) if and to the extent such Guarantor is then a Restricted Subsidiary (it being understood that the designation of such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall otherwise be required to comply with the provisions set forth in the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”), any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary then outstanding can be Incurred (and upon such release shall be deemed to be Incurred) pursuant to Subsection 8.1 as if such Subsidiary were not a Guarantor at such time, and (2) immediately after such release, no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) shall have occurred and be continuing.

(c) With respect to any Foreign Subsidiary created or acquired subsequent to the Closing Date by the Borrower or, any of its Domestic Subsidiaries that are Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (in each case, other than any Excluded Subsidiary) or any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Guarantor, the Capital Stock of which is owned directly by the Borrower or, a Domestic Subsidiary that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) or any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Guarantor, promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and if the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders so request, promptly (i) cause the Loan Party that is required to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a perfected first priority security interest (as and to the extent provided in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or any other applicable Security Document) in the Capital Stock of such new Subsidiary that is directly owned by the Borrower or, any Domestic Subsidiary that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) or any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Guarantor to execute and deliver a Supplemental Agreement (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) pursuant to SectionSubsection 9.15 of the

 

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Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or, with respect to Capital Stock of a Foreign Subsidiary that is owned directly by any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Guarantor, such supplemental agreement(s) as may be required pursuant to any applicable Security Document, and (ii) to the extent reasonably deemed advisable by the Collateral Agent, deliver to the Collateral Agent, the applicable Collateral Representative or any Additional Agent, in accordance with the applicable ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Other Intercreditor Agreement, the certificates, if any, representing such Capital Stock, together with undated stock powers, executed and delivered in blank by a duly authorized officer of the relevant parent of such new Subsidiary and take such other action as may be reasonably deemed by the Collateral Agent to be necessary or desirable to perfect the Collateral Agent’s security interest therein (in each case as and to the extent required by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement); provided that in either case in no event shall more than 65.0% of each series of Capital Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary be required to be so pledged.

(d) At its own expense, execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause the execution, acknowledgement and delivery of, and thereafter register, file or record in an appropriate governmental office, any document or instrument reasonably deemed by the Collateral Agent to be necessary or desirable for the creation, perfection and priority and the continuation of the validity, perfection and priority of the foregoing Liens or any other Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents (to the extent the Collateral Agent determines, in its reasonable discretion, that such action is required to ensure the perfection or the enforceability as against third parties of its security interest in such Collateral) in each case in accordance with, and to the extent required by, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (A) the foregoing requirements shall be subject to the terms of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement and, in the event of any conflict with such terms, the terms of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, shall control, (B) no security interest or lien is or will be granted pursuant to any Loan Document or otherwise in any right, title or interest of any of the Holding Companies, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in, and “Collateral” shall not include, any Excluded Asset, (Cexcept in the case of any assets of, or Capital Stock in, any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Guarantor, no Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof shall be required to take any action in any non-U.S. jurisdiction or required by the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction in order to create any security interests in assets located or titled outside of the U.S. or to perfect any security interests (it being understood that there shall be no security agreements or pledge agreements governed under the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction), (D) to the extent not automatically perfected by filings under the Uniform Commercial Code of each applicable jurisdiction, no Loan Party shall be required to take any actions in order to perfect any security interests granted with respect to any assets specifically requiring perfection through control (including cash, cash equivalents, deposit accounts, securities accounts, but excluding Capital Stock required to be delivered pursuant to Subsections 7.9(b) and (c) above), and (E) nothing in this Subsection 7.9 shall require that any Holding Company, the Borrower or any Subsidiary grant a Lien with respect to any property or assets in which such SubsidiaryPerson acquires ownership rights to the extent that the Borrower and the Administrative Agent reasonably determine in writing that the costs or other consequences to any Holding Company Management Holdings, Waterworks Holdings LP, Waterworks Holdings LLC, Pubco, New Blocker, Topco or one of its Subsidiaries (or, at the election of the Borrower in connection with an initial public offering or other restructuring of the Borrower, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) of the granting of such a Lien is excessive in view of the benefits that would be obtained by the Secured Parties.

 

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(f) Notwithstanding any provision of this Subsection 7.9 or Subsection 7.13 to the contrary, prior to the Discharge of ABL Collateral Obligations, (i) the requirements of this Subsection 7.9 and of Subsection 7.13 to deliver any ABL Priority Collateral to the Agent shall be deemed satisfied by the delivery of such ABL Priority Collateral to the ABL Agent or the ABL Collateral Representative (as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement or the equivalent term in any Other Intercreditor Agreement), (ii) the Borrower shall, and shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, comply with the requirements of this Subsection 7.9 and Subsection 7.13 with respect to the Obligations hereunder as they relate to any ABL Priority Collateral only to the same extent that the Borrower and such Restricted Subsidiaries are required to comply with provisions analogous to this Subsection 7.9 or Subsection 7.13 under the ABL Credit Agreement or the documentation governing any other ABL Collateral Obligation and (iii) the ABL Agent or the ABL Collateral Representative (as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement or the equivalent term in any Other Intercreditor Agreement) shall have sole discretion (in consultation with the Borrower, if applicable) with respect to any determination concerning ABL Priority Collateral as to which the Agent would have authority to exercise under this Subsection 7.9 or Subsection 7.13.

7.10 Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of Loans only for the purposes set forth in Subsection 5.16.

7.11 Commercially Reasonable Efforts to Maintain Ratings. At all times, the Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain ratings (but not any particular rating) of the Initial Term Loans and a corporate rating (but not any particular rating) and corporate family rating (but not any particular rating), as applicable, for the Borrower by each of S&P and Moody’s.

7.12 Accounting Changes. The Borrower will, for financial reporting purposes, cause the Borrower’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ fiscal years to end on the Sunday closest to January 31st of each calendar year; provided that the Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, change the financial reporting convention specified above to (x) a calendar year-end convention or (y) any other financial reporting convention reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in which case the Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that are necessary in order to reflect such change in financial reporting.

7.13 Post-Closing Security Perfection. The Borrower agrees to deliver or cause to be delivered such documents and instruments, and take or cause to be taken such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to provide the perfected security interests described in the provisos to Subsection 6.1(a), Subsection 6.1(g) and Subsection 6.1(h) that are not so provided on the Closing Date, and in any event to provide such perfected security interests and to satisfy

 

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such other conditions within the applicable time periods set forth on Schedule 7.13, as such time periods may be extended by the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Subsection 7.13, Subsection 7.9, of Schedule 7.13 or of any Security Document and the Borrower shall not be obligated to take, or cause to be taken, any action that is dependent on an action that the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, has failed to take, for so long as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent has failed to take such action.

SECTION 8

Negative Covenants

The Borrower hereby agrees that, from and after the Closing Date, until payment in full of the Loans and all other Term Loan Facility Obligations then due and owing to any Lender or any Agent hereunder:

8.1 Limitation on Indebtedness. (a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur any Indebtedness; provided, however, that the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may Incur Indebtedness if on the date of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, after giving effect to the Incurrence thereof (or, at the Borrower’s option, on the date of the initial borrowing of such Indebtedness or entry into the definitive agreement providing the commitment to fund such Indebtedness after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence of the entire committed amount thereof, in which case such committed amount may thereafter be borrowed and reborrowed in whole or in part, from time to time, without further compliance with this proviso), the Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be equal to or greater than 2.00:1.00; provided, further, that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness that may be Incurred pursuant to this Subsection 8.1(a), by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors or Escrow Subsidiaries, together with the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness Incurred by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors or Escrow Subsidiaries pursuant to Subsection 8.1(b)(xvii), shall not exceed the greater of $200,000,000437,500,000 and 26.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets at any time outstanding.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing Subsection 8.1(a), the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur the following Indebtedness:

(i) (I) Indebtedness Incurred by the Borrower, a Guarantor or an Escrow Subsidiary (a) pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) pursuant to the Senior ABL Facility, (c) constituting Additional Obligations (and Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), (d) constituting Rollover Indebtedness (and Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), (e) in respect of Permitted Debt Exchange Notes Incurred pursuant to a Permitted Debt Exchange in accordance with Subsection 2.9 (and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) and (f) pursuant to any Letter of Credit Facility (and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), in a maximum principal amount for all such Indebtedness at any time outstanding not exceeding in the aggregate an amount equal to the sum of (A) $1,075,000,0001,500,000,000 , plus (B) the greater of (x) $500,000,0001,350,000,000 and (y) an amount equal to (but not less than zero) to (1) the Borrowing Base, less (2) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness Incurred by

 

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Special Purpose Entities that are Domestic Subsidiaries and then outstanding pursuant to Subsection 8.1(b)(ix), less (3) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness Incurred by any Foreign Subsidiaries and then outstanding pursuant to Subsection 8.1(b)(xv)(ii), plus (C) without duplication of incremental amounts included in the definition of “Refinancing Indebtedness”, in the event of any refinancing of any such Indebtedness (including with Specified Refinancing Indebtedness), the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) Incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing, and (II) Indebtedness Incurred by the Borrower, a Guarantor or an Escrow Subsidiary (a) pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) pursuant to the Senior ABL Facility, (c) constituting Additional Obligations, (d) constituting Rollover Indebtedness, (e) in respect of Permitted Debt Exchange Notes Incurred pursuant to a Permitted Debt Exchange in accordance with Subsection 2.9 and (f) pursuant to any Letter of Credit Facility, in an aggregate principal amount for all such Indebtedness outstanding after giving effect to such Incurrence not in excess of the Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount (for purposes of determining the amount outstanding pursuant to clause (i) of the definition of “Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount”, treating (x) any then unused portion of Incremental Revolving Commitments made available in reliance on such clause as outstanding Indebtedness and (y) Refinancing Indebtedness and Permitted Debt Exchange Notes Incurred pursuant to this Subsection 8.1(b)(i)(II) in respect of Indebtedness Incurred in reliance on clause (i) of the definition of “Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount” (and Refinancing Indebtedness and Permitted Debt Exchange Notes Incurred pursuant to this Subsection 8.1(b)(i)(II) in respect of such Refinancing Indebtedness and/or Permitted Debt Exchange Notes) as outstanding pursuant to such clause), together with Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the Indebtedness described in subclauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and, (e) and (f) of this clause (II), plus, without duplication of incremental amounts included in the definition of “Refinancing Indebtedness”, in the event of any refinancing of such Indebtedness (including with Specified Refinancing Indebtedness), the aggregate amount of all fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) Incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing;

(ii) Indebtedness (A) of any Restricted Subsidiary to the Borrower, or (B) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that in the case of this Subsection 8.1(b)(ii), any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary to which such Indebtedness is owed, or other event, that results in such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of such Indebtedness (except to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary) will be deemed, in each case, an Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the issuer thereof not permitted by this Subsection 8.1(b)(ii);

(iii) Indebtedness represented by (Athe Senior Notes[reserved], (B) any Indebtedness (other than the Indebtedness pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents described in Subsection 8.1(b)(i)) outstanding (or Incurred pursuant to any commitment outstanding) on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 8.1 and (C) any Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect of any Indebtedness (or unutilized commitments) described in this Subsection 8.1(b)(iii) or, Subsection 8.1(a) or Subsection 8.1(b)(xvii);

 

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(iv) Purchase Money Obligations, Financing Lease Obligations, and in each case any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto; provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Purchase Money Obligations Incurred to finance the acquisition of Capital Stock of any Person, at any time outstanding pursuant to this clause shall not exceed an amount equal to the greater of $75,000,000 and 10.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;in respect thereof;

(v) Indebtedness (A) supported by a letter of credit issued in compliance with this Subsection 8.1 in a principal amount not exceeding the face amount of such letter of credit or (B) consisting of accommodation guarantees for the benefit of trade creditors of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(vi) (A) Guarantees by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or any other obligation or liability of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Indebtedness Incurred by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in violation of this Subsection 8.1), or (B) without limiting Subsection 8.6, Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary arising by reason of any Lien granted by or applicable to such Person securing Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Indebtedness Incurred by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in violation of this Subsection 8.1);

(vii) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (A) arising from the honoring of a check, draft or similar instrument of such Person drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, or (B) consisting of guarantees, indemnities, obligations in respect of earn-outs or other purchase price adjustments, or similar obligations, Incurred in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Person;

(viii) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of (A) letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments or obligations issued, or relating to liabilities or obligations incurred, in the ordinary course of business (including those issued to governmental entities in connection with self-insurance under applicable workers’ compensation statutes), (B) completion guarantees, surety, judgment, appeal or performance bonds, or other similar bonds, instruments or obligations, provided, or relating to liabilities or obligations incurred, in the ordinary course of business, (C) Hedging Obligations, entered into for bona fide hedging purposes, (D) Management Guarantees or Management Indebtedness, (E) the financing of insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business, (F) take-or-pay obligations under supply arrangements incurred in the ordinary course of business, (G) netting, overdraft protection and other arrangements arising under standard business terms of any bank at which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary maintains an overdraft, cash pooling or other similar facility or arrangement, (H) Junior Capital in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of $100,000,000223,000,000 and 13.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets or (I) Bank Products Obligations;

 

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(ix) Indebtedness (A) of a Special Purpose Subsidiary secured by a Lien on all or part of the assets disposed of in, or otherwise Incurred in connection with, a Financing Disposition or (B) otherwise Incurred in connection with a Special Purpose Financing; provided that (1) such Indebtedness is not recourse to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Special Purpose Subsidiary (other than with respect to Special Purpose Financing Undertakings); (2) in the event such Indebtedness shall become recourse to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Special Purpose Subsidiary (other than with respect to Special Purpose Financing Undertakings), such Indebtedness will be deemed to be, and must be classified by the Borrower as, Incurred at such time (or at the time initially Incurred) under one or more of the other provisions of this Subsection 8.1 for so long as such Indebtedness shall be so recourse; and (3) in the event that at any time thereafter such Indebtedness shall comply with the provisions of the preceding subclause (1), the Borrower may classify such Indebtedness in whole or in part as Incurred under this Subsection 8.1(b)(ix);

(x) Indebtedness of (A) the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred to finance or refinance, or otherwise Incurred in connection with, any acquisition of assets (including Capital Stock), business or Person, or any merger or consolidation of any Person with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary; or (B) any Person that is acquired by or merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (including Indebtedness thereof Incurred in connection with any such acquisition, merger or consolidation),; provided that on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation, after giving effect thereto, either (1) the Borrower would have a Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio equal to or less than 6.85:1.00could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Subsection 8.1(b)(xvii), (2) the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of the Borrower would equal or be less than the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of the Borrower immediately prior to giving effect thereto, (3) the Borrower could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Subsection 8.1(a) or (4) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Borrower would equal or be greater than the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Borrower immediately prior to giving effect thereto; provided, further, that if, at the Borrower’s option, on the date of the initial borrowing of such Indebtedness or entry into the definitive agreement providing the commitment to fund such Indebtedness, pro forma effect is given to the Incurrence of the entire committed amount of such Indebtedness, such committed amount may thereafter be borrowed and reborrowed, in whole or in part, from time to time, without further compliance with this clause (x); and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to any such Indebtedness;

(xi) Contribution Indebtedness and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto;

(xii) Indebtedness issuable upon the conversion or exchange of shares of Disqualified Stock issued in accordance with Subsection 8.1(a), and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto;

 

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(xiii) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not exceeding an amount equal to the greater of $190,000,000412,500,000 and 25.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(xiv) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred as consideration in connection with or otherwise to finance any acquisition of assets (including Capital Stock), business or Person, or any merger or consolidation of any Person with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not exceeding an amount equal to the greater of $50,000,000115,500,000 and 7.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(xv) Indebtedness of any Foreign Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not exceeding an amount equal to the sum of (i) the greater of $125,000,000272,500,000 and 16.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets and (ii) an amount equal to (but not less than zero) to (A) the Foreign Borrowing Base less (B) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness Incurred by Special Purpose Subsidiaries that are Foreign Subsidiaries and then outstanding pursuant to clauseSubsection 8.1(b)(ix) of this paragraph (b), less (C) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness Incurred and then outstanding pursuant to Subsection 8.1(b)(i)(I)(B)(y)(1) in excess of the Domestic Borrowing Base, plus (D) in the event of any refinancing of any Indebtedness Incurred under this clause (xv), the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) Incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing; and

(xvi) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount not greater than twice the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments which could be made at the time of such Incurrence pursuant to Subsection 8.2(a)(3), 8.2(b)(iii), 8.2(b)(v) or, 8.2(b)(vi) or 8.2(b)(xv); and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto; provided that the Incurrence of Indebtedness in reliance on amounts available for making Restricted Payments pursuant to any of the foregoing clauses of Subsection 8.2 shall reduce the amount available under any such applicable clause by an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.; and

(xvii) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in an unlimited amount if, after giving effect to the Incurrence of such amount (or, at the Borrower’s option, on the date of the initial borrowing of such Indebtedness or entry into the definitive agreement providing the commitment to fund such Indebtedness after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence of the entire committed amount thereof, in which case such committed amount may thereafter be borrowed and reborrowed in whole or in part, from time to time, without further compliance with this clause (xvii)), the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 5.00:1.00; provided, that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness that may be Incurred pursuant to this Subsection 8.1(b)(xvii) by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors or Escrow Subsidiaries, together with the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness Incurred by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors or Escrow Subsidiaries pursuant to Subsection 8.1(a), shall not exceed the greater of $437,500,000 and 26.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets at any time outstanding.

 

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(c) For purposes of determining compliance with, and the outstanding principal amount of any particular Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to and in compliance with, this Subsection 8.1, (i) any other obligation of the obligor on such Indebtedness (or of any other Person who could have Incurred such Indebtedness under this Subsection 8.1) arising under any Guarantee, Lien or letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or other similar instrument or obligation supporting such Indebtedness shall be disregarded to the extent that such Guarantee, Lien or letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or other similar instrument or obligation secures the principal amount of such Indebtedness; (ii) in the event that Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Subsection 8.1(b) meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Subsection 8.1(b), the Borrower, in its sole discretion, shall classify such item of Indebtedness and may include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one or more of the clauses or subclauses of Subsection 8.1(b) (including in part under one such clause or subclause and in part under another such clause or subclause); provided that (if the Borrower shall so determine) any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to (xSubsection 8.1(b)(ivviii)(H ), (b)(xiii), (b)(xiv) or, (b)(xv) or (b)(xvi) shall cease to be deemed Incurred or outstanding for purposes of such clause or subclause but shall be deemed Incurred for the purposes of Subsection 8.1(a) or (b)(xvii), as applicable, from and after the first date on which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary could have Incurred such Indebtedness under Subsection 8.1(a) or (b)(xvii), as applicable, without reliance on such clause or subclause and (y) the Cash Capped Incremental Facility shall cease to be deemed Incurred or outstanding for purposes of such definition but shall be deemed Incurred for the purposes of the Ratio Incremental Facility from and after the first date on which the Borrower could have Incurred such Indebtedness under the Ratio Incremental Facility without reliance on such provision; (iii) in the event that Indebtedness could be Incurred in part under Subsection 8.1(a), the Borrower, in its sole discretion, may classify a portion of such Indebtedness as having been Incurred under Subsection 8.1(a) and the remainder of such Indebtedness as having been Incurred under Subsection 8.1(b); (iv) the amount of Indebtedness issued at a price that is less than the principal amount thereof shall be equal to the amount of the liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with GAAP; (v) the principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under any clause or subclause of Subsection 8.1, including for purposes of any determination of the “Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount”, shall be determined after giving effect to the application of proceeds of any such Indebtedness to refinance any such other Indebtedness; (vi) if any commitments in respect of revolving or deferred draw Indebtedness are established in reliance on any provision of Subsection 8.1(b) measured by reference to Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets, as applicable (or a percentage thereof), at the Borrower’s option in the case of a Limited Condition Transaction, on the date of the initial borrowing of such Indebtedness or entry into the definitive agreement providing for the commitment to fund such Indebtedness, after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence of the entire committed amount of such Indebtedness, such amount may thereafter be borrowed and reborrowed, in whole or in part, from time to time, irrespective of whether or not such Incurrence would cause such Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets (or a percentage thereof) to be exceeded; (vii) if any Indebtedness is Incurred to refinance Indebtedness (or unutilized commitments in respect of Indebtedness) initially Incurred (or established) (or, to refinance Indebtedness Incurred (or commitments established)) to refinance Indebtedness initially Incurred

 

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(or commitments initially established) in reliance on any provision of Subsection 8.1(b) measured by reference to Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets (or a percentage thereof) at the time of Incurrence, as applicable, (or establishment) and such refinancing would cause such Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets (or a percentage thereof) to be exceeded if calculated based on the Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Tangible Assets, (or a percentage thereof) on the date of such refinancing, such Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets, as applicable, (or a percentage thereof) shall not be deemed to be exceeded (and such refinancing Indebtedness shall be deemed permitted) so long as the outstanding or committed principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed an amount equal to the outstanding or committed principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced, plus the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) Incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing; and (viii) if any Indebtedness is Incurred to refinance Indebtedness (or unutilized commitments in respect of Indebtedness) initially Incurred (or, established) (or, to refinance Indebtedness Incurred (or commitments established) to refinance Indebtedness initially Incurred (or commitments initially established)) in reliance on any provision of Subsection 8.1(b) measured by a dollar amount, such dollar amount shall not be deemed to be exceeded (and such refinancing Indebtedness shall be deemed permitted) to the extent the outstanding or committed principal amount of such newly Incurredrefinancing Indebtedness does not exceed an amount equal to the outstanding or committed principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced, plus the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) Incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Indebtedness Incurred by the Borrower on the Closing Date under this Agreement or the Senior ABL Agreement, shall be classified as Incurred under Subsection 8.1(b), and not under Subsection 8.1(a).

(d) For purposes of determining compliance with any provision of Subsection 8.1(b) (or any category of Permitted Liens described in the definition thereof) measured by a dollar amount or by reference to Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets, (or a percentage thereof), in each case, for the Incurrence of Indebtedness or Liens securing Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, the dollar equivalent principal amount of such Indebtedness Incurred pursuant thereto shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date that such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term Indebtedness, or first committed, in the case of revolving or deferred draw Indebtedness; provided that (x) the dollar equivalent principal amount of any such Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the Closing Date, (y) if such Indebtedness is Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency (or in a different currency from such Indebtedness so being Incurred), and such refinancing would cause the applicable provision of paragraph (b) above (or category of Permitted Liens) measured by a dollar amount or by reference to Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets (or a percentage thereof), as applicable, to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such provision of Subsection 8.1(b) (or category of Permitted Liens) measured by a dollar amount or by reference to Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets (or a percentage

 

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thereof), as applicable, shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed (i) the outstanding or committed principal amount (whichever is higher) of such Indebtedness being refinanced plus (ii) the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) Incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing and (z) the dollar equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency and Incurred pursuant to this Agreement or any Senior ABL Facility shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on, at the Borrower’s option, (A) the Closing Date, (B) any date on which any of the respective commitments under this Agreement or the applicable Senior ABL Facility shall be reallocated between or among facilities or subfacilities hereunder or thereunder, or on which such rate is otherwise calculated for any purpose thereunder or, (C) the date of such Incurrence or (D) the date on which such Indebtedness is allocated or priced, as applicable. The principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if Incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

8.2 Limitation on Restricted Payments. (a) The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or in respect of its Capital Stock (including any such payment in connection with any merger or consolidation to which the Borrower is a party) except (x) dividends or distributions payable solely in its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) and (y) dividends or distributions payable to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (and, in the case of any such Restricted Subsidiary making such dividend or distribution, to other holders of its Capital Stock on no more than a pro rata basis, measured by value), (ii) purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Capital Stock of the Borrower held by Persons other than the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than any acquisition of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of options if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price thereof), (iii) voluntarily purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise voluntarily acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment, any Junior Debt (other than a purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement), or (iv) make any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in any Person (any such dividend, distribution, purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, other acquisition or retirement or Investment being herein referred to as a “Restricted Payment”), if at the time the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment after giving effect thereto:

(1) [reserved];

(2) [reserved]; or

(1) an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a), (c), (e), (f), (h), (i), (j) or (k), or another Event of Default known to the Borrower shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result therefrom);

 

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(2) the Borrower could not Incur at least an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to Subsection 8.1(a); or

(3) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments (the amount so expended, if other than in cash, to be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors) declared or made subsequent to the Closing Date and then outstanding would exceed, without duplication, the sum of:

(A) 50.0% of the Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period (treated as one accounting period) beginning on the first day of the Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower in which the Closing Date occurs to the end of the most recent Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower ending prior to the date of such Restricted Payment for which consolidated financial statements of the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available (or, in case such Consolidated Net Income shall be a negative number, 100.0% of such negative number);

(B) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds and the fair value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive) of property or assets received (x) by the Borrower as capital contributions to the Borrower after the Closing Date or from the issuance or sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) after the Closing Date (other than Excluded Contributions, Pubco IPO Transaction Proceeds and Contribution Amounts) or (y) by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from the Incurrence by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date of Indebtedness that shall have been converted into or exchanged for Capital Stock of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock) or Capital Stock of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, plus the amount of any cash and the fair value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive) of any property or assets, received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary upon such conversion or exchange;

(C) (i) the aggregate amount of cash and the fair value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive) of any property or assets received from dividends, distributions, interest payments, return of capital, repayments of Investments or other transfers of assets to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from any Unrestricted Subsidiary, including dividends or other distributions related to dividends or other distributions made pursuant to Subsection 8.2(b)(ix), plus (ii) the aggregate amount resulting from the redesignation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary (valued in each case as provided in the definition of “Investment”); and

 

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(D) in the case of any disposition or repayment of any Investment constituting a Restricted Payment (without duplication of any amount deducted in calculating the amount of Investments at any time outstanding included in the amount of Restricted Payments), the aggregate amount of cash and the fair value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive) of any property or assets received by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary with respect to all such dispositions and repayments.

(b) The provisions of Subsection 8.2(a) do not prohibit any of the following (each, a “Permitted Payment”):

(i) (x) any purchase, redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Capital Stock of the Borrower (“Treasury Capital Stock”) or any Junior Debt made by exchange (including any such exchange pursuant to the exercise of a conversion right or privilege in connection with which cash is paid in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares) for, or out of the proceeds of the issuance or sale of, Capital Stock of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary) (“Refunding Capital Stock”) or a capital contribution to the Borrower, in each case other than Excluded Contributions, Pubco IPO Transaction Proceeds and Contribution Amounts; provided that the Net Cash Proceeds from such issuance, sale or capital contribution shall be excluded in subsequent calculations under Subsection 8.2(a)(3)(B); and (y) if immediately prior to such acquisition or retirement of such Treasury Capital Stock, dividends thereon were permitted pursuant to Subsection 8.2(b)(xi), dividends on such Refunding Capital Stock in an aggregate amount per annum not exceeding the aggregate amount per annum of dividends so permitted on such Treasury Capital Stock;

(ii) any dividend paid or redemption made within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof or of the giving of notice thereof, as applicable, if at such date of declaration or the giving of such notice, such dividend or redemption would have complied with this Subsection 8.2;

(iii) Investments or other Restricted Payments (x) in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed the amount of Excluded Contributions or (y) without duplication of clause (x), in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed an amount equal to the lesserproduct of (Ai) the Net Available Cash Proceeds from an Asset Disposition in respect of property or assets acquired after the Closing Date, if and to the extent the acquisition of such property or assets was financed with Excluded Contributions and (B) an amount equal to the, multiplied by (ii) a fraction the numerator of which is the aggregate amount of Excluded Contributions appliedused to finance such acquisitions ofthe acquisition of such property or assets and the denominator of which is the aggregate cash consideration for the acquisition of such property or assets;

 

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(iv) loans, advances, dividends or distributions by the Borrower to any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (whether made directly or indirectly and with “Parent Entity” including, for this purpose, “back to back” transactions involving (x) Management Holdings or (y) any other “management feeder” employed by a Parent Entity for compensatory and/or tax purposes) to permit any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to repurchase or otherwise acquire its Capital Stock or other debt or equity securities (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof), or payments by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries to repurchase or otherwise acquire Capital Stock or other debt or equity securities of any Parent Entity, or IPO Vehicle or the Borrower or any Subsidiary (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof), in each case from or to current or former Management Investors (including any repurchase or acquisition by reason of the Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle retaining any Capital Stock or other debt or equity securities, option, warrant or other right in respect of tax withholding obligations, and any related payment in respect of any such obligation), such payments, loans, advances, dividends or distributions not to exceed an amount (net of repayments of any such loans or advances) equal to (x) (1$30,000,000the greater of $60,000,000 and 4.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, plus (2$30,000,000the greater of $60,000,000 and 4.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets multiplied by the number of calendar years that have commenced since the Closing Date, plus (y) the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower (or by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle and contributed to the Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower other than in the form of Disqualified Stock) on or since the Closing Date from, or as a capital contribution from, the issuance or sale to Management Investors of Capital Stock or other debt or equity securities (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof), to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds are not included in any calculation under Subsection 8.2(a)(3)(B)(x), plus (z) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (or by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle and contributed to the Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower) on or since the Closing Date to the extent such cash proceeds are not included in any calculation under Subsection 8.2(a)(3)(A); provided that any cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary by any current or former Management Investor in connection with any repurchase or other acquisition of Capital Stock or other debt or equity securities (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof) from any Management Investor shall not constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this covenant or any other provision of this Agreement;

(v) Restricted Payments following a Qualified IPO (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Pubco IPO) in an amount not to exceed in any fiscal year of the Borrower the greatersum of (x6.07.0 % of the aggregate gross proceeds received by the Borrower (whether directly, or indirectly through a contribution to common equity capital) in or from such Qualified IPO and (y6.07.0% of Market Capitalization;

(vi) Restricted Payments (including loans or advances) in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed an amount (net of repayments of any such loans or advances) equal to the sum of (x) the greater of $65,000,000140,500,000 and 8.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, plus (y) the aggregate amount of all Declined Amounts, plus (z) the aggregate amount of all Leverage Excess Proceeds;

 

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(vii) loans, advances, dividends, distributions or other payments by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (A) to satisfy or permit any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to satisfy obligations under the Transaction Agreements, (B) pursuant to theany Tax Sharing Agreement or to pay or permit any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to pay (but without duplication) any amount pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreements (excluding any accelerated lump sum amount payable upon an early termination of a tax receivables agreement entered into in connection with an initial public offeringTax Receivables Agreement to the extent such amount exceeds the amount that would have been payable under such tax receivables agreement in the absence of such acceleration) or (C) to pay or permit any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to pay (but without duplication) any Parent Expenses or any Related Taxes;

(viii) payments by the Borrower, or loans, advances, dividends or distributions by the Borrower to any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to make payments, to holders of Capital Stock of the Borrower or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in lieu of issuance of fractional shares of such Capital Stock;

(ix) dividends or other distributions of, or Investments paid for or made with, Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other securities of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(x) any Restricted Payment pursuant to or in connection with the Transactions or the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions;

(xi) (A) dividends on any Designated Preferred Stock of the Borrower issued after the date hereofClosing Date; provided that at the time of such issuance and after giving effect thereto on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be equal to or greater than 2.00:1.00, (B) loans, advances, dividends or distributions to any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to permit dividends on any Designated Preferred Stock of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle issued after the date hereofClosing Date if the net proceeds of the issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock have been contributed to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the aggregate amount of all loans, advances, dividends or distributions paid pursuant to this subclause (B) shall not exceed the net proceeds of such issuance of Designated Preferred Stock received by or contributed to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or (C) any dividend on Refunding Capital Stock of the Borrower that is Preferred Stock; provided that at the time of the declaration of such dividend and after giving effect thereto on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be equal to or greater than 2.00:1.00;

(xii) distributions or payments of Special Purpose Financing Fees;

(xiii) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock, or of any Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, Incurred in accordance with the terms of Subsection 8.1;

 

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(xiv) any purchase, redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or, retirement or repayment of any Junior Debt (u) made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the Incurrence of, (1) Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in compliance with Subsection 8.1 or (2) new Indebtedness of the Borrower, or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, Incurred in compliance with Subsection 8.1, so long as such new Indebtedness satisfies all requirements for “Refinancing Indebtedness” set forth in the definition thereof applicable to a refinancing of such Junior Debt, (v) from Net Available Cash or an equivalent amount to the extent permitted by Subsection 8.4, (w) from declined amounts as contemplated by Subsection 4.4(h), (x) following the occurrence of a Change of Control (or other similar event described therein as a “change of control”), but only if the Borrower shall have complied with Subsection 8.8(a) prior to purchasing, redeeming, repurchasing, defeasing, acquiring or, retiring or repaying such Junior Debt, (y) constituting Acquired Indebtedness or (z) in an aggregate amount at any time not exceeding an amount equal to the greater of $50,000,000115,500,000 and 7.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(xv) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not exceeding an amount equal to the greater of $87,500,000190,000,000 and 11.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(xvi) (x) any Restricted Payments of the type described in clausesclause (i) or (ii) of the definition thereof contained in Subsection 8.2(a); provided that on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Restricted Payment the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio would be equal to or less than 5.753.00 :1.00 and, (y) any Restricted Payments of the type described in clausesclause (iii) or of the definition thereof contained in Subsection 8.2(a); provided that on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Restricted Payment the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio would be equal to or less than 3.50:1.00 and (z) any Restricted Payments of the type described in clause (iv) of the definition thereof contained in Subsection 8.2(a); provided that on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Restricted Payment the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio would be equal to or less than 6.003.75 :1.00; and

(xvii) Restricted Payments in cash to pay or permit any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to pay any amounts payable in respect of guarantees, indemnities, obligations in respect of earn-outs or other purchase price adjustments, or similar obligations, incurred in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Person, as long as such business, assets or Person have been acquired by or disposed of by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, or such business, assets or Person (or in the case of a disposition, the Net Available Cash Proceedsin respect thereof) have been contributed to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(xviii) payments or distributions to satisfy dissenters’ or appraisal rights and the settlement of any claims or actions (whether actual, contingent or potential) with respect thereto, pursuant to or in connection with any acquisition of assets (including Capital Stock), business or Person, or any merger or consolidation of any Person with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any other Investment; and

 

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(xix) Restricted Payments to any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle the proceeds of which are applied by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in connection with any acquisition of assets (including Capital Stock), business or Person, or any merger or consolidation of any Person with or into such Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or any Subsidiary thereof, or any other Investment; provided that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such acquisition, merger or consolidation or other Investment and (B) any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle shall, substantially concurrently with the closing thereof, cause (1) such business, assets or Person acquired and any liabilities assumed to be contributed to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary or (2) the merger into the Borrower or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party in accordance with Subsection 8.7;

provided that (A) in the case of Subsections 8.2(b)(ii), (v) and (viii), the net amount of any such Permitted Payment shall be included in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments, and (B) in all cases other than pursuant to clause (A) immediately above, the net amount of any such Permitted Payment shall be excluded in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments and (C) solely with respect to Subsections 8.2(b)(vi) and (xvi), no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a), (c), (e), (f), (h), (i), (j) or (k) or other Event of Default known to the Borrower shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of any such Permitted Payment after giving effect thereto. The amount of any Investment or other Restricted Payment, if other than in cash, shall be determined in good faith by the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive. The Borrower, in its sole discretion, may classify any Investment or other Restricted Payment as being made in part under one of the clauses or subclausesprovisions of this Subsection 8.2(b) (or, in the case of any Investment, the clauses or subclauses of Permitted Investments) and in part under one or more other such clauses or subclausesprovisions (or, as applicable, such clauses or subclauses).

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this Agreement shall not restrict any redemption or other payment by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary made as a mandatory principal redemption or other payment in respect of Junior Debt pursuant to an “AHYDO saver” provision of any agreement or instrument in respect of Junior Debt, and the Borrower’s determination in good faith (which determination shall be conclusive) of the amount of any such “AHYDO saver” mandatory principal redemption or other payment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes under this Agreement.

8.3 Limitation on Restrictive Agreements. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on (i) the ability of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than any Foreign Subsidiaries or any Excluded Subsidiaries) to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien in favor of the Lenders in respect of obligations and liabilities under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents upon any of its property, assets or revenues constituting Term Loan Priority Collateral as and to the extent contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or (ii) the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (x) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock or pay any Indebtedness or other obligations owed to the Borrower, (y) make any loans or advances to the Borrower or (z) transfer any of its property or assets to the Borrower (provided that dividend or liquidation priority between classes of Capital Stock, or subordination of any obligation (including the application of any remedy bars thereto) to any other obligation, will not be deemed to constitute such an encumbrance or restriction), except any encumbrance or restriction:

 

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(a) pursuant to an agreement or instrument in effect at or entered into on the Closing Date, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the ABL Facility Documents, the Senior Notes Documents, the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement and, on and after the execution and delivery thereof, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, any Other Intercreditor Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement Supplement, any Permitted Debt Exchange Notes (and any related documents) and any Additional Obligations Documents;

(b) pursuant to any agreement or instrument of a Person, or relating to Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person, which Person is acquired by or merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or which agreement or instrument is assumed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an acquisition of assets from such Person or any other transaction entered into in connection with any such acquisition, merger or consolidation, as in effect at the time of such acquisition, merger, consolidation or transaction (except to the extent that such Indebtedness was incurredIncurred to finance, or otherwise Incurred in connection with, such acquisition, merger, consolidation or transaction); provided that for purposes of this Subsection 8.3(b), if a Person other than the Borrower is the Successor Borrower with respect thereto, any Subsidiary thereof or agreement or instrument of such Person or any such Subsidiary shall be deemed acquired or assumed, as the case may be, by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, when such Person becomes such Successor Borrower;

(c) pursuant to an agreement or instrument (a “Refinancing Agreement”) effecting a refinancing of Indebtedness Incurred or outstanding pursuant or relating to, or that otherwise extends, renews, refunds, refinances or replaces, any agreement or instrument referred to in Subsection 8.3(a) or (b) or this Subsection 8.3(c) (an “Initial Agreement”) or that is, or is contained in, any amendment, supplement or other modification to an Initial Agreement or Refinancing Agreement (an “Amendment”); provided, however, that the encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such Refinancing Agreement or Amendment taken as a whole are not materially less favorable to the Lenders than encumbrances and restrictions contained in the Initial Agreement or Initial Agreements to which such Refinancing Agreement or Amendment relates (as determined in good faith by the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive);

(d) (i) pursuant to any agreement or instrument that restricts in a customary manner (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) the assignment or transfer thereof, or the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset subject thereto, (ii) by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer, option or right with respect to, or Lien on, any property or assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement, (iii) contained in mortgages, pledges or other security agreements securing Indebtedness or other obligations of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent restricting the transfer of the property or assets subject thereto, (iv) pursuant to customary provisions (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) restricting dispositions of real property interests set forth in any reciprocal easement agreements of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (v) pursuant to Purchase

 

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Money Obligations that impose encumbrances or restrictions on the property or assets so acquired, (vi) on cash or other deposits or net worth or inventory imposed by customers or suppliers under agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, (vii) pursuant to customary provisions (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) contained in agreements and instruments entered into in the ordinary course of business (including but not limited to leases and licenses) or in joint venture and other similar agreements or in shareholder, partnership, limited liability company and other similar agreements in respect of non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiaries, (viii) that arises or is agreed to in the ordinary course of business and does not detract from the value of property or assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner material to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary or, (ix) pursuant to Hedging Obligations or Bank Products Obligations; or (x) that arises under the terms of documentation governing any factoring agreement or any similar arrangements that in the good faith determination of the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive, are necessary or appropriate to effect such factoring agreement or similar arrangements;

(e) with respect to any agreement for the direct or indirect disposition of Capital Stock, property or assets of any Person, imposing restrictions with respect to such Person, Capital Stock, property or assets pending the closing of such sale or other disposition;

(f) by reason of any applicable law, rule, regulation or order, or required by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or any of their businesses, including any such law, rule, regulation, order or requirement applicable in connection with such Restricted Subsidiary’s status (or the status of any Subsidiary of such Restricted Subsidiary) as a Captivean Insurance Subsidiary;

(g) pursuant to an agreement or instrument (i) relating to any Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred subsequent to the Closing Date pursuant to Subsection 8.1 (x) if the encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such agreement or instrument taken as a whole are not materially less favorable to the Lenders than the encumbrances and restrictions contained in the Initial Agreements (as determined in good faith by the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive), or (y) if such encumbrance or restriction is not materially more disadvantageous to the Lenders than is customary in comparable financings (as determined in good faith by the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive) and either (1) the Borrower determines in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive, that such encumbrance or restriction will not materially affect the Borrower’s ability to create and maintain the Liens on the Term Loan Priority Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents and make principal or interest payments on the Loans or (2) such encumbrance or restriction applies only if a default occurs under a circumstance described in Subsection 9.1(f) or in respect of a payment or financial covenant relating to such Indebtedness, (ii) relating to any sale of receivables by or Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary or (iii) relating to Indebtedness of or a Financing Disposition by or to or in favor of any Special Purpose Entity;

 

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(h) any agreement relating to intercreditor arrangements and related rights and obligations, to or by which the Lenders and/or the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other agent, trustee or representative on their behalf may be party or bound at any time or from time to time, and any agreement providing that in the event that a Lien is granted for the benefit of the Lenders another Person shall also receive a Lien, which Lien is permitted by Subsection 8.6; or

(i) any agreement governing or relating to Indebtedness and/or other obligations and liabilities secured by a Lien permitted by Subsection 8.6 (in which case any restriction shall only be effective against the assets subject to such Lien, except as may be otherwise permitted under this Subsection 8.3).

8.4 Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock. (a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any Asset Disposition unless:

(i) the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration (including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise) at the time of such Asset Disposition at least equal to the fair market value (as of the date on which a legally binding commitment for such Asset Disposition was entered into) of the shares and assets subject to such Asset Disposition, as such fair market value may be determined (and shall be determined, to the extent such Asset Disposition or any series of related Asset Dispositions involves aggregate consideration in excess of $50,000,000the greater of $100,000,000 and 6.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets) in good faith by the Borrower, whose determination shall be conclusive (including as to the value of all non-cash consideration);

(ii) in the case of any Asset Disposition (or series of related Asset Dispositions) having a fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower, whose determination shall be conclusive), as of the date on which a legally binding commitment for such Asset Disposition was entered into) of $50,000,000 of the greater of $100,000,000 and 6.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets or more, at least 75.0% of the consideration therefor (excluding, in the case of an Asset Disposition (or series of related Asset Dispositions), any consideration by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise, that are not Indebtedness) received by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary for such Asset Disposition, when taken together with any consideration received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with all other Asset Dispositions since the Closing Date (on a cumulative basis) received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, is in the form of cash; and

(iii) either (x) if the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary elects, to the extent such Asset Disposition or Recovery Event is an Asset Disposition or Recovery Event of assets that constitute ABL Priority Collateral, to purchase, redeem, repay or prepay, to the extent the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is required by the terms thereof, Indebtedness under the Senior ABL Facility or (in the case of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments issued thereunder) cash collateralize any such Indebtedness within the time period required by such Indebtedness after the

 

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later of the date of such Asset Disposition or Recovery Event, as the case may be, and the date of receipt of such Net Available Cash or (y) to the extent required by Subsection 8.4(b), the Net Available Cash from such Asset Disposition (such amount, the “Net Available Cash Amount”) is applied by the Borrower (or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) as provided therein.

(b) In the event that on or after the Closing Date the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall make an Asset Disposition or a Recovery Event in respect of Collateral shall occur, subject to Subsection 8.4(a), an amount equal to 100.0% (as such percentage may be adjusted pursuant to clause (3) of the proviso to this Subsection 8.4(b)) of the Net Available Cash from such Asset Disposition or Recovery Event shall be applied by the Borrower (or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) as follows:

(i) first, to the extent the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary elects (by delivery of an officer’s certificate by a Responsible Officer to the Administrative Agent) to invest in Additional Assets (including by means of an investment in Additional Assets by a Restricted Subsidiary with an amount equal to Net Available Cash received by the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary) within (x540720 days after the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or Recovery Event, as the case may be, and the date of receipt of such Net Available Cash (such period the “Reinvestment Period”) or, (y) if such investment in Additional Assets is a project authorized by the Board of Directors that will take longer than such 540720 days to complete and is subject to a binding written commitment or letter of intent entered into during the Reinvestment Period, an additional 180 days after the last day of the Reinvestment Period (it being understood and agreed that if no such investment is made within the Reinvestment Period as extended by this clause (y), the Borrower shall make the prepayments required by Subsection 8.4(b)(ii) onwithin ten Business Days after the earlier to occur of (I) the last day of such Reinvestment Period as extended by this clause (y) and (II) the date the Borrower elects not to pursue such investment);

(ii) second, (1) if no application of Net Available Cash election is made pursuant to the preceding clause (i) with respect to such Asset Disposition or Recovery Event or (2) if such election is made to the extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash or equivalent amount after application in accordance with Subsection 8.4(b)(i), within ten Business Days after the end of the Reinvestment Period specified in clause (i) above (as extended pursuant to clause (y) of such clause (i)) (x) to the extent such Asset Disposition or Recovery Event is an Asset Disposition or Recovery Event of assets that constitute Collateral, to purchase, redeem, repay, prepay, make an offer to prepay or repurchase, or deliver a notice of redemption, in accordance with Subsection 4.4(e)(i) (subject to Subsection 4.4(h)) or the agreements or instruments governing the relevant Indebtedness described in clause (B) below (subject to any provision under such agreement or instrument analogous to Subsection 4.4(h)), as applicable, (A) the Term Loans and (B) to the extent the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is required by the terms thereof any Pari Passu Indebtedness on no more than a pro rata basis with the Term Loans and (y) to the extent such Asset Disposition is an Asset Disposition of assets that do not constitute Collateral, to purchase, redeem, repay, prepay, make an offer to prepay or repurchase, or deliver a notice of redemption, in accordance with Subsection 4.4(e)(i)

 

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(subject to Subsection 4.4(h)) or the agreements or instruments governing any relevant Indebtedness permitted under Subsection 8.1 (subject to any provision under such agreement or instrument analogous to Subsection 4.4(h)), as applicable, (A) the Term Loans and (B) to the extent the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is required by the terms thereof, any other Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness subordinated in right of payment to the Term Loan Facility Obligations) on no more than a pro rata basis with the Term Loans; and

(iii) third, to the extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash Amount or equivalent amount after application in accordance with Subsections 8.4(b)(i) and (ii) above (including an amount equal to the amount of any prepayment otherwise contemplated by clause (ii) above in connection with such Asset Disposition or Recovery Event that is declined by any Lender), to fund (to the extent consistent with any other applicable provision of this Agreement) any general corporate purpose (including but not limited to the repurchase, repayment or other acquisition or retirement of any Junior Debt or the making of other Restricted Payments);

provided, however, that (1) in connection with any prepayment, repayment, purchase or redemption of Indebtedness pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary will retire such Indebtedness and will cause the related loan commitment (if any) to be permanently reduced in an amount equal to the principal amount so prepaid, repaid, purchased or redeemed; (2) the Borrower (or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) may elect to invest in Additional Assets prior to receiving the Net Available Cash attributable to any given Asset Disposition (provided that, such investment shall be made no earlier than the earliest of notice of the relevant Asset Disposition to the Administrative Agent, execution of a definitive agreement for the relevant Asset Disposition, and consummation of the relevant Asset Disposition) and deem the amount so invested to be applied pursuant to and in accordance with Subsection 8.4(b)(i) above with respect to such Asset Disposition; and (3) the percentage first set forth above in this Subsection 8.4(b) shall be reduced to (x) 50.0% if the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio at the time of such Asset Disposition (or, at the Borrower’s option, on the date a legally binding commitment for such Asset Disposition was entered into) or Recovery Event would be less than or equal to 4.23.25:1.00 and (y) 0.0% if the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio at the time of such Asset Disposition (or, at the Borrower’s option, on the date a legally binding commitment for such Asset Disposition was entered into) or Recovery Event would be less than or equal to 3.72.75:1.00, in each case after giving pro forma effect thereto and to any application of Net Available Cash as set forth herein (any Net Available Cash in respect of such Asset Dispositions not required to be applied in accordance with this Subsection 8.4(b) as a result of the application of this proviso shall collectively constitute “Leverage Excess Proceeds”).

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Subsection 8.4, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be required to apply any Net Available Cash or equivalent amount in accordance with this Subsection 8.4 except to the extent that (x) the aggregate Net Available Cash from all Asset Dispositions and Recovery Events in respect of Collateral or equivalent amount that is not applied in accordance with this Subsection 8.4 (excluding all Leverage Excess Proceeds) exceeds $40,000,000the greater of $80,000,000 and 5.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, in which case the Borrower and the Restricted

 

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Subsidiaries shall apply all of such Net Available Cash from such Asset Dispositions and Recovery Events or equivalent amount from such Asset Dispositions in excess of this $40,000,000such threshold in accordance with Subsection 8.4(b) or (y) the terms of any Pari Passu Indebtedness would require Net Available Cash or the equivalent amount from such Asset Dispositions and Recovery Events to be applied to purchase, redeem, repay or prepay such Indebtedness prior to reaching such $40,000,000greater of $80,000,000 and 5.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets threshold.

(d) For the purposes of Subsection 8.4(a)(ii), the following are deemed to be cash: (1) Temporary Cash Investments and Cash Equivalents, (2) the assumption of Indebtedness of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock of the Borrower) or any Restricted Subsidiary and the release of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on payment of the principal amount of such Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Disposition, (3) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Disposition, to the extent that the Borrower and each other Restricted Subsidiary are released from any Guarantee of payment of the principal amount of such Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Disposition, (4) securities received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from the transferee that are converted by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days, (5) consideration consisting of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (6) Additional Assets, and (7) any Designated Noncash Consideration received by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in an Asset Disposition having an aggregate fair market value (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (7), not to exceed an aggregate amount at any time outstanding equal to the greater of $87,500,000190,000,000 and 11.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets (with the fair market value (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) of each item of Designated Noncash Consideration being measured on the date a legally binding commitment for such Asset Disposition (or, if later, for the payment of such item) was entered into and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value).

8.5 Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates. (a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into or conduct any transaction or series of related transactions (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate of the Borrower (an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25,000,000the greater of $50,000,000 and 3.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets unless (i) the terms of such Affiliate Transaction are not materially less favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that could be obtained at the time in a transaction with a Person who is not such an Affiliate and (ii) if such Affiliate Transaction involves aggregate consideration in excess of $50,000,000the greater of $100,000,000 and 6.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, the terms of such Affiliate Transaction have been approved by a majority of the Board of Directors. For purposes of this Subsection 8.5(a), any Affiliate Transaction shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements set forth in this Subsection 8.5(a) if (x) such Affiliate Transaction is approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors or (y) in the event there are no Disinterested Directors, a fairness opinion is provided by a nationally recognized appraisal or investment banking firm with respect to such Affiliate Transaction.

 

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(b) The provisions of Subsection 8.5(a) will not apply to:

(i) any Restricted Payment Transaction,

(ii) (1) the entering into, maintaining or performance of any employment or consulting contract, collective bargaining agreement, benefit plan, program or arrangement, related trust agreement or any other similar arrangement for or with any current or former management member, employee, officer or director or consultant of or to the Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary, or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle heretofore or hereafter entered into in the ordinary course of business, including vacation, health, insurance, deferred compensation, severance, retirement, savings or other similar plans, programs or arrangements, (2) payments, compensation, performance of indemnification or contribution obligations, the making or cancellation of loans in the ordinary course of business to any such management members, employees, officers, directors or consultants, (3) any issuance, grant or award of stock, options, other equity related interests or other securities, to any such management members, employees, officers, directors or consultants, (4) the payment of reasonable fees to directors of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (as determined in good faith by the Borrower, such Subsidiary, or such Parent Entity or such IPO Vehicle, which determination shall be conclusive), or (5) Management Advances and payments in respect thereof (or in reimbursement of any expenses referred to in the definition of such term),

(iii) any transaction between or among any of the Borrower, one or more Restricted Subsidiaries, or one or more Special Purpose Entities,

(iv) any transaction arising out of agreements or instruments in existence on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 8.5 (other than any Transaction Agreements referred to in Subsection 8.5(b)(vii)), or any amendment, supplement, waiver or other modification thereto (so long as such amendment, supplement, waiver or other modification is not disadvantageous in any material respect in the good faith judgment of the Borrower, whose determination shall be conclusive, to the Lenders when taken as a whole as compared to the applicable agreement or instrument as in effect on the Closing Date), and any payments made pursuant thereto,

(v) any transaction in the ordinary course of business on terms that are fair to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors or senior management of the Borrower, or are not materially less favorable to the Borrower or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be obtained at the time in a transaction with a Person who is not an Affiliate of the Borrower,

(vi) any transaction in the ordinary course of business, or approved by a majority of the Board of Directors, between the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Affiliate of the Borrower controlled by the Borrower that is a joint venture or similar entity,

 

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(vii) (1) the execution, delivery and performance of any obligations under any Tax Sharing Agreement or payments by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to pay or permit any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to pay any amount pursuant to the Tax Receivables Agreements (excluding the payment of any accelerated lump sum amount payable upon an early termination of a tax receivables agreement entered into in connection with an initial public offeringTax Receivables Agreement to the extent such amount exceeds the amount that would have been payable under such tax receivables agreement in the absence of such acceleration) and any Transaction Agreement, and (2) payments to CD&R or any of its Affiliates (x) for any management, consulting or advisory services pursuant to the CD&R Consulting Agreement or as may be approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors, (y) in connection with any acquisition, disposition, merger, recapitalization or similar transactions, which payments are made pursuant to the Transaction Agreements or are approved by a majority of the Board of Directors in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive, and (z) of all out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with such services or activities,

(viii) the Transactions and the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions, all transactions in connection therewith (including but not limited to the financing thereof), and all fees and expenses paid or payable in connection with the Transactions and the Tranche B Effective Date Transactions, including the fees and out-of-pocket expenses of CD&R and its Affiliates,

(ix) any issuance or sale of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower or Junior Capital or any capital contribution to the Borrower,

(x) (i) any investment by any CD&R Investor in securities or loans of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and payment of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any CD&R Investor in connection therewith) so long as such investments are being offered by the Borrower or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary generally to investors (other than CD&R Investors) on the same or more favorable terms and (ii) payments to any CD&R Investor in respect of securities or loans of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries contemplated in the foregoing subclause (i) or that were acquired from Persons other than the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, in accordance with the terms of such securities or loans, and

(xi) the pledge of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other securities of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture to lenders to support the Indebtedness or other obligations of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture, respectively, owed to such lenders.

8.6 Limitation on Liens. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any of its property or assets (including Capital Stock of any other Person), whether owned on the Closing Date or thereafter acquired, securing any Indebtedness (the “Initial Lien”) unless, in the case of Initial Liens on any asset or property other than Collateral, the Term Loan Facility Obligations are equally and ratably secured with (or on a senior basis to,

 

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in the case such Initial Lien secures any Junior Debt) the obligations secured by such Initial Lien for so long as such obligations are so secured. Any such Lien created in favor of the Term Loan Facility Obligations pursuant to the preceding sentence requiring an equal and ratable (or senior, as applicable) Lien for the benefit of the Term Loan Facility Obligations will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon (i) the release and discharge of the Initial Lien to which it relates, (ii) in the case of any such Lien in favor of any Subsidiary Guaranty, the termination and discharge of such Subsidiary Guaranty in accordance with the terms thereof, hereof and of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, aany Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any Other Intercreditor Agreement, in each case, to the extent applicable, or (iii) any sale, exchange or transfer (other than a transfer constituting a transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower that is governed by the provisions of Subsection 8.7) to any Person not an Affiliate of the Borrower of the property or assets secured by such Initial Lien, or of all of the Capital Stock held by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in, or all or substantially all the assets of, any Restricted Subsidiary creating such Initial Lien.

8.7 Limitation on Fundamental Changes. (a) The Borrower will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, lease or otherwise transfer all or substantially all its assets to, any Person (including pursuant to a Division), unless:

(i) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Borrower”) will be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any Statestate thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Borrower (if not the Borrower) will expressly assume all the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the Loan Documents to which it is a party by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a joinder or one or more other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Successor Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Event of Default willshall have occurred and be continuing;

(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, either (A) the Borrower (or, if applicable, the Successor Borrower with respect thereto) could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Subsection 8.1(a) or Subsection 8.1(b)(xvii), (B) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Borrower (or, if applicable, the Successor Borrower with respect thereto) would equal or exceed the Consolidated Coverage Ratio of the Borrower immediately prior to giving effect to such transaction; or (C) the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of the Borrower (or, if applicable, the Successor Borrower with respect thereto) would equal or be less than the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of the Borrower immediately prior to giving effect to such transaction;

 

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(iv) each Subsidiary Guarantor (other than (x) any Subsidiary Guarantor that will be released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guaranty in connection with such transaction and (y) any party to any such consolidation or merger) shall have delivered a joinder or other document or instrument in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, confirming its Subsidiary Guaranty (other than any Subsidiary Guaranty that will be discharged or terminated in connection with such transaction);

(v) each Subsidiary Guarantor (other than (x) any Subsidiary that will be released from its grant or pledge of Collateral under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement in connection with such transaction and (y) any party to any such consolidation or merger) shall have by a supplement to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or another document or instrument affirmed that its obligations thereunder shall apply to its Guarantee as reaffirmed pursuant to clause (iv) above;

(vi) [reserved]; and

(vii) the Borrower will have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer and a legal opinion, each to the effect that such consolidation, merger or transfer complies with the provisions described in this Subsection 8.7(a); provided that (x) in giving such opinion such counsel may rely on such certificate of a Responsible Officer as to compliance with the foregoing clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Subsection 8.7(a) and as to any matters of fact, and (y) no such legal opinion will be required for a consolidation, merger or transfer described in Subsection 8.7(d)..

(b) Any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Borrower (or, if applicable, any Successor Borrower with respect thereto) or any Restricted Subsidiary (or that is deemed to be Incurred by any Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) as a result of any such transaction undertaken in compliance with this Subsection 8.7, and any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto, shall be deemed to have been Incurred in compliance with Subsection 8.1.

(c) Upon any transaction involving the Borrower in accordance with Subsection 8.7(a) in which the Borrower is not the Successor Borrower, the Successor Borrower will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Borrower under the Loan Documents, and shall become the “Borrower” for all purposes of Loan Documents, and thereafter the predecessor Borrower shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the Loan Documents, and shall cease to constitute the “Borrower” for all purposes of the Loan Documents, except that the predecessor Borrower in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets will not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Term Loans.

(d) Clauses (ii) and (iii) of Subsection 8.7(a) will not apply to any transaction in which (I) the Borrower consolidates or merges with or into or transfers all or substantially all its properties and assets to (x) an Affiliate incorporated or organized for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing the Borrower in another jurisdiction or changing its legal structure to a corporation, limited liability company or other entity or (y) a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower so long as all assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction (other than Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary) are owned by such Restricted Subsidiary and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately after the consummation thereof or (II) an Escrow Subsidiary merges with and into the Borrower. Subsection 8.7(a) will not apply to (i) any transaction in which any Restricted Subsidiary consolidates with, merges into or transfers all or part of its assets to the Borrower or (ii) the Transactions.

 

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8.8 Change of Control; Limitation on Amendments. The Borrower shall not and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(a) In the event of the occurrence of a Change of Control, repurchase or repay any Indebtedness then outstanding pursuant to any Junior Debt or any portion thereof, unless the Borrower shall have, at its option, (i) made payment in full of the Loans and any other amounts then due and owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder and under any Note or (ii) made an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to pay the Term Loans and any amounts then due and owing to each Lender and the Administrative Agent hereunder and under any Note and shall have made payment in full thereof to each such Lender or the Administrative Agent which has accepted such offer. Upon the Borrower making payment in full of the Loans as provided in clause (i) of this Subsection 8.8(a), or making a Change of Control Offer in accordance with clause (ii) of this Subsection 8.8(a) (whether or not in connection with any repayment or repurchase of Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to Junior Debt), any Event of Default arising under Subsection 9.1(k) by reason of such Change of Control shall be deemed not to have occurred or be continuing.

(b) (1) Amend, supplement, waive or otherwise modify any of the provisions of any Senior Notes Documents in a manner that shortens the maturity date of the Senior Notes to a date prior to the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date or provides for a shorter weighted average life to maturity than the weighted average life to maturity of the Initial Term Loans at such time and (2) ifIf an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) is continuing, amend, supplement, waive or otherwise modify any of the provisions of any indenture, instrument or agreement evidencing Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations in a manner that (i) changes the subordination provisions of such Indebtedness in a manner that is materially adverse to the Lenders or (ii) shortens the maturity date of such Indebtedness to a date that is prior to the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date or provides for a shorter weighted average life to maturity than the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Initial Term Loans; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Subsection 8.8(b) shall not restrict or prohibit any refinancing of Indebtedness (in whole or in part) permitted pursuant to Subsection 8.1.

(c) Amend, supplement, waive or otherwise modify the terms of any Permitted Debt Exchange Notes, any Additional Obligations incurred pursuant to Subsection 8.1(b)(i) or any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the foregoing or any indenture or agreement pursuant to which such Permitted Debt Exchange Notes, Additional Obligations or Refinancing Indebtedness have been issued or incurred in any manner inconsistent with the requirements of the definition of “Refinancing Indebtedness”, assuming for purposes of this Subsection 8.8(c) that such amendment, supplement, waiver or modification, mutatis mutandis, is a refinancing of such Additional Obligations, Permitted Debt Exchange Notes or Refinancing Indebtedness, as applicable.

 

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8.9 Limitation on Lines of Business. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into any business, either directly or through any Restricted Subsidiary, except for those businesses of the same general type as those in which the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged in on the Closing Date or which are reasonably related thereto and any business related thereto.

SECTION 9

Events of Default

9.1 Events of Default. Any of the following from and after the Closing Date shall constitute an event of default:

(a) The Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when due in accordance with the terms hereof (whether at stated maturity, by mandatory prepayment or otherwise); or the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any other amount payable hereunder, within five Business Days after any such interest or other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof, provided that any non-payment of principal, interest or other amounts resulting from the Borrower’s good faith payment of an invoice received from the Administrative Agent shall not constitute an Event of Default; or

(b) Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document (or in any amendment, modification or supplement hereto or thereto) or which is contained in any certificate furnished at any time by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement or any such other Loan Document shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made, and for the failure of any representation or warranty that is capable of being cured (as determined in good faith by the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive), such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (A) the date on which a Responsible Officer of the Borrower becomes aware of such failure and (B) the date on which written notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; provided that the failure of any representation or warranty (other than the representations and warranties referenced in Subsection 6.1(o)(ii) and the representation contained in the Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Subsection 6.1(f) with respect to the satisfaction of the condition set forth in Subsection 6.1(o)(i)) to be true and correct on the Closing Date will not constitute an Event of Default hereunder or under any other Loan Document, including for the purposes of exercising any remedy under Subsection 9.2 of this Agreement or for the purpose of determining any right to exercise enforcement rights under any Loan Document; or

(c) Any Loan Party shall default in the payment, observance or performance of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 8; or

 

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(d) Any Loan Party shall default in the observance or performance of any other agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than as provided in clauses (a) through (c) or clause (k) of this Subsection 9.1), and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of, in the case of a default with respect to failure to deliver financial statements under Subsection 7.1 or related certificates under Subsection 7.2, 180 days, and in the case of any other default, 30 days, in each case after the earlier of (A) the date on which a Responsible Officer of the Borrower becomes aware of such failure and (B) the date on which written notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; or

(e) Any Loan Party or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall (i) default in (x) any payment of principal of or interest on any Indebtedness (excluding Indebtedness hereunder and Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or any other Loan Party) in excess of $50,000,000the greater of $100,000,000 and 6.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets or (y) in the payment of any Guarantee Obligation in respect of Indebtedness in excess of $50,000,000the greater of $100,000,000 and 6.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness or Guarantee Obligation was created; (ii) default in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any Indebtedness (excluding Indebtedness hereunder and any Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or any other Loan Party) or Guarantee Obligation referred to in clause (i) above or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto (other than a failure to provide notice of a default or an event of default under such instrument or agreement or default in the observance of or compliance with any financial maintenance covenant or any representation or warranty related to such financial maintenance covenant), or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Guarantee Obligation (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice or lapse of time if required, such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or such Guarantee Obligation to become payable (an “Acceleration”; and the term “Accelerated” shall have a correlative meaning), and such time shall have lapsed and, if any notice (a “Default Notice”) shall be required to commence a grace period or declare the occurrence of an event of default before notice of Acceleration may be delivered, such Default Notice shall have been given and (in the case of the preceding clause (i) or (ii)) such default, event or condition shall not have been remedied or waived by or on behalf of the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or Guarantee Obligation (provided that the preceding clause (ii) shall not apply to (x) secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder or (y) any termination event or similar event pursuant to the terms of any Hedge Agreement); or (iii) in the case of any Indebtedness or Guarantee Obligations referred to in clause (i) above containing or otherwise requiring observance or compliance with any financial maintenance covenant, default in the observance of or compliance with such financial maintenance covenant or any representation or warranty related to such financial maintenance covenant such that such Indebtedness or Guarantee Obligation shall have been Accelerated and such Acceleration shall not have been rescinded; or

 

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(f) If (i) the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary of the Borrower shall commence any case, proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts (excluding, in each case, the solvent liquidation or reorganization of any Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party), or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, receivers, receiver and manager, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary of the Borrower shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or (ii) there shall be commenced against the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary of the Borrower any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause (i) above which (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed, undischarged, unstayed or unbonded for a period of 6090 days; or (iii) there shall be commenced against the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary of the Borrower any case, proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of its assets which results in the entry of an order for any such relief which shall not have been vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal within 6090 days from the entry thereof; or (iv) the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary of the Borrower shall take any corporate or other similar organizational action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) above; or (v) the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary of the Borrower shall be generally unable to, or shall admit in writing its general inability to, pay its debts as they become due; or

(g) (i) Any Person shall engage in any “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) involving any Plan, (ii) any failure to satisfy the minimum funding standard (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived, shall exist with respect to any Plan or any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan shall arise on the assets of either of the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity, (iii) a Reportable Event shall occur with respect to, or proceedings shall commence to have a trustee appointed, or a trustee shall be appointed, to administer or to terminate, any Single Employer Plan, which Reportable Event or commencement of proceedings or appointment of a trustee is in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent likely to result in the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (iv) any Single Employer Plan shall terminate for purposes of Title IV of ERISA other than a standard termination pursuant to Section 4041(b) of ERISA, (v) either of the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity shall, or in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent is reasonably likely to, incur any liability in connection with a withdrawal from, or the Insolvency of, a Multiemployer Plan, or (vi) any other event or condition shall occur or exist with respect to a Plan; and in each case in clauses (i) through (vi) above, such event or condition, together with all other such events or conditions, if any, would be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

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(h) One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries involving in the aggregate at any time a liability (net of any insurance or indemnity payments actually received in respect thereof prior to or within 90 days from the entry thereof, or to be received in respect thereof in the event of any appeal thereof shall be unsuccessful) of $50,000,000, or that the Borrower has determined there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will be reimbursed by the insurer or indemnifying party and such amount is not denied by the applicable insurer or indemnifying party in writing within 180 days and is reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence) of the greater of $100,000,000 and 6.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets or more, and all such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged, satisfied, stayed or bonded pending appeal within 90 days from the entry thereof); or

(i) (i) The Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall, or any other Security Document covering a significant portion of the Collateral shall (at any time after its execution, delivery and effectiveness) cease for any reason to be in full force and effect (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof), or any Loan Party which is a party to any such Security Document shall so assert in writing or (ii) the Lien created by any of the Security Documents shall cease to be perfected and enforceable in accordance with its terms or of the same effect as to perfection and priority purported to be created thereby with respect to any significant portion of the Term Loan Priority Collateral (or, after the Discharge of ABL Collateral Obligations, the Collateral) (other than in connection with any termination of such Lien in respect of any Collateral as permitted hereby or by any Security Document) and such failure of such Lien to be perfected and enforceable with such priority shall have continued unremedied for a period of 20 days; or (provided that if the failure of such Lien to be perfected and enforceable results from the failure of the Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, to maintain possession of any certificates or documents actually delivered to them representing securities or negotiable instruments pledged under the Collateral Documents, such 20 day grace period shall not commence until the Borrower becomes aware of the failure of such Lien to be perfected and enforceable); or

(j) Any Loan Party shall assert in writing that the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement (after execution and delivery thereof) or any Other Intercreditor Agreement (after execution and delivery thereof) shall have ceased for any reason to be in full force and effect (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof) or shall knowingly contest, or knowingly support any other Person in any action that seeks to contest, the validity or effectiveness of any such intercreditor agreement (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof); or

(k) Subject to the Borrower’s option to make a payment in full of all of the Loans, or to make a Change of Control Offer, each in accordance with Subsection 8.8(a) (whether or not in connection with any repayment or repurchase of Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to any Junior Debt), a Change of Control shall have occurred.

 

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9.2 Remedies Upon an Event of Default. (a) If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, then, and in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified in clause (i) or (ii) of Subsection 9.1(f) with respect to the Borrower, automatically the Commitments, if any, shall immediately terminate and the Loans hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement shall immediately become due and payable, and (B) if such event is any other Event of Default, with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Commitments to be terminated forthwith, whereupon the Commitments, if any, shall immediately terminate, and/or declare the Loans hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement to be due and payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable.

(b) Except as expressly provided above in this Section 9, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender may deliver notice of, or otherwise consent, take action or direct or require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any action in respect of, any Default or Event of Default with respect to any action taken, and reported publicly pursuant to a press release, a filing with the SEC or a posting to the Platform or otherwise reported to Lenders, more than two years prior to such notice of, consent, action or direction or requirement to undertake action in respect of, Default or Event of Default, and such notice, consent, action or direction or requirement to undertake action shall be invalid and have no effect.

SECTION 10

The Agents and the Other Representatives

10.1 Appointment. (a) Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Agents as the agents of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes each Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to or required of such Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Agents and the Other Representatives shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except, in the case of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against any Agent or the Other Representatives.

(b) Each of the Agents may perform any of their respective duties under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any other instruments and agreements referred to herein or therein by or through its respective officers, directors, agents, employees or affiliates, or delegate any and all such rights and powers to, any one or more sub-agents appointed by such Agent (it being understood and agreed, for avoidance of doubt and without limiting the

 

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generality of the foregoing, that the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may perform any of their respective duties under the Security Documents by or through one or more of their respective affiliates). Each Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Section 10 shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of each Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Agent.

(c) Except for Subsections 10.5, 10.8(a), (b), (c) and, (e) and (g), (to the extent of the Borrower’s rights thereunder and the conditions included therein) 10.9 and 10.15, the provisions of this Section 10 are solely for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders, and neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

10.2 The Administrative Agent and Affiliates. Each person serving as an Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include each person serving as an Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such person and its affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with any Holding Company, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such person were not an Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

10.3 Action by an Agent. In performing its functions and duties under this Agreement, (a) each Agent shall act solely as an agent for the Lenders and, as applicable, the other Secured Parties, and (b) no Agent assumes any (and shall not be deemed to have assumed any) relationship of agency or trust with or for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. Each Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact (including the Collateral Agent in the case of the Administrative Agent), and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact or counsel selected by it with reasonable care.

10.4 Exculpatory Provisions. (a) No Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Agent:

(i) shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

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(ii) shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that such Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents); provided that such Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its judgment or the judgment of its counsel, may expose such Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Requirement of Law; and

(iii) shall, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the person serving as such Agent or any of its affiliates in any capacity.

(b) No Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (x) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as such Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Subsection 9.2 or Subsection 11.1, as applicable) or (y) in the absence of its own bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct. No Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice describing such Default is given to such Agent by the Borrower or a Lender.

(c) No Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report, statement, agreement or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Security Documents or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 6 or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to such Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of the term “agent” in this Agreement with reference to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead, such term as used merely as a matter of market custom and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

(d) Each party to this Agreement acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent may use an outside service provider for the tracking of all UCC financing statements required to be filed pursuant to the Loan Documents and notification to the Administrative Agent, of, among other things, the upcoming lapse or expiration thereof, and that any such service provider will be deemed to be acting at the request and on behalf of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties. No Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by any such service provider.

10.5 Acknowledgement and Representations by Lenders. (a) Each Lender expressly acknowledges that none of the Agents or the Other Representatives nor any of their officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent or any Other Representative hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, shall be deemed to

 

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constitute any representation or warranty by such Agent or such Other Representative to any Lender. Each Lender further represents and warrants to the Agents, the Other Representatives and each of the Loan Parties that it has had the opportunity to review the Confidential Information Memorandum and each other document made available to it on the Platform in connection with this Agreement and has acknowledged and accepted the terms and conditions applicable to the recipients thereof. Each Lender represents to the Agents, the Other Representatives and each of the Loan Parties that, independently and without reliance upon any Agent, the Other Representatives or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, it has made and will make, its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of any Holding Company and the Borrower and the other Loan Parties, it has made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement and it will make its own decisions in taking or not taking any action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, neither the Agents nor any Other Representative shall have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender or the holder of any Note with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before the making of the Loans or at any time or times thereafter. Each Lender (other than, in the case of clause (i), an Affiliated Lender, any Parent Entity (other than any Holding Company) or any Unrestricted Subsidiary) represents to each other party hereto that (i) it is a bank, savings and loan association or other similar savings institution, insurance company, investment fund or company or other financial institution which makes or acquires commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business and that it is participating hereunder as a Lender for such commercial purposes and (ii) it has the knowledge and experience to be and is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of being a Lender hereunder. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees to comply with the provisions of Subsection 11.6 applicable to the Lenders hereunder.

(b)

(i) Each Lender hereby agrees that (x) if the Administrative Agent promptly notifies in writing (which may be by e-mail) such Lender that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Lender from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates (whether as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees or otherwise; individually and collectively, a “Payment”) were erroneously transmitted to such Lender (whether or not known to such Lender), and demands the return of such Payment (or a portion thereof), such Lender shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day after receipt of such notice, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect, and (y) to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Lender shall not assert, and hereby waives, as to the Administrative Agent, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Payments received, including without limitation any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender under this Subsection 10.5(b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

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(ii) Each Lender hereby further agree that if it receives a Payment from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such Payment (a “Payment Notice”) or (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a Payment Notice, it shall be on notice, in each such case, that an error may have been made with respect to such Payment. Each Lender agrees that, in each such case, if it otherwise becomes actually aware a Payment (or portion thereof) has been sent in error, such Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and, upon prompt written demand from the Administrative Agent (which may be by e-mail), such Lender shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day after receipt of such demand from Administrative Agent, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect.

(iii) The Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby agrees that (x) in the event an erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) are not recovered from any Lender that has received such Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Lender with respect to such amount and (y) an erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by the Borrower or any other Loan Party except, in each case, to the extent such erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds of the Borrower or any other Loan Party.

(iv) Each party’s obligations under this Subsection 10.5(b) shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations under any Loan Document.

10.6 Indemnity; Reimbursement by Lenders. (a) To the extent that the Borrower or any other Loan Party for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under Subsection 11.5 to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), or the Collateral Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay ratably according to their respective Term Credit Percentages on the date on which the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought under this Subsection 10.6 such unpaid amount (such indemnity shall be effective whether or not the related losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses are incurred or asserted by any party hereto or any third party); provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by

 

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or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or the Collateral Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the Collateral Agent (or any sub-agent thereof). The obligations of the Lenders under this Subsection 10.6 are subject to the provisions of Subsection 4.8.

(b) Any Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action hereunder and under any other Loan Document (except actions expressly required to be taken by it hereunder or under the Loan Documents) unless it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders pro rata against any and all liability, cost and expense that it may incur by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.

(c) All amounts due under this Subsection 10.6 shall be payable not later than three Business Days after demand therefor. The agreements in this Subsection 10.6 shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

10.7 Right to Request and Act on Instructions. (a) Each Agent may at any time request instructions from the Lenders with respect to any actions or approvals which by the terms of this Agreement or of any of the Loan Documents an Agent is permitted or desires to take or to grant, and if such instructions are promptly requested, the requesting Agent shall be absolutely entitled as between itself and the Lenders to refrain from taking any action or to withhold any approval and shall not be under any liability whatsoever to any Lender for refraining from any action or withholding any approval under any of the Loan Documents until it shall have received such instructions from Required Lenders or all or such other portion of the Lenders as shall be prescribed by this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against any Agent as a result of an Agent acting or refraining from acting under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in accordance with the instructions of the Required Lenders (or all or such other portion of the Lenders as shall be prescribed by this Agreement) and, notwithstanding the instructions of the Required Lenders (or such other applicable portion of the Lenders), an Agent shall have no obligation to any Lender to take any action if it believes, in good faith, that such action would violate applicable law or exposes an Agent to any liability for which it has not received satisfactory indemnification in accordance with the provisions of Subsection 10.6.

(b) Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper person. Each Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall be entitled to rely upon the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with such advice.

 

 

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10.8 Collateral Matters. (a) Each Lender authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to enter into (x) the Security Documents, the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, aany Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any Other Intercreditor Agreement for the benefit of the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, (y) any amendments, amendments and restatements, restatements or waivers of or supplements to or other modifications to the Security Documents, the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, aany Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any Other Intercreditor Agreement or other intercreditor agreements in connection with the incurrence by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof of Additional Indebtedness (each an “Intercreditor Agreement Supplement”) to permit such Additional Indebtedness to be secured by a valid, perfected lien (with such priority as may be designated by the Borrower or relevant Subsidiary, to the extent such priority is permitted by the Loan Documents) and (z) any Incremental Commitment Amendment as provided in Subsection 2.8 together with any escrow agreementsagreement entered into in connection therewith, any Increase Supplement as provided in Subsection 2.8, any Lender Joinder Agreement as provided in Subsection 2.8, any agreement required in connection with a Permitted Debt Exchange Offer pursuant to Subsection 2.9, any Extension Amendment as provided in Subsection 2.10 and, any Specified Refinancing Amendment as provided in Subsection 2.11, any agreement required in connection with a loan modification offer pursuant to Subsection 11.1(h) and any agreement required in connection with a Repricing Transaction pursuant to Subsection 11.1(i). Each Lender hereby agrees, and each holder of any Note by the acceptance thereof will be deemed to agree, that, except as otherwise set forth herein, any action taken by the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or the Required Lenders in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Security Documents, the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, any Other Intercreditor Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement Supplement, any Incremental Commitment Amendment and any escrow agreementsagreement entered into in connection therewith, any Increase Supplement, any Lender Joinder Agreement or any agreement required in connection with a Permitted Debt Exchange Offer or, loan modification offer pursuant to Subsection 11.1(h) or Repricing Transaction pursuant to Subsection 11.1(i) or any Extension Amendment or any Specified Refinancing Amendment and the exercise by the Agents or the Required Lenders of the powers set forth herein or therein, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be authorized and binding upon all of the Lenders. Each Lender appoints and authorizes the Collateral Agent to act as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (and, in its capacity as Collateral Agent, to hold the benefit of any security interest created by the Security Documents and/or any asset and proceeds of any asset paid to, held by or received or recovered by it under or in connection with the Loan Documents on trust for itself and the other Lenders according to its and their respective interests and upon the terms and conditions set out in the relevant Loan Documents). The Collateral Agent is hereby authorized on behalf of all of the Lenders, without the necessity of any notice to or further consent from any Lender, from time to time, to take any action with respect to any applicable Collateral or Security Documents which may be necessary to perfect and maintain perfected the security interest in and liens upon the Collateral granted pursuant to the Security Documents. Each Lender agrees that it will not have any right individually to enforce or seek to enforce any Security Document or to realize upon any Collateral for the Loans unless instructed to do so by the Collateral Agent, it

 

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being understood and agreed that such rights and remedies may be exercised only by the Collateral Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Lender expressly and irrevocably waives any right to take or institute any actions or proceedings, judicial or otherwise, for any right or remedy or assert any other cause of action against any Loan Party (including the exercise of any right of set-off, rights on account of any banker’s lien or similar claim or other rights of self-help), or institute any actions or proceedings or any other cause of action, or otherwise commence any remedial procedures, in each case in its capacity as a Lender, against any Holding Company, the Borrower and/or any of their respective Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle with respect to any Collateral or any other property of any such Person, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders (which shall not be withheld in contravention of this Section 10); provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, this provision may be enforced against any Lender by the Required Lenders, the Agents or the Borrower (or any of its Affiliates) and each Lender and the Agents expressly acknowledge that this provision shall be available as a defense of the Borrower (or any of its Affiliates) in any action, proceeding, cause of action or remedial procedure. The Collateral Agent may grant extensions of time for the creation and perfection of security interests in or the obtaining of title insurance, legal opinions or other deliverables with respect to particular assets or the provision of any guarantee by any Subsidiary (including extensions beyond the Closing Date or in connection with assets acquired, or Subsidiaries formed or acquired, after the Closing Date) where it determines that such action cannot be accomplished without undue effort or expense by the time or times at which it would otherwise be required to be accomplished by this Agreement or the Security Documents.

(b) The Lenders hereby authorize each Agent, in each case at its option and in its discretion, (A) to release any Lien granted to or held by such Agent upon any Collateral (i) upon termination of the Commitments and payment and satisfaction of all of the Term Loan Facility Obligations under the Loan Documents at any time arising under or in respect of this Agreement or the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby that are then due and unpaid, (ii) constituting property being sold or otherwise disposed of (to Persons other than a Loan Partythe Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor) upon the sale or other disposition thereof, (iii) owned by any Subsidiary Guarantor whichthat is or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary, is released from its Term Loan Facility Obligations pursuant to Subsection 7.9(b) or ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, or constituting Capital Stock or other equity interests of an Excluded Subsidiary (other than Capital Stock of a Foreign Subsidiary or a Subsidiary described in clause (d) of the definition of “Excluded Subsidiary” if and to the extent it is required to be pledged as Collateral pursuant to any applicable Security Document), (iv) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders (or such greater amount, to the extent required by Subsection 11.1) or (v) as otherwise may be expressly provided in the relevant Security Documents, (B) to enter into any intercreditor agreement (including the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any Other Intercreditor Agreement) on behalf of, and binding with respect to, the Lenders and their interest in designated assets, to give effect to any Special Purpose Financing, including to clarify the respective rights of all parties in and to designated assets, (C) at the written request of the Borrower to subordinate any Lien (or to confirm the absence of any Lien) on any Excluded Assets or any other property granted to or held by such Agent, as the case may be under any Loan Document to the holder of any Permitted Lien (other than Permitted Liens securing the Obligations under the Loan Documents or that are required by the express terms of this

 

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Agreement to be pari passu with or junior to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations pursuant to the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or an Other Intercreditor Agreement), (D) to release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its Term Loan Facility Obligations under any Loan Documents to which it is a party if such Person ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, is released from its Term Loan Facility Obligations pursuant to Subsection 7.9(b) or is or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary and (E) to release any Lien granted to or held by such Agent upon any ABL Priority Collateral to the extent required pursuant to the terms of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement. Upon request by any Agent, at any time, the Required Lenders or all or such other portion of the Lenders as shall be prescribed by this Agreement will confirm in writing any Agent’s authority to release particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Subsection 10.8.

(c) The Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, in each case at its option and in its discretion, to enter into any amendment, amendment and restatement, restatement, waiver, supplement or modification, and to make or consent to any filings or to take any other actions, in each case as contemplated by Subsection 11.17. Upon request by any Agent, at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s and the Collateral Agent’s authority under this Subsection 10.8(c).

(d) No Agent shall have any obligation whatsoever to the Lenders to assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by any Holding Company, the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or is cared for, protected or insured or that the Liens granted to any Agent herein or pursuant hereto have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, or to exercise or to continue exercising at all or in any manner or under any duty of care, disclosure or fidelity any of the rights, authorities and powers granted or available to the Agents in this Subsection 10.8 or in any of the Security Documents, it being understood and agreed by the Lenders that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission or event related thereto, each Agent may act in any manner it may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion, given such Agent’s own interest in the Collateral as a Lender and that no Agent shall have any duty or liability whatsoever to the Lenders, except for its gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(e) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, any Security Document may be amended (or amended and restated), restated, waived, supplemented or modified as contemplated by and in accordance with either Subsection 11.1 or 11.17, as applicable, with the written consent of the Agent party thereto and the Loan Party party thereto.

(f) The Collateral Agent may, and hereby does, appoint the Administrative Agent as its agent for the purposes of holding any Collateral and/or perfecting the Collateral Agent’s security interest therein and for the purpose of taking such other action with respect to the collateral as such Agents may from time to time agree.

 

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(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Lender expressly and irrevocably agrees that it will not hinder, or direct the Agents to take any action that will hinder, the automatic release of any security interest, Lien or Guarantee provided for by this Subsection 10.8 to the extent the Borrower determines in good faith that the applicable transaction is permitted under this Agreement (including, without limitation, in connection with any disposition to Persons other than a Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor permitted under this Agreement), including, without limitation, any refusal to release security interests, Liens or Guarantees, return possessory collateral, execute and/or file release documentation or take any other reasonably requested actions to document or effectuate the release of such security interests, Liens or Guarantees, in each case, at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense, and each Lender expressly and irrevocably agrees that the Agents shall be authorized to, and shall, take any necessary action to release any such security interest, Lien or Guarantee to the extent authorized to do so by this Subsection 10.8 without any obligation or requirement to notify or obtain consent from any Lender unless required by Subsection 11.1(a)(iii) (and the Agents shall not condition any such actions on providing notice to, or obtaining consent from, the Lenders unless required by Subsection 11.1(a)(iii)).

10.9 Successor Agent. Subject to the appointment of a successor as set forth herein, (i) the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may be removed by the Borrower or the Required Lenders if the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, or a controlling affiliate of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent is a Defaulting Lender and (ii) the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may resign as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, respectively, in each case upon ten days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower, as applicable. If the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent shall be removed by the Borrower or the Required Lenders pursuant to clause (i) above or if the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders, which such successor agent shall be subject to approval by the Borrower; provided that such approval by the Borrower in connection with the appointment of any successor Administrative Agent shall only be required so long as no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) has occurred and is continuing; provided further, that the Borrower shall not unreasonably withhold its approval of any successor Administrative Agent if such successor is a commercial bank with a consolidated combined capital and surplus of at least $5,000,000,000an Approved Commercial Bank. Upon the successful appointment of a successor agent, such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, and the term “Administrative Agent” or “Collateral Agent”, as applicable, shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans. After any retiring Agent’s resignation or removal as Agent, the provisions of this Section 10 (including this Subsection 10.9) shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.

 

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10.10 [Reserved].

10.11 Withholding Tax. To the extent required by any applicable law, each Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax, and in no event shall such Agent be required to be responsible for or pay any additional amount with respect to any such withholding. If the Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Authority asserts a claim that any Agent did not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender because the appropriate form was not delivered or was not properly executed or because such Lender failed to notify such Agent of a change in circumstances which rendered the exemption from or reduction of withholding tax ineffective or for any other reason, without limiting the provisions of Subsection 4.11(a) or 4.12, such Lender shall indemnify such Agent fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by such Agent as tax or otherwise, including any penalties or interest and together with any expenses incurred and shall make payable in respect thereof within 30 days after demand therefor. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or such issuing lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due the Administrative Agent under this Subsection 10.11. The agreements in this Subsection 10.11 shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Term Loan Facility Obligations.

10.12 Other Representatives. None of the entities identified as joint bookrunners and joint lead arrangers pursuant to the definition of Other Representative contained herein, shall have any duties or responsibilities hereunder or under any other Loan Document in its capacity as such. Without limiting the foregoing, no Other Representative shall have nor be deemed to have a fiduciary relationship with any Lender. At any time that any Lender serving as an Other Representative shall have transferred to any other Person (other than any of its affiliates) all of its interests in the Loans and in the Commitments, such Lender shall be deemed to have concurrently resigned as such Other Representative.

10.13 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any Bankruptcy Proceeding or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) is hereby authorized by the Lenders, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Subsections 4.5 and 11.5) allowed in such judicial proceeding;

 

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(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Subsections 4.5 and 11.5.

10.14 Application of Proceeds. The Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent agree, as among such parties, as follows: subject to the terms of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, any Other Intercreditor Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement Supplement, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all amounts collected or received by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender on account of amounts then due and outstanding under any of the Loan Documents (the “Collection Amounts”) shall, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, be applied as follows: first, to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees to the extent provided herein) due and owing hereunder of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent in connection with enforcing the rights of the Agents and the Lenders under the Loan Documents (including all expenses of sale or other realization of or in respect of the Collateral and any sums advanced to the Collateral Agent or to preserve its security interest in the Collateral), second, to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees to the extent provided herein) due and owing hereunder of each of the Lenders in connection with enforcing such Lender’s rights under the Loan Documents, third, to pay interest on Loans then outstanding; fourth, to pay principal of Loans then outstanding and obligations under Interest Rate Agreements, Currency Agreements, Commodities Agreements, Bank Products Agreements and Management Guarantees permitted hereunder and secured by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, ratably among the applicable Secured Parties in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause “fourth” payable to them, and fifth, to pay the surplus, if any, to whomever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus. To the extent any amounts available for distribution pursuant to clause “third” or “fourth” above are insufficient to pay all obligations described therein in full, such moneys shall be allocated pro rata among the applicable Secured Parties in proportion to the respective amounts described in the applicable clause at such time. This Subsection 10.14 may be amended (and the Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into any such amendment) to the extent necessary to reflect differing amounts payable, and priorities of payments, to Lenders participating in any new classes or tranches of loans added pursuant to Subsections 2.8, 2.10 and 2.11, as applicable.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Excluded Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) with respect to any Guarantor shall not be paid with amounts received from such Guarantor or its assets and such Excluded Obligations shall be disregarded in any application of Collection Amounts pursuant to the preceding paragraph.

 

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10.15 Certain ERISA Matters. (a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments or this Agreement;

(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement;

(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement; or

(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

(b) In addition, unless either (1) subclause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with subclause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).

 

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SECTION 11

Miscellaneous

11.1 Amendments and Waivers. (a) Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof, may be amended, supplemented, modified or waived except in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection 11.1. The Required Lenders may, or, with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, (x) enter into with the respective Loan Parties hereto or thereto, as the case may be, written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the other Loan Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or to the other Loan Documents or changing, in any manner the rights or obligations of the Lenders or the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder or (y) waive at any Loan Party’s request, on such terms and conditions as the Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided, however, that amendments, supplements, modifications or waivers pursuant to Subsections 11.1(d) and, (f), (h) and (i) may be effected without the consent of the Required Lenders to the extent provided therein; provided, further, that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall:

(i) (A) reduce or forgive the amount or extend the scheduled date of maturity of any Loan or of any scheduled installment thereof (including extending any Maturity Date), (B) reduce the stated rate of any interest, commission or fee payable hereunder (other than as a result of any waiver of the applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates), (Cextend the scheduled date of any payment of any Lenders’ Loans hereunder[reserved], (D) increase the Commitment of such Lender (other than with respect to any Commitment increase pursuant to Subsection 2.8 in respect of which such Lender has agreed to be an Incremental Lender that such Lender has agreed to provide as a Specified Refinancing Lender pursuant to a Specified Refinancing Amendment entered into pursuant to Subsection 2.11); it being understood that no amendment, modification or waiver of, or consent to departure from, any condition precedent, representation, warranty, covenant, Default, Event of Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Commitments shall constitute an increase of any Commitment of such Lender or (E) change the currency in which any Loan is payable, in each case without the consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (it being understood that amendments or supplements to, or waivers or modifications of any conditions precedent, representations, warranties, covenants, Defaults or Events of Default or of a mandatory repayment of the Loans of all Lenders shall not constitute an extension of the scheduled date of maturity, any scheduled installment, or the scheduled date of payment of the Loans of any Lender);

(ii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Subsection 11.1(a) or reduce the percentage specified in the definition of “Required Lenders”, or consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (other than pursuant to Subsection 8.7 or 11.6(a)), in each case without the written consent of all the Lenders;

 

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(iii) release Guarantors accounting for all or substantially all of the value of the Guarantee of the Term Loan Facility Obligations pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, or, in the aggregate (in a single transaction or a series of related transactions), all or substantially all of the Collateral without the consent of all of the Lenders, except as expressly permitted hereby or by any Security Document (as such documents are in effect on the date hereofClosing Date or, if later, the date of execution and delivery thereof in accordance with the terms hereof);

(iv) require any Lender to make Loans having an Interest Period of longer than six (6) months or shorter than one month without the consent of such Lender;

(v) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 10 without the written consent of the then Agents; or

(vi) amend, modify or waive any provision of Subsection 10.1(a), 10.4 or 10.12 without the written consent of any Other Representative directly and adversely affected thereby;

provided further that, notwithstanding and in addition to the foregoing, and in addition to Liens on the Collateral that the Collateral Agent is authorized to release pursuant to Subsection 10.8(b), the Collateral Agent may, in its discretion, release the Lien on Collateral valued in the aggregate not in excess of $20,000,000the greater of $40,000,000 and 2.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets in any fiscal year without the consent of any Lender.

(b) Any waiver and any amendment, supplement or modification pursuant to this Subsection 11.1 shall apply to each of the Lenders and shall be binding upon the Loan Parties, the Lenders, the Agents and all future holders of the Loans. In the case of any waiver, each of the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Agents shall be restored to their former position and rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default, or impair any right consequent thereon.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, (x) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, supplement, modification, waiver or consent hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents, except to the extent the consent of such Lender would be required under clause (i) in the further proviso to the second sentence of Subsection 11.1(a) and, (y) no Disqualified Party shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, supplement, modification, waiver or consent hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents. and (z) no Net Short Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, supplement, modification, waiver or consent hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents and instead shall be deemed to have voted its interest as a Lender as provided in Subsection 11.1(k) below (for the avoidance of doubt, other than a Net Short Lender that is also a Disqualified Party, which shall be subject to the preceding clause (y)).

 

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(d) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified (i) to cure any ambiguity, mistake, omission, defect, or inconsistency with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, (ii) in accordance with Subsection 2.8 to incorporate the terms of any Incremental Commitments (including to add a new revolving facility or letter of credit facility under this Agreement with respect to any Incremental Revolving Commitment or Incremental Letter of Credit Commitment or to add an escrow arrangement) with the written consent of the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Incremental Commitments, (iii) in accordance with Subsection 2.10 to effectuate an Extension with the written consent of the Borrower and the Extending Lenders, (iv) in accordance with Subsection 2.11 to incorporate the terms of any Specified Refinancing Facilities with the consent of the Borrower and the applicable Specified Refinancing Lenders, (v) in accordance with Subsection 7.12, to change the financial reporting convention, (vi) with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in each case such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), in the event any mandatory prepayment or redemption provision in respect of the Net Cash Proceeds of Asset Dispositions or Recovery Events or from Excess Cash Flow included or to be included in any Incremental Commitment Amendment or any Indebtedness constituting Additional Obligations or that would constitute Additional Obligations would result in Incremental Term Loans or Additional Obligations, as applicable, being prepaid or redeemed on a more than ratable basis with the Term Loans in respect of the Net Cash Proceeds from any such Asset Disposition or Recovery Event or Excess Cash Flow prepayment to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds or Excess Cash Flow are required to be applied to repay Term Loans hereunder pursuant to Subsection 4.4(e), to provide for mandatory prepayments of the Initial Term Loans such that, after giving effect thereto, the prepayments made in respect of such Incremental Term Loans or Additional Obligations, as applicable, are not on more than a ratable basis and, (vii) to waive, amend or modify this Agreement or any other Loan Document in a manner that by its terms affects the rights or duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document of Lenders holding Loans or Commitments of a particular Tranche (but not the Lenders holding Loans or Commitments of any other Tranche), by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the requisite percentage in interest of the Lenders with respect to such Tranche that would be required to consent thereto under this Subsection 11.1 if such Lenders were the only Lenders hereunder at the time, (viii) to implement any changes contemplated by the definition of “LIBOR Rate” in Subsection 1.1 hereof with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and (ix) to waive, amend or modify any Increase Supplement, Lender Joinder Agreement or Incremental Commitment Amendment with the written consent of the Borrower and the Lenders party thereto, unless as so amended or modified such Increase Supplement, Lender Joinder Agreement or Incremental Commitment Amendment, as applicable, would not be permitted under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including Subsection 4.4, 4.8 or 10.14 hereof, may be amended, supplemented, modified or waived as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence pursuant to any Incremental Commitment Amendment, any Extension Amendment or any Specified Refinancing Amendment, as the case may be, to provide for non-pro rata borrowings and payments of any amounts hereunder as between any Tranches, including the Term Loans, any Incremental Commitments or Incremental Loans, any Extended Tranche and any Specified Refinancing Tranche, or to provide for the inclusion, as appropriate, of the Lenders of any Extended Tranche, Specified Refinancing Tranche, Incremental

 

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Commitments or Incremental Loans in any required vote or action of the Required Lenders, the Required Majority in Interest Lenders, or of the Lenders of each Tranche hereunder. The Administrative Agent hereby agrees (if requested by the Borrower) to execute any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver referred to in this clause (d) or an acknowledgement thereof.

(e) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be amended (or deemed amended) or amended and restated with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (x) to add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the existing Facilities and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof, (y) to include, as appropriate, the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any required vote or action of the Required Lenders, or of the Lenders of each Facility hereunder and (z) to provide class protection for any additional credit facilities.

(f) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, any Security Document may be amended (or amended and restated), restated, waived, supplemented or modified as contemplated by Subsection 11.17 with the written consent of the Agent party thereto and the Loan Party party thereto.

(g) If, in connection with any proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination of or to any of the provisions of this Agreement and/or any other Loan Document as contemplated by Subsection 11.1(a), the consent of each Lender, or each affected Lender, as applicable, is required and either (x) the consent of the Required Lenders or the Required Majority in Interest Lenders, as applicable, at such time is obtained or (y) the consent of the Required Lenders or the Required Majority in Interest Lenders, as applicable, at such time is not obtained, but, in each case under clause (x) or (y), the consent of one or more of such other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained (each such Lender, a “Non-Consenting Lender”) then the Borrower may, on notice to, in the case of clause (x), the Administrative Agent and any relevant Non-Consenting Lender, or, in the case of clause (y), the Administrative Agent and every Non-Consenting Lender, (A) replace such Non-Consenting Lender by causing such Lender to (and such Lender shall be obligated to) assign pursuant to Subsection 11.6 (with the assignment fee and any other costs and expenses to be paid by the Borrower in such instance) all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more assignees; provided that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to the Borrower to find a replacement Lender; provided, further, that the applicable assignee shall have agreed to the applicable change, waiver, discharge or termination of this Agreement and/or the other Loan Documents; and provided, further, that all obligations of the Borrower owing to such Non-Consenting Lender relating to the Loans, Commitments and participations so assigned shall be paid in full by the assignee Lender (or, at its/their option, by the Borrower) to such Non-Consenting Lender concurrently with such Assignment and Acceptance, in each case, for the avoidance of doubt, in an amount not in excess of the amount of such obligations, as applicable, or (B) so long as no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) then exists or will exist immediately after giving effect to the respective prepayment, prepay the Loans, in whole or in part, subject to Subsection 4.12, without premium or penalty. In connection with any such replacement under this Subsection 11.1(g), if a Non-Consenting Lender that was provided notice as set forth in the previous sentence does not execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a

 

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duly completed Assignment and Acceptance and/or any other documentation necessary to reflect such replacement by the later of (a) the date on which the replacement Lender executes and delivers such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation and (b) the date as of which all obligations of the Borrower owing to such Non-Consenting Lender relating to the Loans, Commitments and participations so assigned shall be paid in full by the assignee Lender to such Non-Consenting Lender, then such Non-Consenting Lender shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation as of such date and the Borrower shall be entitled (but not obligated) to execute and deliver such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation on behalf of such Non-Consenting Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall record such assignment in the Register.

(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, at any time and from time to time, upon notice to the Administrative Agent (who shall promptly notify the applicable Lenders) specifying in reasonable detail the proposed terms thereof, the Borrower may make one or more loan modification offers to all the Lenders of any Facility that would, if and to the extent accepted by any such Lender, (a) change the Applicable Margin and/or fees payable with respect to the Loans and/or Commitments under such Facility (in each case solely with respect to the Loans and Commitments of accepting Lenders in respect of which an acceptance is delivered) and (b) treat the Loans and/or Commitments so modified as a new “Facility” and a new “Tranche” for all purposes under this Agreement; provided that (i) such loan modification offer is made to each Lender under the applicable Facility on the same terms and subject to the same procedures as are applicable to all other Lenders under such Facility (which procedures in any case shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) and (ii) no loan modification shall affect the rights or duties of, or any fees or other amounts payable to, the Administrative Agent, without its prior written consent.

(i) In connection with any amendment to this Agreement that addresses (a) a Repricing Transaction of the Initial Term Loans or (b) a “repricing transaction” of any other Tranche of Term Loans (as if the definition “Repricing Transaction” applied to such Tranche of Term Loans) (each such amendment, a “Permitted Repricing Amendment”), so long as such amendment by its terms only affects the rights or duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document of Lenders holding such Loans or Commitments of such Tranche of Term Loans (but not the Lenders holding Loans or Commitments of any other Tranche), only the consent of the requisite percentage in interest (assuming for such determination, such Tranche is the only outstanding Tranche hereunder) of (x) the Lenders holding such Tranche of Term Loans that will continue as a Lender in respect of such Tranche following such Permitted Repricing Amendment and (y) any increasing Lender or Additional Incremental Lender that provides Supplemental Term Loan Commitments to such Tranche of Term Loans substantially concurrently with such Permitted Repricing Amendment, shall be required.

(j) [Reserved].

(k) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in connection with any determination as to whether the requisite Lenders have (A) consented (or not consented) to any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, (B) otherwise acted on any matter related to any Loan Document, or (C) directed or required the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any

 

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action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, (I) any Lender (alone or together with its Affiliates (but subject to clause (vi) below)) (other than (x) any Lender that is a Regulated Bank and (y) any Committed Lender) that, as a result of its (or its Affiliates’ (but subject to clause (vi) below)) interest, whether held directly or through any intermediary, in any total return swap, total rate of return swap, credit default swap or other derivative contract (other than any such total return swap, total rate of return swap, credit default swap or other derivative contract entered into pursuant to bona fide market making activities), has a net short position with respect to either (1) the Loans and/or Commitments or (2) any other Indebtedness and/or commitments in respect thereof of the Borrower or the other Loan Parties and/or any equity interests of the Borrower or the other Loan Parties or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (any such Indebtedness and/or commitments and/or equity interests under this clause (2), the “Covered Instrument”) (each, a “Net Short Lender”) shall have no right to vote any of its Loans and Commitments and shall be deemed to have voted its interest as a Lender without discretion in the same proportion as the allocation of voting with respect to such matter by Lenders who are not Net Short Lenders (in each case unless otherwise agreed to by the Borrower) and (II) each Lender shall covenant to provide the Borrower with such other information as the Borrower may reasonably request from time to time in order to verify the accuracy of such Lender’s representation or warranty or deemed representation or warranty with respect to not being a Net Short Lender, within five Business Days of request thereof (the “Net Short Lender Verification Covenant”). For purposes of determining whether a Lender (alone or together with its Affiliates (but subject to clause (vi) below)) has a “net short position” on any date of determination: (i) derivative contracts with respect to the Loans and/or Commitments and/or any Covered Instrument and such contracts that are the functional equivalent thereof shall be counted at the notional amount thereof in Dollars, (ii) notional amounts in other currencies shall be converted to the dollar equivalent thereof by such Lender in a commercially reasonable manner consistent with generally accepted financial practices and based on the prevailing conversion rate (determined on a mid-market basis) on the date of determination, (iii) derivative contracts in respect of an index that includes any of the Borrower or other Loan Parties or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or any instrument issued or guaranteed by any of the Borrower or other Loan Parties or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle shall not be deemed to create a short position with respect to either (1) the Loans and/or Commitments and/or (2) the Covered Instrument, so long as (x) such index is not created, designed, administered or requested by such Lender or its Affiliates (other than its Excluded Affiliates) and (y) the Borrower and other Loan Parties and any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle and any instrument issued or guaranteed by any of the Borrower or other Loan Parties or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, collectively, shall represent less than 5% of the components of such index, (iv) derivative transactions that are documented using either the 2014 ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions or the 2003 ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions (collectively, the “ISDA CDS Definitions”) shall be deemed to create a short position with respect to either (1) the Loans and/or Commitments and/or (2) the Covered Instrument if such Lender (or its Affiliates (other than its Excluded Affiliates) is a protection buyer or the equivalent thereof for such derivative transaction and (x) the Loans and/or the Commitments and/or any Covered Instrument are a “Reference Obligation” under the terms of such derivative transaction (whether specified by name in the related documentation, included as a “Standard Reference Obligation” on the most recent list published by Markit, if “Standard Reference Obligation” is specified as applicable in the relevant documentation or in any other manner), (y) the Loans and/or the Commitments and/or any Covered Instrument would be a

 

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“Deliverable Obligation” under the terms of such derivative transaction or (z) any of the Borrower or other Loan Parties or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (or any of their successors) is designated as a “Reference Entity” under the terms of such derivative transactions, (v) credit derivative transactions or other derivatives transactions not documented using the ISDA CDS Definitions shall be deemed to create a short position with respect to either (1) the Loans and/or Commitments and/or (2) the Covered Instrument if such transactions are functionally equivalent to a transaction that offers such Lender or its Affiliates (other than its Excluded Affiliates) protection in respect of the Loans and/or the Commitments and/or any Covered Instrument, or as to the credit quality of any of the Borrower or other Loan Parties or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (or any of their successors) other than, in each case, as part of an index so long as (x) such index is not created, designed, administered or requested by such Lender or its Affiliates (other than its Excluded Affiliates) and (y) the Borrower and other Loan Parties and any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle and any instrument issued or guaranteed by any of the Borrower or other Loan Parties or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, collectively, shall represent less than 5% of the components of such index and (vi) in connection with any such determination, each Lender shall either (A) reasonably inquire as to whether its Ethically Screened Affiliates have any interest in the Loans and/or Commitments, any such Covered Instrument and/or any applicable total return swap, total rate of return swap, credit default swap or other derivative contract, and such Ethically Screened Affiliates’ interests therein shall only be included in determining whether such Lender (alone or together with its Affiliates) is a Net Short Lender to the extent determined from such reasonable inquiry or (B) provide a certification or deemed certification to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that such Lender is not coordinating or acting in concert with any of its Affiliates (other than any Affiliates designated in writing by such Lender whose interests in the Loans and/or Commitments, any such Covered Instrument and/or any applicable total return swap, total rate of return swap, credit default swap or other derivative contract shall be included in determining whether such Lender is a Net Short Lender (each, a “Designated Affiliate”)) with respect to its interest in the Loans and/or Commitments, any such Covered Instrument and/or any applicable total return swap, total rate of return swap, credit default swap or other derivative contract, in which case the interests of the Affiliates (other than any Designated Affiliates) of such Lender in any Loans and/or Commitments, any such Covered Instrument and/or any applicable total return swap, total rate of return swap, credit default swap or other derivative contract shall not be included in determining whether such Lender is a Net Short Lender (any such Affiliate in clause (A) or (B) above (other than any Designated Affiliates) whose Loans and/or Commitments, any Covered Instrument and/or any applicable total return swap, total rate of return swap, credit default swap or other derivative contract are not included in determining whether such Lender is a Net Short Lender, an “Excluded Affiliate”). In connection with any such determination, each Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing that it is a Net Short Lender, or shall otherwise be deemed to have represented and warranted to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that it is not a Net Short Lender (it being understood and agreed that the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely on each such representation and deemed representation; provided that if such determination relates to a notice, consent, action or direction or requirement to undertake action relating to a Default or Event of Default, such representation or deemed representation shall be deemed repeated at all times until the resulting Default or Event of Default is cured or ceases to exist or the Loans hereunder are accelerated. If, in connection with any determination as to whether the requisite Lenders have (A) consented (or not consented) to any amendment or

 

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waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, (B) otherwise acted on any matter related to any Loan Document, or (C) directed or required the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, in each case relating to a Default or Event of Default (each, a “Default Direction”), but prior to the acceleration of the Loans, the Borrower determines in good faith that there is a reasonable basis to believe a Lender that took such action made an incorrect representation or warranty or deemed representation or warranty with respect to not being a Net Short Lender, or otherwise at any relevant time on or following such action was a Net Short Lender (a “Net Short Lender Default Breach”), the Borrower delivers a certificate of a Responsible Officer to the Administrative Agent certifying that (i) the Borrower believes in good faith that there is a reasonable basis to believe a Lender that gave a Default Direction (x) made an incorrect representation or warranty or deemed representation or warranty with respect to not being a Net Short Lender, or otherwise at any relevant time on or following such action was a Net Short Lender or (y) breached the Net Short Lender Verification Covenant and (ii) the Borrower and/or one of its Affiliates has filed papers with a court of competent jurisdiction seeking a determination that such Lender made an incorrect representation or warranty or deemed representation or warranty with respect to not being a Net Short Lender, or otherwise at any relevant time on or following such action was a Net Short Lender, and seeking to invalidate any Default or Event of Default that resulted from such action, the cure period with respect to such Default or Event of Default shall be automatically stayed pending a final and non-appealable determination of a court of competent jurisdiction on such matter. If such certificate of a Responsible Officer has been delivered to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall refrain from acting in accordance with such any such request, demand, authorization, notice, consent or waiver relating to such Default or Event of Default until such time as the Borrower provides to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that such Lender has satisfied its Net Short Lender Verification Covenant. If such Lender has satisfied its Net Short Lender Verification Covenant, then the Administrative Agent shall be permitted to act in accordance with such Default Direction.

11.2 Notices. (a) All notices, requests, and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including facsimile or electronic mail), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered by hand, or three days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of facsimile notice or electronic mail, when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day), or, in the case of delivery by a nationally recognized overnight courier, when received, addressed as follows in the case of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, and as set forth in ScheduleSchedules A and A-1 in the case of the other parties hereto, or to such other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto and any future holders of the Loans:

 

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The Borrower:   

HD Supply Waterworks, Ltd.

Core & Main LP

1830 Craig Park Court

St. Louis, MO 63146

Attention:   Mark R. Witkowski and Jessica L. Killion

Facsimile:   X

Telephone:   X

Email:          X

With copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:   

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

Attention: Scott B. Selinger

Facsimile: (212) 909-68367465

Telephone: (212) 909-6000

Email: sbselinger@debevoise.com

The Administrative Agent/the Collateral Agent:   

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

500 Stanton Christiana Road

Newark, DE 19713

Attention: Robert Nichols

Facsimile: X

Telephone: X

Email: X

With copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:   

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10017

Attention: William SheehanDaniel R. Kay

Facsimile: (212) 455-2502

Telephone: (212) 455-33553286

Email: wsheehandkay@stblaw.com

provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Administrative Agent or the Lenders pursuant to Subsection 4.2, 4.4 or 4.8 shall not be effective until received.

(b) Without in any way limiting the obligation of any Loan Party and its Subsidiaries to confirm in writing any telephonic notice permitted to be given hereunder, the Administrative Agent may prior to receipt of written confirmation act without liability upon the basis of such telephonic notice, believed by the Administrative Agent in good faith to be from a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party.

 

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(c) Loan Documents may be transmitted and/or signed by facsimile or other electronic means (e.g., a “pdf” or, “tiff” or DocuSign). The effectiveness of any such documents and signatures shall, subject to applicable law, have the same force and effect as manually signed originals and shall be binding on each Loan Party, each Agent and each Lender. The Administrative Agent may also require that any such documents and signatures be confirmed by a manually signed original thereof; provided that the failure to request or deliver the same shall not limit the effectiveness of any facsimile or other electronic document or signature.

(d) Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including electronic mail and Internet or intranet websites). Notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the posting thereof.

(e) THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” NEITHER THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT NOR ANY OF ITS RELATED PARTIES WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF MATERIALS AND/OR INFORMATION PROVIDED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE BORROWER HEREUNDER (THE “BORROWER MATERIALS”) OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM.

(f) Each Lender may change its address, email, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(g) All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

11.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of any Agent, any Lender or any Loan Party, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

11.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder and in the other Loan Documents (or in any amendment, modification or supplement hereto or thereto) and in any certificate delivered pursuant hereto or such other Loan Documents shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans hereunder.

 

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11.5 Payment of Expenses and Taxes. The Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse the Agents and the Other Representatives for (1) all their reasonable and documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with (i) the syndication of the Facilities and the development, preparation, execution and delivery of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, (ii) the consummation and administration of the transactions (including the syndication of the Initial Term Loan Commitments) contemplated hereby and thereby and (iii) efforts to monitor the Loans and verify, protect, evaluate, assess, appraise, collect, sell, liquidate or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, and (2) the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of one firm of counsel, solely in its capacity as counsel to the Administrative Agent, and such other special or local counsel (limited to one firm of counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction), consultants, advisors, appraisers and auditors whose retention (other than during the continuance of an Event of Default) is approved by the Borrower, (b) to pay or reimburse each Lender, each Lead Arranger and the Agents for all their reasonable and documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement of any rights under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, including the fees and disbursements of counsel to the Agents (limited to one firm of counsel for the Agents and, if necessary, one firm of local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction, in each case for the Agents), (c) to pay, indemnify, or reimburse each Lender, each Lead Arranger and the Agents for, and hold each Lender, each Lead Arranger and the Agents harmless from, any and all recording and filing fees and any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, any stamp, documentary, excise and other similar taxes, if any, which may be payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or consummation or administration of any of the transactions contemplated by, or any amendment, supplement or modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, and (d) to pay, indemnify or reimburse each Lender, each Lead Arranger, each Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each, an “Indemnitee”) for, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from and against, any and all other liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (in the case of fees and disbursements of counsel, limited to one firm of counsel for all Indemnitees and, if necessary, one firm of local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction, in each case for all Indemnitees (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest where the Indemnitee affected by such conflict informs the Borrower of such conflict and thereafter, after receipt of the Borrower’s consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), retains its own counsel, of another firm of counsel for such affected Indemniteegroup of Indemnitees)) arising out of or relating to any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, including any of the foregoing relating to the use of proceeds of the Loans, the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any Environmental Law

 

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applicable to the operations of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of the property of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (all the foregoing in this clause (d), collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”), provided that the Borrower shall not have any obligation hereunder to any Lead Arranger, any Other Representative, any Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or any Lender (or any Related Party of any such Lead Arranger, Other Representative, Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or Lender) with respect to Indemnified Liabilities arising from (i) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Lead Arranger, Other Representative, Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or Lender (or any Related Party of such Lead Arranger, Other Representative, Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or Lender), as the case may be, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision, (ii) a material breach of the Loan Documents by such Lead Arranger, Other Representative, Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or Lender (or any Related Party of such Lead Arranger, Other Representative, Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or Lender), as the case may be, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision or, (iii) claims against such Indemnitee or any Related Party brought by any other Indemnitee that do not involvearise from an act or omission by the Borrower or any of its Affiliates (other than claims against any Lead Arranger or Agent in its capacity as such) or (iv) any agreement governing any settlement of claims that is effected without the Borrower’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld). Neither the Borrower nor any Indemnitee shall be liable for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages hereunder; provided that nothing contained in this sentence shall limit the Borrower’s indemnity or reimbursement obligations under this Subsection 11.5 to the extent such indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages are included in any third party claim in connection with which such Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder. All amounts due under this Subsection 11.5 shall be payable not later than 30 days after written demand therefor. Statements reflecting amounts payable by the Loan Parties pursuant to this Subsection 11.5 shall be submitted to the address of the Borrower set forth in Subsection 11.2, or to such other Person or address as may be hereafter designated by the Borrower in a notice to the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided in Subsections 11.5(b) and (c) above, the Borrower shall have no obligation under this Subsection 11.5 to any Indemnitee with respect to any tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, fee, deduction or withholding imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority. The agreements in this Subsection 11.5 shall survive repayment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

11.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (i) other than in accordance with Subsection 8.7, the Borrower shall not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with Subsection 2.10(e), Subsection 4.13(d), Subsection 4.14(c), Subsection 11.1(g) or this Subsection 11.6.

 

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(a) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in Subsection 11.6(b)(ii) below, any Lender other than a Conduit Lender may, in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with applicable law, assign (other than to a Disqualified Party or any natural person) to one or more assignees (each, an “Assignee”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including its Commitments and/or Loans, pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance) with the prior written consent of:

(A) the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld),; provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment (x) of Term Loans to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that if any Lender assigns all or a portion of its rights and obligations with respect to the Term Loans under this Agreement to one of its Affiliates in connection with or in contemplation of the sale or other disposition of its interest in such Affiliate, the Borrower’s prior written consent shall be required for such assignment, and (y) if an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) with respect to the Borrower has occurred and is continuing, to any other Person; and

(B) the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld); provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund.

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitments or Loans under any Facility, the amount of the Commitments or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall be in an amount of an integral multiple of not less than $1,000,000 unless the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that (1) no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) with respect to the Borrower has occurred and is continuing and (2) such amounts shall be aggregated in respect of each Lender and its Affiliates or Approved Funds, if any;

(B) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (unless waived by the Administrative Agent in any given case); provided that for concurrent assignments to two or more Approved Funds such assignment fee shall only be required to be paid once in respect of and at the time of such assignments;

(C) the Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an administrative questionnaire;

 

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(D) any assignment of Incremental Commitments or Loans to an Affiliated Lender shall also be subject to the requirements of Subsections 11.6(h) and (i); and

(E) any Term Loans acquired by any Holding Company, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall be retired and cancelled promptly upon acquisition thereof.

For the purposes of this Subsection 11.6, the term “Approved Fund” has the following meaning: “Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Lender shall be permitted to make assignments under this Agreement to any Disqualified Party, except to the extent the Borrower has consented to such assignment in writing and any such assignment and Disqualified Party shall be subject to the provisions of Subsection 11.6(m), except to the extent the Borrower has otherwise expressly consented in writing.

(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to clause (b)(iv) below, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of (and bound by any related obligations under) Subsections 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13 and 11.5, and bound by its continuing obligations under Subsection 11.6(m), Subsection 11.16 and, in the case of each Reference Bank, Subsection 4.6(c)). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with Subsection 2.10(e), Subsection 4.13(d), Subsection 4.14(c), Subsection 11.1(g) or this Subsection 11.6 shall, to the extent it would comply with Subsection 11.6(c), be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with clause (c) of this Subsection 11.6 (and any attempted assignment, transfer or participation which does not comply with this Subsection 11.6 shall be null and void).

(iv) The Borrower hereby designates the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent agrees, to serve as the Borrower’s non-fiduciary agent, solely for purposes of this Subsection 11.6, to maintain at one of its offices in New York, New York a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and interest and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall

 

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treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower (and, solely with respect to entries applicable to such Lender, any Lender), at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Administrative Agent be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any Lender is an Affiliated Lender nor shall the Administrative Agent be obligated to monitor the aggregate amount of Term Loans or Incremental Term Loans held by Affiliated Lenders. Upon request by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) promptly (and in any case, not less than five Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) prior to the proposed effective date of any amendment, consent or waiver pursuant to Subsection 11.1) provide to the Administrative Agent, a list of, to the Borrower’s knowledge, all Affiliated Lenders holding Loans or Commitments at the time of such notice and (ii) not less than five Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) prior to the proposed effective date of any amendment, consent or waiver pursuant to Subsection 11.1, provide to the Administrative Agent, a list of, to the Borrower’s knowledge, all Affiliated Debt Funds holding Loans or Commitments at the time of such notice.

(v) Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting for itself and, solely for this purpose, as non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans, Commitments or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary (x) to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations or (y) for the Borrower to enforce its rights hereunder. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and a Lender shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.

(vi) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender (unless such assignment is being made in accordance with Subsection 2.10(e), Subsection 4.13(d), Subsection 4.14(c), Subsection 11.1(g), Subsection 11.6(f) or Subsection 11.6(m)(iv) in which case the effectiveness of such Assignment and Acceptance shall not require execution by the assigning Lender) and an Assignee, the Assignee’s completed administrative questionnaire (unless the Assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in this Subsection 11.6(b) and any written consent to such assignment required by this Subsection 11.6(b), the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Acceptance, record the information contained therein in the Register and give prompt notice of such assignment and recordation to the Borrower. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this clause (vi).

 

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(vii) On or prior to the effective date of any assignment pursuant to this Subsection 11.6(b), the assigning Lender shall surrender to the Administrative Agent any outstanding Notes held by it evidencing the Loans or Commitments, as applicable, which are being assigned. Any Notes surrendered by the assigning Lender shall be returned by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower marked “cancelled.”

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Subsection 11.6(b) or any other provision of this Agreement, if the Borrower shall have consented thereto in writing in its sole discretion, the Administrative Agent shall have the right, but not the obligation, to effectuate assignments of Loans, Incremental Commitments and Initial Term Loan Commitments via an electronic settlement system acceptable to Administrative Agent and the Borrower as designated in writing from time to time to the Lenders by Administrative Agent (the “Settlement Service”). At any time when the Administrative Agent elects, in its sole discretion, to implement such Settlement Service, each such assignment shall be effected by the assigning Lender and proposed Assignee pursuant to the procedures then in effect under the Settlement Service, which procedures shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Borrower and shall be consistent with the other provisions of this Subsection 11.6(b). Each assigning Lender and proposed Assignee shall comply with the requirements of the Settlement Service in connection with effecting any assignment of Loans and Commitments pursuant to the Settlement Service. Assignments and assumptions of Loans and Commitments shall be effected by the provisions otherwise set forth herein until the Administrative Agent notifies the Lenders of the Settlement Service as set forth herein. The Borrower may withdraw its consent to the use of the Settlement Service at any time upon notice to the Administrative Agent, and thereafter assignments and assumptions of the Loans and Commitments shall be effected by the provisions otherwise set forth herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that the Administrative Agent shall have the right, but not the obligation, to effectuate assignments of Loans and Commitments via the ClearPar electronic settlement system pursuant to procedures consistent with this Subsection 11.6(b), including execution and delivery of the Assignment and Acceptance (it being understood that such execution and delivery may be by way of electronic signature) by the parties to the assignment.

Furthermore, no Assignee, which as of the date of any assignment to it pursuant to this Subsection 11.6(b) would be entitled to receive any greater payment under Subsection 4.10, 4.11, 4.12 or 11.5 than the assigning Lender would have been entitled to receive as of such date under such Subsections with respect to the rights assigned shall notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement be entitled to receive such greater payments unless the assignment was made after an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or (f) has occurred and is continuing or the Borrower has expressly consented in writing to waive the benefit of this provision at the time of such assignment.

 

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(b) (i) Any Lender other than a Conduit Lender may, in the ordinary course of its business and in accordance with applicable law, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations (other than to any Disqualified Party or a natural person) to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Initial Term Loan Commitments, Incremental Commitments, Extended Commitments and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (C) such Lender shall remain the holder of any such Loan for all purposes under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (D) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, (E) [reserved] and, (Ffrom time to time upon the reasonable request of the Borrower, each Lender shall provide the Borrower a list of all (x) in the case of any revolving facility under the Loan Documents, outstanding participations in such revolving facility that such Lender has sold and (y) in the case of Term Loans, outstanding voting participations in such Term Loans that such Lender has sold and (G) in the case of any participation to a Permitted Affiliated Assignee, such participation shall be governed by the provisions of Subsection 11.6(h)(ii) to the same extent as if each reference therein to an assignment of a Loan were to a participation of a Loan and the references to Affiliated Lender were to such Permitted Affiliated Assignee in its capacity as a participant. Any agreement pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver that (1) requires the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby pursuant to clause (i) or (iii) of the second proviso to the second sentence of Subsection 11.1(a) and (2) directly affects such Participant. Subject to Subsection 11.6(c)(ii), the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of (and shall have the related obligations under) Subsections 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13 and 11.5 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Subsection 11.6(b). To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Subsection 11.7(b) as though it were a Lender, provided that such Participant shall be subject to Subsection 11.7(a) as though it were a Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Lender shall be permitted to sell or maintain a participation under this Agreement to or with any Disqualified Party and any participation to a Person that is or at any time becomes a Disqualified Party shall be null and void, except to the extent the Borrower has expressly consented to such participation in writing; provided that if any such participation by a Lender is subject to a sub-participation by such Disqualified Party to a Person that is not a Disqualified Party or natural person, and such sub-participation if made as a participation directly by such Lender would comply with Subsection 11.6, such sub-participant shall have the right to assume all of the rights and obligations of such Disqualified Party under such participation and thereby become a Participant hereunder in substitution for such Disqualified Party (it being understood that such sub-participant shall, prior to the effectiveness of such assumption, provide to such Lender that sold or maintained such participation all documentation and information as is reasonably required by such Lender pursuant to “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations and execute and deliver an appropriate assumption agreement to effect such substitution on terms and conditions mutually agreed between such sub-participant and such Lender, and such Disqualified Party shall thereupon be deemed to have executed and delivered such assumption agreement). Any such participation and Disqualified Party not permitted prior to the foregoing sentence shall be subject to the provisions of Subsection 11.6(m), except to the extent the Borrower has otherwise expressly consented in writing. Any attempted participation which does not comply with Subsection 11.6 shall be null and void.

 

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(ii) No Loan Party shall be obligated to make any greater payment under Subsection 4.10, 4.11, 4.12 or 11.5 than it would have been obligated to make in the absence of any participation, unless the sale of such participation is made with the prior written consent of the Borrower and the Borrower expressly waives the benefit of this provision at the time of such participation. Any Participant that is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof shall not be entitled to the benefits of Subsection 4.11 unless such Participant complies with Subsection 4.11(b) and provides the forms and certificates referenced therein to the Lender that granted such participation.

(c) Any Lender, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or central bank of a member state of the European Union, and this Subsection 11.6 shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute (by foreclosure or otherwise) any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(d) No assignment or participation made or purported to be made to any Assignee or Participant shall be effective without the prior written consent of the Borrower if it would require the Borrower to make any filing with any Governmental Authority or qualify any Loan or Note under the laws of any jurisdiction, and the Borrower shall be entitled to request and receive such information and assurances as it may reasonably request from any Lender or any Assignee or Participant to determine whether any such filing or qualification is required or whether any assignment or participation is otherwise in accordance with applicable law.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Conduit Lender may assign any or all of the Loans it may have funded hereunder to its designating Lender without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent and without regard to the limitations set forth in Subsection 11.6(b). The Borrower, each Lender and the Administrative Agent hereby confirms that it will not institute against a Conduit Lender or join any other Person in instituting against a Conduit Lender any domestic or foreign bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding under any state, federal or provincial bankruptcy or similar law, for one year and one day after the payment in full of the latest maturing commercial paper note issued by such Conduit Lender; provided, however, that each Lender designating any Conduit Lender hereby agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless each other party hereto for any loss, cost, damage or expense arising out of its inability to institute such a proceeding against such Conduit Lender during such period of forbearance. Each such indemnifying Lender shall pay in full any claim received from the Borrower pursuant to this Subsection 11.6(f) within 30 Business Days of receipt of a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower specifying in reasonable detail

 

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the cause and amount of the loss, cost, damage or expense in respect of which the claim is being asserted, which certificate shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Without limiting the indemnification obligations of any indemnifying Lender pursuant to this Subsection 11.6(f), in the event that the indemnifying Lender fails timely to compensate the Borrower for such claim, any Loans held by the relevant Conduit Lender shall, if requested by the Borrower, be assigned promptly to the Lender that administers the Conduit Lender and the designation of such Conduit Lender shall be void.

(f) If the Borrower wishes to replace the Loans under any Facility with ones having different terms, it shall have the option, with the consent of the Administrative Agent and subject to at least three Business Days’ (or such shorter period as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) advance notice to the Lenders under such Facility, instead of prepaying the Loans to be replaced, to (i) require the Lenders under such Facility to assign such Loans to the Administrative Agent or its designees and (ii) amend the terms thereof in accordance with Subsection 11.1. Pursuant to any such assignment, all Loans to be replaced shall be purchased at par (allocated among the Lenders under such Facility in the same manner as would be required if such Loans were being optionally prepaid by the Borrower), accompanied by payment of any accrued interest and fees thereon and any amounts owing pursuant to Subsection 4.12. By receiving such purchase price, the Lenders under such Facility shall automatically be deemed to have assigned the Loans under such Facility pursuant to the terms of the form of the Assignment and Acceptance, the Administrative Agent shall record such assignment in the Register and accordingly no other action by such Lenders shall be required in connection therewith. The provisions of this clause (g) are intended to facilitate the maintenance of the perfection and priority of existing security interests in the Collateral during any such replacement.

(g) (i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (x) any Lender may, at any time, assign all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of its Loans or Commitments to any Parent Entity, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or an Affiliated Lender and (y) any Parent Entity, the Borrower and any Subsidiary may, from time to time, purchase or prepay Loans, in each case, on a non-pro rata basis through (1) Dutch auction procedures open to all applicable Lenders on a pro rata basis in accordance with customary procedures to be agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (or other applicable agent managing such auction); provided that (A) any such Dutch auction by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries shall be made in accordance with Subsection 4.4(l) and (B) any such Dutch auction by any Parent Entity shall be made on terms substantially similar to Subsection 4.4(l) or on other terms to be agreed between such Parent Entity and the Administrative Agent (or other applicable agent managing such auction) or (2) open market or other privately negotiated purchases; provided further that:

(1) such Affiliated Lender and such other Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an assignment agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit K hereto (an “Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption”) and the Administrative Agent shall record such assignment in the Register;

 

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(2) at the time of such assignment after giving effect to such assignment, the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans held (or participated in) by Affiliated Lenders that are not Affiliated Debt Funds shall not exceed 25.0% of the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans outstanding under this Agreement;

(3) any such Term Loans acquired by (x) any Holding Company, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary shall be retired or cancelled promptly upon the acquisition thereof and (y) an Affiliated Lender may, with the consent of the Borrower, be contributed to the Borrower, whether through a Parent Entity or otherwise, and exchanged for debt or equity securities of the Borrower or such Parent Entity that are otherwise permitted to be issued at such time pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, so long as any Term Loans so acquired by the Borrower shall be retired and cancelled promptly upon the acquisition thereof.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Affiliated Lender that is not an Affiliated Debt Fund shall have any right to (A) attend (including by telephone) any meeting or discussions (or portion thereof) among the Administrative Agent or any Lender to which representatives of the Loan Parties are not invited, (B) receive any information or material prepared by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any communication by or among the Administrative Agent and/or one or more Lenders, except to the extent such information or materials have been made available to the Borrower or its representatives or (C) receive advice of counsel to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other Lender or challenge their attorney client privilege.

(iii) Notwithstanding anything in Subsection 11.1 or the definitions of “Required Lenders” and “Required Majority in Interest Lenders” to the contrary, for purposes of determining whether the Required Lenders or the Required Majority in Interest Lenders, as applicable, have (A) consented (or not consented) to any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, (B) otherwise acted on any matter related to any Loan Document, or (C) directed or required the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, an Affiliated Lender that is not an Affiliated Debt Fund shall be deemed to have voted its interest as a Lender without discretion in the same proportion as the allocation of voting with respect to such matter by Lenders who are not such Affiliated Lenders; provided that, (I) to the extent Lenders are being compensated by the Borrower for consenting to an amendment, modification, waiver or any other action, each Affiliated Lender who has been deemed to have voted its Loans in accordance with this Subsection 11.6(h)(iii) shall be entitled to be compensated on the same basis as each consenting Lender as if it had voted all of its Loans in favor of the applicable amendment, modification, waiver or other action); and (II) no amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any Loan Document shall deprive such Affiliated Lender of its ratable share of any payments of Loans of any class to which such Affiliated Lender is entitled under the Loan Documents without such Affiliated Lender providing its consent; provided, further, that such Affiliated Lender shall have the right to approve any amendment, supplement, modification, waiver or consent that (x) disproportionately and adversely affects such Affiliated Lender in its capacity as a Lender or affects such

 

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Affiliated Lender differently in its capacity as a Lender than other Lenders or (y) is of the type described in Subsections 11.1(a)(i) through (iv)); and in furtherance of the foregoing, (x) the Affiliated Lender agrees to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent any instrument reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to evidence the voting of its interest as a Lender in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection 11.6(h)(iii); provided that if the Affiliated Lender fails to promptly execute such instrument such failure shall in no way prejudice any of the Administrative Agent’s rights under this Subsection 11.6(h)(iii) and (y) the Administrative Agent is hereby appointed (such appointment being coupled with an interest) by such Affiliated Lender as such Affiliated Lender’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Affiliated Lender and in the name of such Affiliated Lender, from time to time in the Administrative Agent’s discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument that the Administrative Agent may deem reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this Subsection 11.6(h)(iii).

(iv) Each Affiliated Lender that is not an Affiliated Debt Fund, solely in its capacity as a Lender, hereby agrees, and each Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption agreement shall provide a confirmation that, if any of any Holding Company, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall be subject to any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or liquidation proceeding (each, a “Bankruptcy Proceeding”), (i) such Affiliated Lender shall not take any step or action in such Bankruptcy Proceeding to object to, impede, or delay the exercise of any right or the taking of any action by the Administrative Agent (or the taking of any action by a third party that is supported by the Administrative Agent) in relation to such Affiliated Lender’s claim with respect to its Term Loans (“Claim”) (including objecting to any debtor in possession financing, use of cash collateral, grant of adequate protection, sale or disposition, compromise, or plan of reorganization) so long as such Affiliated Lender in its capacity as a Lender is treated in connection with such exercise or action on the same or better terms as the other Lenders and (ii(with respect to any matter requiring the vote of Lenders during the pendency of a Bankruptcy Proceeding (including voting on any plan of reorganization), the Term Loans held by such Affiliated Lender (and any Claim with respect thereto) shall be deemed to be voted in accordance with Subsection 11.6(h)(iii) above so long as such Affiliated Lender in its capacity as a Lender is treated in connection with the exercise of such right or taking of such action on the same or better terms as other Lenders. For the avoidance of doubt, the Lenders and each Affiliated Lender that is not an Affiliated Debt Fund agree and acknowledge that the provisions set forth in this Subsection 11.6(h)(iv) and the related provisions set forth in each Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption constitute a “subordination agreement” as such term is contemplated by, and utilized in, Section 510(a) of the United States Bankruptcy Code, and, as such, it is their intention that this Subsection 11.6(h)(iv) would be enforceable for all purposes in any case where any Holding Company, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has filed for protection under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors applicable to anysuch Holding Company, the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable. Each Affiliated Lender that is not an Affiliated Debt Fund hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent (such appointment being coupled with an interest) as such Affiliated Lender’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such

 

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Affiliated Lender and in the name of such Affiliated Lender (solely in respect of Loans, Commitments and participations therein and not in respect of any other claim or status such Affiliated Lender may otherwise have), from time to time in the Administrative Agent’s discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument that the Administrative Agent may deem reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this Subsection 11.6(h)(iv).

(v) Each Lender making an assignment to, or taking an assignment from, an Affiliated Lender acknowledges and agrees that in connection with such assignment, (1) such Affiliated Lender then may have, and later may come into possession of Excluded Information, (2) such Lender has independently and, without reliance on the Affiliated Lender, any Holding Company, the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent or any of their respective Affiliates, has made its own analysis and determination to enter into such assignment notwithstanding such Lender’s lack of knowledge of the Excluded Information and (3) none of the Holding Companies, the Borrower, its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent, or any of their respective Affiliates shall have any liability to such Lender, and such Lender hereby waives and releases, to the extent permitted by law, any claims such Lender may have against any Holding Company, the Borrower, its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent, and their respective Affiliates, under applicable laws or otherwise, with respect to the nondisclosure of the Excluded Information. Each Lender entering into such an assignment further acknowledges that the Excluded Information may not be available to the Administrative Agent or the other Lenders.

(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Subsection 11.1 or the definitions of “Required Lenders” and “Required Majority in Interest Lenders” (x) with respect to any assignment or participation to or by an Affiliated Debt Fund, such assignment or participation shall be made pursuant to an open market or other privately negotiated purchase and (y) for purposes of determining whether the Required Lenders or the Required Majority in Interest Lenders, as applicable, have (i) consented (or not consented) to any amendment, supplement, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any of the terms of any Loan Document or any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, (ii) otherwise acted on any matter related to any Loan Document, or (iii) directed or required the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, all Term Loans held by Affiliated Debt Funds may not account for more than 49.9% of the Term Loans of consenting Lenders included in determining whether the Required Lenders or the Required Majority in Interest Lenders, as applicable, have consented to any action pursuant to Subsection 11.1.

(i) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Subsection 11.6, nothing in this Subsection 11.6 is intended to or should be construed to limit the Borrower’s right to prepay the Loans as provided hereunder, including under Subsection 4.4.

(j) [Reserved].

(k) [Reserved].

 

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(l) (i) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, if any Lender or Participant at any time is or becomes a Disqualified Party, then for so long as such Lender or Participant shall be a Disqualified Party, the provisions of this Subsection 11.6(m) shall apply with respect to such Disqualified Party unless the Borrower shall have otherwise expressly consented in writing in its sole discretion (and regardless of whether the Borrower shall have consented to any assignment or participation to such Lender or Participant).

(ii) Any Disqualified Party shall be bound by the provisions of, but shall not have any rights or remedies or be a beneficiary (whether as a Lender, a Participant or otherwise) under or with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Without limiting the foregoing, a Disqualified Party (1) shall not be entitled to and shall have no right to receive any payment in respect of principal (other than with respect to payments of principal on the Maturity Date for the applicable Tranche), interest, fees, costs, expenses or any other amount under or in respect of any Loan Document, including but not limited to pursuant to Subsection 2.2, 2.6(c), 4.1, 4.4, 4.5, 4.8, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 11.5, 11.6(c) or 11.7 of this Agreement, Subsection 9.4 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or any similar provision of any other Loan Document, and (2) shall be deemed not to be (w) a Secured Party (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or any other applicable Security Document) under or in respect of any Loan Document, (x) a Term Loan Secured Party (as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement) under or in respect of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, (y) an Original Senior Lien Creditor (as defined in any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement) under or in respect of such Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or (z) the analogous party under or in respect of any Other Intercreditor Agreement. No fees or interest shall accrue for the account of a Disqualified Party (except solely for interest payable to a permitted assignee thereof following an assignment to such assignee (1) pursuant to and as expressly provided in Subsection 11.6(b) and (2) pursuant to and as expressly provided in Subsection 11.6(m)(iv) below).

(iii) No Disqualified Party shall have any right to approve, disapprove or consent to any amendment, supplement, waiver or modification of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any term hereof or thereof. In determining whether the requisite Lender or Lenders have consented to any such amendment, supplement, waiver or modification, and in determining the Required Lenders or the Required Majority in Interest Lenders for any purpose under or in respect of any Loan Document, any Lender that is a Disqualified Party (and the Loans and/or Commitments of such Disqualified Party) shall be excluded and disregarded. Each such amendment, supplement, waiver or modification shall be binding and effective as to each Disqualified Party.

(iv) The Borrower shall have the right (A) at the sole expense of any Lender that is a Disqualified Party and/or the Person that assigned its Commitments and/or Loans to such Disqualified Party, to seek to replace or terminate such Disqualified Party as a Lender by causing such Lender to (and such Lender shall be obligated to) assign any or all of its Commitments and/or Loans and its rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more assignees (which may, at the Borrower’s sole option, be or include any Parent Entity, the Borrower or any Subsidiary); provided that (1) the Administrative

 

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Agent shall not have any obligation to the Borrower to find such a replacement Lender, (2) the Borrower shall not have any obligation to such Disqualified Party or any other Person to find such a replacement Lender or accept or consent to any such assignment to itself or any other Person and (3) the assignee (or, at its option, the Borrower) shall pay to such Disqualified Party concurrently with such assignment an amount (which payment shall be deemed payment in full) equal to the lesser of (x) the face principal amount of the Loans so assigned, (y) the amount that such Disqualified Party paid to acquire such Commitments and/or Loans, and (z) the most recently available quoted price for such Commitments and/or Loans (as determined by the Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive, the “Trading Price”), in each case without interest thereon (it being understood that if the effective date of such assignment is not an Interest Payment Date, such assignee shall be entitled to receive on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date interest on the principal amount of the Loans so assigned that has accrued and is unpaid from the Interest Payment Date last preceding such effective date (except as may be otherwise agreed between such assignee and the Borrower)), or (B) to prepay any Loans held by such Disqualified Party, in whole or in part, by paying an amount (which payment shall be deemed payment in full) equal to the lesser of (x) the face principal amount of the Loans so prepaid, (y) the amount that such Disqualified Party paid to acquire such Loans, and (z) the Trading Price for such Loans (in each case without interest thereon), and if applicable, terminate the Commitments of such Disqualified Party, in whole or in part (provided that, in the case of any Disqualified Party pursuant to clause (iii)(b) of the definition thereof, each Participant that has a participation in the Commitments and/or Loans of such Disqualified Party shall be provided a bona fide and reasonable opportunity to be assigned the Commitments and/or Loans in accordance with clause (A) above in an aggregate amount equal to no less than the aggregate principal amount of such participation). In connection with any such replacement, (1) if the Disqualified Party does not execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance and/or any other documentation necessary or appropriate (in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive) to reflect such replacement by the later of (a) the date on which the replacement Lender executes and delivers such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation and (b) the date as of which the Disqualified Party shall be paid by the assignee Lender (or, at its option, the Borrower) the amount required pursuant to this Subsection 11.6(m)(iv)(B), then such Disqualified Party shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation as of such date and the Borrower shall be entitled (but not obligated) to execute and deliver such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation on behalf of such Disqualified Party, and the Administrative Agent shall record such assignment in the Register, (2) each Lender (whether or not then a party hereto) agrees to disclose to the Borrower the amount that the applicable Disqualified Party paid to acquire Commitments and/or Loans from such Lender and (3) each Lender that is a Disqualified Party agrees to disclose to the Borrower the amount it paid to acquire the Commitments and/or Loans held by it.

 

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(v) No Disqualified Party (whether as a Lender, a Participant or otherwise) shall have any right to (A) receive any information or material made available to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (B) have access to any Internet or intranet website to which any of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party or other website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower or otherwise), (C) attend (including by telephone) or otherwise participate in any meeting or discussions (or portions thereof) among or with any of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and/or one or more Lenders, (D) receive any information or material prepared by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and/or one or more Lenders or (E) receive advice of counsel to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other Lender or challenge their attorney client privilege. Any Disqualified Party shall not solicit or seek to obtain any such information or material. If at any time any Disqualified Party receives or possesses any such information or material, such Disqualified Party shall (1) notify the Borrower as soon as possible that such information or material has become known to it or came into its possession, (2) immediately return to the Borrower or, at the option of the Borrower, destroy (and confirm to the Borrower such destruction) such information or material, together with any notes, analyses, compilations, forecasts, studies or other documents related thereto which it or its advisors prepared and (3) keep such information or material confidential and shall not utilize such information or material for any purpose. Each Lender (whether or not then a party hereto) agrees to notify the Borrower as soon as possible if it becomes aware that (x) it made an assignment to or has a participation with a Disqualified Party or (y) any such Disqualified Party has received any such information of materials.

(vi) The rights and remedies of the Borrower provided herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights and remedies provided to the Borrower at law or in equity, and the Borrower shall be entitled to pursue any remedy available to it against any Lender that has (or has purported to have) made an assignment or sold or maintained a participation to or with a Disqualified Party or against any Disqualified Party. In no event shall the Administrative Agent be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether (x) any Lender is a Net Short Lender or (y) any prospective assignee pursuant to Subsection 11.6(b) is a Disqualified Party or have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans by the Lenders or disclosure of confidential information by the Lenders, in each case, to any Disqualified Party; provided that, unless the Borrower has expressly consented in writing to an assignment to an applicable Disqualified Party, this sentence shall not relieve the Administrative Agent of any liability arising from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision).

(vii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Assignment and Acceptance or any other document, the provisions of this Subsection 11.6(m) shall apply and survive with respect to each Lender, Participant and Disqualified Party notwithstanding that any such Person may have ceased to be a Lender or Participant (or any purported participation to any such Disqualified Party shall be void) hereunder or this Agreement may have been terminated.

 

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11.7 Adjustments; Set-off; Calculations; Computations. (a) If any Lender (a “Benefited Lender”) shall at any time receive any payment of all or part of its Loans, or interest thereon, or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature referred to in Subsection 9.1(f), or otherwise (except pursuant to Subsection 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 4.4, 4.5(b), 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13(d), 4.14, 11.1(g) or 11.6)), in a greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral received by any other Lender, if any, in respect of such other Lender’s Loans owing to it, or interest thereon, such Benefited Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders an interest (by participation, assignment or otherwise) in such portion of each such other Lender’s Loans owing to it, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, or the proceeds thereof, as shall be necessary to cause such Benefited Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral or proceeds ratably with each of the Lenders; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefited Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

(b) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to the Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) to set-off and appropriate and apply against any amount then due and payable under Subsection 9.1(a) by the Borrower any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender or any branch or agency thereof to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.

11.8 Judgment. (a) If, for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against any Loan Party in any court in any jurisdiction, it becomes necessary to convert into any other currency (such other currency being hereinafter in this Subsection 11.8 referred to as the “Judgment Currency”) an amount due under any Loan Document in any currency (the “Obligation Currency”) other than the Judgment Currency, the conversion shall be made at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Business Day immediately preceding the date of actual payment of the amount due, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of any other jurisdiction that will give effect to such conversion being made on such date, or the date on which the judgment is given, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of any other jurisdiction (the applicable date as of which such conversion is made pursuant to this Subsection 11.8 being hereinafter in this Subsection 11.8 referred to as the “Judgment Conversion Date”).

(b) If, in the case of any proceeding in the court of any jurisdiction referred to in Subsection 11.8(a), there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Judgment Conversion Date and the date of actual receipt for value of the amount due, the applicable Loan Party shall pay such additional amount (if any, but in any event not a lesser amount) as may be necessary to ensure that the amount actually received in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of the Obligation Currency which could have been purchased with the amount of the Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial order at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Judgment Conversion Date. Any amount due from any Loan Party under this Subsection 11.8(b) shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other amounts due under or in respect of any of the Loan Documents.

 

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(c) The term “rate of exchange” in this Subsection 11.8 means the rate of exchange at which the Administrative Agent, on the relevant date at or about 12:00 noonP.M., New York City time, would be prepared to sell, in accordance with its normal course foreign currency exchange practices, the Obligation Currency against the Judgment Currency.

11.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement onin any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile and other electronic transmission), and all of such counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all the parties shall be delivered to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

11.10 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

11.11 Integration. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the entire agreement of each of the Loan Parties party hereto, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any of the Loan Parties party hereto, the Administrative Agent or any Lender relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.

11.12 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY NOTES AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ITS PRINCIPLES OR RULES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT SUCH PRINCIPLES OR RULES ARE NOT MANDATORILY APPLICABLE BY STATUTE AND WOULD REQUIRE OR PERMIT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

11.13 Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York for the County of New York (the “New York Supreme Court”), and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Federal District Court”, and together with the New York Supreme Court, the “New York Courts”) and appellate courts from either of them; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or operate to preclude (i) any

 

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Agent from bringing suit or taking other legal action in any other jurisdiction to realize on the Collateral or any other security for the Term Loan Facility Obligations (in which case any party shall be entitled to assert any claim or defense, including any claim or defense that this Subsection 11.13 would otherwise require to be asserted in a legal action or proceeding in a New York Court), or to enforce a judgment or other court order in favor of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, (ii) any party from bringing any legal action or proceeding in any jurisdiction for the recognition and enforcement of any judgment, (iii) if all such New York Courts decline jurisdiction over any Person, or decline (or in the case of the Federal District Court, lack) jurisdiction over any subject matter of such action or proceeding, a legal action or proceeding may be brought with respect thereto in another court having jurisdiction and (iv) in the event a legal action or proceeding is brought against any party hereto or involving any of its assets or property in another court (without any collusive assistance by such party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates), such party from asserting a claim or defense (including any claim or defense that this Subsection 11.13(a) would otherwise require to be asserted in a legal proceeding in a New York Court) in any such action or proceeding;

(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient forum and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to the Borrower, the applicable Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, at the address specified in Subsection 11.2 or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent, any such Lender and the Borrower shall have been notified pursuant thereto;

(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or (subject to clause (a) above) shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and

(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Subsection 11.13 any consequential or punitive damages.

11.14 Acknowledgements. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that:

(a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

(b) neither any Agent nor any Other Representative or Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to the Borrower arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between the Administrative Agent and Lenders, on the one hand, and the Borrower, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of creditor and debtor;

 

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(c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby among the Lenders or among the Borrower and the Lenders; and

(d) each Agent, each Lender and their Affiliates may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Loan Parties, their stockholders and/or their Affiliates.

11.15 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE BORROWER, THE AGENTS AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY NOTES OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

11.16 Confidentiality. (a) Each Agent, each Other Representative and each Lender agrees to keep confidential any information (a) provided to it by or on behalf of any Holding Company or the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries pursuant to or in connection with the Loan Documents or (b) obtained by such Lender based on a review of the books and records of any Holding Company or the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries; provided that nothing herein shall prevent any Lender from disclosing any such information (i) to any Agent, any Other Representative or any other Lender, (ii) to any Transferee, or prospective Transferee or any creditor or any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations which agrees to comply with the provisions of this Subsection 11.16 pursuant to a written instrument (or electronically recorded agreement from any Person listed above in this clause (ii), in respect to any electronic information (whether posted or otherwise distributed on any Platform)) for the benefit of the Borrower (it being understood that each relevant Lender shall be solely responsible for obtaining such instrument (or such electronically recorded agreement)), (iii) to its Affiliates and the employees, officers, partners, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors of it and its Affiliates, provided that such Lender shall inform each such Person of the agreement under this Subsection 11.16 and take reasonable actions to cause compliance by any such Person referred to in this clause (iii) with this agreement (including, where appropriate, to cause any such Person to acknowledge its agreement to be bound by the agreement under this Subsection 11.16), (iv) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such Lender or its affiliates or to the extent required in response to any order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as shall otherwise be required pursuant to any Requirement of Law, provided that, other than with respect to any disclosure to any bank regulatory authority, such Lender shall, unless prohibited by any Requirement of Law, notify the Borrower of any disclosure pursuant to this clause (iv) as far in advance as is reasonably practicable under such circumstances, (v) which has been publicly disclosed other than in breach of this Agreement, (vi) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder, under any Loan Document or under any Interest Rate Agreement, (vii) in connection with periodic regulatory examinations and reviews conducted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such Lender or its affiliates (to the extent applicable), (viii) in connection with any litigation to which such Lender (or, with respect to any Interest Rate Agreement, any Affiliate of any Lender party thereto) may be a party subject to the proviso in clause (iv) above, and (ix) if, prior to such information having been so provided or obtained, such information was already in an

 

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Agent’s or a Lender’s possession on a non-confidential basis without a duty of confidentiality to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries being violated. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any Assignment and Acceptance, the provisions of this Subsection 11.16 shall survive with respect to each Agent and Lender until the second anniversary of such Agent or Lender ceasing to be an Agent or a Lender, respectively. In addition, the Administrative Agent may provide information regarding the Facilities to service providers providing administrative and ministerial services solely in connection with the syndication and administration of the Facilities on a confidential basis; provided that, except with respect to information which has been publicly disclosed other than in breach of this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall inform each such Person of the agreement under this Subsection 11.16 and take reasonable actions to cause compliance by any such Person with this agreement (including, where appropriate, to cause any such Person to acknowledge its agreement to be bound by the agreement under this Subsection 11.16).

(b) Each Lender acknowledges that any such information referred to in Subsection 11.16(a), and any information (including requests for waivers and amendments) furnished by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the Administrative Agent pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the other Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates or their respective securities. Each Lender represents and confirms that such Lender has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information; that such Lender will handle such material non-public information in accordance with those procedures and applicable law, including United States federal and state securities laws; and that such Lender has identified to the Administrative Agent a credit contact who may receive information that may contain material non-public information in accordance with its compliance procedures and applicable law.

11.17 Incremental Indebtedness; Additional Indebtedness. In connection with the Incurrence by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof of any Incremental Indebtedness, Specified Refinancing Indebtedness or Additional Indebtedness, each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent agrees to execute and deliver the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement Supplement and amendments, amendments and restatements, restatements or waivers of or supplements to or other modifications to, any Security Document, and to make or consent to any filings or take any other actions in connection therewith, as may be reasonably deemed by the Borrower to be necessary or reasonably desirable for any Lien on the assets of any Loan Party permitted to secure such Incremental Indebtedness, Specified Refinancing Indebtedness or Additional Indebtedness to become a valid, perfected lien (with such priority as may be designated by the relevant Loan Party or Subsidiary, to the extent such priority is permitted by the Loan Documents) pursuant to the Security Document being so amended, amended and restated, restated, waived, supplemented or otherwise modified or otherwise.

11.18 USA PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub.L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”), it is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the Patriot Act and the CDD Rule, and the Borrower agrees to provide such information from time to time to any Lender.

 

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11.19 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents. The words “execution”, “signed”, “signature”, and words of like import in any Assignment and Acceptance or Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption or in any amendment or other modification hereof (including waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

11.20 Reinstatement. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition or other proceeding be filed by or against any Loan Party for liquidation or reorganization, should any Loan Party become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of any creditor or creditors or should an interim receiver, receiver, receiver and manager or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of any Loan Party’s assets, and shall continue to be effective or to be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under the Loan Documents, or any part thereof, is, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee of the obligations, whether as a fraudulent preference, reviewable transaction or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment, or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the obligations of the Borrower hereunder shall be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

11.21 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEAAffected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the Borrower, each party heretoLender and the Administrative Agent (each, an “Acknowledging Party”) acknowledges that any liability of any party heretoLender that is an EEAAffected Financial Institution arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured and solely relates to the Loans and not to any other Person, including any other party hereto or any other Loan Document (and not to any other obligations), to such Acknowledging Party (all such liabilities, other than any Excluded Liability, the “Covered Liabilities”), may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers to any Covered Liability arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document which may be payable to it by any Lender party hereto that is an EEAAffected Financial Institution; and

 

239


(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such Covered Liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such Covered Liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such Covered Liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEAAffected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such Covered Liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such Covered Liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing contained in this Subsection 11.21 shall modify or otherwise alter the rights or obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document of any Person party hereto (other than an Acknowledging Party to the extent set forth in this Subsection 11.21) or with respect to any liability that is not a Covered Liability.

11.22 [Reserved].

11.23 Recognition of U.S. Special Resolution Regime. In the event that any Lender that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Lender of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event that any Lender that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Lender becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Lender are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

240


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

 

CD&R WATERWORKS MERGER SUB, LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE WATERWORKS TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT]


AGENT AND LENDERS:
[•]

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE WATERWORKS TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT]

Exhibit 10.10

Execution Version

AMENDMENT NO. 3, dated as of July 27, 2021 (this “Third Amendment”), among CORE & MAIN LP (the “Parent Borrower”), the several banks and financial institutions party hereto and CITIBANK, N.A. (“Citi”), as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

WHEREAS, the Parent Borrower, the Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time party thereto (together with the Parent Borrower, the “Borrowers”), Citi, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Swingline Lender and as an Issuing Lender, and the Lenders and other Issuing Lenders from time to time party thereto, are parties to that certain ABL Credit Agreement dated as of August 1, 2017 (as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated as of July 8, 2019, and Amendment No. 2, dated as of May 4, 2020, and as further amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “Credit Agreement”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to Subsection 2.6 of the Credit Agreement, the Borrowers are requesting Supplemental Commitments under the Credit Agreement in an aggregate amount of $150,000,000 (the “Commitment Increase”);

WHEREAS, effective as of the Third Amendment Effective Date (as defined below) and pursuant to Subsection 2.6 and Subsection 11.1(a) of the Credit Agreement, (i) the several banks and financial institutions party hereto have agreed to provide the Commitment Increase and (ii) the Borrowers, the Lenders and Issuing Lenders party hereto and the Administrative Agent have agreed to amend the Credit Agreement (as so amended, the “Amended Credit Agreement”) as set forth in Sections 1 and 2 hereto, in each case on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

Section 1. Amendment of the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement is, effective as of the Third Amendment Effective Date (as defined below), hereby amended as follows:

(a) The definition of “Commitment” in Subsection 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the last sentence of that definition and replacing it with “The amount of the aggregate Commitments of the Lenders as of the Third Amendment Effective Date is $850,000,000.”.

(b) Schedule A of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with Schedule A attached hereto. For the avoidance of doubt, Schedule 1.1(j) of the Credit Agreement shall not be amended hereby.

(c) This Section 1 of this Third Amendment constitutes a Lender Joinder Agreement pursuant to Subsection 2.6(c)(i) of the Amended Credit Agreement.

Section 2. Further Amendments. Pursuant to and in accordance with Subsection 11.1(a) of the Credit Agreement, effective as of the Third Amendment Effective Date:


(a) The Credit Agreement is hereby amended to delete the stricken text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text) and to add the double-underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double-underlined text) as set forth in the pages of the Credit Agreement attached as Annex II hereto.

(b) The exhibits to the Credit Agreement are hereby amended by inserting Annex III hereto as Exhibit N-2 thereto.

Section 3. Reallocation. On the Third Amendment Effective Date, (i) the applicable Borrowers shall, in coordination with the Administrative Agent, (x) repay applicable Revolving Credit Loans outstanding on such Third Amendment Effective Date of certain Lenders, and purchase applicable Revolving Credit Loans from certain other Lenders, and (y) take such other actions as reasonably may be required by the Administrative Agent as shall be necessary in order that, after giving effect to all such repayments and purchases, the Lenders effectively participate in each of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans pro rata on the basis of their Commitment Percentages (determined after giving effect to this Third Amendment), and (ii) the applicable Borrowers shall pay to the Lenders any costs of the type referred to in Subsection 4.12 of the Credit Agreement in connection with any repayment and/or Revolving Credit Loans required pursuant to the preceding clause (i).

Section 4. Interpretation. For purposes of this Third Amendment, all terms used herein which are not otherwise defined herein, including but not limited to those terms used in the recitals hereto, shall have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Amended Credit Agreement.

Section 5. Conditions to Effectiveness. This Third Amendment shall become effective on the date (the “Third Amendment Effective Date”) on which each of the following conditions is satisfied or waived:

(a) Amendment. The Administrative Agent shall have received the following, each of which shall be originals or facsimiles or “.pdf” or “tiff” files unless otherwise specified, each dated as of the Third Amendment Effective Date:

(1) this Third Amendment, executed and delivered by the Parent Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders listed on the signature pages hereto; and

(2) the acknowledgment and consent attached to this Third Amendment as Annex I (the “Acknowledgment”), executed by each Guarantor.

(b) Legal Opinions. The Administrative Agent shall have received the following executed legal opinions, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

(1) executed legal opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, counsel to the Parent Borrower and the other Loan Parties; and

 

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(2) executed legal opinion of Holland & Knight LLP, special Florida counsel to certain of the Loan Parties.

(c) Officer’s Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower, dated as of the Third Amendment Effective Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit H to the Credit Agreement but also including a certification that, as of the Third Amendment Effective Date, no Specified Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(d) Secretary’s Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from the Parent Borrower, dated the Third Amendment Effective Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit G to the Amended Credit Agreement, with appropriate insertions and attachments of resolutions or other actions, evidence of incumbency and the signature of authorized signatories and Organizational Documents, executed by a Responsible Officer and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary or other authorized representative of the Parent Borrower.

(e) No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the Third Amendment Effective Date.

(f) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties set forth in Section 6 hereof shall, except to the extent that they relate to a particular date, be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent they are already qualified by materiality, be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the Third Amendment Effective Date as if made on and as of such date.

(g) Refinancing. All amounts outstanding (other than contingent obligations) under the Senior Notes, the Senior Add-on Notes and the Topco PIK Notes (each as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), in each case shall have been or, substantially concurrently with the Commitment Increase hereunder shall be, repaid, redeemed, defeased, terminated or otherwise discharged (or notice for the repayment, redemption, defeasance, termination or discharge thereof has been given).

(h) IPO. The Pubco IPO (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) shall have been or, substantially concurrently with the Commitment Increase hereunder shall be, consummated and the gross proceeds thereof shall be at least $600,000,000.

The execution and delivery of this Third Amendment by the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders hereunder shall conclusively be deemed to constitute an acknowledgment by the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders that each of the conditions precedent set forth in this Section 5 shall have been satisfied in accordance with its respective terms or shall have been irrevocably waived by such Person.

Section 6. Representations and Warranties. In order to induce the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders party hereto to consent to this Third Amendment, the Parent Borrower with respect to itself and its Restricted Subsidiaries represents and warrants to each of the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Agents that on and as of the date hereof after giving effect to this Third Amendment:

 

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(a) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party party hereto of this Third Amendment is within such Loan Party’s corporate or other organizational powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and will not (i) violate any Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation of such Loan Party in any respect that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any of such Loan Party’s properties or revenues pursuant to any such Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation;

(b) this Third Amendment constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party hereto or thereto, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable domestic or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law); and

(c) after giving effect to the amendments set forth in this Third Amendment, each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party pursuant to the Amended Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document (or in any amendment, modification or supplement thereto) to which it is a party, and each of the representations and warranties contained in any certificate furnished at any time by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to the Amended Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document are, except (i) to the extent that they relate to a particular date (in which case they shall be true and correct as of that date) or (ii) to the extent they are already qualified by materiality (in which case they shall be true and correct in all respects), true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof.

Section 7. Fees and Expenses. The Parent Borrower, jointly and severally, agrees to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent in accordance with Subsection 11.5 of the Credit Agreement for all of its reasonable and documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Third Amendment, including, without limitation, the reasonable and documented and invoiced fees and disbursements of Cahill, Gordon & Reindel LLP, as counsel to the Administrative Agent (and, for the avoidance of doubt, not of counsel to any other Lender).

Section 8. Counterparts. This Third Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Third Amendment by facsimile transmission, email or other electronic transmission (e.g., a “pdf”, “tiff” or DocuSign) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof. For purposes hereof, the words “execution,” “execute,” “executed,” “signed,” “signature” and words of like import shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formulations on electronic platforms, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act.

 

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Section 9. Applicable Law. THIS THIRD AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS THIRD AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ITS PRINCIPLES OR RULES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT SUCH PRINCIPLES OR RULES ARE NOT MANDATORILY APPLICABLE BY STATUTE AND WOULD REQUIRE OR PERMIT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION. THE PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTION 11.13 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT SHALL APPLY TO THIS THIRD AMENDMENT AS IF SET FORTH HEREIN, MUTATIS MUTANDIS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS THIRD AMENDMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

Section 10. Headings. The headings of this Third Amendment are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

Section 11. Effect of Amendment; Borrower Reaffirmation.

(a) This Third Amendment shall constitute a Loan Document for purposes of the Amended Credit Agreement and from and after the Third Amendment Effective Date, all references to the “Credit Agreement” in any Loan Document and all references in the Amended Credit Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall, unless expressly provided otherwise, refer to the Amended Credit Agreement, except for (i) the representations and warranties made by the Parent Borrower and the other Loan Parties prior to the Third Amendment Effective Date (which representations and warranties made prior to the Third Amendment Effective Date shall not be superseded or rendered ineffective by this Third Amendment as they pertain to the period prior to the Third Amendment Effective Date) and (ii) any action or omission performed or required to be performed pursuant to the Credit Agreement prior to the Third Amendment Effective Date. For the avoidance of doubt, any certificate or other document the form of which is set out in any exhibit attached to the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document may be revised, as applicable, to refer to the Amended Credit Agreement. This Third Amendment is not intended to be and shall not constitute a novation of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(b) Except as expressly set forth in this Third Amendment, the execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Third Amendment (i) shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power, privilege or remedy of any Lender, any Issuing Lender or the Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document and (ii) shall not alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or other agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect.

 

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(c) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, The Parent Borrower acknowledges and agrees that (i) all Obligations (as defined in and pursuant to the Credit Agreement) and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, as modified by this Third Amendment, including without limitation any extensions of credit made pursuant thereto, shall remain in full force and effect on a continuous basis pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and each other applicable Loan Document to which it is a party, in accordance with the terms and provisions thereof and (ii) each Lien granted by it to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and each guarantee made by it as security for the applicable Obligations, in each case pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, in accordance with the terms and provisions thereof, shall remain in full force and effect on a continuous basis, unimpaired, uninterrupted and undischarged as collateral security for such Obligations, and in each case is hereby ratified and affirmed in all respects.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Third Amendment to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

CORE & MAIN LP,
as Parent Borrower
By:  

/s/ Mark R. Witkowski

  Name: Mark R. Witkowski
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement]


CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, a Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:  

/s/ Christopher Navino

  Name: Christopher Navino
  Title:   Director & Vice President

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement]


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as a Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:  

/s/ James Shender

  Name: James Shender
  Title:   Executive Director

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement]


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as a Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:  

/s/ Peter Drooff

  Name: Peter Drooff
  Title:   Sr. Vice President

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement]


BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
as a Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:  

/s/ Craig Malloy

  Name: Craig Malloy
  Title:   Director

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement]


CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH,
as a Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:  

/s/ Lingzi Huang

  Name: Lingzi Huang
  Title:   Authorized Signatory
By:  

/s/ Cassandra Droogan

  Name: Cassandra Droogan
  Title:   Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement]


DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH,
as a Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:  

/s/ Yumi Okabe

  Name: Yumi Okabe
  Title:   Vice President
By:  

/s/ Philip Tancorra

  Name: Philip Tancorra
  Title   Vice President

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement]


ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,
as a Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:  

/s/ Stuart Coulter

  Name: Stuart Coulter
  Title:   Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement]


GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,
as a Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:  

/s/ Robert Ehudin

  Name: Robert Ehudin
  Title:   Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement]


NATIXIS, NEW YORK BRANCH,
as a Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:  

/s/ Michael J. Lardieri

  Name: Michael J. Lardieri
  Title:   Director
By:  

/s/ Matthieu Deloffre

  Name: Matthieu Deloffre
  Title    Director

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement]


NOMURA CORPORATE FUNDING AMERICAS, LLC,
as a Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:  

/s/ Andrew Keith

  Name: Andrew Keith
  Title:   Executive Director

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement]


TRUIST SECURITIES, INC.,
as a Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:  

/s/ Mark Bohntinsky

  Name: Mark Bohntinsky
  Title:   Managing Director

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement]


U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as a Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:  

/s/ Deborah Saffie

  Name: Deborah Saffie
  Title:  Vice President

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement]


COMMERCE BANK,
as a Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:  

/s/ Samuel Gordon

  Name: Samuel Gordon
  Title:   Assistant Vice President

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement]


CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,
as a Lender and as an Issuing Lender
By:  

/s/ Alexander V. Lodi

  Name: Alexander V. Lodi
  Title:   Assistant Vice President

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement]


ANNEX I to AMENDMENT NO. 3

Each Guarantor acknowledges and consents to each of the provisions of the Third Amendment, to which this acknowledgment and consent is attached. Each Guarantor further acknowledges and agrees that (i) all Obligations (as defined in and pursuant to the Credit Agreement) and the other Loan Documents, as modified by the Third Amendment, including without limitation any extensions of credit made pursuant thereto, shall remain in full force and effect on a continuous basis pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party, in accordance with the terms and provisions thereof and (ii) each Lien granted by such Guarantor to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and each guarantee made by such Guarantor as security for the applicable Obligations, in each case made pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, in accordance with the terms and provisions thereof, shall remain in full force and effect on a continuous basis, unimpaired, uninterrupted and undischarged as collateral security for such Obligations, and in each case is hereby ratified and affirmed in all respects. For purposes of this provision, all terms used herein which are not otherwise defined here shall have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Third Amendment or the Amended Credit Agreement, as applicable.


GUARANTORS:

 

CORE & MAIN MIDCO, LLC
By:  

/s/ Mark R. Witkowski

  Name: Mark R. Witkowski
  Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
CORE & MAIN INTERMEDIATE GP, LLC
By:  

/s/ Mark R. Witkowski

  Name: Mark R. Witkowski
  Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to Acknowledgment to Amendment No. 3 to the ABL Credit Agreement]


ANNEX II to AMENDMENT NO. 3

Amended Credit Agreement

 


$500,000,000

ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT

among

CD&R WATERWORKS MERGER SUB, LLC,

to be merged with and into

HD SUPPLY WATERWORKS, LTD.,

as Parent Borrower,

THE SUBSIDIARY BORROWERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,

as Borrowers,

THE LENDERS AND ISSUING LENDERS

FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,

and

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as an Issuing Lender, Swingline Lender, Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent,

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED,

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,

NATIXIS, NEW YORK BRANCH AND,

TRUIST SECURITIES, INC.,

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

COMMERCE BANK,

CITIZENS BANK, N.A. AND

NOMURA SECURITIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

dated as of August 1, 2017

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

         Page  

SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS

     1  

1.1

  Defined Terms      1  

1.2

  Other Definitional and Interpretive Provisions      7994  

1.3

  Borrower Representative      99  

SECTION 2 AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS

     8399  

2.1

  Commitments      8399  

2.2

  Procedure for Revolving Credit Borrowing      86102  

2.3

  Termination or Reduction of Commitments      87103  

2.4

  Swingline Commitments      87103  

2.5

  Repayment of Loans      90106  

2.6

  Incremental Facility      90107  

2.7

  Refinancing Amendments      94111  

2.8

  Extension of Commitments      95112  

2.9

  Canadian Facility      98114  

SECTION 3 LETTERS OF CREDIT

     98115  

3.1

  L/C Commitment      98115  

3.2

  Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit      100116  

3.3

  Fees, Commissions and Other Charges      101117  

3.4

  L/C Participations      101118  

3.5

  Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrowers      102119  

3.6

  Obligations Absolute      103120  

3.7

  L/C Disbursements      104120  

3.8

  L/C Request      104121  

3.9

  Cash Collateralization      104121  

3.10

  Additional Issuing Lenders      104121  

3.11

  Resignation or Removal of the Issuing Lender      104121  

SECTION 4 GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

     105122  

4.1

  Interest Rates and Payment Dates      105122  

4.2

  Conversion and Continuation Options      106123  

4.3

  Minimum Amounts; Maximum Sets      106123  

4.4

  Optional and Mandatory Prepayments      106124  

4.5

  Commitment Fees; Administrative Agent’s Fee; Other Fees      109126  

4.6

  Computation of Interest and Fees      109126  

4.7

  Inability to Determine Interest Rate      109126  

4.8

  Pro Rata Treatment and Payments      110127  

 

(i)


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

         Page  

4.9

  Illegality      111128  

4.10

  Requirements of Law      112129  

4.11

  Taxes      114131  

4.12

  Indemnity      119137  

4.13

  Certain Rules Relating to the Payment of Additional Amounts      120138  

4.14

  Controls on Prepayment if Aggregate Outstanding Credit Exceeds Aggregate Revolving Credit Loan Commitments      122140  

4.15

  Defaulting Lenders      122140  

4.16

  Cash Management      125143  

SECTION 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     128146  

5.1

  Financial Condition      129147  

5.2

  No Change; Solvent      129147  

5.3

  Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law      129147  

5.4

  Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations      130148  

5.5

  No Legal Bar      130148  

5.6

  No Material Litigation      131149  

5.7

  No Default      131149  

5.8

  Ownership of Property; Liens      131149  

5.9

  Intellectual Property      131149  

5.10

  Taxes      131149  

5.11

  Federal Regulations      132150  

5.12

  ERISA      132150  

5.13

  Collateral      132151  

5.14

  Investment Company Act; Other Regulations      133151  

5.15

  Subsidiaries      133151  

5.16

  Purpose of Loans      133152  

5.17

  Environmental Matters      134152  

5.18

  No Material Misstatements      134153  

5.19

  Labor Matters      135153  

5.20

  Insurance      135153  

5.21

  Eligible Accounts      135153  

5.22

  Eligible Inventory      135154  

5.23

  Anti-Terrorism      135154  

SECTION 6 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     136154  

6.1

  Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit      136154  

6.2

  Conditions to Each Extension of Credit After the Closing Date      140158  

SECTION 7 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     141159  

7.1

  Financial Statements      141159  

 

(ii)


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

         Page  

7.2

  Certificates; Other Information      143162  

7.3

  Payment of Taxes      145164  

7.4

  Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence; Compliance with Contractual Obligations and Requirements of Law      146164  

7.5

  Maintenance of Property; Insurance      146164  

7.6

  Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions      146165  

7.7

  Notices      148166  

7.8

  Environmental Laws      150168  

7.9

  After-Acquired Subsidiaries      150169  

7.10

  Use of Proceeds      152173  

7.11

  Accounting Changes      153173  

7.12

  Post-Closing Security Perfection      153173  

SECTION 8 NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     153173  

8.1

  Financial Condition      153173  

8.2

  Limitation on Fundamental Changes      153173  

8.3

  Limitation on Restricted Payments      155175  

8.4

  Limitations on Certain Acquisitions      158179  

8.5

  Limitation on Dispositions of Collateral      159180  

8.6

  Limitation on Optional Payments and Modifications of Restricted Indebtedness and Other Documents      160181  

8.7

  [Reserved]      161182  

8.8

  Limitation on Negative Pledge Clauses      161182  

8.9

  Limitation on Lines of Business      163185  

8.10

  [Reserved]      163185  

8.11

  Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates      163185  

8.12

  Limitations on Investments      166188  

8.13

  Limitations on Indebtedness      166188  

8.14

  Limitations on Liens      174196  

SECTION 9 EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     179201  

9.1

  Events of Default      179201  

9.2

  Remedies Upon an Event of Default      182205  

9.3

  Borrower’sBorrowers’ Right to Cure      183206  

SECTION 10 THE AGENTS AND THE OTHER REPRESENTATIVES

     183206  

10.1

  Appointment      183206  

10.2

  The Administrative Agent and Affiliates      184207  

10.3

  Action by an Agent      184207  

10.4

  Exculpatory Provisions      185208  

10.5

  Acknowledgement and Representations by Lenders      186209  

 

(iii)


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

         Page  

10.6

  Indemnity; Reimbursement by Lenders      186212  

10.7

  Right to Request and Act on Instructions      187213  

10.8

  Collateral Matters      188214  

10.9

  Successor Agent      190217  

10.10

  Swingline Lender      191218  

10.11

  Withholding Tax      191218  

10.12

  Other Representatives      191218  

10.13

  Appointment of Borrower Representatives 192[Reserved]      219  

10.14

  Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim      192219  

10.15

  Application of Proceeds      192220  

10.16

  Certain ERISA Matters      221  

SECTION 11 MISCELLANEOUS

     194222  

11.1

  Amendments and Waivers      194222  

11.2

  Notices      198227  

11.3

  No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies      200229  

11.4

  Survival of Representations and Warranties      200229  

11.5

  Payment of Expenses and Taxes      200230  

11.6

  Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments      202231  

11.7

  Adjustments; Set-off; Calculations; Computations      216247  

11.8

  Judgment      217248  

11.9

  Counterparts      217249  

11.10

  Severability      217249  

11.11

  Integration      218249  

11.12

  Governing Law      218249  

11.13

  Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers      218249  

11.14

  Acknowledgements      219250  

11.15

  Waiver of Jury Trial      219251  

11.16

  Confidentiality      219251  

11.17

  Incremental Indebtedness; Additional Indebtedness      220252  

11.18

  USA PATRIOT Act Notice      221252  

11.19

  Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents      221253  

11.20

  Reinstatement      221253  

11.21

  Joint and Several Liability; Postponement of Subrogation      221253  

11.22

  Designated Cash Management Agreements and Designated Hedging Agreements      222254  

11.23

  Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEAAffected Financial Institutions      223255  

11.24

  Recognition of U.S. Special Resolution Regime      256  

 

(iv)


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

SCHEDULES

 

A    – Commitments and Addresses
1.1(b)    – Credit Card Issuers
1.1(c)    – Credit Card Processors
1.1(d)    – Disposition of Certain Assets
1.1(g)    – Existing Investments
1.1(h)    – Designated Cash Management Agreements
1.1(i)    – Designated Hedging Agreements
1.1(j)    – L/C Commitments
2.9    – Canadian Facility
4.16    – DDAs and Concentration Accounts
5.4    – Consents Required
5.6    – Litigation
5.9    – Intellectual Property Claims
5.15    – Subsidiaries
5.17    – Environmental Matters
5.20    – Insurance
7.2    – Website Address for Electronic Financial Reporting
7.12    – Post-Closing Collateral Requirements
8.11    – Affiliate Transactions
8.13(d)    – Closing Date Existing Indebtedness
8.14(b)    – Existing Liens
EXHIBITS
A-1    – Form of Revolving Credit Note
A-2    – Form of Swingline Note
B    – Form of Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
C    – [Reserved]
D    – Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
E    – Form of Assignment and Acceptance
F    – Form of Swingline Loan Participation Certificate
G    – Form of Secretary’s Certificate
H    – Form of Officer’s Certificate
I    – Form of Solvency Certificate
J-1    – Form of Borrowing Request
J-2    – Form of L/C Request
K    – Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
L    – Form of Lender Joinder Agreement
M    – Form of Collateral Access Agreement
NN-1    – Form of Subsidiary Borrower Joinder
N-2    Form of Subsidiary Borrower Termination

 

(v)


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

O    – Form of ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement
P    –   Form of Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement
Q    –   Form of Compliance Certificate
R    –   Form of Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption
S    –   Form of Tax Sharing Agreement

 

(vi)


ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of August 1, 2017, among CD&R WATERWORKS MERGER SUB, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (prior to the Waterworks Merger and as further defined in Subsection 1.1, “Passthrough Mergersub”, and as further defined in Subsection 1.1, the “Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time party hereto (together with the Parent Borrower, collectively, the “Borrowers” and each individually, a “Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party hereto (as further defined in Subsection 1.1, the “Lenders”) and CITIBANK, N.A., as swingline lender (in such capacity, the “Swingline Lender”), as an issuing lender (in such capacity, an “Issuing Lender”), as administrative agent (in such capacity and as further defined in Subsection 1.1, the “Administrative Agent”) for the Lenders hereunder and as collateral agent (in such capacity and as further defined in Subsection 1.1, the “Collateral Agent”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in Subsection 1.1) and the Issuing Lenders.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Plumb Acquisition Agreement, the Parent Borrower will (A) enter into the Term Loan Facility to borrow term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $1,075,000,000 (unless reduced in accordance with Subsection 6.1(b)), (B) issue the Senior Notes, under the Senior Notes Indenture, generating aggregate gross proceeds of up to $500,000,000 (unless reduced in accordance with Subsection 6.1(b)) and (C) enter into this Agreement to borrow an additional amount and to cause certain Letters of Credit to be issued; and

WHEREAS, the cash proceeds of the Equity Contribution, the Term Loan Facility, the Senior Notes and any Loans made on the Closing Date will be used on the Closing Date, inter alia, to pay the cash consideration for the Waterworks Acquisition, and thereafter to finance a portion of the other Transactions, including the payments of fees and expenses relating thereto.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1

Definitions

1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

30-Day Specified Excess Availability”: as of the date of any Specified Transaction, the sum of (x) the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the sum of each day’s Excess Availability during the 30 consecutive day period immediately preceding such Specified Transaction plus the sum of each day’s Specified Suppressed Availability during such 30-day period plus the sum of the amount available to be drawn by the Loan Parties under any other committed revolving credit facilities on each day during such 30-day period (in each such case under this clause (x) calculated on a pro forma basisPro Forma Basis for each day during such 30-day period to include the, including to take into account any borrowing or repayment of any

 

1


Loans or issuance or cancellation of any Letters of Credit in connection with such Specified Transaction) by (b) 30 days plus (y) Specified Unrestricted Cash as at the date of such Specified Transaction (but excluding therefrom the cash proceeds of any Specified Equity Contribution in the fiscal quarter in respect of which such Specified Equity Contribution is made).

ABL Priority Collateral”: as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement whether or not the same remains in full force and effect.

ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement”: the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereofClosing Date, between the Collateral Agent and the Term Loan Agent (in its capacity as collateral agent under the Term Loan Documents), and acknowledged by certain of the Loan Parties in the form attached hereto as Exhibit O, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

ABL Term Loans”: Incremental ABL Term Loans, Extended ABL Term Loans and Other ABL Term Loans.

ABR”: when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, is used when such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

ABR Loans”: Loans to which the rate of interest applicable is based upon the Alternate Base Rate.

Accelerated”: as defined in Subsection 9.1(e)(ii).

Acceleration”: as defined in Subsection 9.1(e)(ii).

Account Debtor”: each Person who is obligated on an Account, Chattel Paper or General Intangible.

Accounts”: “accounts” as defined in the UCC and, with respect to any Person, all such Accounts of such Person, whether now existing or existing in the future, including (a) all accounts receivable of such Person (whether or not specifically listed on schedules furnished to the Administrative Agent), including all accounts created by or arising from all of such Person’s sales of goods or rendition of services made under any of its trade names, or through any of its divisions, (b) all unpaid rights of such Person (including rescission, replevin, reclamation and stopping in transit) relating to the foregoing or arising therefrom, (c) all rights to any goods represented by any of the foregoing, including returned or repossessed goods, (d) all reserves and credit balances held by such Person with respect to any such accounts receivable of any Account Debtors, (e) all letters of credit, guarantees or collateral for any of the foregoing and (f) all insurance policies or rights relating to any of the foregoing.

“Acknowledging Party”: as defined in Subsection 11.23.

Acquired Companies”: Waterworks Blocker and Waterworks Opco.

 

2


Acquired Indebtedness”: Indebtedness of a Person (i) existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or (ii) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case other than Indebtedness incurredIncurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such acquisition of assets. Acquired Indebtedness shall be deemed to be incurredIncurred on the date of the related acquisition of assets from any Person or the date the acquired Person becomes a Subsidiary.

Acquisition Consideration”: the purchase consideration for any acquisition and all other payments by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in exchange for, or as part of, or in connection with, any acquisition, consisting of cash or by exchange of property (other than Capital Stock of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle) or the assumption of Indebtedness payable at or prior to the consummation of such acquisition or deferred for payment at any future time (provided that any such future payment is not subject to the occurrence of any contingency). For purposes of the foregoing, any Acquisition Consideration consisting of property shall be valued at the fair market value thereof (as determined in good faith by the Borrower Representative, which determination shall be conclusive, with the fair market value of any such property being measured on the date a legally binding commitment for such acquisition (or, if later, for the payment of such item) was entered into and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value).

Additional ABL Agent”: as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.

Additional Assets”: (a) any property or assets that replace the property or assets that are the subject of an Asset Sale; (b) any property or assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) used or to be used by the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary or otherwise useful in a business permitted by Subsection 8.9Related Business and any capital expenditures in respect of any property or assets already so used; (c) the Capital Stock of a Person that is engaged in a business permitted by Subsection 8.9Related Business and becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Parent Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary; or (d) Capital Stock of any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary acquired from a third party.

Additional Indebtedness”: as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable.

Additional Lender”: as defined in Subsection 2.6(a).

Additional Obligations”: senior or subordinated Indebtedness (which Indebtedness may be (w) secured by a Lien ranking pari passu towith the Lien securing the First Lien Term Obligations, (x) secured by a Lien ranking junior to the Lien securing the First Lien Term Obligations, (y) unsecured or (z) in the case of Indebtedness issued or incurred by an Escrow Subsidiary, secured by a Lien on the proceeds of such Additional Obligations which were subject to an escrow or similar arrangement and Liens on any related deposit of cash, Cash Equivalents or Temporary Cash Investments (each, as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) to cover interest and premium in respect of such Additional Obligations), including customary bridge financings, in each case issued or incurred by any Loan Party or Escrow Subsidiary in compliance with Subsection 8.13.

 

3


Additional Obligations Documents”: any document or instrument (including any guarantee, security agreement or mortgage and which may include any or all of the Term Loan Documents) issued or executed and delivered by any Loan Party or Escrow Subsidiary with respect to any Additional Obligations, Permitted Debt Exchange or Rollover Indebtedness.

Additional Term Credit Facility”: a new term loan facility under the definition of “Additional Credit Facilities” as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.

Adjusted LIBO Rate”: with respect to any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1.00%) determined by the Administrative Agent to be equal to the higher of (x) (a) the LIBO Rate for such Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans in effect for such Interest Period divided by (b) 1 minus the Statutory Reserves (if any) for such Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans for such Interest Period and (y) 0.00%.

Administrative Agent”: as defined in the Preamble hereto and shall include any successor to the Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to Subsection 10.9.

Affected Eurodollar Rate”: as defined in Subsection 4.7.

“Affected Financial Institution”: (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.

Affected Loans”: as defined in Subsection 4.9.

Affiliate”: as to any specified Person, 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.

Affiliated Debt Fund”: any Affiliated Lender that is primarily engaged in, or advises funds or other investment vehicles that are engaged in, making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans, notes, bonds and similar extensions of credit or securities in the ordinary course, so long as (i) any such Affiliated Lender is managed as to day-to-day matters (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, as to strategic direction and similar matters) independently from Sponsor and any Affiliate of Sponsor that is not primarily engaged in the investing activities described above, (ii) any such Affiliated Lender has in place customary information screens between it and Sponsor and any Affiliate of Sponsor that is not primarily engaged in the investing activities described above, and (iii) none of Passthrough Holdings, Blocker HoldingsTopco, Midco, the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries directs or causes the direction of the investment policies of such entity.

Affiliated Lender”: any Lender that is a Permitted Affiliated Assignee.

 

4


Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(h)(i)(1).

Affiliated Lender Cap”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(h)(i)(2)(y).

Agent Advance”: as defined in Subsection 2.1(c)(y).

Agent Advance Period”: as defined in Subsection 2.1(c)(y)(iii).

Agents”: the collective reference to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, and “Agent” shall mean any of them.

Aggregate Lender Exposure”: the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding, (b) the aggregate amount of all L/C Obligations at such time and (c) the aggregate amount of all Swingline Exposure at such time.

Aggregate Outstanding Credit”: as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made by such Revolving Credit Lender then outstanding, (b) the aggregate amount equal to such Revolving Credit Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding and (c) the aggregate amount equal to such Revolving Credit Lender’s Commitment Percentage, if any, of the Swingline Loans then outstanding.

Agreement”: this Credit Agreement, as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Alternate Base Rate”: for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Base Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 0.50%, (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for an Interest Period of one month beginning on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, on the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1.00% and (d) 0.00%. If the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that it is unable to ascertain the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate for any reason, including the inability or failure of the Administrative Agent to obtain sufficient quotations in accordance with the terms of the definition thereof, the Alternate Base Rate shall be determined without regard to clause (b) or (c) above, as the case may be, of the preceding sentence until the circumstances giving rise to such inability no longer exist. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Base Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Base Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively.

Amendment”: as defined in Subsection 8.8(d).

Applicable Commitment Fee Rate”: 0.25% per annum.

 

5


Applicable Margin”: a rate per annum equal to the rate set forth below for the applicable type of Loan and opposite the applicable Average Daily Excess Availability Percentage:

 

Level

  

Average Daily Excess

Availability Percentage

   Applicable Margin  
   Alternate Base
Rate
    Adjusted LIBO
Rate
 

I

   Less than or equal to 3313%      0.75     1.75

II

   Greater than 3313% but less than or equal to 6623%      0.50     1.50

III

   Greater than 6623%      0.25     1.25

Each change in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in Average Daily Excess Availability Percentage for the most recent Fiscal Quarter ended immediately preceding the first day of a Fiscal Quarter shall be effective with respect to all Loans and Letters of Credit outstanding on and after such first day of such Fiscal Quarter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Average Daily Excess Availability Percentage (i) shall be deemed to be in Level II from the Closing Date to the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of the Borrowing Base Certificate required by Subsection 7.2(f) for the first Fiscal Quarter ended at least three months after the Closing Date and (ii) shall be deemed to be in Level I at any time (after the expiration of the applicable cure period) during which the Borrower Representative has failed to deliver the Borrowing Base Certificate required by Subsection 7.2(f).

In addition, at all times while an Event of Default known to the Borrower Representative shall have occurred and be continuing, the Applicable Margin shall not decrease from that previously in effect as a result of the delivery of such Borrowing Base Certificate.

“Approved Commercial Bank”: a commercial bank with a consolidated combined capital and surplus of at least $5,000,000,000.

Asset Sale”: any sale, issuance, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition (a “Disposition”), by the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party in one or a series of related transactions, of any personal, tangible or intangible, property (including Capital Stock (other than director’s qualifying shares, or (in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary) to the extent required by applicable law)) of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than:

(a) the sale or other Disposition of obsolete, worn-out or surplus property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business;

(b) the sale or other Disposition of any property (including Inventory) in the ordinary course of business (including in connection with any factoring agreement or similar arrangement);

(c) the sale or discount without recourse of accounts receivable or notes receivable arisingwhich have arisen in the ordinary course of business, or the conversion or exchange of accounts receivable into or for notes receivable, in connection with the compromise or collection thereof;

 

6


(d) as permitted by Subsection 8.2(b) or pursuant to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction;

(e) subject to any applicable limitations set forth in Subsection 8.2, Dispositions of any assets or property by the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party to the Parent Borrower, any Qualified Loan Party or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower;

(f) (i) the abandonment or other Disposition of patents, trademarks or other intellectual property that are, in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower Representative, which determination shall be conclusive, no longer economically practicable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and (ii) any license, sublicense or other grant of rights in or to any trademark, copyright, patent or other intellectual property;

(g) any Disposition by the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party for aggregate consideration not to exceed $20,000,000the greater of (x) $82,500,000 and (y) 5.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(h) any Disposition set forth on Schedule 1.1(d);

(i) bulk sales or other dispositions of the Inventory of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries not in the ordinary course of business in connection with Store closings, at arm’s length; provided that such Store closures and related Inventory dispositions shall not exceed (1) in any Fiscal Year, 10.0% of the number of the Parent Borrower’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Stores as of the beginning of such Fiscal Year (net of new Store openings) and (2) in the aggregate from and after the Closing Date, 20.0% of the number of the Parent Borrower’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Stores in existence as of the Closing Date (net of new Store openings); provided, further, that all sales of Inventory (to Persons other than a Loan Party) in connection with Store closings in excess of 10 in any three-month period, shall be in accordance with liquidation agreements and with professional liquidators reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.;

(j) any Disposition of cash, Cash Equivalents or Temporary Cash Investments;

(k) any Restricted Payment Transaction;

(l) any “fee in lieu” or other disposition of assets to any Governmental Authority that continue in use by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, so long as the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may obtain title to such assets upon reasonable notice by paying a nominal fee;

 

7


(m) any exchange of property pursuant to or intended to qualify under Section 1031 (or any successor section) of the Code, or any exchange of equipment to be leased, rented or otherwise used in a Related Business;

(n) [reserved]any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party after the Closing Date, including any sale/leaseback transaction or asset securitization;

(o) any disposition arising from foreclosure, condemnation, expropriation, eminent domain, or similar action with respect to any property or other assets, or exercise of termination rights under any lease, license, concession or other agreement, or necessary or advisable (as determined by the Parent Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) in order to consummate any acquisition of any Person, business or assets, or pursuant to buy/sell arrangements under any joint venture or similar agreement or arrangement;

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

(q) a disposition of not more than 5.0% of the outstanding Capital Stock of a Foreign Subsidiary that has been approved by the Board of Directors; and

(r) the creation or granting of any Lien permitted under this Agreement.; and

(s) any exchange of assets (including a combination of assets and Cash Equivalents, Investment Grade Securities and Temporary Cash Investments) for assets used or useful in a Related Business (other than if such assets are solely cash, Cash Equivalents, Investment Grade Securities and/or Temporary Cash Investments) (or Capital Stock of a Person that will be a Restricted Subsidiary following such transaction) of comparable or greater fair market value (as determined by the Parent Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive).

Assignee”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(b)(i).

Assignment and Acceptance”: an Assignment and Acceptance, substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto.

Auto-Extension L/C”: as defined in Subsection 3.1(c).

Availability”: the lesser of (x) the aggregate Commitments as in effect at such time and (y) the Borrowing Base at such time (based on the Borrowing Base Certificate last delivered).

Availability Percentage”: as defined in the definition of “Payment Condition” in this Subsection 1.1.

 

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Availability Reserves”: reserves, if any, (1) established by the Administrative Agent from time to time hereunder in its Permitted Discretion against the Borrowing Base, including such reserves, subject to Subsection 2.1(b), as the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, determines as being appropriate to reflect any impairment to (A) the value, or the collectability in the ordinary course of business, of Eligible Accounts or Eligible Credit Card Receivables (including on account of bad debts and dilution) or the value (based on cost and quantity) of Eligible Inventory or (B) the enforceability or priority of the Lien on the Collateral consisting of Eligible Accounts, Eligible Credit Card Receivables, or Eligible Inventory included in the Borrowing Base (including claims that the Administrative Agent determines will need to be satisfied in connection with the realization upon such Collateral) and (2) constituting Designated Cash Management Reserves and Designated Hedging Reserves established in accordance with Subsection 2.1(b).

Available Excluded Contribution Amount Basket”: as of any date, the excess, if any, of (aan amount equal to the sum of (1) the Net Proceeds from Excluded Contributions received by the Parent Borrower as of such date, (2) the aggregate Net Proceeds received by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from any Disposition of any Investment made using the Available Excluded Contribution Amount Basket pursuant to Subsection 8.12 or clause (c)(ii)(y) of the definition of “Permitted Acquisitions” and (3) returns, profits, distributions and similar amounts received in cash or Cash Equivalents on Investments made using the Available Excluded Contribution Amount Basket pursuant to Subsection 8.12 or clause (c)(ii)(y) of the definition of “Permitted Acquisitions,” over (b) the Net Proceeds from Excluded Contributions as of such date designated or applied prior to such date, or on such date in a separate designation or application, to an Investment made pursuant to Subsection 8.12, cash consideration for acquisitions made pursuant to clause (c)(ii)(y) of the definition of “Permitted Acquisitions”, a Restricted Payment made pursuant to Subsection 8.3(f) or 8.3(g) or any payments, prepayments, repurchases or redemptions of Restricted Indebtedness made pursuant to Subsection 8.6(a).

Available Incremental Amount”: at any date of determination, without duplication, an amount equal to the sum produced by calculating the difference between (a) the sum of (x) the Commitments (other than Incremental Revolving Commitments, Supplemental Commitments and Commitments being terminated on such date) plus (y) the sum of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Incremental ABL Term Loans (after giving effect to any repayments of such Loans on such date) made plus all then existing Incremental Revolving Commitments and Supplemental Commitments (other than Commitments being terminated on such date) established in each case prior to such date pursuant to Subsection 2.6 (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Supplemental Commitments established on the First Amendment Effective Date) and (b) $1,200,000,000; provided that the sum of clause (x) plus clause (y) may not at any time exceed $1,200,000,000 and the Third Amendment Effective Date) and (b) the greater of (x) $1,350,000,000 and (y) the Borrowing Base at such time (based on the Borrowing Base Certificate last delivered).

Average Daily Excess Availability Percentage”: for any Fiscal Quarter, the percentage derived by dividing (x) the average daily Excess Availability for such Fiscal Quarter by (y) the average daily amount of the aggregate Commitments during such Fiscal Quarter.

 

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

Bail-In Legislation”: (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive, the implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule. or (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).

Bank Products Affiliate”: as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.

Bank Products Agreement”: as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive”: Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union.

Bankruptcy Proceeding”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(h)(iv).

Base Rate”: for any day, a rate per annum that is equal to the corporate base rate of interest publicly announced by the Administrative Agent as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City; each change in the Base Rate shall be effective on the date such change is effective. The corporate base rate is not necessarily the lowest rate charged by the Administrative Agent to its customers.

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

Benefited Lender”: as defined in Subsection 11.7(a).

“BHC Act Affiliate”: the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).

Blocked Account”: as defined in Subsection 4.16(b)(iii).

Blocked Account Agreement”: as defined in Subsection 4.16(b)(iii).

Blocker Aggregator”: CD&R WW Holdings, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto.

 

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Blocker Holdings”: (a) prior to the Blocker Merger, Blocker Mergersub and (b) following the Blocker Merger, Waterworks Blocker as successor to the Blocker Merger. Following the Blocker Merger, Waterworks Blocker shall be converted to a Delaware limited liability company.

Blocker Merger”: the merger of Blocker Mergersub with and into Waterworks Blocker, with Waterworks Blocker being the survivor of such merger.

Blocker Mergersub”: CD&R WW Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

Board”: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

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

Borrower Materials”: as defined in Subsection 11.2(e).

Borrower Representative”: the Parent Borrower or such other Borrower as may be designated as the “Borrower Representative” by the Borrowers from time to time, in each case in its capacity as Borrower Representative pursuant to the provisions of Subsection 10.131.3 .

Borrowers”: as defined in the Preamble hereto.

Borrowing”: the borrowing of one Type of Loan of a single Tranche from all the Lenders having Commitments of the respective Tranche on a given date (or resulting from a conversion or conversions on such date) having, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the same Interest Period.

Borrowing Base”: as of any date of determination, shall equal the sum of

(a) 90.0% of Eligible Credit Card Receivables, plus

(b) 90.0% of Eligible Accounts owed by Account Debtors that have an Investment Grade Rating, plus

(c) 85.0% of all other Eligible Accounts, plus

(d) (i) during the months of December through February, 90% of the Net Orderly Liquidation Value of Eligible Inventory and (ii) at all other times, 85.090% of the Net Orderly Liquidation Value of Eligible Inventory, minus

(e) the amount of all Availability Reserves, minus

 

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(f) the outstanding principal amount of any ABL Term Loans.

Borrowing Base Certificate”: as defined in Subsection 7.2(f).

Borrowing Date”: any Business Day specified in a notice delivered pursuant to Subsection 2.2, 2.4, or 3.2 as a date on which the Borrower Representative requests the Lenders to make Loans hereunder or an Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit hereunder.

Borrowing Request”: as defined in Subsection 2.2.

Business Day”: a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York (or with respect only to Letters of Credit issued by an Issuing Lender not located in the City of New York, the location of such Issuing Lender) are authorized or required by law to close, except that, when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, “Business Day” shall mean any Business Day on which dealings in Dollars between banks may be carried on in London, England and New York, New York.

Canadian Agent”: as defined in Schedule 2.9 hereto.

Canadian Borrowers”: as defined in Schedule 2.9 hereto.

Canadian Dollars” and “Cdn$”: the lawful currency of Canada.

Canadian Facility”: as defined in Schedule 2.9 hereto.

Canadian Facility Amendment”: as defined in Schedule 2.9 hereto.

Canadian Facility Effective Date”: as defined in Schedule 2.9 hereto.

Capital Expenditures”: with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures by such Person and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (exclusive of (i) expenditures made for Permitted Investments, (ii) expenditures made for acquisitions permitted by Subsection 8.4, (iii) interest capitalized during such period to the extent relating to Capital Expenditures or (iv) expenditures made with the proceeds of any equity securities issued or capital contributions received, or Indebtedness incurred, by the Parent Borrower or any of its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries) that, in accordance with GAAP, are required to be included as capital expenditures on a consolidated statement of cash flows of such Person.

Capital Stock”: as to any Person, any and all shares or units of, rights to purchase, warrants or options for, or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.

Captive Insurance Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that is subject to regulation as an insurance company or captive insurance company (or any Subsidiary thereofof any of the foregoing).

 

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Cash Capped Incremental Facility”: as defined in the definition of “Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount”.

Cash Equivalents”: any of the following: (a) money, (b) securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland or a member state of the European Union or any agency or instrumentality of any thereof, (c) time deposits, certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of (i) any bank or other institutional lender under this Agreement or the Term Loan Facility or any affiliate thereof or (ii) any commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $250,000,000 (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof as of the date of such investment) and the commercial paper of the holding company of which is rated at least A-2 or the equivalent thereof by S&P or at least P-2 or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s (or, if at such time neither is issuing ratings, a comparable rating of another nationally recognized rating agency), (d) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven10 days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (b) and (c) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (c)(i) or (c)(ii) above, (e) money market instruments, commercial paper or other short-term obligations rated at least A-2 or the equivalent thereof by S&P or at least P-2 or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s (or, if at such time neither is issuing ratings, a comparable rating of another nationally recognized rating agency), (f) investments in money market funds subject to the risk limiting conditions of Rule 2a-7 or any successor rule of the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (g) investment funds investing at least 90.0% of their assets in cash equivalents of the types described in clauses (a) through (f) above (which funds may also hold reasonable amounts of cash pending investment and/or distribution), (h) investments similar to any of the foregoing denominated in foreign currencies approved by the Board of Directors, and (i) solely with respect to any Captive Insurance Subsidiary, any investment that any such Person is permitted to make in accordance with applicable law.

Cash Management Arrangements”: any agreement or arrangement relating to any service provided pursuant to a Bank Products Agreement.

Cash Management Party”: any Bank Products Affiliate party to a Bank Products Agreement.

CD&R”: Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC and any successor in interest thereto, and any successor to its investment management business.

CD&R Consulting Agreement”: the Consulting Agreement, dated as of the date hereofClosing Date, as amended by that certain letter agreement, dated as of August 5, 2019, by and among the Parent Borrower, Topco, Midco, Intermediate GP and CD&R, pursuant to which CD&R may provide management, consulting and advisory services, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time so long as such amendment, supplement, waiver or modification complies with this Agreement (including Subsection 8.11 (for the avoidance of doubt, other than by reason of Subsection 8.11(e))).

CD&R Fund X”: Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund X, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto.

 

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CD&R Indemnification Agreement”: the Indemnification Agreement, dated as of the date hereofClosing Date, as amended by that certain letter agreement, dated as of August 5, 2019, by and among the Parent Borrower, Topco, Midco, Intermediate GP, Passthrough Holdings, Blocker Holdings, certain CD&R Investors and CD&R and the other parties thereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

CD&R Investors”: collectively, (i) CD&R Fund X, (ii) Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund X-A, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (iii) CD&R Advisor Fund X, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (iv) CD&R Associates X, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (v) CD&R Investment Associates X, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company, and any successor in interest thereto, (viCD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (vii)LP, (vii) Waterworks Holdings LLC, (viii) Blocker Aggregator, (viiiix) New Blocker, (ixx) CD&R Waterworks Holdings GP, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company, and any successor in interest thereto, (xxi ) New Blocker Holdings, (xixii) CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks A, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xiixiii ) CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xiiixiv) CD&R Fund X Waterworks B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xivxv ) CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xvxvi) CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks A, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xvixvii ) CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xviixviiiCD&R WW Advisor, LLC, Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto, (xviii(xix) CD&R Associates X Waterworks, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xixxx) CD&R Friends & Family Feeder Fund X Waterworks A, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xxxxi) CD&R Friends & Family Feeder Fund X Waterworks B, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xxixxii) CD&R Professionals Fund X Waterworks, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto, (xxiixxiii) CD&R WW Holdings 2, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto, (xxiiixxiv ) CD&R WW Advisor 2, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto and (xxivxxv ) any Affiliate of any CD&R Investor identified in clauses (i) through (xxiiixxiv) of this definition.

“CDD Rule”: the Customer Due Diligence Requirements for Financial Institutions issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network under the Bank Secrecy Act (such rule published May 11, 2016 and effective May 11, 2018, as amended from time to time).

Change in Law”: as defined in Subsection 4.11(a).

 

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Change of Control”: (a) (x) the Permitted Holders shall in the aggregate be the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date) of (A) so long as the Parent Borrower is a Subsidiary of any Parent Entity, shares or units of Voting Stock having less than 35.0% of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of such Parent Entity (other than a Parent Entity that is a Subsidiary of another Parent Entity) and (B) if the Parent Borrower is not a Subsidiary of any Parent Entity, shares or units of Voting Stock having less than 35.0% of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of the Parent Borrower and (y) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date), other than one or more Permitted Holders, shall be the “beneficial owner” of (A) so long as the Parent Borrower is a Subsidiary of any Parent Entity, shares or units of Voting Stock having more than 35.0% of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of such Parent Entity (other than a Parent Entity that is a Subsidiary of another Parent Entity) and (B) if the Parent Borrower is not a Subsidiary of any Parent Entity, shares or units of Voting Stock having more than 35.0% of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of the Parent Borrower; (b) so long as the Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower is not listed on a nationally recognized stock exchange in the U.S. (whether through a Qualified IPO or otherwise), Passthrough Holdings (and any Successor Holding Company pursuant to and as defined in Subsection 9.16(e) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), Blocker HoldingsMidco (and any Successor Holding Company pursuant to and as defined in Subsection 9.16(e) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) and Management HoldingsIntermediate GP (and any Successor Holding Company pursuant to and as defined in Subsection 9.16(e) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) shall (collectively) cease to own, directly or indirectly, 100.0% of the Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower (or any Successor Borrower); or (c) a “Change of Control” (or comparable term) as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement or the Senior Notes Indenture, in each case then in existence relating to Indebtedness and any unused commitments thereunder in an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than $50,000,000the greater of $100,000,000 and 6.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, the Transactions and the Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions shall not constitute or give rise to a Change of Control.

Chattel Paper”: chattel paper (as such term is defined in Article 9 of the UCC).

“Claim”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(h)(iv).

Closing Date”: the date on which all the conditions precedent set forth in Subsection 6.1 shall be satisfied or waived.

Closing Date Material Adverse Effect”: a “Material Adverse Effect” (as defined in the Plumb Acquisition Agreement).

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

Collateral”: all assets of the Loan Parties, now owned or hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any Security Document.

Collateral Access Agreement”: as defined in the definition of “Eligible Inventory” in this Subsection 1.1.

Collateral Agent”: as defined in the Preamble hereto, and shall include any successor to the Collateral Agent appointed pursuant to Subsection 10.9.

 

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Collateral Representative”: (iin respect ofif the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement is then in effect, the ABL Collateral Representative (as defined therein, with respect to the ABL Priority Collateral) and the Term Loan Collateral Representative (as defined therein, with respect to the Term Loan Priority Collateral), (ii) if any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement is then in effect, the Senior Priority Representative (as defined therein) and (iii) if any Other Intercreditor Agreement is then in effect, the Person acting as representative for the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties thereunder for the applicable purpose contemplated by this Agreement and the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

Commitment”: as to any Lender, its obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrowers in the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in Schedule A hereto or as may subsequently be set forth in the Register from time to time. The amount of the aggregate Commitments of the Lenders as of the FirstThird Amendment Effective Date is $700,000,000850,000,000.

Commitment Percentage”: of any Lender at any time shall be that percentage which is equal to a fraction (expressed as a percentage) the numerator of which is the Commitment of such Lender at such time and the denominator of which is the aggregate Commitments at such time; provided that for purposes of Subsections 4.15(d) and 4.15(e), the denominator shall be calculated disregarding the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender to the extent its Swingline Exposure or L/C Obligations is reallocated to the Non-Defaulting Lenders; provided, further, that if any such determination is to be made after the Commitments (and the related Commitments of the Lenders) has (or have) terminated, the determination of such percentages shall be made immediately before giving effect to such termination.

Commitment Period”: the period from and including the Closing Date to but not including the Termination Date, or such earlier date as the Commitments shall terminate as provided herein.

Committed Lenders”: Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Credit Suisse AG, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Royal Bank of Canada, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Natixis, New York Branch and Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC.

Commonly Controlled Entity”: an entity, whether or not incorporated, whichthat is under common control with the Parent Borrower within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA or is part of a group whichthat includes the Parent Borrower and whichthat is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code.

Compliance Certificate”: as defined in Subsection 7.2(b).

Compliance Period”: any period commencing upon any determination by the Administrative Agent that Specified Availability on any day is less than 10.0% of Availability at such time; provided that the Administrative Agent has notified the Borrower Representative thereof. The Compliance Period shall be deemed continuing notwithstanding that Specified Availability may thereafter exceed the amount set forth in the preceding sentence unless and until for 20 consecutive calendar days Specified Availability exceeds 10.0% of Availability at such time, in which event a Compliance Period shall no longer be deemed to be continuing.

 

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Concentration Account”: any concentration account maintained by any Qualified Loan Party (other than any such concentration account if (i) such concentration account is an Excluded Account or (ii) all of the funds and other assets owned by a Qualified Loan Party held in such concentration account are excluded from the Collateral pursuant to any Security Document, including Excluded Assets) into which the funds in any DDA are transferred on a periodic basis as provided for in Subsection 4.16(b). All funds in any Concentration Account shall be conclusively presumed to be Collateral and proceeds of Collateral and the Agents and the Lenders shall have no duty to inquire as to the source of the amounts on deposit in such Concentration Account, subject to the Security Documents, the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement or any other applicable intercreditor agreementOther Intercreditor Agreement.

Conduit Lender”: any special purpose corporation organized and administered by any Lender for the purpose of making Loans otherwise required to be made by such Lender and designated by such Lender in a written instrument delivered to the Administrative Agent (a copy of which shall be provided by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower Representative on request); provided that the designation by any Lender of a Conduit Lender shall not relieve the designating Lender of any of its obligations under this Agreement, including its obligation to fund a Loan if, for any reason, its Conduit Lender fails to fund any such Loan, and the designating Lender (and not the Conduit Lender) shall have the sole right and responsibility to deliver all consents and waivers required or requested under this Agreement with respect to its Conduit Lender, and; provided, further, that no Conduit Lender shall (a) be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, including Subsection 4.10, 4.11, 4.12 or 11.5, than the designating Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect of the extensions of credit made by such Conduit Lender if such designating Lender had not designated such Conduit Lender hereunder, (b) be deemed to have any Commitment or (c) be designated if such designation would otherwise increase the costs of any Facility or Tranche to any Borrower.

Confidential Information Memorandum”: that certain Confidential Information Memorandum furnished to the Lenders on or about July 12, 2017.

“Consolidated EBITDA”: for any period, the Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus (w) the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income, without duplication: (i) the amount of Restricted Payments made with respect to Tax Distributions pursuant to Subsection 8.3(c)(B) and the provision for all taxes (whether or not paid, estimated or accrued) based on income, profits or capital (including penalties and interest, if any), (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense, any Special Purpose Financing Fees (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement), and to the extent not reflected in Consolidated Interest Expense, costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, (iii) depreciation, (iv) amortization (including but not limited to amortization of goodwill and intangibles and amortization and write-off of financing costs), (v) any non-cash charges or non-cash losses, (vi) any expenses or charges related to any equity offering, acquisition or other Investment or Indebtedness permitted

 

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by this Agreement (whether or not consummated or Incurred, and including any offering or sale of Capital Stock of a Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle), (vii) the amount of any loss attributable to non-controlling interests, (viii) all deferred financing costs written off and premiums paid in connection with any early extinguishment of Indebtedness or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments, (ix) any management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees and related expenses (including any such fees and expenses paid to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates), (x) interest and investment income, (xi) the amount of loss on any Financing Disposition (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement), (xii) any costs or expenses pursuant to any management or employee stock option or other equity-related plan, program or arrangement, or other benefit plan, program or arrangement, or any equity subscription or equityholder agreement, (xiii) the amount of any pre-opening losses attributable to any newly opened location within 12 months of the opening of such location, (xiv) net out-of-pocket costs and expenses related to the acquiring of inventory of a prior supplier of a company in connection with becoming a provider to such company, (xv) any expenses incurred in connection with any plant shutdown, (xvi) internal software development costs that are expensed during the period but could have been capitalized in accordance with GAAP, (xvii) any adjustments resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 460 and (xviii) the amount of any reduction in inventory cost attributable to rebates earned on quantities purchased under vendor programs which are recorded as reserves on the balance for such period, plus (x) the amount of net cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies (including revenue synergies, including those related to new business and customer wins, the modification or renegotiation of contracts and other arrangements and pricing adjustments and increases) projected by the Parent Borrower in good faith to be realized as the result of actions taken or to be taken on or prior to the Closing Date or within 36 months of the Closing Date in connection with the Transactions, or within 36 months of the initiation or consummation of any operational change or other initiative, or within 36 months of the consummation of any applicable acquisition or cessation of operations (in each case, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions (which adjustments may be incremental to pro forma adjustments made pursuant to the definition of “Pro Forma Basis” or “Pro Forma Compliance”), plus (y) without duplication of any item in the preceding clause (w) or (x), additions of the type reflected in any quality of earnings analysis prepared by independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing or any other accounting firm reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (it being understood that any “Big Four” accounting firms are acceptable) and delivered to the Administrative Agent in connection with any acquisition of assets (including Capital Stock), business or Person, or any merger or consolidation of any Person with or into the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any other Investment, in each case that is permitted under this Agreement.

Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”: as of the last day of the Most Recent Four Quarter Period, the ratio of (a) (i) Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA for such period minus (ii) the unfinanced portion of all Capital Expenditures (excluding any Capital Expenditure made in an amount equal to all or part of the proceeds, applied within 18 months of receipt thereof, of (x) any casualty insurance, condemnation or eminent domain or (y) any sale of assets (other than Inventory)) of the Parent Borrower and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries during such period, to (b) the sum, without duplication, of (i) Debt Service Charges payable in cash by the Parent Borrower and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries during such period plus (ii) the amount of Restricted Payments made with respect to Tax Distributions pursuant to Subsection 8.3(c)(B) and federal, state and foreign income taxes paid in cash by the Parent Borrower and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (net of refunds received) for the period of four full Fiscal Quarters ending on such date plus (iii) cash paid by the Parent Borrower during the relevant period pursuant to clauses (c) and (h) of Subsection 8.3.

 

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Consolidated Interest Expense”: for any period, an amount equal to (a) interest expense (accrued and paid or payable in cash for such period, and in any event excluding any amortization or write-off of, discount, premium or other financing costs) on Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries for such period minus (b) interest income (accrued and received or receivable in cash for such period) of the Parent Borrower and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined on a consolidatedConsolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that for purposes of calculating the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any period or portion of a period of four Fiscal Quarters ending on or prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date, Consolidated Interest Expense shall be calculated by reference to the actual amount of Consolidated Interest Expense as disclosed in the financial statements delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(a) or 7.1(b) and/or compliance certificates delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.2(b) for the period from the Closing Date to the last day of the relevant Fiscal Quarter at the end of the applicable test period divided by the number of days from the Closing Date to the last day of such Fiscal Quarter and multiplied by 365 and, provided, further, that for purposes of calculating the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any period prior to delivery of financial statements pursuant to Subsection 7.1(b) for the first Fiscal Quarter following the Closing Date, Consolidated Interest Expenses shall be as determined by the Borrower Representative in good faith and certified to the Administrative Agent in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Consolidated Net Income”: for any period, the net income (loss) of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidatedConsolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends minus, without duplication of any other deduction in calculating Consolidated Net Income in respect of such amounts, the amount of Restricted Payments made with respect to Tax Distributions pursuant to Subsection 8.3(c)(B) by the Parent Borrower.; provided that, without duplication, there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:

(i) any net income (loss) of any Person if such Person is not the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, except that the Parent Borrower’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s net income for such period shall be increased by the aggregate amount actually dividended or distributed or that (as determined by the Parent Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) could have been dividended or distributed by such Person during such period to the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution,

(ii) [reserved],

 

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(iii) (x) any gain or loss realized upon the sale, abandonment or other disposition of any asset of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (including pursuant to any sale/leaseback transaction) that is not sold, abandoned or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business (as determined by the Parent Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) and (y) any gain or loss realized upon the disposal, abandonment or discontinuation of operations of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary,

(iv) any extraordinary, unusual, nonrecurring, exceptional, special or infrequent gain, loss or charge and any other gain, loss or charge not in the ordinary course of business (as reasonably determined and calculated by the Parent Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) (including fees, expenses and charges (or any amortization thereof) associated with the Transactions, the Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions or any acquisition, merger or consolidation, whether or not completed), any severance, relocation, consolidation, closing, integration, facilities opening, business optimization and/or similar initiatives or programs, transition or restructuring costs, charges or expenses (whether or not classified as restructuring costs, charges or expenses on the consolidated financial statements of the Parent Borrower), any signing, stretch, retention or completion bonuses, and any costs associated with curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans,

(v) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies,

(vi) all deferred financing costs written off and premiums paid in connection with any early extinguishment of Indebtedness or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments,

(vii) any unrealized gains or losses in respect of Hedging Agreements,

(viii) any unrealized foreign currency translation or transaction gains or losses, including in respect of Indebtedness of any Person denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of such Person,

(ix) any non-cash compensation charge arising from any grant of limited liability company interests, stock, stock options or other equity based awards,

(x) to the extent otherwise included in Consolidated Net Income, any unrealized foreign currency translation or transaction gains or losses, including in respect of Indebtedness or other obligations of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary,

(xi) any non-cash charge, expense or other impact attributable to application of the purchase or recapitalization method of accounting (including the total amount of depreciation and amortization, cost of sales or other non-cash expense resulting from the write-up of assets to the extent resulting from such purchase or recapitalization accounting adjustments), non-cash charges for deferred tax valuation allowances and non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by the applicable standard under GAAP,

 

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(xii) any impairment charge or asset write-off, including any charge or write-off related to intangible assets, long-lived assets or investments in debt and equity securities, and any amortization of intangibles,

(xiii) expenses related to the conversion of various employee benefit and equity programs in connection with the Transactions or the Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions, and non-cash compensation related expenses,

(xiv) any fees and expenses (or amortization thereof), and any charges or costs, in connection with or related to any acquisition, Investment, Asset Sale, issuance of Capital Stock or other equity offering, dividend, distribution or other Restricted Payment, Incurrence, Discharge or refinancing of Indebtedness, or amendment or modification of any agreement or instrument relating to any Indebtedness (in each case, whether or not completed, consummated or Incurred, and including (i) any such transaction consummated prior to the Closing Date, (ii) any offering or sale of Capital Stock of a Parent Entity or an IPO Vehicle to the extent the proceeds thereof were contributed, or if not consummated, were intended to be contributed to the equity capital of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (iii) any rating agency fees, consulting fees and other related expenses and/or letter of credit or similar fees),

(xv) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed (or the Parent Borrower has determined that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will be reimbursed by the insurer and such amount is not denied by the applicable insurer in writing within 180 days and is reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (with a deduction in any future calculation of Consolidated Net Income for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within such 365 day period)), any expenses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption,

(xvi) any expenses, charges and losses in the form of earn-out obligations and contingent consideration obligations (including to the extent accounted for as performance and retention bonuses, compensation or otherwise) and adjustments thereof and purchase price adjustments, in each case paid in connection with any acquisition, merger or consolidation or Investment,

(xvii) any expenses or reserves for liabilities to the extent that the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is entitled to indemnification therefor under binding agreements and is actually reimbursed (or the Parent Borrower has determined that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will be reimbursed by the indemnifying party and such amount is not denied by the applicable indemnifying party in writing within 180 days and is reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (with a deduction in any future calculation of Consolidated Net Income for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within such 365 day period)),

(xviii) any accruals and reserves established or adjusted within 12 months after the Closing Date that are established as a result of the Transactions, and

 

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(xix) effects of adjustments to accruals and reserves established during a prior period attributable to any change in the methodology of calculating reserves for returns, rebates and other chargebacks (including government program rebates),

provided, further, that the exclusion of any item pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i) through (xix) shall also exclude the tax impact of any such item, if applicable.

In addition, Consolidated Net Income for any period ending on or prior to the Closing Date shall be determined based upon the net income (loss) reflected in the combined financial statements of the Waterworks Business for such period, with pro forma effect being given to the Transactions; and each Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary upon giving effect to the Transactions shall be deemed to be a Restricted Subsidiary and the Transactions shall not constitute a sale or disposition under clause (iii) above, for purposes of such determination.

Consolidated Tangible Assets”: as of any date of determination, the total assets less the sum of the goodwill and other intangible assets, in each case that is or would be reflected on the consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower as at the end of the Most Recent Four Quarter Period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (and, in the case of any determination relating to any incurrence of Indebtedness or Liens or any Investment or any acquisition pursuant to Subsection 8.4, on a Pro Forma Basis, including any property or assets being acquired in connection therewith).

Contractual Obligation”: as to any Person, any provision of any material security issued by such Person or of any material agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

“Consolidation”: the consolidation of the accounts of each of the Restricted Subsidiaries with those of the Parent Borrower in accordance with GAAP; provided that “Consolidation” will not include consolidation of the accounts of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an investment. The term “Consolidated” has a correlative meaning. For purposes of this Agreement for periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date, references to the consolidated financial statements of the Parent Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Parent Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) shall be to the combined financial statements of the Waterworks Business for such period, with pro forma effect being given to the Transactions (with Subsidiaries that comprise the Waterworks Business that are Subsidiaries of the Borrower after giving effect to the Transactions being deemed Subsidiaries of the Borrower), as the context may require.

Contingent Obligation”: with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any obligation that does not constitute Indebtedness (a “primary obligation”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent, (1) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (2) to advance or supply funds (a) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation, or (b) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, or (3) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

 

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“Contractual Obligation”: as to any Person, any provision of any material security issued by such Person or of any material agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

“Core & Main Buyer”: Core & Main Buyer, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor in interest thereto.

“Core & Main Connector”: Core & Main Connector, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

Core Concentration Account”: as defined in Subsection 4.16(c).

“Covered Entity”: any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

Covered Liabilities”: as defined in Subsection 11.23.

“Covered Party”: as defined in Subsection 11.25.

“COVID-19”: the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19 virus (SARS-COV-2 and all related strains and sequences) or mutation (or antigenic shift or drift) thereof or a disease or public health emergency resulting therefrom.

Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness”: any secured Indebtedness incurred or otherwise obtained by the Borrowers under and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement in the form of revolving commitments or term loans in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace or refinance, in whole or part, existing ABL Term Loans, outstanding Revolving Credit Loans or Commitments hereunder (including any successive Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness obtained pursuant to a prior Refinancing Amendment) (“Refinanced Debt”); provided that:

(a) such Refinanced Debt shall be repaid and the commitments with respect thereto terminated and all accrued interest, fees and premiums (if any) in connection therewith shall be paid, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained; provided that to the extent that such Refinanced Debt consists, in whole or in part, of Commitments or Other Revolving Credit Commitments (or Revolving Credit Loans, Other Revolving Credit Loans or Swingline Loans incurred pursuant to any Commitments or Other Revolving Credit Commitments), such Commitments or Other Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable, shall be terminated, the proceeds of such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness shall be applied to the prepayment of outstanding ABL Term Loans, outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, or reduction of Commitments in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility being so refinanced on a pro rata basis within each Tranche being refinanced and all accrued fees in connection therewith shall be paid, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained; and

 

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(b) such Indebtedness (including, if such Indebtedness includes any Other Revolving Credit Commitments, the unused portion of such Other Revolving Credit Commitments) shall:

(i) be governed by the terms of this Agreement (as amended by any Refinancing Amendment) and the other Loan Documents and no other loan agreement, note purchase agreement or other similar agreement and the Lenders with respect to such Indebtedness shall execute an assumption agreement, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, pursuant to which such Lenders agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement as Lenders; provided that the terms and conditions of such Indebtedness (as amended by such Refinancing Amendment but excluding pricing and optional prepayment or redemption terms) shall be substantially similar to, or (taken as a whole) not more favorable to the investors providing such Indebtedness than the terms and conditions of the applicable Refinanced Debt as reasonably determined by the Borrower Representative in good faith (which determination shall be conclusive) (except with respect to any terms (including covenants) and conditions contained in such Indebtedness that are applicable only after the then Termination Date); provided, further, that the terms and conditions applicable to such Indebtedness may provide for any additional or different financial or other covenants or other provisions that are agreed between the Borrower Representative and the applicable Lenders and applicable only during periods after the Termination Date that is in effect on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred or obtained,

(ii) be in an original aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Refinanced Debt except by any amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium (including applicable prepayment penalties) thereon plus underwriting discounts, original issue discount, commissions, fees and other costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith (and, in the case of Refinanced Debt consisting, in whole or in part, of unused Commitments or Other Revolving Credit Commitments, the amount thereof),

(iii) not mature or have scheduled amortization or commitment reductions, as applicable, sooner or greater than the same under such Refinanced Debt and not be subject to mandatory redemption, repurchase, prepayment or sinking fund obligation (except customary prepayments with respect to lender exposure or outstandings exceeding commitments or the borrowing base and customary asset sale or change of control provisions), in each case prior to the Termination Date,

(iv) only be secured by assets consisting of Collateral on a pari passu basis (but without regard to the control of remedies) with the Obligations and not be secured by any property or assets of any Holding Company, the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the Collateral; provided that such Obligations (including the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness) shall be secured by the Security Documents and the Lenders with respect to such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness shall have authorized the Collateral Agent to act as their Agent to take any action with respect to any applicable Collateral or Security Documents which may be necessary to perfect and maintain perfected the security interest in and liens upon the Collateral granted pursuant to the Security Documents,

 

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(v) rank pari passu in right of payment and of security with the Refinanced Debt (including being entitled to the benefits of the same place in the waterfall as the Refinanced Debt) and at any time that a Default or an Event of Default exists, all prepayments of Other ABL Term Loans and Other Revolving Credit Loans (other than in respect of theany applicable FILO Tranche) shall be made on a pro rata basis,

(vi) be part of, and count against, the Borrowing Base on the same basis as the Refinanced Debt, and

(vii) not refinance the commitments in respect of theany applicable FILO Tranche unless (1) the Loans comprising thesuch FILO Tranche are the only Loans outstanding and (2) the Commitments for the Revolving Credit Facility (excluding thesuch FILO Tranche) have been terminated.

Credit Card Agreements”: all agreements now or hereafter entered into by any Qualified Loan Party for the benefit of a Qualified Loan Party, in each case with any Credit Card Issuer or any Credit Card Processor, as the same now exist or may hereafter be amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced.

Credit Card Issuer”: any of the credit card issuers listed on Schedule 1.1(b), and any other credit card issuer reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Credit Card Notification”: collectively, the notices to Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors who are parties to Credit Card Agreements, which Credit Card Notifications shall require the ACH or wire transfer no less frequently than each Business Day (and whether or not there are then any outstanding Obligations) of all payments due from Credit Card Processors to (i) a DDA, (ii) a Concentration Account, or (iii) any other deposit account in the United States with respect to which a control agreement is in place between the applicable Qualified Loan Party, the applicable depositary institution and the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent (or over which any such Agent has “control” whether or not pursuant to a control agreement).

Credit Card Processor”: any of the credit card processors or clearinghouses listed on Schedule 1.1(c), and any other credit card processor or clearinghouse reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Credit Card Receivables”: collectively, (a) all present and future rights of the Qualified Loan Parties to payment from any Credit Card Issuer, Credit Card Processor or other third party arising from sales of goods or rendition of services to customers who have purchased such goods or services using a credit or debit card and (b) all present and future rights of the Qualified Loan Parties to payment from any Credit Card Issuer, Credit Card Processor or other third party in connection with the sale or transfer of Accounts arising pursuant to the sale of

 

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goods or rendition of services to customers who have purchased such goods or services using a credit card or a debit card, including, but not limited to, all amounts at any time due or to become due from any Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor under the Credit Card Agreements or otherwise, in each case above calculated net of prevailing interchange charges and net of billing for interest, fees or late charges.

Cure Amount”: as defined in Subsection 9.3(a).

Cured Default”: as defined in Subsection 1.2(bc).

Customary Permitted Liens”: (a) Liens for taxes, assessments and similar charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or the nonpayment of which in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in conformity with GAAP;

(b) Liens with respect to outstanding motor vehicle fines, liens of landlords or of mortgagees of landlords arising by statute and liens of suppliers, mechanics, carriers, materialmen, warehousemen or workmen and other liens imposed by law created in the ordinary course of business for amounts not known to be overdue for a period of more than 60 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are being maintained to the extent required by GAAP;

(c) deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other types of social security benefits or other insurance related obligations (including pledges or deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements);

(d) encumbrances arising by reason of zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, reservations, covenants, rights-of-way, utility easements, building restrictions and other similar encumbrances on the use of real property not materially detracting from the value of such real property or not materially interfering with the ordinary conduct of the business conducted and proposed to be conducted at such real property;

(e) encumbrances arising under leases or subleases of, licenses or sublicenses, or occupancy agreements with respect to real property, whether or not of record and whether now in existence or hereafter entered into, that do not, in the aggregate over all such encumbrances, materially detract from the value of such real property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business conducted and proposed to be conducted at such real property;

(f) financing statements with respect to a lessor’s rights in and to personal property leased to such Person in the ordinary course of such Person’s business;

 

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(g) Liens, pledges or deposits securing the performance of (x) bids, contracts (other than for borrowed money), obligations for utilities, leases and statutory or regulatory obligations, or (y) performance, bid, surety, appeal, judgment, replevin and similar bonds, other surety arrangements, and other similar obligations, all in, or relating to liabilities or obligations incurred in, the ordinary course of business;

(h) Liens arising by reason of any judgment, decree or order of any court or other Governmental Authority, unless the judgment, decree or order it secures has not, within 30 days after entry of such judgment, been discharged or execution stayed pending appeal, or has not been discharged within 30 days after the expiration of any such stay;

(i) Liens existing on assets or properties at the time of the acquisition thereof by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries which do not materially interfere with the use, occupancy, operation and maintenance of structures existing on the property subject thereto or extend to or cover any assets or properties of the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets or property being acquired; and

(j) Liens on goods in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure customs duties in connection with the importation of such goods.;

(k) undetermined or inchoate Liens and charges arising or potentially arising under statutory provisions which have not at the time been filed or registered in accordance with applicable law or of which written notice has not been duly given in accordance with applicable law or which although filed or registered, relate to obligations not due or delinquent, including without limitation statutory Liens incurred, or pledges or deposits made, under worker’s compensation, employment insurance and other social security legislation;

(l) (i) mortgages, liens, security interests, restrictions, encumbrances or any other matters of record that have been placed by any developer, landlord or other third party on real property over which the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has easement rights or on any leased property and subordination or similar agreements relating thereto, (ii) the reservations, limitations, provisos and conditions, if any, expressed in any original grant from the Crown of any real property or any interest therein or in any comparable grant in jurisdictions other than Canada and (iii) any condemnation, expropriation or eminent domain proceedings affecting any real property; and

(m) Liens (i) on property or assets under construction (and related rights) in favor of a contractor or developer or arising from progress or partial payments by a third party relating to such property or assets, (ii) on cash set aside at the time of the Incurrence of any Indebtedness or government securities purchased with such cash, in either case to the extent that such cash or government securities pre-fund the payment of interest on such Indebtedness and are held in an escrow account or similar arrangement to be applied for such purpose, (iii) securing or arising by reason of any netting or set-off arrangement entered into in the ordinary course of banking or other trading activities (including in connection with purchase orders and other agreements with customers), (iv) in favor of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (v) arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business, (vi) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft, cash pooling or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business, (vii) attaching to commodity trading or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business or (viii) arising in connection with repurchase agreements permitted under Subsection 8.13.

 

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DDA”: any checking or other demand deposit bank account maintained by any Qualified Loan Party (other than any such checking or other demand deposit account if (i) such checking or other demand deposit account is an Excluded Account or (ii) all of the funds and other assets owned by a Qualified Loan Party held in such checking or other demand deposit account are excluded from the Collateral pursuant to any Security Document, including Excluded Assets) into which the proceeds of ABL Priority Collateral are deposited or are expected to be deposited. All funds in any DDA shall be conclusively presumed to be Collateral and proceeds of Collateral and the Agents and the Lenders shall have no duty to inquire as to the source of the amounts on deposit in such DDA, subject to the Security Documents, the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement or any applicable Other Intercreditor Agreement.

Debt Financing”: the debt financing transactions contemplated under (a) the Loan Documents, (b) the Term Loan Documents and (c) the Senior Notes Documents, in each case including any Interest Rate Agreements related thereto.

Debt Obligations”: means, with respect to any Indebtedness, any principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition or proceedings in bankruptcy or for reorganization or arrangement whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, other monetary obligations of any nature and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof.

Debt Service Charges”: for any period, the sum of (a) Consolidated Interest Expense plus (b) scheduled principal payments required to be made (after giving effect to any prepayments paid in cash that reduce the amount of such required payments) on account of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries of the type permitted by Subsections 8.13(a), 8.13(c) and (to the extent relating to any renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding of the foregoing) 8.13(i)(ii) hereof, including the full amount of any non-recourse Indebtedness (excluding the obligations hereunder, payments to reimburse any drawings under any commercial letters of credit, and any payments on Indebtedness required to be made on the final maturity date thereof, but including any obligations in respect of Financing Leases) for such period, plus (c) scheduled mandatory payments on account of Disqualified Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (whether in the nature of dividends, redemption, repurchase or otherwise) required to be made during such period, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Default”: any of the events specified in Subsection 9.1, whether or not any requirement for the giving of notice (other than, in the case of Subsection 9.1(e), a Default Notice), the lapse of time, or both, or any other condition specified in Subsection 9.1, has been satisfied.

Default Notice”: as defined in Subsection 9.1(e).

 

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“Default Right”: has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

Defaulting Lender”: subject to Subsection 4.15(g), any Lender or Agent whose circumstances, acts or failure to act, whether directly or indirectly, cause it to meet any part of the definition of Lender Default.

Deposit Account”: any deposit account (as such term is defined in Article 9 of the UCC).

Designated Cash Management Agreements”: any Bank Products Agreements with any Cash Management Party that are (i) secured by Liens on ABL Priority Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents, and (ii) have been designated as a “Designated Cash Management Agreement” by the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Subsection 11.22; provided that each Bank Products Agreement listed on Schedule 1.1(h) shall be deemed a “Designated Cash Management Agreement” on the Closing Date.

Designated Cash Management Reserves”: such reserves as may be established or modified by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Subsection 11.22 with respect to anticipated monetary obligations under Designated Cash Management Agreements owing to any Cash Management Party in the amount specified by the Borrower Representative in writing to the Administrative Agent in a notice delivered pursuant to Subsection 11.22, which amount shall, subject to the restrictions set forth in Subsection 11.22, be increased or decreased with respect to any existing Designated Cash Management Agreement at any time upon further written notice from the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the last sentence of Subsection 11.22.

Designated Hedging Agreements”: Interest Rate Agreements, Hedging Agreements or other Permitted Hedging Arrangements with any Hedging Party that (i) are secured by Liens on ABL Priority Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents and (ii) have been designated as a “Designated Hedging Agreement” by the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Subsection 11.22; provided that each Interest Rate Agreement, Hedging Agreement or other Permitted Hedging Arrangement listed on Schedule 1.1(i) shall be deemed a “Designated Hedging Agreement” on the Closing Date.

Designated Hedging Reserves”: such reserves as may be established or modified by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Subsection 11.22 with respect to anticipated monetary obligations under Designated Hedging Agreements owing to any Hedging Party in the amount specified by the Borrower Representative in writing to the Administrative Agent in a notice delivered pursuant to Subsection 11.22, which amount shall, subject to the restrictions set forth in Subsection 11.22, be increased or decreased with respect to any existing Designated Hedging Agreement at any time upon further written notice from the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the last sentence of Subsection 11.22.

Designated Noncash Consideration”: the non-cash consideration received by the Parent Borrower or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative, setting forth the basis of such valuation.

 

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Designation Date”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(e).

“Discharge ”: as defined in the definition of “Pro Forma Basis” or “Pro Forma Compliance” in this Subsection 1.1.

Disinterested Director”: as defined in Subsection 8.11.

Disposition”: as defined in the definition of “Asset Sale” in this Subsection 1.1.

Disqualified Capital Stock”: with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock (other than Management Stock) that 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 (other than following the occurrence of a Change of Control or other similar event described under such terms as a “change of control” or an Asset Sale or other disposition), (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (b) is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Capital Stock or (c) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than following the occurrence of a Change of Control or other similar event described under such terms as a “change of control” or an Asset Sale or other disposition), in whole or in part, in each case on or prior to the Termination Date; provided that Capital Stock issued to any employee benefit plan, or by any such plan to any employees of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary, shall not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased or otherwise acquired or retired in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

Disqualified Lender”: (i) any competitor of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is in the same or a similar line of business as the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries or any affiliate of such competitor and, (ii) any other PersonsPerson whose principal investment strategy is investing in distressed debt or the pursuance of loan-to-own strategies that is identified from time to time in writing by the Parent Borrower or CD&R to the Administrative Agent and (iii) any Person designated in writing by the Borrower Representative or CD&R to the Administrative Agent (a) on or prior to June 4, 2017.the Third Amendment Effective Date or (b) following the Third Amendment Effective Date with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); provided, that in no event shall any notice given pursuant to clauses (ii) and (iii)(b) above apply to retroactively disqualify any Person who previously acquired and continues to hold, any Loans, Commitments or participations prior to the receipt of such notice.

Division”: as defined in Subsection 1.2(lm).

Dollars” and “$”: dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.

Domestic Subsidiary”: any Restricted Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower other than a Foreign Subsidiary.

 

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Dominion Event”: a period (a) commencing on the date on which either (x) a Specified Default has occurred and has been continuing or (y) the Specified Availability has been less than 10.0% of Availability at such time, in the case of each of (x) and (y) above for a period of five consecutive Business Days; provided that the Administrative Agent has notified the Borrower Representative thereof and (b) ending on the first date thereafter on which both (x) no Specified Default has existed or been continuing at any time and (y) the Specified Availability shall have been not less than 10.0% of Availability at any time, in each case for a period of 20 consecutive calendar days.

EBITDA”: for any period, the sum of (a) Consolidated Net Income for such period adjusted (i) to exclude the following items (without duplication) of income or expense to the extent that such items are included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income: (A) Consolidated Interest Expense, (B) any non-cash expenses and charges, (C) the amount of Restricted Payments made with respect to Tax Distributions pursuant to Subsection 8.3(c)(B) and the provision for all taxes (whether or not paid, estimated or accrued) based on income, profits or capital (including penalties and interest, if any), (D) depreciation expense, (E) the expense associated with amortization of intangible and other assets (including amortization or other expense recognition of any costs associated with asset write-ups in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards No. 141(R) and gains or losses associated with FASB Interpretation No. 45), (F) non-cash provisions for reserves for discontinued operations, (G) any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains or losses or charges or credits, including but not limited to any expenses relating to the Transactions and any non-recurring or extraordinary items paid or accrued during such period relating to deferred compensation owed to any Management Investor that was cancelled, waived or exchanged in connection with the grant to such Management Investor of the right to receive or acquire shares of Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, (H) any gain or loss associated with the sale or write-down of assets not in the ordinary course of business, (I) any income or loss accounted for by the equity method of accounting (except in the case of income to the extent of the amount of cash dividends or cash distributions actually paid to the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by the entity accounted for by the equity method of accounting), (J) the amount of any loss or gain attributable to non-controlling interests, (K) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles, (L) any unrealized foreign currency transaction gains or losses in respect of Indebtedness of any Person denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of such Person, (M) any unrealized foreign currency translation or transaction gains or losses in respect of Indebtedness or other obligations of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (N) fees paid to CD&R or any of its Affiliates for the rendering of management consulting or financial advisory services for compensation and (O) the amount of pre-opening losses attributable to any newly opened location within 12 months of the opening of such location, and (ii) by reducing EBITDA (as otherwise determined above) by the amount of all dividends paid by the Parent Borrower during the relevant period pursuant to any of clauses (a) and (b) of Subsection 8.3 (in each case, unless and to the extent (x) the amount paid with such dividends by the Parent Borrower, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle would not, if the respective expense or other item had been incurred directly by the Parent Borrower, have reduced EBITDA determined in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this definition or (y) such dividend is paid by the Parent Borrower in respect of an expense or other item that has resulted in, or will result in, a reduction of EBITDA, as calculated pursuant to clause (a) above), plus (b) the amount of net cost savings projected by

 

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the Parent Borrower in good faith to be realized as the result of actions taken or to be taken on or prior to the date that is 24 months after the Closing Date, or 24 months after the consummation of any operational change, respectively, and prior to or during such period (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such cost savings had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions (provided that (other than with respect to cost savings attributable to the Transactions and reflected in either (i) the Sponsor’s financial model dated as of May 29, 2017 or (ii) the Quality of Earnings report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP dated as of May 29, 2017) the aggregate amount of such net cost savings included in EBITDA pursuant to this clause (b) for any four-quarter period shall not exceed 25.0% of EBITDA (calculated after giving operation to this clause (b)), plus (c) only with respect to determining compliance with Subsection 8.1 hereof, any Specified Equity Contribution.

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

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

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

Eligible Accounts”: those Accounts created by each of the Qualified Loan Parties in the ordinary course of its business, that arise out of its sale, lease or rental of goods or rendition of services, that comply in all material respects with each of the representations and warranties respecting Eligible Accounts made in the Loan Documents, and that are not excluded as ineligible by virtue of one or more of the excluding criteria set forth below. In determining the amount to be included, Eligible Accounts shall be calculated net of customer deposits, unapplied cash and sales tax. Eligible Accounts shall not include the following:

(a) (i) for the Borrowing Base Certificates delivered with respect to the Fiscal Periods of the Borrower ending May 3, 2020 through March 28, 2021 (or for any Borrowing Base Certificate delivered on a more frequent basis to the extent provided in Subsection 7.2(f) with respect to any period ending on or after May 3, 2020 and on or prior to March 28, 2021), Accounts which remain unpaid more than 150 days after the original invoice date therefor, and (ii) at all other times, Accounts which remain unpaid more than 90 days after the original invoice date therefor; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, up to $10,000,00015,000,000 of Accounts shall not be deemed ineligible under this clause (a)(ii) until such Accounts remain unpaid more than 120 days of the original invoice date;

 

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(b) Accounts owed by an Account Debtor (or its Affiliates) where 50.0% or more of the total amount of all Accounts owed by that Account Debtor (or its Affiliates) are deemed ineligible under clause (a) above;

(c) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is (i) an Affiliate of a Qualified Loan Party or (ii) an employee or agent of a Qualified Loan Party; provided that Accounts of a portfolio company of any of the CD&R Investors or their respective Affiliates or an employee or agent thereof shall not be excluded by virtue of this clause (c);

(d) Accounts arising in a transaction wherein goods are placed on consignment orand the consigned goods relating to such Account have not yet been sold by the consignee, or Accounts arising in a transaction wherein goods are sold pursuant to a guaranteed sale, a sale or return, a sale on approval, a bill and hold (to the extent it remains unpaid), or any other terms by reason of which the payment by an Account Debtor may be conditional (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, a rental or lease basis);

 

(e)

Accounts that are not payable in Dollars;

(f) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is a Person other than a Governmental Authority unless: (i) the Account Debtor either (A) maintains its Chief Executive Officechief executive office in the United States, (B) is organized under the laws of the United States, or any state or subdivision thereof or, (C) is a natural person with a billing address in the United States or (D) is a Person that does not satisfy the requirements of preceding clause (A), (B) or (C), so long as (x) reasonable details of any such Person are included in the relevant Borrowing Base Certificate, (y) such Account Debtor is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction approved by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion and the contract from which such Accounts arise is governed by the laws of the United States, or any state or subdivision thereof, or the laws of a jurisdiction approved by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion and (z) the aggregate amount of Accounts that are Eligible Accounts due to the operation of this clause (D) shall not at any time exceed $2,000,000; or (ii) (A) the Account is supported by an irrevocable letter of credit satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion (as to form, substance, and issuer or domestic confirming bank), that has been delivered to the Administrative Agent and is directly drawable by the Administrative Agent, or (B) the Account is covered by credit insurance in form, substance, and amount, and by an insurer, satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion;

(g) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is the government of any foreign country or sovereign state other than the United States, or of any state, province, territory, municipality, or other political subdivision thereof, or of any department, agency, public corporation, or other instrumentality thereof, unless (i) the Account is supported by an irrevocable letter of credit satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion (as to form, substance, and issuer or domestic confirming bank), that has been delivered to the Administrative Agent and is directly drawable by the Administrative Agent, or (ii) the Account is covered by credit insurance in form, substance, and amount, and by an insurer, satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion;

 

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(h) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is the federal government of the United States or any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States (exclusive, however, of Accounts with respect to which a Qualified Loan Party has complied, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, with the Assignment of Claims Act, 31 USC § 3727 or with any other applicable, state, provincial, county or municipal law of similar purpose and effect, as applicable);

(i) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is a creditor of any Qualified Loan Party, has or has asserted a right of setoff, or has disputed its obligation to pay all or any portion of the Account, to the extent (including with respect to rebates) of such claim, right of setoff, or dispute; provided that (iA) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is a creditor of any Qualified Loan Party, has or has asserted a right of setoff, or has disputed its obligation to pay all or any portion of the Account, shall not be excluded by virtue of this clause (iA) if the Borrower Representative delivers to the Administrative Agent a “no off-set” letter with respect to such Accounts in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (iiB ) the requirement for obtaining a “no off-set” letter set forth in the immediately preceding clause (iA) shall be waived for the first 90 days following the Closing Date (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion);

(j) Accounts with respect to an Account Debtor whose total obligations owing to the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower exceed 15.0% (which amount may be increased to 30.0% in the case of not more than one Account Debtor disclosed to and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (which Account Debtor shall have a corporate credit rating from S&P and Moody’s that is not less than investment grade and which shall be specified in the applicable Borrowing Base Certificate)) of all Eligible Accounts, to the extent of the obligations owing by such Account Debtor in excess of such percentages; provided, however, that the amount of Eligible Accounts that are excluded because they exceed the foregoing percentages shall be determined by the Administrative Agent based on all of the otherwise Eligible Accounts prior to giving effect to any eliminations based upon the foregoing concentration limit;

(k) Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is subject to an insolvency proceeding, has gone out of business, or as to which any Borrower has received notice of an imminent insolvency proceeding unless (x) such Account is supported by a letter of credit satisfactory to the CollateralAdministrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion (as to form, substance, and issuer or domestic confirming bank), that has been delivered to the Administrative Agent and is directly drawable by the Administrative Agent or (y) such Account Debtor has received debtor-in-possession financing sufficient as determined by the CollateralAdministrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion to finance its ongoing business activities;

(l) Accounts that are not subject to a valid and perfected first priority Lien (subject to Customary Permitted Liens) in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the relevant Security Document (as and to the extent provided therein) (it being agreed that in no event shall any Excluded Assets be deemed to be Eligible Accounts hereunder);

 

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(m) Accounts with respect to which (i) the goods giving rise to such Account have not been shipped and billed to the Account Debtor, or (ii) the services giving rise to such Account have not been performed and billed to the Account Debtor;

(n) Accounts that represent the right to receive progress payments or other advance billings that are due prior to the completion of performance by a Borrower of the subject contract for goods or services (other than customary maintenance contracts);

(o) Accounts owned by any Immaterial Subsidiary that is a Qualified Loan Party subject to any case, action or proceeding of the type that would constitute an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(f) hereof if such Loan Party were a Material Subsidiary;

 

(p)

Credit Card Receivables;

(q) any short pay Account with respect to which a partial payment of such Account has been made by the respective Account Debtor; provided that to the extent such Account consists of multiple separate line items, only the line items that have been partially paid shall be excluded; and

 

(r)

Accounts to the extent representing service or finance charges or late fees.; and

(s) Accounts of any Account Debtor if the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries have entered into factoring agreements or similar arrangements with respect to any Accounts of such Account Debtor (regardless of whether all of the Accounts of such Account Debtor are the subject of such factoring agreements or similar arrangements).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion, on not less than 10 Business Days’ prior notice to the Borrower Representative, change the criteria for Eligible Accounts as reflected on the Borrowing Base Certificate based on either (i) an event, condition or other circumstance arising after the Closing Date, or (ii) an event, condition or other circumstance existing on the Closing Date to the extent the Administrative Agent had no knowledge thereof on or prior to the Closing Date, in either case under clause (i) or (ii), which adversely affects, or would reasonably be expected to adversely affect, Eligible Accounts in any material respect as determined by the Administrative Agent in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion. Any such change in criteria shall have a reasonable relationship to the event, condition or other circumstance that is the basis for such change. Upon delivery of the notice of such change pursuant to the foregoing sentence, the Administrative Agent shall be available to discuss the proposed change, and the applicable Borrower may take such action as may be required so that the event, condition or circumstance that is the basis for such change no longer exists, in a manner and to the extent reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion. Any Accounts of the Qualified Loan Parties that are not Eligible Accounts shall nevertheless be part of the Collateral as and to the extent provided in the Security Documents.

Eligible Credit Card Receivables”: all Credit Card Receivables of the Qualified Loan Parties which satisfy the criteria set forth below:

 

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(a) such Credit Card Receivables arise from the actual and bona fide sale and delivery of goods or rendition of services by such Qualified Loan Party in the ordinary course of the business of such Qualified Loan Party;

(b) such Credit Card Receivables are not past due (beyond any stated applicable grace period, if any, therefor) pursuant to the terms set forth in the Credit Card Agreements with the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor of the credit card or debit card used in the purchase which give rise to such Credit Card Receivables;

(c) such Credit Card Receivables are not unpaid more than five Business Days after the date of the sale of Inventory giving rise to such Credit Card Receivables;

(d) the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor obligated in respect of such Credit Card Receivable has not failed to remit any monthly payment in respect of such Credit Card Receivable;

(e) the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with respect to such Credit Card Receivables has not asserted a counterclaim, defense or dispute against such Credit Card Receivables (other than customary set-offs to fees and chargebacks consistent with the practices of such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with such Person from time to time), but the portion of the Credit Card Receivables owing by such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor in excess of the amount owing by such Person to such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor pursuant to such fees and chargebacks shall be deemed Eligible Credit Card Receivables;

(f) the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with respect to such Credit Card Receivables has not set off against amounts otherwise payable by such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to such Person for the purpose of establishing a reserve or collateral for obligations of such Person to such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor (other than customary set-offs and chargebacks consistent with the practices of such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor from time to time) but the portion of the Credit Card Receivables owing by such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor in excess of the set-off amounts shall be deemed Eligible Credit Card Receivables;

(g) such Credit Card Receivables (x) are owned by a Qualified Loan Party and such Qualified Loan Party has a good title to such Credit Card Receivables, (y) are subject to a valid and perfected first priority Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the relevant Security Document (as and to the extent provided therein), and (z) are not subject to any other Lien (other than Liens permitted hereunder pursuant to clauses (a), (c) (with respect to clauses (a), (b) and (h) of the definition of “Customary Permitted Liens”), (e) (with respect to clauses (a) and (q) of Subsection 8.14), (h) and (q) of Subsection 8.14) (the foregoing clauses (y) and (z) (other than in respect of clause (a) of Subsection 8.14) not being intended to limit the ability of the Administrative Agent to change, establish or eliminate any Availability Reserves in its Permitted Discretion on account of any such permitted Liens);

(h) the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with respect to such Credit Card Receivables is not subject to an event of the type described in Subsection 9.1(f);

 

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(i) no event of default has occurred under the Credit Card Agreement of such Qualified Loan Party with the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor who has issued the credit card or debit card or handles payments under the credit card or debit card used in the sale which gave rise to such Credit Card Receivables which event of default gives such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor the right to cease or suspend payments to such Qualified Loan Party;

(j) the customer using the credit card or debit card giving rise to such Credit Card Receivable shall not have returned the merchandise purchased giving rise to such Credit Card Receivable;

(k) to the extent required by Subsection 4.16(b), the Credit Card Receivables are subject to Credit Card Notifications;

(l) the Credit Card Processor (i) is organized and has its principal offices or assets within the United States or, (ii) has a subsidiary organized within the United States that has entered into arrangements with such Qualified Loan Party or (iii) is otherwise acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, World Pay, LLC or any of its Affiliates shall be deemed to meet the criteria set forth in this clause (l);

(m) such Credit Card Receivables are not evidenced by chattel paper or an instrument of any kind, and have not been reduced to judgment; and

(n) in the case of a Credit Card Receivable due from a Credit Card Processor, the Administrative Agent has not notified the Borrower Representative that the Administrative Agent has determined in its Permitted Discretion that such Credit Card Receivable is unlikely to be collected.[reserved].

Any Credit Card Receivables which are not Eligible Credit Card Receivables shall nevertheless be part of the Collateral as and to the extent provided in the Security Documents.

Eligible Inventory”: all Inventory of the Qualified Loan Parties, except for any Inventory:

(a) that is damaged or unfit for sale;

(b) that is not of a type held for sale by any of the Qualified Loan Parties in the ordinary course of business as is being conducted by each such party;

(c) that is not subject to a valid and perfected first priority Lien (subject only to Customary Permitted Liens) in favor of the Collateral Agent, as applicable, pursuant to a Security Document (as and to the extent provided therein) (it being agreed that in no event shall any Excluded Assets be deemed to be Eligible Inventory hereunder));

(d) that is not owned by any of the Qualified Loan Parties;

 

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(e) that is not located on, or in transit between, premises owned or leased by any of the Qualified Loan Parties, or that is stored with a bailee, warehouseman, processor or similar Person, unless (i) the Administrative Agent has given its prior consent thereto, (ii) a Collateral Access Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit M or in form or substance otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (theeach, aCollateral Access Agreement”); provided that such a Collateral Access Agreement with respect to each location shall be required only if the aggregate amount of Inventory at all such locations has an aggregate book value greater than 3.0% of the Borrowing Base as then in effect (based on the Borrowing Base Certificate last delivered) , is in effect, or (iii) Availability Reserves with respect to such premises or storage arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, but in no event to exceed the aggregate of two months’ rent, licensing fee or similar amount with respect to each such location, have been established with respect thereto; provided that Inventory that is not located on, or in transit between, premises owned or leased by any of the Qualified Loan Parties, or that is stored with a bailee, warehouseman, processor or similar Person, shall not be excluded by virtue of this clause (e) to the extent such Inventory has an aggregate book value of less than 3.0% of the Borrowing Base as then in effect (based on the Borrowing Base Certificate last delivered); provided further that the requirement for Availability Reserves set forth in this clause (e)(iii) shall be waived for the first 90 days following the Closing Date (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) and Inventory that is not located on, or in transit between, premises owned or leased by any of the Qualified Loan Parties, or that is stored with a bailee, warehouseman, processor or similar Person shall not be excluded from the definition of Eligible Inventory by virtue of this clause (e) during such period;

(f) that is placed on consignment; provided that Inventory placed on consignment by a Qualified Loan Party shall not be excluded by virtue of this clause (f) to the extent that (i) such Qualified Loan Party has a perfected purchase money security interest in such consigned Inventory and such security interest is assigned to the Collateral Agent and (ii) such consigned Inventory is segregated at the consignee’s location; provided further that (x) the condition set forth in clause (i) of the preceding proviso shall not be required to be satisfied with respect to inventory not in excess of $1,000,0002,000,000 in the aggregate and (y) the conditions set forth in both clauses (i) and (ii) of the first proviso of this clause (f) shall be waived for the first 90 days following the Closing Date (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) and any Inventory placed on consignment by a Qualified Loan Party shall not be excluded from the definition of Eligible Inventory by virtue of this clause (f) during such period;

(g) that consists of display items, samples or packing or shipping materials, packaging, manufacturing supplies or replacement or spare parts not considered for sale in the ordinary course of business;

(h) that consists of goods which have been returned by the buyer, other than goods that are undamaged or that are resaleableresalable in the normal course of business, and other than any other returned goods which are deemed saleablesalable following an appraisal of goods, including inventory appraisals conducted from time to time hereunder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

 

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(i) that does not comply in all material respects with each of the representations and warranties respecting Eligible Inventory made in the Loan Documents;

(j) that consists of Materials of Environmental Concern that can be transported or sold only with licenses that are not readily available;

(k) that is covered by negotiable document of title, unless such document has been delivered to the Administrative Agent;

 

(l)

that is paid bill and hold Inventory;

(m) that is located outside the United States of America (it being understood that, for purposes of this clause (m), “United States of America” includes Puerto Rico and all other territories and possessions of the United States);

(n) that is owned by any Immaterial Subsidiary that is a Qualified Loan Party subject to any case, action or proceeding of the type that would constitute an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(f) hereof if such Qualified Loan Party were a Material Subsidiary; and

 

(o)

that is excess, obsolete, unsalable, seconds, damaged or unfit for sale.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion, on not less than 10 Business Days’ prior notice to the Borrower Representative, change the criteria for Eligible Inventory as reflected on the Borrowing Base Certificate based on either (i) an event, condition or other circumstance arising after the Closing Date, or (ii) an event, condition or other circumstance existing on the Closing Date to the extent the Administrative Agent had no knowledge thereof on or prior to the Closing Date, in either case under clause (i) or (ii), which adversely affects, or would reasonably be expected to adversely affect, Eligible Inventory in any material respect as determined by the Administrative Agent in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion. Any such change in criteria shall have a reasonable relationship to the event, condition or other circumstance that is the basis for such change. Upon delivery of the notice of such change pursuant to the foregoing sentence, the Administrative Agent shall be available to discuss the proposed change, and the applicable Qualified Loan Party may take such action as may be required so that the event, condition or circumstance that is the basis for such change no longer exists, in a manner and to the extent reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion. Any Inventory of the Qualified Loan Parties that is not Eligible Inventory shall nevertheless be part of the Collateral as and to the extent provided in the Security Documents.

Environmental Costs”: any and all costs or expenses (including attorney’s and consultant’s fees, investigation and laboratory fees, response costs, court costs and litigation expenses, fines, penalties, damages, settlement payments, judgments and awards), of whatever kind or nature, known or unknown, contingent or otherwise, arising out of, or in any way relating to, any actual or alleged violation of, noncompliance with or liability under any Environmental Laws. Environmental Costs include any and all of the foregoing, without regard to whether they arise out of or are related to any past, pending or threatened proceeding of any kind.

 

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Environmental Laws”: any and all U.S. or foreign, federal, state, provincial, territorial, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, enforceable guidelines and orders-in-council, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees, and such requirements of any Governmental Authority properly promulgated and having the force and effect of law or other Requirements of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning protection of human health (as it relates to exposure to Materials of Environmental Concern) or the environment, as have been, or now or at any relevant time hereafter are, in effect.

Environmental Permits”: any and all permits, licenses, registrations, notifications, exemptions and any other authorization required under any Environmental Law.

Equity Contribution”: the direct or indirect cash equity contribution to Passthrough Holdings and New Blocker (with any cash equity contribution to Passthrough Holdings and New Blocker used in full to finance the Transactions or otherwise contributed to the Parent Borrower) by CD&R Fund X and any other investors arranged by CD&R (collectively, the “Investors”), in an aggregate amount, when combined with the value of the equity of management of the Waterworks Business retained, rolled over or otherwise invested in connection with the Transactions is equal to at least 25% of the pro forma capitalization of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries after giving effect to the Transactions; provided that, for purposes of such calculation increased levels of Indebtedness (x) from any Loans Incurred on the Closing Date, other than Borrowings to finance the Transactions and (y) as a result of original issue discount and/or upfront fees in respect of this Agreement, the Term Loan Facility and/or the Senior Notes other than the upfront fees (including such upfront fees that are structured as original issue discount) payable under the Fee Letter shall be excluded from such calculation.

ERISA”: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Erroneous Payment” has the meaning assigned to it in Subsection 10.5(b)(i).

“Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment” has the meaning assigned to it in Subsection 10.5(b)(iv).

“Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency” has the meaning assigned to it in Subsection 10.5(b)(iv).

“Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights” has the meaning assigned to it in Subsection 10.5(b)(iv).

Escrow Subsidiary”: a Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary formed or, established or designated for the purpose of incurringIncurring Indebtedness the proceeds of which will be subject to an escrow or other similar arrangement; provided that upon the termination of all such escrow or similar arrangementarrangements of such Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall cease to constitute an “Escrow Subsidiary” hereunder and shall merge with and into the Parent Borrower or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party in accordance with Subsection 8.2. Prior to its merger with and into the Parent Borrowersuch Person, each Escrow Subsidiary shall not own, hold or otherwise have any interest in any material assets other than the proceeds of the applicable Indebtedness incurredIncurred by such Escrow Subsidiary and any cash, Cash Equivalents or Temporary Cash Investments (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) invested in such Escrow Subsidiary to cover interest and premium in respect of such Indebtedness.

 

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

Eurodollar Loans”: Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

Event of Default”: any of the events specified in Subsection 9.1, provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, or any other condition, has been satisfied.

Excess Availability”: as of any date of determination, the amount by which (a) Availability exceeds (b) the Aggregate Lender Exposure at such time. For purposes of the definition of “Payment Condition”, the Excess Availability shall be calculated on a pro forma basis to include thePro Forma Basis, including to take into account any borrowing or repayment of any Loans or issuance or cancellation of any Letters of Credit in connection with the proposed transaction.

Exchange Act”: the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

“Exchange Agreement”: the Exchange Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among Pubco, Topco and certain holders of Capital Stock in Topco from time to time party thereto, pursuant to which, among other things, such holders may exchange Capital Stock in Topco and Capital Stock in Pubco for Capital Stock in Pubco or, at the election of Pubco’s board of directors and subject to certain conditions, cash, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Excluded Accounts”: (a) bank accounts the balance of which consists exclusively of and is used exclusively for (i) withheld income taxes and employment taxes in such amounts as are required in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower Representative to be paid to any Governmental Authority within the following two months with respect to employees of any of the Loan Parties and, (ii) amounts required to be paid over to an employee benefit plan pursuant to DOL Reg. Sec. 2510.3-102 on behalf of or for the benefit of employees of one or more Loan Parties, or (iii) amounts to be paid over in respect of claims under workers’ compensation and other insurance arrangements, (b) bank accounts constituting (and the balance of which consists solely of funds set aside to be used in connection with) taxes bank accounts and payroll bank accounts and, (c) petty cash accounts established (or otherwise maintained) by the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries that do not have cash balances at any time exceeding $2,500,00010,000,000 in the aggregate for all such petty cash accounts. and (d) accounts maintained solely in connection with credit support required to be provided in favor of credit card processors pursuant to credit card processing arrangements with respect to chargebacks and other customary amounts owing to such credit card processors pursuant to the relevant credit card processing arrangements.

 

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Excluded Assets”: as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

Excluded Contribution”: (a) Net Proceeds, or the Fair Market Value (as of the date of contribution, issuance or sale) of property or assets, received by the Parent Borrower as capital contributions to the Parent Borrower after the Closing Date or (b) Net Proceeds from the public or private issuance or sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) by, or a capital contribution to,of the Parent Borrower, in each case to the extent designated as an “Excluded Contribution” in a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative delivered to the Administrative Agent.

Excluded Information”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(h)(i)(5).

Excluded Liability”: any liability that is excluded under the Bail-In Legislation from the scope of any Bail-In Action including, without limitation, any liability excluded pursuant to Article 44 of the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive.

Excluded Subsidiary”: at any date of determination, any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower:

(a) that is an Immaterial Subsidiary;

(b) that is prohibited by Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligations existing on the Closing Date (or, in the case of any newly acquired Subsidiary, in existence at the time of acquisition but not entered into in contemplation thereof) from Guaranteeing, or granting Liens to secure, the Obligations or if Guaranteeing, or granting Liens to secure, the Obligations would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received;

(c) with respect to which the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent reasonably agree that the burden or cost or other consequences of providing a guarantee of the Obligations shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom;

(d) with respect to which the provision of such guarantee of the Obligations would result in material adverse tax consequences to Management Holdings, Waterworks Holdings LP, Waterworks Holdings LLC, Pubco, New Blocker, New Blocker Holdings, Blocker Holdings, Passthrough Holdings, Management Holdings, the Parent BorrowerTopco or one of its Subsidiaries (or, at the election of the Parent Borrower in connection with an initial public offering or other restructuring of the Parent Borrower, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) (as determined by the Parent Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive, and the Parent Borrower shall shall take commercially reasonable efforts to promptly notify the Administrative Agent of any such determination, but failure to so notify the Administrative Agent shall not invalidate such determination);

(e) that is a Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary;

 

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(f) that is a joint venture or Non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary;

(g) that is an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(h) that is a Captivean Insurance Subsidiary;

(i) that is a special purpose entity;

(j) that is a Subsidiary formed solely for the purpose of (x) becoming a Parent Entity, or (y) merging with the Parent Borrower in connection with another Subsidiary becoming a Parent Entity, in each case to the extent such entity becomes a Parent Entity or is merged with the Parent Borrower or any Parent Entity within 60 days of the formation thereof, or otherwise creating or forming a Parent Entity;

(k) that is a Subsidiary acquired by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary and, at the time of the relevant acquisition, is an obligor in respect of Acquired Indebtedness to the extent (and solely for so long as) the documents or instruments governing the applicable Acquired Indebtedness prohibits such Subsidiary from granting a Guarantee of the Obligations; or

(l) that is an Escrow Subsidiary; or

(m) that is a not-for-profit Subsidiary;

provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) no Subsidiary that becomes a Guarantor at the election of the Borrower pursuant to Subsection 7.9(b) shall be an Excluded Subsidiary until it is released from its Obligations pursuant to Subsection 7.9(b) and (y) any Domestic Subsidiary that Guarantees the payment of, or is a borrower or obligor in respect of, the Term Loan Credit Agreement or the Senior Notes shall not be an Excluded Subsidiary.

Subject to the proviso in the preceding sentence, any Subsidiary that fails to meet the foregoing requirements as of the last day of the Most Recent Four Quarter Period shall continue to be deemed an Excluded Subsidiary hereunder until the date that is 60 days following the date on which such annual or quarterly financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1 with respect to such Most Recent Four Quarter Period. If reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative shall provide to the Administrative Agent a list of all Excluded Subsidiaries at the time of such request.

Excluded Taxes”: (a) any Taxes measured by or imposed upon the net income of any Agent or Lender or its applicable lending office, or any branch or affiliate thereof, and all franchise Taxes, branch Taxes, Taxes on doing business or Taxes measured by or imposed upon the overall capital or net worth of any such Agent or Lender or its applicable lending office, or any branch or affiliate thereof, in each case imposed: (i) by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Agent or Lender, applicable lending office, branch or affiliate is organized or is located, or in which its principal executive office is located, or any nation within which such jurisdiction is located or any political subdivision thereof; or (ii) by reason of any connection between the jurisdiction imposing such Tax and such Agent or Lender, applicable lending office,

 

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branch or affiliate other than a connection arising solely from such Agent or Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations under, or received payment under or enforced, this Agreement or any Notes, and (b) any Tax imposed by FATCA. For purposes of this definition, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Lender.

Extended ABL Term Loans”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(a).

Extended Revolving Commitment”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(a).

Extending ABL Term Lenders”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(a).

Extending Lenders”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(a).

Extending Revolving Credit Lender”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(a).

Extension”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(a).

Extension of Credit”: as to any Lender, the making of a Loan (other than a Loan under any Incremental Facility), and with respect to an Issuing Lender, the issuance of a Letter of Credit.

Extension Offer”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(a).

Facility”: each of (a) the Commitments and the Extensions of Credit made thereunder and (b) any other committed facility hereunder and the Extensions of Credit made thereunder, and collectively, the “Facilities”.

Fair Market Value”: with respect to any asset or property, the fair market value of such asset or property as determined in good faith by senior management of the Borrower Representative or the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive.

FATCA”: Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as in effect on the Closing Date (and any amended or successor provisions that are substantively comparable), any regulations or other administrative authority promulgated thereunder, and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, or any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with any of the foregoing and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any such intergovernmental agreement.

Federal District Court”: as defined in Subsection 11.13(a).

Federal Funds Effective Rate”: for any day, the greater of (x) weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System of the United States arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it and (y) 0%.

 

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Fee Letter”: the Fee Letter, dated as of June 4, 2017, as amended by the letter agreement, dated as of June 23, 2017, and the letter agreement, dated as of July 14, 2017, among Passthrough Holdings, Passthrough Mergersub, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Credit Suisse AG, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Natixis, New York Branch and Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC.

FILO Tranche”: as defined in Subsection 2.6(b)(iv).

Financing Lease”: any lease of property, real or personal, the obligations of the lessee in respect of which are required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized or financing lease (and not, for the avoidance of doubt, notas an operating lease) on the balance sheet of such lessee for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (and all calculations and deliverables under this Agreement (other than those made under Subsection 7.1) shall be made or delivered, as applicable, based on GAAP as in effect prior to such adoption). The Stated Maturity of any Indebtedness under a Financing Lease Obligation shall be the scheduled date under the terms thereof of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such Financing Leasethe related lease.

Financing Lease Obligations”: obligationsObligation”: an obligation under any Financing Lease.

First Amendment Effective Date”: July 8, 2019.

First Lien Term Obligations”: (i) the Term Loan Facility Obligations and (ii) the Additional Obligations, Permitted Debt Exchange Notes, Rollover Indebtedness and refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the Indebtedness described in this clause (ii) (other than any such Additional Obligations, Permitted Debt Exchange Notes, Rollover Indebtedness and refinancing Indebtedness that are unsecured or secured by a Lien ranking junior to the LienLiens securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations) secured by a first priority security interest in the Term Loan Priority Collateral and a second priority security interest in the ABL Priority Collateral, collectively.

first priority”: with respect to any Lien purported to be created in any Collateral pursuant to any Security Document, that such Lien is the most senior Lien to which such Collateral is subject (subject to Customary Permitted Liens and Liens permitted under Subsection 8.14(h)).

Fiscal Period”: each monthly accounting period of the Parent Borrower calculated in accordance with the fiscal calendar of the Parent Borrower.

Fiscal Quarter”: for any Fiscal Year, each 13-week or 14-week fiscal period commencing on the day immediately following the last day of the previous Fiscal Quarter and ending on the Sunday closest to January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31 (as applicable) of such Fiscal Year, or as otherwise designated by the Borrower Representative in accordance with Subsection 7.11.

 

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Fiscal Year”: the annual accounting period of the Parent Borrower ending on the Sunday closest to January 31 of any calendar year, or any other date of any calendar year designated by the Borrower Representative in accordance with Subsection 7.11, in each case calculated in accordance with the fiscal calendar of the Parent Borrower.

Fixed Charge Condition”: as defined in the definition of “Payment Condition” in this Subsection 1.1.

Fixed GAAP Date”: the ClosingThird Amendment Effective Date, provided that at any time after the Closing Date, the Borrower Representative may by written notice to the Administrative Agent elect to change the Fixed GAAP Date to be the date specified in such notice, and upon such notice, the Fixed GAAP Date shall be such date for all periods beginning on and after the date specified in such notice.

Fixed GAAP Terms”: (a) the covenants contained in Subsections 8.1 and 8.13, and the defined terms “Borrowing Base”, “Capital Expenditures”, “Consolidated EBITDA”, “Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”, “Consolidated Interest Expense”, “Consolidated Net Income”, “Consolidated Tangible Assets”, “Consolidation”, “Debt Service Charges”, “EBITDA”, “Financing Lease Obligation”, “Foreign Borrowing Base”, “Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA”, “Pro Forma Basis”, “Pro Forma Compliance” or “Receivable”, (b) all defined terms in this Agreement to the extent used in or relating to any of the foregoing definitions, and all ratios and computations based on any of the foregoing definitions, and (c) any other term or provision of this Agreement or the Loan Documents that, at the Borrower Representative’s election, may be specified by the Borrower Representative by written notice to the Administrative Agent from time to time.

Foreign Borrowing Base”: the sum of (1) 90% of the book value of Inventory of the Parent Borrower’s Foreign Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries, (2) 90% of the book value of Receivables of the Parent Borrower’s Foreign Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries and (3) cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments of the Parent Borrower’s Foreign Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries (in each case, determined as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal month of the Parent Borrower for which internal consolidated financial statements of the Parent Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Parent Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available, and, in the case of any determination relating to any incurrenceIncurrence of Indebtedness, on a pro forma basis including (x) any property or assets of a type described above acquired since the end of such fiscal month and (y) any property or assets of a type described above being acquired in connection therewith).

Foreign Pension Plan”: a registered pension plan which is subject to applicable pension legislation other than ERISA or the Code, which a Restricted Subsidiary sponsors or maintains, or to which it makes or is obligated to make contributions.

 

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Foreign Plan”: each Foreign Pension Plan, deferred compensation or other retirement or superannuation plan, fund, program, agreement, commitment or arrangement whether oral or written, funded or unfunded, sponsored, established, maintained or contributed to, or required to be contributed to, or with respect to which any liability is borne, outside the United States of America, by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than any such plan, fund, program, agreement or arrangement sponsored by a Governmental Authority.

Foreign Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower (a) that is organized under the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States of America and any Subsidiary of such Foreign Subsidiary or (b) that is a Foreign Subsidiary Holdco. Any subsidiary of the Parent Borrower which is organized and existing under the laws of Puerto Rico or any other territory of the United States of America shall be a Foreign Subsidiary.

Foreign Subsidiary Holdco”: any Restricted Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower, so long as such Restricted Subsidiary has no material assets other than shares, equity interests, Capital Stock or other securities or indebtedness of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries (or Subsidiaries thereof), intellectual property relating to such Foreign Subsidiaries (or Subsidiaries thereof), and/or other assets (including cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments) relating to an ownership interest in any such securities, indebtedness, intellectual property or Subsidiaries. Any Subsidiary which is a Foreign Subsidiary Holdco that fails to meet the foregoing requirements as of the last day of the period for which consolidated financial statements of the Parent Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Parent Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available shall continue to be deemed a “Foreign Subsidiary Holdco” hereunder until the date that is 60 days following the date on which such annual or quarterly financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1 with respect to such period.

“Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA”: as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Parent Borrower ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Parent Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) are available (determined for any fiscal quarter (or portion thereof) ending prior to the Closing Date, on a Pro Forma Basis (including to give effect to the Transactions as if they had occurred at the beginning of such four quarter period).

GAAP ”: generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect on the Fixed GAAP Date (for purposes of the Fixed GAAP Terms) and as in effect from time to time (for all other purposes of this Agreement), including those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, and subject to the following sentence. If at any time the SEC permits or requires U.S. domiciled companies subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act to use IFRS in lieu of GAAP for financial reporting purposes, the Parent Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Parent Borrower’s

 

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reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1) may elect by written notice to the Administrative Agent to so use IFRS in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such notice, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean (a) for periods beginning on and after the date specified in such notice, IFRS as in effect on the date specified in such notice (for purposes of the Fixed GAAP Terms) and as in effect from time to time (for all other purposes of this Agreement) and (b) for prior periods, GAAP as defined in the first sentence of this definition. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Agreement shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.

General Intangibles”: general intangibles (as such term is defined in Article 9 of the UCC), including payment intangibles, contract rights, rights to payment, rights arising under common law, statutes, or regulations, choses or things in action, goodwill, patents, trade names, trade secrets, trademarks, servicemarks, copyrights, blueprints, drawings, purchase orders, customer lists, monies due or recoverable from pension funds, route lists, rights to payment and other rights under any royalty or licensing agreements, infringement claims, computer programs, information contained on computer disks or tapes, software, literature, reports, catalogs, insurance premium rebates, tax refunds, and tax refund claims, and any and all supporting obligations in respect thereof, and any other personal property other than Accounts, Deposit Accounts, goods, Investment Property, and Negotiable Collateral.

Governmental Authority”: the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supranational bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Guarantee”: any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person; provided 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.

Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”: the ABL Guarantee and Collateral Agreement delivered to the Collateral Agent as of the date hereofClosing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Guarantee Obligation”: as to any Person (the “guaranteeing person”), any obligation of (a) the guaranteeing person or (b) another Person (including any bank under any letter of credit) to induce the creation of which the guaranteeing person has issued a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, in either case guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations (the “primary obligations”) of any other third Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any such obligation of the guaranteeing person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (A) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (B) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or

 

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otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of any such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term Guarantee Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any guaranteeing person shall be deemed to be the lower of (a) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee Obligation is made and (b) the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such primary obligation and the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable are not stated or determinable, in which case the amount of such Guarantee Obligation shall be such guaranteeing person’s maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Borrower Representative in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive.

Guarantors”: the collective reference to each Holding Company (or any Successor Holding Company in respect thereof pursuant to and as defined in Subsection 9.16(e) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) (unless and until such Holding Company is released from all of its obligations pursuant to Subsection 9.16(h) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) and each Subsidiary Guarantor; individually, a “Guarantor.

Hedging Affiliate”: as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement.

Hedging Agreement”: as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

Hedging Obligations”: as to any Person, the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Hedging Agreement.

Hedging Party”: any Hedging Affiliate party to an Interest Rate Agreement, Hedging Agreement or other Permitted Hedging Arrangement.

Holding Companies”: Passthrough Holdings, Blocker Holdings and Management Holdings, collectivelyMidco and Intermediate GP, collectively (and, in each case, any Successor Holding Company in respect thereof pursuant to and as defined in Subsection 9.16(e) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), and each individually, a “Holding Company.

ICE LIBOR”: as defined in the definition of “LIBO Rate”.

IFRS”: International Financial Reporting Standards and applicable accounting requirements set by the International Accounting Standards Board or any successor thereto (or the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, or any successor to either such board, or the SEC, as the case may be), as in effect from time to time.

Immaterial Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower designated as such in writing by the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent that (i) (x) contributed 5.00% or less of Consolidated EBITDA for the Most Recent Four Quarter

 

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Period, and (y) had consolidated assets representing 5.00% or less of Consolidated Tangible Assets foras of the end of the Most Recent Four Quarter Period; and (ii) together with all other Immaterial Subsidiaries designated pursuant to the preceding clause (i) (x) contributed 5.007.50 % or less of Consolidated EBITDA for the Most Recent Four Quarter Period, and (y) had consolidated assets representing 5.007.50 % or less of Consolidated Tangible Assets foras of the end of the Most Recent Four Quarter Period; provided, however, that no Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that Guarantees the payment of the Term Loan Facility shall be an “Immaterial Subsidiary” hereunder. Subject to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence, any. Any Subsidiary so designated as an Immaterial Subsidiary that fails to meet the foregoing requirements as of the last day of the Most Recent Four Quarter Period shall continue to be deemed an “Immaterial Subsidiary” hereunder until the date that is 60 days following the date on which such annual or quarterly financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(a) or 7.1(b) with respect to such Most Recent Four Quarter Period.

Incremental ABL Term Loans”: as defined in Subsection 2.6(a).

“Incremental Commitment Effective Date”: as defined in Subsection 2.6(d).

Incremental Facility” and “Incremental Facilities”: as defined in Subsection 2.6(a).

Incremental Facility Increase”: as defined in Subsection 2.6(a).

Incremental Indebtedness”: Indebtedness incurred by any Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with Subsection 2.6.

Incremental Commitment Effective Date”: as defined in Subsection 2.6(d).

Incremental Revolving Commitments”: as defined in Subsection 2.6(a).

“Incur”: issue, assume, enter into any Guarantee of, incur or otherwise become liable for; and the terms “Incurs”, “Incurring”, “Incurred” and “Incurrence” shall have a correlative meaning; provided 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 Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness, and the payment of dividends on Capital Stock constituting Indebtedness in the form of additional shares of the same class of Capital Stock, will be deemed not to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness. Any Indebtedness issued at a discount (including Indebtedness on which interest is payable through the issuance of additional Indebtedness) shall be deemed Incurred at the time of original issuance of the Indebtedness at the initial accreted amount thereof.

Indebtedness”: of any Person at any date, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property (other than trade liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and payable in accordance with customary practices), which purchase price is due more than one year after the date of placing such property in final service or taking final delivery and title thereto, (b) any other indebtedness of such Person which

 

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is evidenced by a note, bond, debenture or similar instrument, (c) all obligations of such Person under Financing Leases, (d) all reimbursement obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments issued or created for the account of such Person (the amount of such obligations being equal at any time to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other instruments plus the aggregate amount of drawings thereunder that have not then been reimbursed), (e) for purposes of Subsection 9.1(e) only, all obligations of such Person in respect of interest rate protection agreements, interest rate futures, interest rate options, interest rate caps and any other interest rate hedge arrangements, (f) all indebtedness or obligations of the types referred to in the preceding clauses (a) through (e) to the extent secured by any Lien on any property owned by such Person even though such Person has not assumed or otherwise become liable for the payment thereof (provided 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 (as determined in good faith by the Parent Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive) and (B) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Persons) and (g) Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of any Indebtedness of the type described in the preceding clauses (a) through (f); provided that Indebtedness shall not include (t) any obligations attributable to the exercise of dissenters’ or appraisal rights and the settlement of any claims or actions (whether actual, contingent or potential) with respect thereto, (u) any liability for federal, state, provincial, local or other taxes owed or owing to any government or other taxing authority, (v) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the respective seller, (w) obligations, to the extent such obligations constitute Indebtedness, under any agreement that has been defeased or satisfied and discharged pursuant to the terms of such agreement, (x) Contingent Obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, (y) in connection with the purchase by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of any business, any 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, (so long as (i) at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, (ii) to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid in a timely manner) or (z) for the avoidance of doubt, any obligations or liabilities which would be required to be classified and accounted for as an operating lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP as of the date hereofprior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be determined as set forth above or as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, or otherwise shall equal the amount thereof that would appear as a liability on a balance sheet of such Person (excluding any notes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Indemnified Liabilities”: as defined in Subsection 11.5(d).

Indemnitee”: as defined in Subsection 11.5(d).

 

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Individual Lender Exposure”: of any Revolving Credit Lender, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made by such Lender then outstanding, (b) the sum of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage in each then outstanding Letter of Credit multiplied by the sum of the Stated Amount of the respective Letters of Credit and any Unpaid Drawings relating thereto and (c) such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Swingline Loans then outstanding.

Initial Agreement”: as defined in Subsection 8.8(d).

Initial Default”: as defined in Subsection 1.2(bc).

Initial Revolving Commitments”: the Commitment of the Lenders on the Closing Date.

Insolvency”: with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.

“Insurance Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower (i) that is a Captive Insurance Subsidiary or (ii) whose primary purpose and activity is the assumption of self-insurance risks and activities reasonably related thereto.

Intellectual Property”: as defined in Subsection 5.9.

Intercreditor Agreement Supplement”: as defined in Subsection 10.8(a).

Interest Payment Date”: (a) as to any ABR Loan, the last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter to occur while such Loan is outstanding, and the final maturity date of such Loan, (b) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less, the last day of such Interest Period, and (c) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period longer than three months, (i) each day which is three months, or a whole multiple thereof, after the first day of such Interest Period and (ii) the last day of such Interest Period.

Interest Period”: with respect to any Eurodollar Loan:

(a) initially, the period commencing on the borrowing or conversion date, as the case may be, with respect to such Eurodollar Loan and ending (x) one, two (to the extent available), three or six months (or if agreed to by each affected Lender, 12 months or a shorter period) thereafter or, (y) on the last day of the first fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date or (z) on the last day of the first or the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Third Amendment Effective Date, as selected by the Borrower Representative in its notice of borrowing or notice of conversion, as the case may be, given with respect thereto; and

(b) thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, two (to the extent available), three or six months (or if agreed to by each affected Lender, 12 months or a shorter period) thereafter, as selected by the Borrower Representative by irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent not less than three Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto; provided that all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject to the following:

 

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(i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

(ii) any Interest Period that would otherwise extend beyond the Termination Date shall (for all purposes other than Subsection 4.12) end on the Termination Date; and

(iii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of a calendar month; and.

(iv) the Borrower Representative shall select Interest Periods so as not to require a scheduled payment of any Eurodollar Loan during an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan.

Interest Rate Agreement”: with respect to any Person, any interest rate protection agreement, future agreement, option agreement, swap agreement, cap agreement, collar agreement, hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement (including derivative agreements or arrangements), as to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

“Intermediate GP”: Core & Main Intermediate GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

Interpolated Screen Rate”: in relation to the LIBO Rate for any Loan, the rate which results from interpolating on a linear basis between (a) the rate appearing on the ICE Benchmark Administration page (or on any successor or substitute page of such service) for the longest period (for which that rate is available) which is less than the Interest Period for such Loan and (b) the rate appearing on the ICE Benchmark Administration page (or on any successor or substitute page of such service) for the shortest period (for which that rate is available) which exceeds the Interest Period for such Loan each as of approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

Inventory”: inventory (as such term is defined in Article 9 of the UCC).

Investment”: in any Person by any other Person, any direct or indirect advance, loan or other extension of credit (other than to customers, dealers, distributors, licensees, franchisees, suppliers, consultants, directors, officers or employees of any Person in the ordinary course of business) or capital contribution (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others) to, or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar instruments issued by, such Person. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Subsection 8.12 only, (i) “Investment” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Parent Borrower’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary, provided that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Parent

 

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Borrower shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (x) the Parent Borrower’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (y) the portion (proportionate to the Parent Borrower’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation and (ii) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower Representative, which determination shall be conclusive) at the time of such transfer. Guarantees shall not be deemed to be Investments. The amount of any Investment outstanding at any time shall be the original cost of such Investment, reduced (at the Borrower Representative’s option) by any dividend, distribution, interest payment, return of capital, repayment or other amount or value received in respect of such Investment.

Investment Company Act”: the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.

Investment Grade Rating”: a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or any equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized rating agency.

Investment Grade Securities”: (i) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents); (ii) debt securities or debt instruments with an Investment Grade Rating, but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries; (iii) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, which fund may also hold cash pending investment or distribution; and (iv) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments.

Investment Property”: investment property (as such term is defined in Article 9 of the UCC) and any and all supporting obligations in respect thereof.

“Investors”: as defined in the definition of “Equity Contribution”.

IPO Vehicle”: (aanPubco and/or any other entity formed or designated for the purpose of facilitating an issuance or sale of common equity interests (which represent an indirect economic and/or voting interest in the Parent Borrower or a Parent Entity and through which investors shall indirectly hold their equity interests in the Parent Borrower or a Parent Entity) in an underwritten public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act (whether alone or in connection with a secondary public offering) and such equity interests are listed on a nationally-recognized stock exchange in the U.S. and (banyNew Blocker, the Pubco Merger Subs and/or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the entity referred to in clause (a) above other than a Parent Entity or any Subsidiary of a Parent Entity (including the Pubco Merger Subs) (unless the entity in clause (a) is a Parent Entity, in which case other than the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof).

 

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ISP”: the International Standby Practices (1998), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590.

Issuing Lender”: as the context requires, (a) Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Royal Bank of Canada, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Natixis, New York Branch and Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC, each in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit issued by it; (b) any other Lender that may become an Issuing Lender pursuant to Subsections 3.10 and 3.11 in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit issued by such Lender; or (c) collectively, all of the foregoing.

Judgment Conversion Date”: as defined in Subsection 11.8(a).

Judgment Currency”: as defined in Subsection 11.8(a).

Junior Capital”: collectively, any Indebtedness of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or the Parent Borrower that (i) is not secured by any asset of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) is expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full of the Obligations hereunder on terms consistent with those for senior subordinated high yield debt securities issued by U.S. companies sponsored by CD&R (as determined in good faith by the Borrower Representative, which determination shall be conclusive), (iii) has a final maturity date that is not earlier than, and provides for no scheduled payments of principal prior to, the date that is 91 days after the Termination Date (other than through conversion or exchange of any such Indebtedness for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) of the Parent Borrower, Capital Stock of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or any other Junior Capital), (iv) has no mandatory redemption or prepayment obligations other than (a) obligations that are subject to the prior payment in full in cash of the Loans and (b) pursuant to an escrow or similar arrangement with respect to the proceeds of such Junior Capital and (v) does not require the payment of cash interest until the date that is 91 days after the Termination Date.

Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement”: an intercreditor agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit P to be entered into as required by the terms hereof, as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

L/C Disbursement”: as defined in Subsection 3.5(a).

L/C Commitment”: with respect to any Issuing Lender at any time, (i) the amount set forth opposite such Issuing Lender’s name on Schedule 1.1(j) hereto under the caption “L/C Commitment” or (ii) such other amount agreed from time to time between such Issuing Lender and the Borrower Representative.

L/C Exposure”: at any time the aggregate principal amount at such time of the L/C Obligations. The L/C Exposure of any Revolving Credit Lender at any time shall equal its Commitment Percentage of the aggregate L/C Exposure at such time.

L/C Fee Payment Date”: with respect to any Letter of Credit, the last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter to occur after the date of issuance thereof, to and including the first such day to occur on or after the date of expiry thereof.

 

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L/C Fees”: the fees and commissions specified in Subsection 3.3.

L/C Obligations”: at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters of Credit which have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Subsection 3.5(a).

L/C Request”: a letter of credit request in the form of Exhibit J attached hereto or, in such form as the applicable Issuing Lender may specify from time to time, requesting the Issuing Lender to issue a Letter of Credit.

LCT Election”: as defined in Subsection 1.2(kl).

LCT Test Date”: as defined in Subsection 1.2(kl).

Lead Arrangers”: Citigroup Global Markets Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith IncorporatedBank of America, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Natixis, New York Branch, Truist Securities, Inc., U.S. Bank National Association, Commerce Bank, Citizens Bank, N.A. and Nomura Securities International, Inc. as Joint Lead Arrangers.

Lender Default”: (a) the refusal (which may be given verbally or in writing and has not been retracted) or failure of any Lender (including any Agent in its capacity as Lender) to make available its portion of any incurrence of Loans or reimbursement obligations required to be made hereunder, which refusal or failure is not cured within two Business Days after the date of such refusal or failure, (b) the failure of any Lender (including any Agent in its capacity as Lender) to pay over to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, (c) a Lender (including any Agent in its capacity as Lender) has notified the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, (d) a Lender (including any Agent in its capacity as Lender) has failed, within 10 Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent, to confirm that it will comply with its funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender Default pursuant to this clause (d) shall cease to be a Lender Default upon receipt of such confirmation by the Administrative Agent) or (e) an Agent or a Lender has admitted in writing that it is insolvent or such Agent or Lender becomes subject to a Lender-Related Distress Event or Bail-In Action.

Lender Joinder Agreement”: as defined in Subsection 2.6(c)(i).

Lender-Related Distress Event”: with respect to any Agent or Lender (each, a “Distressed Person”), a voluntary or involuntary case with respect to such Distressed Person under any debt relief law, or a custodian, conservator, receiver, trustee, monitor or similar official is appointed for such Distressed Person or any substantial part of such Distressed Person’s assets, or such Distressed Person makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or is otherwise adjudicated as, or determined by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Distressed Person to be, insolvent or bankrupt; provided that a

 

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Lender-Related Distress Event shall not be deemed to have occurred solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interests in any Agent or Lender or any person that directly or indirectly controls such Agent or Lender by a Governmental Authority or an instrumentality thereof so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such lender immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender; provided, further, that the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, monitor, custodian or other similar official by a supervisory authority or regulator with respect to an Agent or Lender or any other person that directly or indirectly controls such Agent or Lender under the Dutch Financial Supervision Act 2007 (as amended from time to time and including any successor legislation) shall not be deemed to result in anbe a “Lender-Related Distress Event” with respect to such Agent or Lender or any person that directly or indirectly controls such Agent or Lender.

Lenders”: the several lenders from time to time parties to this Agreement together with, in the case of any such lender that is a bank or financial institution, any affiliate of any such bank or financial institution through which such bank or financial institution elects, by notice to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative, to make any Revolving Credit Loans, Swingline Loans or Letters of Credit available to any Borrower, provided that for all purposes of voting or consenting with respect to (a) any amendment, supplementationsupplement or modification of or to any Loan Document, (b) any waiver of any of the requirements of any Loan Document or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences or (c) any other matter as to which a Lender may vote or consent pursuant to Subsection 11.1, the bank or financial institution making such election shall be deemed the “Lender” rather than such affiliate, which shall not be entitled to so vote or consent.

Letters of Credit” or “L/Cs”: as defined in Subsection 3.1(a).

LIBO Rate”: with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum equal to the ICE Benchmark Administration (or any successor organization) LIBO Rate (“ICE LIBOR”), as published by Reuters (or other commercially available source providing quotations of ICE LIBOR as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time and as consented to by the Borrower Representative) at approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; provided that, to the extent than an interest rate is not ascertainable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this definition, the “LIBO Rate” shall be the Interpolated Screen Rate.

If at any time the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that (i) the circumstances set forth in SectionSubsection 4.7 have arisen and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary or (ii) the circumstances set forth in SectionSubsection 4.7 have not arisen but the supervisor for the administrator of the London Interbank Offered Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which the London Interbank Offered Rate shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans in

 

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Dollars, then, at the Borrower Representative’s request, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative shall endeavor to establish an alternate rate of interest to the Adjusted LIBO Rate that gives due consideration to the then prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest for syndicated loans in the United States at such time, and shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement to reflect such alternate rate of interest and such other related changes to this Agreement as may be applicable (including amendments to the Applicable Margin to preserve the terms of the economic transactiontransactions initially agreed to among the Parent BorrowerBorrowers, on the one hand, and the Lenders to this Agreement, on the other hand (including with respect to the impact of any “floors”)). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.

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

Limited Condition Transaction”: (x) any acquisition, including by way of merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other business combination or the acquisition of Capital Stock or otherwise, of any assets, business or Person, or any other Investment by one or more of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries of any assets, business or Person or any other Investment permitted by this Agreement, in each case, whose consummation is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing or (y) any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Capital Stock or Preferred Stock requiring irrevocable notice in advance of such redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment.

Loan”: a Revolving Credit Loan or a Swingline Loan, as the context requires; collectively, the “Loans”.

Loan Documents”: this Agreement, the Notes, the L/C Requests, the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement (on and after the execution thereof), each other document designated a “Loan Document” by the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent, each Other Intercreditor Agreement (on and after the execution thereof) and any other Security Documents, each as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Loan Parties”: each Holding Company (orincluding, in each case, any Successor Holding Company in respect thereof pursuant to and as defined in Subsection 9.16(e) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) (unless and until such Holding Company is released from all of its obligations pursuant to Subsection 9.16(h) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), the Borrowers and the Subsidiary Guarantors; each individually, a “Loan Party”.

Management Advances”: (1) promissory notes of Management Investors acquired in connection with the issuance of Management Stock to such Management Investors, (2) Management Guarantees or (3) other Guarantees of borrowings by Management Investors in connection with the purchase of Management Stock, which Guarantees are permitted under Subsection 8.13.

 

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Management Guarantees”: guarantees made on behalf of, or in respect of loans or advances made to, directors, officers, employees, management members or consultants of any Parent Entity, IPO Vehicle, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (1) in respect of travel, entertainment and moving related expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business, or (2) in the ordinary course of business and (in the case of this clause (2)) not exceeding $10,000,000the greater of $20,000,000 and 1.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets in the aggregate outstanding at any time.

Management Holdings”: Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC (formerly known as CD&R Waterworks Management Feeder, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

Management Investors”: the current or former management members, officers, directors, employees and other members of the management of any Parent Entity, IPO Vehicle, the Parent Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or family members or relatives of any of the foregoing (provided that, solely for purposes of the definition of “Permitted Holders”, such relatives shall include only those Persons who are or become Management Investors in connection with estate planning for or inheritance from other Management Investors, as determined in good faith by the Borrower Representative, which determination shall be conclusive), or trusts, partnerships or limited liability companies for the benefit of any of the foregoing, or any of their heirs, executors, successors and legal representatives, who at any date beneficially own or have the right to acquire, directly or indirectly, Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary,of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof).

Management Stock”: Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary, or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof) held by any of the Management Investors.

Management Subscription Agreements”: one or more stock subscription, stock option, grant or other agreements which have been or may be entered into between the Parent Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle and one or more Management Investors (or any of their heirs, successors, assigns, legal representatives or estates), with respect to the issuance to and/or acquisition, ownership and/or disposition by any of such parties of common stock of the Parent Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, or options, warrants, units or other rights in respect of common stock of the Parent Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, any agreements entered into from time to time by transferees of any such stock, options, warrants or other rights in connection with the sale, transfer or reissuance thereof, and any assumptions of any of the foregoing by third parties, as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Mandatory Revolving Credit Loan Borrowing”: as defined in Subsection 2.4(c).

Margin Stock”: as defined in Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

 

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Market Capitalization”: an amount equal to (i) the total number of issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Parent Borrower, or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (including all shares of Capital Stock of such Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle reserved for issuance upon conversion or exchange of Capital Stock of another Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle outstanding on such date) on the date of declaration of the relevant dividend or making of any other Restricted Payment, as applicable, multiplied by (ii) the arithmetic mean of the closing prices per share of such capital stock on the New York Stock Exchange (or, if the primary listing of such capital stock is on another exchange, on such other exchange) for the 30 consecutive trading days immediately preceding such date.

Material Adverse Effect”: (x) on, or as of, the Closing Date, a Closing Date Material Adverse Effect, or (y) after the Closing Date, a material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, property or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole (other than resulting from any event, development or circumstance related to the COVID-19 pandemic that was disclosed to the Lenders on or prior to the Third Amendment Effective Date), (b) the validity or enforceability as to the Loan Parties (taken as a whole) party thereto of the Loan Documents taken as a whole or (c) the rights or remedies of the Agents and the Lenders under the Loan Documents, in each case taken as a whole.

Material Subsidiaries”: Restricted Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower constituting, individually or in the aggregate (as if such Restricted Subsidiaries constituted a single Subsidiary), a “significant subsidiary” in accordance with Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X.

Materials of Environmental Concern”: any pollutants, contaminants, hazardous or toxic substances or materials or wastes defined, listed, or regulated as such in or under, or which may give rise to liability under, any applicable Environmental Law, including gasoline, petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof), petroleum products or by-products, asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount”: at any date of determination, an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the sum of (i) an amount equal to the greater of (1)  $225,000,000400,000,000 and (2) Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement and calculated in accordance with the terms of the Term Loan Credit Agreement applicable to the “Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount” as defined therein) (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis) (amounts incurredIncurred pursuant to this clause (i), the “Cash Capped Incremental Facility”) plus (ii) an unlimited amount if, after giving effect to the incurrenceIncurrence of such amount (or, at the Borrower Representative’s option, on the date of the initial commitment to lend such additional amount after giving pro forma effect to the incurrenceIncurrence of the entire committed amount of such additional amount), either (x) the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement and calculated in accordance with the terms of the Term Loan Credit Agreement applicable to the “Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount” as defined therein) shall not exceed 4.753.75 to 1.00 (amounts incurred pursuant to or (y) in the case of Indebtedness being Incurred to finance or refinance, or otherwise Incurred in connection with, any acquisition of assets (including Capital Stock), business or Person, or any merger or consolidation of any Person with or into the Parent

 

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Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any other Investment, the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement and calculated in accordance with the terms of the Term Loan Credit Agreement applicable to the “Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount” as defined therein) of the Parent Borrower would equal or be less than the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio of the Parent Borrower immediately prior to giving effect thereto (in each case under this clause (ii), the “Ratio Incremental Facility”) (as set forth in an officer’sa certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative delivered to the Administrative Agent at the time of such incurrenceIncurrence , together with calculations demonstrating compliance with such ratio (amounts Incurred pursuant to this clause (ii), the “Ratio Incremental Facility”) (it being understood that (A) if pro forma effect is given to the entire committed amount of any such additional amount on the date of initial borrowing of such Indebtedness or entry into the definitive agreement providing the commitment to fund such Indebtedness, such committed amount may thereafter be borrowed and reborrowed, in whole or in part, from time to time, without further compliance with this clause (ii) and (B) for purposes of so calculating the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio, any additional amount incurredIncurred under Subsection 8.13(a)(i)(B) and pursuant to clause (ii) of this definition shall be treated as if such amount is Consolidated Secured Indebtedness (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement), regardless of whether such amount is actually secured or is secured by Liens ranking junior to the Liens securing the Term Loan Facility Obligations)); provided that, at the Parent Borrower’s option, capacity under the Ratio Incremental Facility shall be deemed to be used before capacity under the Cash Capped Incremental Facility.

“Midco”: Core & Main Midco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

Minimum Extension Condition”: as defined in Subsection 2.8(b).

Moody’s”: Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and its successors.

Most Recent Four Quarter Period”: the four Fiscal Quarter period of the Parent Borrower ending on the last day of the most recently completed Fiscal Year or Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements of the Parent Borrower have been (or have been required to be) delivered under Subsection 7.1(a) or 7.1(b).

Multiemployer Plan”: a Plan which is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

Negotiable Collateral”: letters of credit, letter of credit rights, instruments, promissory notes, drafts, documents, and chattel paper (including electronic chattel paper and tangible chattel paper), and any and all supporting obligations in respect thereof.

Net Orderly Liquidation Value”: the orderly liquidation value (net of costs and expenses estimated to be incurred in connection with such liquidation) of the Qualified Loan Parties’ Inventory, that is estimated to be recoverable in an orderly liquidation of such Inventory expressed as a percentage of the net book value thereof, such percentage to be as determined from time to time by reference to the most recent Inventory appraisal completed by a qualified third-party appraisal company (approved by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion) delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

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Net Proceeds”: with respect to any new public or private issuance or sale of any securities or any capital contribution (whether of property or assets, including cash), an amount equal to the gross proceeds in cash and Cash Equivalents (or with respect to capital contributions of non-cash property or assets, the Fair Market Value thereof) of such issuance, sale or contribution net of attorneys’attorney’s fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, discounts or commissions, and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in connection with such issuance, sale or contribution and net of Tax Distributions made or to be made and all taxes paid or payable as a result, or in respect, thereof.

New Blocker”: CD&R WW, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

New Blocker Holdings”: CD&R WW Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

New York Courts”: as defined in Subsection 11.13(a).

New York Supreme Court”: as defined in Subsection 11.13(a).

Non-Consenting Lender”: as defined in Subsection 11.1(g).

Non-Defaulting Lender”: any Lender other than a Defaulting Lender.

Non-Excluded Taxes”: all Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

Non-Extending Lender”: any Lender that does not accept an Extension Offer.

Non-Loan Party”: each Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that is not a Loan Party.

Non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary”: each Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary.

Notes”: the collective reference to the Revolving Credit Notes and the Swingline Note.

“NYFRB”: the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

“NYFRB Rate”: for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a Federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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Obligation Currency”: as defined in Subsection 11.8(a).

Obligations”: obligations of the Loan Parties from time to time arising under or in respect of the due and punctual payment of (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including interest accruing during (or that would accrue but for) the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, (ii) each payment required to be made in respect of any Letter of Credit, when and as due, including payments in respect of Reimbursement Obligations and interest thereon and (iii) all other monetary obligations, including fees, costs, expenses and indemnities, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), of the Loan Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

OFAC ”: as defined in clause (c) of the first sentence of Subsection 5.23(b).

Optional Payments”: as defined in Subsection 8.6(e).

Organizational Documents”: with respect to any Person, (a) the articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation or certificate of formation (or the equivalent organizational documents) of such Person and (b) the bylaws, operating agreement or partnership agreement (or the equivalent governing documents) of such Person.

Other ABL Term Commitments”: one or more Tranches of term loan commitments hereunder that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Other ABL Term Loans”: one or more Tranches of term loans hereunder that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Other Intercreditor Agreement”: an intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower Representative and the Collateral Agent.

Other Representatives”: Citigroup Global Markets Inc., in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith IncorporatedBank of America, N.A., in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Barclays Bank PLC, in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., in its capacity Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Royal Bank of Canada, in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Natixis, New York Branch, in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Truist Securities, Inc., in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, U.S. Bank National Association, in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Commerce Bank, in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Citizens Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner and Nomura Securities International, Inc., in its capacity as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner.

 

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Other Revolving Credit Commitments”: one or more Tranches of revolving credit commitments hereunder or extended Commitments in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Other Revolving Credit Loans”: the Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to any Other Revolving Credit Commitment.

Parent Borrower”: (a) prior to the Waterworks Merger, Passthrough Mergersub and (b) following the Waterworks Merger, Waterworks Opco as successor to the Waterworks Merger, and any successor in interest thereto permitted hereunder.

Parent Borrower Partnership Agreement means: that certain amended and restated limited partnershipliability company agreement of the Parent BorrowerCore & Main Connector dated as of the date hereof, among the Parent Borrower, Passthrough Holdings, Waterworks Blocker and Management HoldingsThird Amendment Effective Date, among Core & Main Connector, Topco and Core & Main Buyer, as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time (so long as, in the case of Tax Distributions, such amendment, supplement or replacement agreement (which replacement agreement may be the partnership or similar agreement of another Parent Entity or, an IPO Vehicle or the Parent Borrower) is not more disadvantageous to the Lenders in any material respect than such partnershiplimited liability company agreement as in effect on the ClosingThird Amendment Effective Date).

Parent Entity”: any of Blocker Holdings, Passthrough Holdings, Management Holdings and , Waterworks Holdings LP, Waterworks Holdings LLC, Pubco, New Blocker, Topco, Core & Main Buyer, Core & Main Connector, the Holding Companies (including, in each case, any Successor Holding Company pursuant to and as defined in Subsection 9.16(e) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), any Other Parent and any other Person that is a Subsidiary of Blocker Holdings, Passthrough Holdings, Management Holdings, Waterworks Holdings LP, Waterworks Holdings LLC, Pubco, New Blocker, Topco, Core & Main Buyer, Core & Main Connector, any Holding Company (including, in each case, any Successor Holding Company pursuant to and as defined in Subsection 9.16(e) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) or any Other Parent and of which the Parent Borrower is a Subsidiary, in each case, solely for so long as the Parent Borrower isremains a Subsidiary of such Person. As used herein, “Other Parent” means a Person (which may be an IPO Vehicle) of which the Parent Borrower is or becomes a Subsidiary after the Closing Date that is designated by the Parent Borrower as an “Other Parent”, after the Closing Date; provided that either (x) immediately after the Borrower first becomes a Subsidiary of such Person, more than 50.0% of the Voting Stock of such Person shall be held by one or more Persons that held more than 50.0% of the Voting Stock of the Parent Borrower or a Parent Entity of the Parent Borrower immediately prior to the Borrower first becoming such Subsidiary, (y) such Person shall be deemed not to be an Other Parent for the purpose of determining whether a Change of Control shall have occurred by reason of the Parent Borrower first becoming a Subsidiary of such Person, or (z) in the case of an IPO Vehicle, no Change of Control shall have occurred in treating such IPO Vehicle as if it were a Parent Entity both before and after giving effect to the Parent Borrower becoming a Subsidiary of such IPO Vehicle. The Parent Borrower shall not in any event be deemed to be a “Parent Entity.

 

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Parent Entity Expenses”: (i) costs (including all professional fees and expenses) incurred by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in connection with maintaining its existence or in connection with its reporting obligations under, or in connection with compliance with, applicable laws or applicable rules of any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory body or stock exchange, this Agreement or any other agreement or instrument relating to Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, including in respect of any reports filed with respect to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or the respective rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (ii) expenses incurred by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in connection with the acquisition, development, maintenance, ownership, prosecution, protection and defense of its intellectual property and associated rights (including but not limited to trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade dress, patents, copyrights and similar rights, including registrations and registration or renewal applications in respect thereof; inventions, processes, designs, formulae, trade secrets, know-how, confidential information, computer software, data and documentation, and any other intellectual property rights; and licenses of any of the foregoing) or assertions of infringement, misappropriation, dilution or other violation of third-party intellectual property or associated rights, to the extent such intellectual property and associated rights or assertions relate to the business or businesses of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, (iii) indemnification obligations of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle owing to directors, officers, employees or other Persons under its charter or bylawsby-laws (or equivalent) or pursuant to written agreements with or for the benefit of any such Person (including the CD&R Indemnification Agreement), or obligations in respect of director and officer insurance (including premiums therefor), (iv) other administrative and operational expenses of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle incurred in the ordinary course of business, (v) fees and expenses incurred by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in connection with maintenance and implementation of any management equity incentive plan associated with the management of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and (vi) fees and expenses incurred by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in connection with any offering of Capital Stock or Indebtedness, (w) which offering is not completed, or (x) where the net proceeds of such offering are intended to be received by or contributed or loaned to the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, or (y) in a prorated amount of such expenses in proportion to the amount of such net proceeds intended to be so received, contributed or loaned, or (z) otherwise on an interim basis prior to completion of such offering so long as any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle shall cause the amount of such expenses to be repaid to the Parent Borrower or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary out of the proceeds of such offering promptly if completed.

Participant”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(c)(i).

Participant Register”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(b)(v).

Passthrough Holdings”: CD&R Plumb Buyer, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

 

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Passthrough Mergersub”: as defined in the Preamble hereto, and any successor in interest thereto.

Patriot Act”: as defined in Subsection 11.18.

Payment Condition”: at any time of determination with respect to any Specified Transaction, that the following conditions are all satisfied: (x) (1) 30-Day Specified Excess Availability (divided by Availability as of such time of determination and expressed as a percentage) and (2) the Specified Availability on the date of such Specified Transaction (divided by Availability as of such time of determination and expressed as a percentage), in each case exceed the applicable Availability Percentage (as defined below) and, (y) unless the Fixed Charge Condition (as defined below) is satisfied (to the extent applicable), the Parent Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance with a minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 1.00:1.00 and (z) if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent (i) a copy of calculations required by preceding clause (y) in reasonable detail and (ii) a calculation of Specified Unrestricted Cash. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (i) “Availability Percentage: shall mean (a) in respect of any Restricted Payment pursuant to Subsection 8.3(k), 12.5%; (b) in respect of (A) any investment or acquisition permitted pursuant to clause (u) of the definition of “Permitted Investments” or (B) clause (c)(i) of the definition of “Permitted Acquisitions,” 10.0%; (c) in respect of any payment, repurchase or redemption pursuant to Subsection 8.6(a), 12.5%; (d) in respect of any merger, consolidation, amalgamation or asset sale pursuant to Subsection 8.2(a) or 8.2(b), 10.0%; and (e) in respect of any Asset Sale that would otherwise have to comply with Subsection 8.5, 10.0%.; and (ii) “Fixed Charge Condition” shall mean 30-Day Specified Excess Availability (divided by Availability as of such time of determination and expressed as a percentage) exceeds: (a) in respect of any Restricted Payment pursuant to Subsection 8.3(k), 17.5%; (b) in respect of any acquisition permitted pursuant to clause (c)(i) of the definition of “Permitted Acquisitions”, 15.0%; (c) in respect of any investment permitted pursuant to clause (u) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”, 15.0%; (d) in respect of any payment, repurchase or redemption pursuant to Subsection 8.6(a), 15.0%; and (e) in respect of (A) any merger, consolidation, amalgamation or asset sale pursuant to Subsection 8.2(a) or 8.2(b) or (B) any Asset Sale that would otherwise have to comply with Subsection 8.5, 15.0%.

PBGC”: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA (or any successor thereto).

Permitted Acquisitions”: any acquisition in a transaction that satisfies each of the following requirements:

(a) the business of the acquired company shall be substantially similar to, or ancillary, complementary or related to the line of business of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Closing Datea Related Business, or the assets so acquired shall be used or useful in or otherwise relate to, any such business.;

(b) the assets acquired will be owned or otherwise held by a Qualified Loan Party or the acquired company and its Subsidiaries will become Qualified Loan Parties and pledge their Collateral to the AdministrativeCollateral Agent, in each case, to the extent and as required by Subsection 7.9(b) and Subsection 7.9(c); and

 

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(c) either:

(i) the Payment Condition in respect of Permitted Acquisitions is satisfied; or

(ii) to the extent such Payment Condition is not satisfied, the Acquisition Consideration consists solely of any combination of (x) Capital Stock of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, and/or (y) amounts not to exceed the Available Excluded Contribution Amount Basket, and/or (z) additional cash and other property (excluding cash and other property covered in subclauses (x) and (y) of this clause (c)(ii)) and Indebtedness (whether incurred or assumed), provided that the aggregate amount of such cash consideration paid pursuant to this clause (c)(ii)(z) and all other cash consideration paid for Permitted Acquisitions consummated during any Fiscal Year in reliance on this clause (c)(ii)(z) is less than or equal to $15,000,000 (during the first Fiscal Year following the Closing Date) and $10,000,000 (during each subsequent Fiscal Year)the greater of (x) $30,000,000 and (y) 2.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, provided, further, that amounts unused in any Fiscal Year may be carried forward and used to make Permitted Acquisitions in succeeding Fiscal Years, and provided, further, that the Acquisition Consideration paid or payable pursuant to this clause (c)(ii)(z) during any one Fiscal Year shall not exceed $25,000,000the greater of (x) $45,000,000 and (y) 3.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets in the aggregate.

Permitted Affiliated Assignee”: (i) CD&R, and any investment fund managed or controlled by CD&R and, (ii) any special purpose vehicle established by CD&R or by one or more of such investment funds managed or controlled by CD&R and (iii) any Parent Entity.

Permitted Cure Securities”: common equity securities of the Parent Borrower or any Parent Entity or other equity securitiesCapital Stock of the Parent Borrower or any Parent Entity that dodoes not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock.

Permitted Debt Exchange”: as defined in Subsection 2.9(a) of the Term Loan Credit Agreement.

Permitted Debt Exchange Notes”: as defined in Subsection 2.9(a) of the Term Loan Credit Agreement.

Permitted Discretion”: the commercially reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent exercised in good faith in accordance with customary business practices for comparable asset-based lending transactions, as to any factor which the Administrative Agent reasonably determines: (a) will or reasonably could be expected to adversely affect in any material respect the value of any Eligible Inventory, Eligible Accounts or Eligible Credit Card Receivables, the enforceability or priority of the applicable Agent’s Liens thereon or the amount which any Agent, the Lenders or any Issuing Lender would be likely to receive (after giving consideration to delays in payment and costs of enforcement) in the liquidation of such Eligible Inventory, Eligible Accounts or Eligible Credit Card Receivables or (b) is evidence that any collateral report or financial information delivered to the Administrative Agent by any Person on

 

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behalf of the applicable Borrower is incomplete, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect. In exercising such judgment, the Administrative Agent may consider, without duplication, such factors already included in or tested by the definition of Eligible Inventory, Eligible Accounts or Eligible Credit Card Receivables, as well as any of the following: (i) changes after the Closing Date in any material respect in demand for, pricing of, or product mix of Inventory; (ii) changes after the Closing Date in any material respect in any concentration of risk with respect to Accounts; and (iii) any other factors arising after the Closing Date that change in any material respect the credit risk of lending to the Borrowers on the security of the Eligible Inventory, Eligible Accounts or Eligible Credit Card Receivables.

Permitted Hedging Arrangement”: any Hedging Agreements or other agreements or arrangements that are entered into for, or any currency or commodity is purchased or otherwise acquired for, purposes other than speculation.

Permitted Holders”: any of the following: (i) any of the CD&R Investors; (ii) any of the Management Investors, CD&R and their respective Affiliates; (iii) any investment fund or vehicle managed, sponsored or advised by CD&R or any Affiliate thereof, and any Affiliate of or successor to any such investment fund or vehicle; (iv) any limited or general partners of, or other investors in, any CD&R Investor or any Affiliate thereof, or any such investment fund or vehicle; (v) any “group” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date) of which any of the Persons specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) above is a member (provided that (without giving effect to the existence of such “group” or any other “group”) one or more of such Persons collectively have beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of more than 50.0% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Parent Borrower or theany Parent Entity held by such “group”), and any other Person that is a member of such “group”; (vi) any Person acting in the capacity of an underwriter (solely to the extent that and for so long as such Person is acting in such capacity) in connection with a public or private offering of Capital Stock of any Parent Entity, IPO Vehicle or the Parent Borrower or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle; and (vii) unless and until it constitutes a Parent Entity, any IPO Vehicle (provided that no “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date), other than one or more “Permitted Holders” described in the preceding clauses (i) through (vi), has beneficial ownership (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13-d5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date), directly or indirectly, of more than 50.0% of the total voting power of voting stock of such IPO Vehicle).

Permitted Indebtedness”: as defined in Subsection 8.13.

Permitted Investments”: (a) Investments in accounts, payment intangibles and chattel paper (each as defined in the UCC), notes receivable, extensions of trade credit and similar items arising or acquired in the ordinary course of business consistent with the past practice of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(b) Investments in cash, Cash Equivalents, Temporary Cash Investments and Investment Grade Securities;

 

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(c) Investments existingin existence or made pursuant to legally binding written commitments in existence on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 1.1(g), and in each case, any extension, modification, replacement, reinvestment or renewal thereof; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased in such extension, modification, replacement, reinvestment or renewal only (x) as required by the terms of such Investment or binding commitment as in existence on the Closing Date (including as a result of the accrual or accretion of interest or original issue discount or the issuance of pay-in-kind securities) or (y) as otherwise permitted by this Agreement;

(d) (i) Investments by any Loan Party in any other Loan Party (other than to any Holding Company) or in or by any Captive Insurance Subsidiary; provided, however, that if any such Investment is in the form of intercompany Indebtedness, such Indebtedness shall not be secured by any Lien and (ii) Investments in any Parent Entity in amounts and for purposes for which dividends are permitted under Subsection 8.3;

(e) Investments received in settlement amounts due to the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower effected in the ordinary course of business;

(f) Investments by any Non-Loan Party in any other Non-Loan Party;

(g) Investments by Loan Parties in any Non-Loan Parties; provided, however, that (i) the aggregate outstanding amount at any time of all intercompany Investments made pursuant to this clause (g) in any Fiscal Year shall not exceed $15,000,000the greater of (x) $30,000,000 and (y) 2.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets during such Fiscal Year; provided, further, that amounts unused in any Fiscal Year may be carried forward and used to make Investments in succeeding Fiscal Years in an amount not to exceed $25,000,000the greater of (x) $45,000,000 and (y) 3.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets in the aggregate in any one Fiscal Year and (ii) in lieu of the Investments permitted by this clause (g), any Restricted Payment from Loan Parties to Non-Loan Parties may be made in amounts not exceeding the available limit as determined pursuant to this clause (g) (with a corresponding reduction in such limit as a result thereof);

(h) Investments by any Non-Loan Party in any Loan Party (other than any Holding Company); provided, however, that if any such Investment is in the form of intercompany Indebtedness, such Indebtedness shall not be secured by any Lien;

(i) Investments by any Loan Party in any Non-Loan Party to the extent substantially concurrent with, and in any event within three Business Days of, such Investment, a corresponding cash Investment or Restricted Payment is made from such Non-Loan Party, directly or indirectly, to a Loan Party;

(j) any Investment constituting or acquired in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, including any Investment in the form of a capital contribution or intercompany Indebtedness among any Holding Company, the Parent Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries for the purpose of consummating a Permitted Acquisition;

(k) Investments made in connection with the Transactions and the Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions;

 

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(l) loans and advances (and guarantees of loans and advances by third parties) made to officers, directors or, employees, management members or consultants of any Parent Entity, IPO Vehicle or the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and Guarantee Obligations of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of obligations of officers, directors or, employees, management members or consultants of any Parent Entity, IPO Vehicle or the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case (i) in the ordinary course of business (other than in connection with the Management Subscription Agreement), (ii) existing on the Closing Date and described on Schedule 1.1(g), (iii) in respect of travel, entertainment or moving related expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business, (iv) in respect of moving related expenses incurred in connection with any closing or consolidation of any facility, (v) made for other purposes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $15,000,000the greater of (x) $30,000,000 and (y) 2.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets at any time outstanding or (vi) relating to indemnification or reimbursement of any officers, directors or, employees, management members or consultants in respect of liabilities relating to their serving in any such capacity; provided, however, that with respect to any employee of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, no such loans or advances shall be permitted unless the activities of such employee relate primarily to the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(m) loans and advances (and guarantees of loans and advances by third parties) made to Management Investors in connection with the purchase by such Management Investors of Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, the Parent Borrower or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (so long as, in the case of any purchase of Capital Stock of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, such Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle applies an amount equal to the Net Proceeds of such purchases to, directly or indirectly, make capital contributions to, or purchase Capital Stock of, the Parent Borrower or applies such proceeds to pay Parent Entity Expenses) of up to $30,000,000the greater of (x) $60,000,000 and (y) 4.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets outstanding at any one time and promissory notes of Management Investors acquired in connection with the issuance of Management Stock to such Management Investors;

(n) (i) Investments of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries under Interest Rate Agreements, Hedging Agreements or other Permitted Hedging Arrangements and (ii) any Investment by any Captive Insurance Subsidiary in connection with its provision of insurance to the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which Investment is made in the ordinary course of business of such Captive Insurance Subsidiary, or by reason of applicable law, rule, regulation or order, or that is required or approved by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Captive Insurance Subsidiary or its business, as applicable;

(o) Investments in the nature of pledges or deposits (x) with respect to leases or utilities provided to third parties in the ordinary course of business or (y) otherwise described in the definition of “Customary Permitted Liens” or made in connection with Liens permitted under Subsection 8.14;

(p) Investments representing non-cash consideration received by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any Disposition, provided that any such non-cash consideration received by any Loan Party is pledged to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Security Documents as and to the extent provided for therein;

 

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(q) Investments by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person in connection with a joint venture or similar arrangement; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of such Investments pursuant to this clause (q) do not exceed $30,000,000the greater of (x) $50,000,000 and (y) 3.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets at any time outstanding and (ii) the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary complies with the provisions of Subsections 7.9(b) and 7.9(c) hereof, if applicable, with respect to such ownership interest;

(r) Investments in industrial development or revenue bonds or similar obligations secured by assets leased to and operated by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that were issued in connection with the financing of such assets, so long as the Parent Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary may obtain title to such assets at any time by optionally canceling such bonds or obligations, paying a nominal fee and terminating such financing transaction;

(s) Investments representing evidences of Indebtedness, securities or other property received from another Person by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any bankruptcy proceeding or other reorganization of such other Person or as a result of foreclosure, perfection or enforcement of any Lien or exchange for evidences of Indebtedness, securities or other property of such other Person held by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that any such securities or other property received by any other Loan Party is pledged to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Security Documents as and to the extent required thereby;

(t) any Investment to the extent not exceeding the Available Excluded Contribution Amount Basket;

(u) other Investments; provided that at the time such Investments are made the Payment Condition is satisfied;

(v) other Investments in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed $25,000,000the greater of (x) $272,500,000 and (y) 16.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(w) any Investment to the extent made using Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower (other than Disqualified Capital Stock), or Capital Stock of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or Junior Capital as consideration;

(x) Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers compensation, performance and similar deposits entered into as a result of the operations of the business in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice; and

(y) Management Advances.; and

(z) Investments consisting of purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, supplies, services, material or equipment or the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons.

 

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For purposes of determining compliance with Subsection 8.12, (i) in the event that any Investment meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Investments described in one or more of the clauses of this definition, the Borrower Representative, in its sole discretion, shall classify such item of Investment and may include the amount and type of such Investment in one or more of such clauses (including in part under one such clause and in part under another such clause) and (ii) the amount of any Investment made or outstanding at any time under clauses (g), (l), (m), (q) and (v) shall be the original cost of such Investment, reduced (at the Borrower Representative’s option and without duplication of any such reduction pursuant to the definition of “Investment”) by any dividend, distribution, interest payment, return of capital, repayment or other amount or value received in respect of such Investment.

Permitted Liens”: as defined in Subsection 8.14.

Person”: an individual, partnership, corporation, company, limited liability company, business trust, trust, joint stock company, unincorporated organization, association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever nature.

Plan”: at a particular time, any employee benefit plan which is covered by ERISA and in respect of which the Parent Borrower or a Commonly Controlled Entity is an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

Platform”: Intralinks, SyndTrak Online, Debtdomain or any other similar electronic distribution system.

Plumb Acquisition Agreement”: the Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 4, 2017, as amended and restated pursuant to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 14, 2017, by and among Passthrough Holdings, Passthrough Mergersub, New Blocker, Blocker Mergersub, the Sellers, Waterworks Blocker, Waterworks Opco and HD Supply, Inc., as the same may be further amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

Preferred Stock”: as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation or company, Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) that by its terms is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such corporation or company, over Capital Stock of any other class of such corporation or company.

Pro Forma Basis” or “Pro Forma Compliance”: with respect to any determination for any period, that such determination shall be made giving pro forma effect to any event that by the terms of the Loan Documents requires compliance on a “Pro Forma Basis” or “Pro Forma Compliance” (and, if relevant, to each Material Acquisition and each Material Disposition of any Person, business or asset), together with all transactions relating thereto, in each case consummated during such period or thereafter and on or prior to the date of determination (including any incurrence, assumption, refinancing or repayment of Indebtedness), as if such acquisition, investment, sale (or other disposition), other event and related transactions had been consummated on the first day of such period, in each case based on historical results accounted for in accordance with GAAP, and taking into account adjustments consistent with the

 

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definition of “Consolidated EBITDA, including the amount of net cost savings projected by the Borrower Representative in good faith to be realized as the result of actions taken or to be taken on or prior to the date that is 2436 months after the closing date of such transaction and prior to or during such period (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such cost savings had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that the aggregate amount of such net cost savings included in EBITDA for any four-quarter period (together with the aggregate amount of net cost savings included in EBITDA for such four-quarter period pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of “EBITDA”), shall not exceed 25.0% of EBITDA (calculated after giving operation to this sentence and clause (b) of the definition of “EBITDA”). For purposes of making any computation referred to in the preceding sentence, if, since the beginning of such period, (1) the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has incurred any Indebtedness that remains outstanding on such date of determination or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is an incurrence of Indebtedness by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had been incurred on the first day of such period (except that in making such computation, the amount of Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility outstanding on the date of such calculation shall be computed based on (A) the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such four fiscal quartersperiod or such shorter period for which such facility was outstanding or (B) if such facility was created after the end of such four fiscal quartersperiod, the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the period from the date of creation of such facility to the date of such calculation), (2) the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has repaid, repurchased, redeemed, defeased or otherwise acquired, retired or discharged any Indebtedness that is no longer outstanding on such date of determination (each, a “Discharge”) or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio involves a Discharge of Indebtedness (in each case other than Indebtedness incurred under any revolving credit facility unless such Indebtedness has been repaid with an equivalent permanent reduction in commitments thereunder), Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Discharge of Indebtedness, including with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness, as if such Discharge had occurred on the first day of such period, (3) the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have disposed of any company, any business or any group of assets constituting an operating unit of a business, including any such disposition occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder, or designated any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary (any such disposition or designation, a “Sale”), the Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if positive) attributable to the company, business or, group of assets or Subsidiary that areis the subject of such Sale for such period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if negative) attributable thereto for such period and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to (A) the Consolidated Interest Expense attributable to any Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, redeemed, defeased or otherwise acquired, retired or discharged with respect to the Parent Borrower and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Sale for such period (including but not limited to through the assumption of such Indebtedness by another Person) plus (B) if the Capital Stock of any Restricted

 

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Subsidiary is disposed of in such Sale or any Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the Consolidated Interest Expense for such period attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Parent Borrower and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after such Sale, (4) the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger, consolidation or otherwise) shall have made an Investment in any Person that thereby becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, or otherwise acquired any company, any business or any group of assets constituting an operating unit of a business, including any such Investment or acquisition occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made hereunder, or designated any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary (any such Investment, acquisition or designation, a “Purchase”), Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the incurrence of any related Indebtedness) as if such Purchase occurred on the first day of such period, and (5) any Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged or consolidated with or into the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, and since the beginning of such period such Person shall have Discharged any Indebtedness or made any Sale or Purchase that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (2), (3) or (4) above if made by the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period, Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Discharge, Sale or Purchase occurred on the first day of such period. For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any Sale, Purchase or other transaction, or the amount of income or earnings relating thereto and the amount of Consolidated Interest Expense associated with any Indebtedness incurred, repaid, repurchased, redeemed, defeased or otherwise acquired, retired or discharged in connection therewith, the pro forma calculations in respect thereof shall be as determined in good faith by the Chief Financial Officer or a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower Representative, which determination shall be conclusive. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness). If any Indebtedness bears, at the option of the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, a rate of interest based on a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate or other fixed or floating rate, and such Indebtedness is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness shall be calculated by applying such optional rate as the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary may designate. If any Indebtedness that is being given pro forma effect was incurred under a revolving credit facility, the interest expense on such Indebtedness shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on a Financing Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Parent Borrower (which determination shall be conclusive) to be the rate of interest implicit in such Financing Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of the foregoing, “Material Acquisition” means any acquisition of property or series of related acquisitions of property that (x) constitutes assets comprising all or substantially all of an operating unit of a business or constitutes all or substantially all of the common stock of a Person and (y) involves the payment of consideration by the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $5,000,000; and “Material Disposition” means any Disposition of property or series of related Dispositions of property that (x) constitutes assets comprising all or substantially all of an operating unit of a business or constitutes all or substantially all of the common stock of a Person and (y) yields gross proceeds to the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $5,000,000.

 

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Projections”: those financial projections included in the confidential information memoranda and related material prepared in connection with the syndication of the Facilities and provided to the Lenders on or about July 12, 2017.

“Pubco”: Core & Main, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor in interest thereto.

“Pubco IPO”: the Qualified IPO of Pubco relating to Pubco’s registration statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-256382).

“Pubco Merger Sub 1”: Brooks Merger Sub 1, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor in interest thereto.

“Pubco Merger Sub 2”: Brooks Merger Sub 2, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor in interest thereto.

“Pubco Merger Subs”: Pubco Merger Sub 1 and Pubco Merger Sub 2, collectively, and each individually, a “Pubco Merger Sub.”

“Pubco Merger Sub Mergers”: collectively, (i) the merger of Passthrough Holdings with and into New Blocker Holdings, with New Blocker Holdings being the survivor of such merger, (ii) the merger of Blocker Holdings with and into New Blocker, with New Blocker being the survivor of such merger, (iii) the merger of Pubco Merger Sub 1 with and into WW Advisor, with WW Advisor being the survivor of such merger and (iv) the merger of Pubco Merger Sub 2 with and into New Blocker Holdings, with New Blocker Holdings being the survivor of such merger.

“Pubco Mergers”: collectively, (i) the merger of WW Advisor with and into Pubco, with Pubco being the survivor of such merger and (ii) the merger of New Blocker Holdings with and into Pubco, with Pubco being the survivor of such merger.

“PTE”: a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

Purchase Money Obligation”: any Indebtedness incurredIncurred to finance or refinance the acquisition, leasing, construction or improvement of property (real or personal) or assets, and whether acquired through the direct acquisition of such property or assets or the acquisition of the Capital Stock of any Person owning such property or assets, or otherwise.

“QFC Credit Support”: as defined in Subsection 11.25.

Qualified IPO”: the issuance or, sale or listing of common equity interests of the Parent Borrower, or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in an underwritten public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act (whether alone or, in connection with aan underwritten or secondary public offering or otherwise) and such equity interests are listed on a nationally-recognized stock exchange in the U.S.

 

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Qualified Loan Party”: each Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor.

Ratio Incremental Facility”: as defined in the definition of “Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount”.

Receivable”: a right to receive payment pursuant to an arrangement with another Person pursuant to which such other Person is obligated to pay, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Recovery Event”: any settlement of or payment in respect of any property or casualty insurance claim or any condemnation proceeding relating to any asset of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

refinance”: refinance, refund, replace, renew, repay, modify, restate, defer, substitute, supplement, reissue, resell or extend (including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism); and the terms “refinances,” “refinanced” and “refinancing” as used for any purpose in this Agreement shall have a correlative meaning.

Refinanced Debt”: as defined in the definition of “Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness” in this Subsection 1.1.

Refinancing Agreement”: as defined in Subsection 8.8(d).

Refinancing Amendment”: an amendment to this Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the institutions providing such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness executed by each of (a) the Borrower Representative, (b) the Administrative Agent and (c) each financial institution that agrees to provide any portion of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness being incurred pursuant thereto, in accordance with Subsection 2.7.

“Refunded Swingline Loans”: as defined in Subsection 2.4(c).

Register”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(b)(iv).

Regulation D”: Regulation D of the Board as in effect from time to time.

Regulation S-X”: Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC, as in effect on the Closing Date.

Regulation T”: Regulation T of the Board as in effect from time to time.

Regulation U”: Regulation U of the Board as in effect from time to time.

Regulation X”: Regulation X of the Board as in effect from time to time.

 

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Reimbursement Obligations”: the obligation of the applicable Borrower to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender pursuant to Subsection 3.5(a) for amounts drawn under the applicable Letters of Credit.

Related Business”: those businesses in which the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is engaged on the Closing Date, or that are similar, related, complementary, incidental or ancillary thereto or extensions, developments or expansions thereof.

Related Parties”: with respect to any Person, such Person’s affiliatesAffiliates and the partners, officers, directors, trustees, employees, equity holders, shareholders, members, attorneys and other advisors, agents and controlling persons of such Person and of such Person’s affiliates and “Related Party” shall mean any of them.

Related Taxes”: (x) any taxes, charges or assessments, including but not limited to sales, use, transfer, rental, ad valorem, value added, stamp, property, consumption, franchise, license, capital, net worth, gross receipts, excise, occupancy, intangibles or similar taxes, charges or assessments (other than federal, state or local taxes measured by income and federal, state or local withholding imposed by any government or other taxing authority on payments made by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle other than to another Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle), required to be paid by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle by virtue of its being incorporated or having Capital Stock outstanding (but not by virtue of owning stock or other equity interests of any corporation or other entity other than the Parent Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle), or being a holding company parent of the Parent Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or receiving dividends from or other distributions in respect of the Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, or having guaranteed any obligations of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, or having received any payment in respect of any of the items for which the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is permitted to make payments to any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle pursuant to Subsection 8.3, or acquiring, developing, maintaining, owning, prosecuting, protecting or defending its intellectual property and associated rights (including but not limited to receiving or paying royalties for the use thereof) or assertions of infringement, misappropriation, dilution or other violation of third-party intellectual property or associated rights, to the extent relating to the business or businesses of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, (y) any taxes attributable to any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the Closing Date, or to the consummation of any of the Transactions or the Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions, or to any Parent Entity’s or IPO Vehicle’s receipt of (or entitlement to) any payment in connection with the Transactions or the Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions, including any payment received after the Closing Date pursuant to any agreement related to the Transactions or the Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions or (z) any Tax Distributions; provided that at the election of the Parent Borrower in connection with an initial public offering or other restructuring of the Parent Borrower, Passthrough Holdings, Blocker Holdings, Management Holdings, any other or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, this clause (z) shall instead mean any other federal, state, foreign, provincial or local taxes measured by income for which any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle is liable up to an amount not to exceed, with respect to federal taxes, the amount of any such taxes that the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries would have been required to pay on a separate company basis, or on a consolidated basis as if the Parent Borrower had filed a consolidated return on behalf of an

 

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affiliated group (as defined in Section 1504 of the Code) of which it were the common parent, or with respect to state, foreign, provincial and local taxes, the amount of any such taxes that the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries would have been required to pay on a separate company basis, or on a consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated basis as if the Parent Borrower had filed a consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated return on behalf of an affiliated group (as defined in the applicable state, foreign, provincial or local tax laws for filing such return) consisting only of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries. Taxes include all interest, penalties and additions relating thereto.

“Reorganization Agreement”: the Master Reorganization Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021, by and among Topco, Pubco, Management Holdings, Waterworks Holdings LLC, certain CD&R Investors and other parties set forth in the preamble thereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Reportable Event”: any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, other than those events as to which the 30 day notice period is waived under Section 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27 or 28 of PBGC Regulation Section 4043 or any successor regulation thereto.

Required Lenders”: Lenders the sum of whose outstanding Commitments (or after the termination thereof, outstanding Individual Lender Exposures) represent a majority of aggregate Commitments (or after the termination thereof, the sum of the Individual Lender Exposures) at such time; provided that the Commitments (or Individual Lender Exposures) held or deemed held by Defaulting Lenders or by Disqualified Lenders shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

“Required Majority in Interest Lenders”: Lenders of any Tranche or Lenders of any group of affected Lenders, as applicable, the outstanding Commitments (or after the termination thereof, outstanding Individual Lender Exposures) of which aggregate to greater than 50.0% of the aggregate Commitments (or after the termination thereof, the sum of the Individual Lender Exposures) of such Tranche or Lenders of such group of affected Lenders; provided that the Commitments (or Individual Lender Exposures) held or deemed held by Defaulting Lenders or Disqualified Lenders shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Majority in Interest Lenders.

Requirement of Law”: as to any Person, the Organizational Documents of such Person, and any law, statute, ordinance, code, decree, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its material property or to which such Person or any of its material property is subject, including laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to zoning, occupancy and subdivision of real properties; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any non-binding recommendation of any Governmental Authority.

“Resolution Authority”: an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

 

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Responsible Officer”: as to any Person, any of the following officers of such Person: (a) the chief executive officer or the president of such Person and, with respect to financial matters, the chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, the treasurer or the controller of such Person, (b) any vice president of such Person or, with respect to financial matters, any assistant treasurer or assistant controller of such Person, in each case who has been designated in writing to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent as a Responsible Officer by such chief executive officer or president of such Person or, with respect to financial matters, by such chief financial officer of such Person, (c) with respect to the sixth and seventh sentences of Subsection 1.2(bc) , Subsection 7.7 and ERISA matters and without limiting the foregoing, the general counsel (or substantial equivalent) of such Person, (d) with respect to any Person that does not have officers, the officer listed in clauses (a) through (c) of a Person that has the authority to act on behalf of such Person and (e) any other individual designated as a “Responsible Officer” for the purposes of this Agreement by the Board of Directors or equivalent body of such Person.

Restricted Indebtedness”: as defined in Subsection 8.6(a).

Restricted Payment”: any dividend or any other payment whether direct or indirect (other than dividends payable solely in common stock of the Parent Borrower or options, warrants or other rights to purchase common stock of the Parent Borrower) on, or any payment on account of, or any setting apart of assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of, any shares of any class of Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower (other than any acquisition of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of options if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price thereof) or any warrants or options to purchase any such Capital Stock, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or any other distribution (other than (x) distributions payable solely in common stock of the Parent Borrower or (y) options, warrants or other rights to purchase common stock of the Parent Borrower) in respect thereof, either directly or indirectly, whether in cash or property or in obligations of the Parent Borrower.

Restricted Payment Transaction”: any Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to Subsection 8.3, any Permitted Investment, any transaction specifically excluded from the definition of the term “Restricted Payment” (including pursuant to the exceptions contained the parenthetical exclusions of such definition) or any Investment or acquisition permitted pursuant to Subsection 8.4.

Restricted Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Revolving Credit Facility”: the revolving credit facility available to the Borrowers hereunder.

Revolving Credit Lender”: any Lender having a Commitment hereunder and/or a Revolving Credit Loan outstanding hereunder.

Revolving Credit Loan”: a Loan made pursuant to Subsection 2.1(a).

Revolving Credit Note”: as defined in Subsection 2.1(d).

 

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Revolving Exposure”: at any time the aggregate principal amount at such time of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans. The Revolving Exposure of any Revolving Credit Lender at any time shall equal its Commitment Percentage of the aggregate Revolving Exposure at such time.

Rollover Indebtedness”: Indebtedness of a Loan Party issued to any lender under the Term Loan Facility in lieu of such lender’s pro rata portion of any repayment of Term Loans made pursuant to the Term Loan Credit Agreement.

S&P”: Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a division of S&P Global, Inc., and its successors.

Sale and Leaseback Transaction”: any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of real or personal property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Parent Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or rental obligations of the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary.

“Sanctions”: as defined in clause (c) of the first sentence of Subsection 5.23.

SEC”: the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

Secured Parties”: the “Secured Parties” as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

Securities Act”: the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

Security Documents”: the collective reference to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, each Blocked Account Agreement and all other similar security documents hereafter delivered to the Collateral Agent granting or perfecting a Lien on any asset or assets of any Person to secure the obligations and liabilities of the Loan Parties hereunder and/or under any of the other Loan Documents or to secure any guarantee by any Guarantor of any such obligations and liabilities, including any security documents executed and delivered or caused to be delivered to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Subsection 7.9(b) or 7.9(c), in each case, as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Sellers”: HD Supply Holdings, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, and HD Supply GP & Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and in each case any successor in interest thereto.

“Senior Add-on Notes”: Additional 6.125% Senior Notes due 2025 of the Parent Borrower issued on June 5, 2020, as the same may be exchanged for substantially similar senior notes that have been registered under the Securities Act, and as the same or such substantially similar notes may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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Senior Notes”: 6.125% Senior Notes due 2025 of the Parent Borrower issued on the date hereofClosing Date, as the same may be exchanged for substantially similar senior notes that have been registered under the Securities Act, and as the same or such substantially similar notes may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

Senior Notes Documents”: the Senior Notes Indenture and all other instruments, agreements and other documents evidencing or governing the Senior Notes and the Senior Add-on Notes or providing for any guarantee, obligation, security or other right in respect thereof, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Senior Notes Indenture”: the Indenture dated as of the date hereofClosing Date, under which the Senior Notes and the Senior Add-on Notes are issued, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

Set”: the collective reference to Eurodollar Loans of a single Tranche, the then current Interest Periods with respect to all of which begin on the same date and end on the same later date (whether or not such Eurodollar Loans shall originally have been made on the same day).

Settlement Service”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(b).

Single Employer Plan”: any Plan which is covered by Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan.

Solvent” and “Solvency”: with respect to the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions on the Closing Date means (i) the Fair Value and Present Fair Salable Value of the assets of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole exceed their Stated Liabilities and Identified Contingent Liabilities; (ii) the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole do not have Unreasonably Small Capital; and (iii) the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be able to pay their Stated Liabilities and Identified Contingent Liabilities as they mature (all capitalized terms used in this definition (other than “Parent Borrower”, “Closing Date”, “Subsidiary” and “Transactions”, which have the meanings set forth in this Agreement) shall have the meaningmeanings assigned to such terms in the form of solvency certificate attached hereto as Exhibit I).

Specified Availability”: as of any date of determination, without duplication of amounts calculated thereunder, the sum of the Excess Availability plus Specified Unrestricted Cash (but excluding therefrom the cash proceeds of any Specified Equity Contribution), plus Specified Suppressed Availability as at such date, plus the amount available to be drawn by the Loan Parties under any other committed revolving facilities.

Specified Default”: (a) the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(b) as a result of a material breach of any representation or warranty set forth in Subsection 5.21 or Subsection 5.22, (b) the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(c) as a result of the failure of any Loan Party to comply with the terms of Subsection 4.16 or a failure to comply with the delivery obligations with respect to Borrowing Base Certificates set forth in Subsection 7.2(f) or (c) the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or Subsection 9.1(f).

 

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Specified Equity Contribution”: any cash equity contribution made to the Parent Borrower or any Parent Entity in exchange for Permitted Cure Securities; provided that (a) (i) such cash equity contribution to the Parent Borrower or any Parent Entity and (ii) in the case of a cash contribution to any Parent Entity, the contribution of any proceeds therefrom to, and the receipt thereof by, the Parent Borrower occur (x) after the Closing Date and (y(A) on or prior to the date that is 10(A) 21 Business Days after the date on which financial statements are required to be delivered for a Fiscal Quarter (or Fiscal Year) pursuant to Subsection 7.1(a) or 7.1(b) or (Bon the date on which a Borrowing Base Certificate is deliveredthe Administrative Agent has notified the Borrower Representative that a Compliance Period has commenced (provided that the right to make a cash equity contribution for Permitted Cure Securities under this clause (a)(i)(y)(B) shall be limited to no more than once in each Fiscal Period) in accordance with Subsection 7.2(f); (b) the Parent Borrower identifies such equity contribution as a “Specified Equity Contribution” in a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent; (c) in each four Fiscal Quarter period, there shall exist at least two Fiscal Quarters in respect of which no Specified Equity Contribution shall have been made; (d) no more than five Specified Equity Contributions may be made during the term of this Agreement; and (e) the amount of any Specified Equity Contribution included in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA hereunder shall be limited to the amount required to effect or continue compliance with Subsection 8.1 hereof, whether or not a Compliance Period is in effect, and such amount shall be added to Consolidated EBITDA solely when calculating Consolidated EBITDA for purposes of determining compliance with Subsection 8.1; and (f) there shall be no pro forma or other reduction in indebtedness (including by way of netting) (except, for each fiscal quarter other than the fiscal quarter in respect of which such Specified Equity Contribution is made, to the extent applied to the prepayment of Term Loans) with the proceeds of any Specified Equity Contribution for determining compliance with Subsection 8.1 for the periods in which such Specified Equity Contribution is included in EBITDA..

Specified Representations”: the representations set forth in (x) the last sentence of Subsection 5.2, (ySubsections 5.3(a) (with respect to due organization and valid existence), 5.4 (other than the second sentence thereof), (as relates to the incurrence of the Loans, the provision of guarantees and granting of security not violating the Organizational Documents of any Loan Party) 5.5(c), 5.11, 5.13 (subject to the limitations set forth in the proviso to Subsections 6.1(a) and 6.1(i)), 5.23(a) and (as relates to the use of proceeds of the Loans on the Closing Date not violating OFAC) 5.23(c) and (z) the first sentence of Subsection 5.14.

Specified Suppressed Availability”: an amount, if positive, by which the Borrowing Base exceeds the aggregate amount of the Commitments; provided that if Excess Availability is less than the lesser of (1) 5.0% of the lesser of (x) the aggregate amount of the Commitments and (y) the Borrowing Base and (2) $17,500,000, Specified Suppressed Availability shall be zero.

 

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Specified Transaction”: (a) any Restricted Payment pursuant to Subsection 8.3(ik), (b) any acquisition permitted pursuant to clause (c)(i) of the definition of “Permitted Acquisition”, (c) any investment permitted pursuant to clause (u) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”, (d) any payment, repurchase or redemption pursuant to Subsection 8.6(a), (e) any merger, consolidation, amalgamation or asset sale pursuant to Subsection 8.2(a) or 8.2(b), and (f) any Asset Sale pursuant to Subsection 8.5.

Specified Unrestricted Cash”: as of any date of determination, an amount equal to all Unrestricted Cash of the Loan Parties that (in the case of cash) is deposited in (i) DDAs, (ii) Concentration Accounts or (iii) other deposit accounts in the United States, in each case with respect to which a control agreement is in place between the applicable Loan Party, the applicable depositary institution (which depositary institution must be the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or a Lender (or, in each case, an Affiliate thereof)) and the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent (or over which any such Agent has “control” whether or not pursuant to a control agreement) or that (in the case of Cash Equivalents) (a) are not in a securities account in respect of which the applicable Loan Party has entered into a “control agreement” with the applicable broker or securities intermediary for purposes of perfecting a security interest in favor of a third party and (b) are subject to the laws of any state, commonwealth, province or territory of the United States of America, provided that if, as of such date, the Excess Availability is less than the lesser of (x) 5.0% of the lesser of (1) the Commitments hereunder and (2) the Borrowing Base and (y) $12,500,000, the amount of Specified Unrestricted Cash shall equal zero.

Sponsor”: CD&R.

Springing Maturity Date”: as defined in the definition ofTermination Date”.

Stated Amount”: at any time, as to any Letter of Credit, the maximum amount available to be drawn thereunder (regardless of whether any conditions for drawing could then be met).

Stated Maturity”: with respect to any Indebtedness, the date specified in such Indebtedness as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such Indebtedness is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase or repayment of such Indebtedness at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency).

Statutory Reserves”: for any day as applied to a Eurodollar Loan, the average maximum rate at which reserves (including any marginal, supplemental or emergency reserves) are required to be maintained during such Interest Period under Regulation D by member banks of the United States Federal Reserve System in New York City with deposits exceeding $1,000,000,000 against “Eurocurrency liabilities” (as such term is used in Regulation D). Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency liabilities and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exceptions or offsets which may be available from time to time to any Lender under Regulation D.

Store”: any store or distribution center operated, or to be operated, by any Loan Party.

 

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Subsidiary”: as to any Person, a corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company or other entity (a) of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the Board of Directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity are at the time owned by such Person, or (b) the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person and, in the case of this clause (b), which is treated as a consolidated subsidiary for accounting purposes. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower.

Subsidiary Borrower Joinder”: a joinder in substantially the form of Exhibit NN-1 hereto, to be executed by each Subsidiary Borrower designated as such after the Closing Date.

“Subsidiary Borrower Termination”: a Subsidiary Borrower Termination delivered to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Subsection 11.1(h), substantially in the form of Exhibit N-2 hereto.

Subsidiary Borrowers”: each Domestic Subsidiary that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary and a Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a Borrower after ten days’ written notice to the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) pursuant to a Subsidiary Borrower Joinder (which Subsidiary Borrower Joinder shall be accompanied by all documentation and other information about such Subsidiary Borrower as shall be mutually agreed to be required by U.S. regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act), together with their respective successors and assigns, in each case, unless and until such time as the respective Subsidiary Borrower (a) ceases to constitute a Domestic Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof, (b) is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or (c) is released from all of its obligations hereunder in accordance with terms and provisions hereof. Upon receipt thereof the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit each such notice to each of the Lenders; provided that any failure to do so by the Administrative Agent shall not in any way affect the status of any such Domestic Subsidiary as a Subsidiary Borrower hereunder.

Subsidiary Guarantor”: each Domestic Subsidiary (other than any Borrower and any Excluded Subsidiary) of the Parent Borrower which executes and delivers a Subsidiary Guaranty pursuant to Subsection 7.9 or otherwise, in each case, unless and until such time as the respective Subsidiary Guarantor (a) ceases to constitute a Domestic Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof, (b) is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or (c) is released from all of its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty in accordance with terms and provisions thereof.

Subsidiary Guaranty”: the guaranty of the Obligations of the Borrowers under the Loan Documents provided pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

 

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Supply Agreement: the Supply Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and between the Parent Borrower and HD Supply Facilities Maintenance, Ltd. d/b/a USABlueBook, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Successor Borrower”: as defined in Subsection 8.2(a).

Supermajority Lenders”: Lenders the sum of whose outstanding Commitments (or after the termination thereof, outstanding Individual Lender Exposures) representing more than 66 23% of the sum of the aggregate amount of the aggregate Commitments (or after the termination thereof, the sum of the Individual Lender Exposures) of the Non-Defaulting Lenders) at such time; provided that the Commitments (or Individual Lender Exposures) held or deemed held by Defaulting Lenders shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Supermajority Lenders.

Supplemental Commitments”: as defined in Subsection 2.6(a).

“Supported QFC”: as defined in Subsection 11.25.

Swingline Commitment”: the Swingline Lender’s obligation to make Swingline Loans pursuant to Subsection 2.4.

Swingline Exposure”: at any time the aggregate principal amount at such time of all outstanding Swingline Loans. The Swingline Exposure of any Revolving Credit Lender at any time shall equal its Commitment Percentage of the aggregate Swingline Exposure at such time.

Swingline Lender”: as defined in the Preamble hereto.

Swingline Loan Participation Certificate”: a certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit F hereto.

Swingline Loans”: as defined in Subsection 2.4(a).

Swingline Note”: as defined in Subsection 2.4(b).

Target Amount”: an amount, when aggregated with all other amounts remaining on deposit in all DDAs and Concentration Accounts at any time, not exceeding $1,500,0003,000,000 .

Tax Distributions”: tax distributions to members of the Parent BorrowerCore & Main Connector pursuant to the Parent Borrower Partnership Agreement.

“Tax Receivables Agreements”: (i) that certain tax receivables agreement entered into in connection with the Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions by and among Pubco, Topco, and certain limited partners of Topco and (ii) that certain tax receivables agreement entered into in connection with the Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions by and among Pubco, Topco, and certain stockholders of Pubco, in either case of clause (i) or (ii), as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof.

 

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Tax Sharing Agreement”: theany Tax Sharing Agreement between the Parent Borrower and any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to be entered into at the election of the Parent Borrower in connection with an initial public offering or other a restructuring of the Parent Borrower, Passthrough Holdings, Blocker Holdings, Management HoldingsTopco, Midco, Intermediate GP, any other Parent Entity or any IPO Vehicle, on or prior to such initial public offering or other restructuring that (i) in the case of a Tax Sharing Agreement providing for the sharing of taxes in respect of a consolidated, combined, unitary or affiliated tax group, is substantially in the form of Exhibit S and (ii) in the case of a Tax Sharing Agreement that is a tax receivables agreement providing for the payment of certain incremental tax savings arising to the Parent Borrower, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in connection with (x) the implementation of such initial public offering or other restructuring through the use of an “Up-C” structure or (y) the use of net operating losses or other tax attributes of any Parent Entity, IPO Vehicle, the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries generated prior to such initial public offering or other restructuring, is on customary market terms for such agreements, in either case of clause (i) or (ii), as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof.

Taxes”: any and all present or future income, stamp or other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority.

Temporary Cash Investments”: any of the following: (i) any investment in (x) direct obligations of the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, a member state of the European Union or any country in whose currency funds are being held pending their application in the making of an investment or capital expenditure by the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in that country or with such funds, or any agency or instrumentality of any thereof, or obligations Guaranteed by the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland or a member state of the European Union or any country in whose currency funds are being held pending their application in the making of an investment or capital expenditure by the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in that country or with such funds, or any agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, or obligations guaranteed by any of the foregoing or (y) direct obligations of any foreign country recognized by the United States of America rated at least “A” by S&P or “A-12” by Moody’s (or, in either case, the equivalent of such rating by such organization or, if no rating of S&P or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any nationally recognized rating organization), (ii) overnight bank deposits, and investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and money market deposits (or, with respect to foreign banks, similar instruments) maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition thereof issued by (x) any bank or other institutional lender under this Agreement or the Term Loan Facility or any affiliate thereof or (y) a bank or trust company that is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America having capital and surplus aggregating in excess of $250,000,000 (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and whose long term debt is rated at least “A” by S&P or “A-12” by Moody’s (or, in either case, the equivalent of such rating by such organization or, if no rating of

 

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S&P or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any nationally recognized rating organization) at the time such Investment is made, (iii) repurchase obligations for underlying securities or instruments of the types described in clause (i) or (ii) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (ii) above, (iv) Investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than 24 months after the date of acquisition, issued by a Person (other than that of the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries), with a rating at the time as of which any Investment therein is made of “P-2” (or higher) according to Moody’s or “A-2” (or higher) according to S&P (or, in either case, the equivalent of such rating by such organization or, if no rating of S&P or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any nationally recognized rating organization), (v) Investments in securities maturing not more than 24 months after the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least “BBB-” by S&P or “Baa3” by Moody’s (or, in either case, the equivalent of such rating by such organization or, if no rating of S&P or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any nationally recognized rating organization), (vi) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock (other than of the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) having a rating of “A” or higher by S&P or “A2” or higher by Moody’s (or, in either case, the equivalent of such rating by such organization or, if no rating of S&P or Moody’s then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any nationally recognized rating organization), (vii) investment funds investing at least 90.0% of their assets in securities of the type described in clauses (i) through (vi) above (which funds may also hold cash pending investment and/or distribution), (viii) any money market deposit accounts issued or offered by a domestic commercial bank or a commercial bank organized and located in a country recognized by the United States of America, in each case, having capital and surplus in excess of $250,000,000 (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof), or investments in money market funds subject to the risk limiting conditions of Rule 2a-7 (or any successor rule) of the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and (ix) similar investments approved by the Board of Directors in the ordinary course of business.

Term Loan Agent”: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Term Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent or collateral agent under the Term Loan Documents.

Term Loan Credit Agreement”: the Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereofClosing Date, as amended by the Lender Joinder Agreement, dated as of July 8, 2019, and the First Amendment, dated as of the Third Amendment Effective Date, among the Parent Borrower, the lenders party thereto from time to time and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent thereunder, as such agreement may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time or refunded, refinanced, restructured, replaced, renewed, repaid, increased or extended from time to time (whether in whole or in part, whether with the original administrative agent and lenders or other agents and lenders or otherwise, and whether provided under the original Term Loan Credit Agreement or other credit agreements or otherwise, unless such agreement or instrument expressly provides that it is not intended to be and is not a Term Loan Credit Agreement hereunder). Any reference to the Term Loan Credit Agreement hereunder shall be deemed a reference to any Term Loan Credit Agreement then in existence.

 

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Term Loan Documents”: the “Loan Documents” as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time or refunded, refinanced, restructured, replaced, renewed, repaid, increased or extended from time to time (other than any agreement, document or instrument that expressly provides that it is not intended to be and is not a Term Loan Document).

Term Loan Facility”: the collective reference to the Term Loan Credit Agreement, any Term Loan Documents, any notes and letters of credit issued pursuant thereto and any guarantee and collateral agreement, patent, copyright and trademark security agreements, mortgages, letter of credit applications and other guarantees, pledge agreements, security agreements and collateral documents, and other instruments and documents, executed and delivered pursuant to or in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, or refunded, refinanced, restructured, replaced, renewed, repaid, increased or extended from time to time (whether in whole or in part, whether with the original agent and lenders or other agents and lenders or otherwise, and whether provided under the original Term Loan Credit Agreement or one or more other credit agreements, indentures or financing agreements or otherwise, unless such agreement, instrument or document expressly provides that it is not intended to be and is not a Term Loan Facility). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “Term Loan Facility” shall include any agreement (i) changing the maturity of any Indebtedness incurred thereunder or contemplated thereby, (ii) adding Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder, (iii) increasing the amount of Indebtedness incurred thereunder or available to be borrowed thereunder or (iv) otherwise altering the terms and conditions thereof.

Term Loan Facility Obligations”: obligations of the Loan Parties from time to time arising under or in respect of the due and punctual payment of (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including interest accruing during (or would accrue but for) the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) on the Term Loans, when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise and (ii) all other monetary obligations, including fees, costs, expenses and indemnities, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), of the Loan Parties under the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the other Term Loan Documents.

Term Loan Priority Collateral”: as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, whether or not the same remains in full force and effect.

Term Loans”: the loans borrowed under the Term Loan Facility.

Termination Date”: July 8, 2024; provided that, if more than $75,000,000 in principal amount of Term Loans remain outstanding on the date that is 91 days prior to the Stated Maturity of such Term Loans (the “Springing Maturity Date”), the “Termination Date” shall mean the earlier of (i) July 8, 2024 and (ii) the Springing Maturity Date.

 

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“Termination Date”: July 27, 2026.

“Third Amendment”: Amendment No. 3, dated as of July 27, 2021, by and among the Parent Borrower, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

“Third Amendment Effective Date”: July 27, 2021.

“Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions”: collectively, any or all of the following (whether taking place prior to, on or following the Third Amendment Effective Date): (i) the entry into the Reorganization Agreement, the Tax Receivables Agreements and the Exchange Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including those transactions described under the caption “The Reorganization Transactions” in the prospectus, dated July 22, 2021, relating to Pubco’s registration statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-256382) in the form filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act (including the Pubco Merger Sub Mergers and the Pubco Mergers), (ii) the Pubco IPO, resulting in Pubco issuing certain Capital Stock of Pubco being listed on a nationally recognized stock exchange in the U.S., (iii) the entry into the First Amendment to the Term Loan Facility and Incurrence of Tranche B Term Loans (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) thereunder (including via an exchange of the Original Initial Term Loans (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) for Tranche B Term Loans) thereunder, (iv) the entry into the Third Amendment and any Incurrence of Indebtedness hereunder on the Third Amendment Effective Date, (v) the repayment of the Original Initial Term Loans held by the Non-Exchanging Term Lenders (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) or exchange by the Exchanging Term Lenders (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) of the Original Initial Term Loans through a cashless rollover pursuant to Subsection 4.4(g) of the Term Loan Credit Agreement, (vi) the repayment of the Senior Notes, the Senior Add-on Notes and the Topco PIK Notes, and (vii) all other transactions relating to any of the foregoing (including payment of fees, premiums and expenses related to any of the foregoing).

“Topco”: Core & Main Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto.

“Topco PIK Notes”: 8.625%/9.375% Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2024 of Topco issued on September 16, 2019, as the same may be exchanged for substantially similar senior PIK toggle notes that have been registered under the Securities Act, and as the same or such substantially similar notes may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Trading Price”: as defined in Subsection 11.6(j)(iv).

Tranche”: each Tranche of Loans available hereunder, with there being two tranches on the Closing Date; namely, Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans.

Transaction Agreements”: collectively, (i) the Plumb Acquisition Agreement, (ii) the CD&R Indemnification Agreement, (iii) the CD&R Consulting Agreement, (iv) the Transition Services Agreement, (v) the Supply Agreement, and (vithe Reorganization Agreement, (vii) the Exchange Agreement and (viii) any agreement primarily providing for

 

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indemnification and/or contribution for the benefit of any Permitted Holder in respect of Liabilitiesliabilities resulting from, arising out of or in connection with, based upon or relating to (a) any management, consulting or advisory services, or any financing, underwriting or placement services or other investment banking activities to, for or in respect of any Parent Entity or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) any offering of securities or other financing activity or arrangement of or by any Parent Entity or any of its Subsidiaries or (c) any action or failure to act of or by any Parent Entity or any of its Subsidiaries (or any of their respective predecessors), in each case as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Transactions”: collectively, any or all of the following (whether taking place prior to, on or following the date hereofClosing Date): (i) the entry into the Plumb Acquisition Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including (a) the Waterworks Merger, whereby (1) a portion of the proceeds of the transaction financing shall be distributed pro rata to interest holders in Waterworks Opco including the Sellers and Waterworks Blocker and (2) immediately following such distribution, Passthrough Holdings purchases the Sellers’ direct interests in Waterworks Opco, (b) the Blocker Merger and (c) the subsequent acquisition by the Parent Borrower from Affiliates of the Sellers of certain assets related to the Waterworks Business, (ii) the conversion of Blocker Holdings into a Delaware limited liability company following the Blocker Merger, (iii) the contribution of Blocker Holdings to Blocker Aggregator following the conversion described in the preceding clause (ii) of this definition, (iv) the entry into the Senior Notes Documents, and the offer and issuance of the Senior Notes, (v) the entry into the Term Loan Documents and Incurrence of Indebtedness thereunder, (vi) the entry into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and Incurrence of Indebtedness hereunder, (vii) the Equity Contribution and (viii) all other transactions relating to any of the foregoing (including payment of fees and expenses related to any of the foregoing).

Transferee”: any Participant or Assignee.

Transition Services Agreement”: the Transition Services Agreement, to be dated as of the date hereofClosing Date, by and between the Parent Borrower, on behalf of itself and certain of its Affiliates, and HD Supply, Inc., a Delaware corporation (and any successors in interest thereto), on behalf of itself and certain of its subsidiaries, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time.

Treaty”: the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, being the Treaty of Rome of March 25, 1957 as amended by the Single European Act 1986 and the Maastricht Treaty (which was signed on February 7, 1992 and came into force on November 1, 1993) and as may, from time to time, be further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified.

Type”: the type of Loan determined based on the currency in which the same is denominated, and the interest option applicable thereto, with there currently being multiple Types of Loans hereunder, namely ABR Loans and Eurodollar Loans.

UCC”: the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York from time to time.

 

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“UK Financial Institution”: any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended form time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.

“UK Resolution Authority”: the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.

Uniform Customs”: the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600, as the same may be amended from time to time.

United States Person”: any United States person within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

Unpaid Drawing”: drawings on Letters of Credit that have not been reimbursed by the applicable Borrower.

Unrestricted Cash”: at any date of determination, without duplication, (a) the aggregate amount of cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments included in the cash accounts that would be listed on the consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower prepared in accordance with GAAP as of the last day of the Most Recent Four Quarter Periodend of the most recently ended Fiscal Period of the Parent Borrower ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Parent Borrower are available to the extent such cash is not classified as “restricted” for financial statement purposes (unless so classified solely because of any provision under the Loan Documents or any other agreement or instrument governing other Indebtedness that is subject to the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement governing the application thereof or because they are subject to a Lien securing the Obligations, the Term Loan Facility Obligations or other Indebtedness that is subject to the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement), plus (bthe proceeds from any incurrencecash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments from the proceeds of any capital contribution to the Parent Borrower or from the issuance or sale of its Capital Stock or from any Incurrence of Indebtedness borrowed since the date of such consolidated balance sheetend of such Fiscal Period and on or prior to the date of such determination (that, in the case of Indebtedness, are (in the good faith judgment ofby the Parent Borrower Representative), which determination shall be conclusive, intended to be used for working capital purposes.), plus (c) cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments that cash collateralize letters of credit issued on behalf of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including the proceeds of any Indebtedness being borrowed at the time of determination.

 

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Unrestricted Subsidiary”: (i) any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower designated at any time by the Board of Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary hereunder by written notice to the Administrative Agent and (ii) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, provided that the Board of Directors shall only be permitted to designate a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary so long as:

(a) immediately after such designation, no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or 9.1(f) shall have occurred and be continuing;

(b) (i) such designation was made at or prior to the Closing Date; or

(ii) the Subsidiary to be so designated has Consolidated Tangible Assets of $1,000 or less at the time of designation; or

(iii) if such Subsidiary has Consolidated Tangible Assets greater than $1,000 at the time of designation, then immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with the covenant set forth in Subsection 8.1, whether or not a Compliance Period is in effect; and

(c) no Subsidiary shall be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if such Subsidiary owns (directly or indirectly) any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or holds any Liens on any property of, any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated.

The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by the Parent Borrower therein (and must comply as such with the limitations on Investments under Subsection 8.12) at the date of designation in an amount equal to the net book value of the Parent Borrower’s Investment therein.

The Borrower Representative shall only be permitted to designate an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary so long as:

(a) immediately after such designation, no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or 9.1(f) shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(b) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with the covenant set forth in Subsection 8.1, whether or not a Compliance Period is in effect.

The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of designation of any Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time and, in each case, shall be subject to the terms of Subsection 7.9 and Section 8.

Unsecured Indebtedness”: unsecured Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower andor any Restricted Subsidiary.

Unutilized Commitment”: with respect to any Lender at any time, an amount equal to the remainder of (x) such Lender’s Commitment as in effect at such time less (y) such Lender’s Individual Lender Exposure at such time (excluding any Swingline Exposure of such Lender).

 

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“U.S. Special Resolution Regime”: each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”: as defined in Subsection 4.11(b)(ii)(2).

Voting Stock”: as to any entity, all classes of Capital Stock of such entity then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election of directors or all interests in such entity with the ability to control the management or actions of such entity.

Waterworks Acquisition”: the acquisition by Passthrough Holdings and New Blocker on the Closing Date, in accordance with the Plumb Acquisition Agreement, from the Sellers and Affiliates thereof of the Waterworks Business by means of (i) the Waterworks Merger, (ii) the Blocker Merger and (iii) the subsequent acquisition by the Parent Borrower from Affiliates of the Sellers of certain assets related to the Waterworks Business.

Waterworks Blocker”: HD Supply Waterworks Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor in interest thereto.

Waterworks Business”: the operations reflected in the financial statements delivered pursuant to Subsection 6.1(d), including the distribution of complete lines of water and wastewater transmission products, serving contractors and municipalities in the water and wastewater industries for residential and non-residential uses, in the following markets: non-residential, residential, water systems and sewage systems, to the extent operated by the Acquired Companies and its Affiliates; provided, that, “Waterworks Business” does not include any (a) assets or operations of the “USA Blue Book” business of Sellers’ Affiliates or (b) corporate level services.

“Waterworks Holdings LLC”: CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

“Waterworks Holdings LP”: CD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto.

Waterworks Merger”: the merger of Passthrough Mergersub with and into Waterworks Opco, with Waterworks Opco being the survivor of such merger.

Waterworks Opco”: HD Supply Waterworks, Ltd., a Florida limited partnership, and any successor in interest thereto. As of the Third Amendment Effective Date, Waterworks Opco is Core & Main LP, a Florida limited partnership.

Wholly Owned Subsidiary”: as to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person of which such Person owns, directly or indirectly through one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary other than directors qualifying shares or shares held by nominees.

 

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Write-Down and Conversion Powers”: (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule., and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, the powers of the applicable Resolution Authority in each case under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.

“WW Advisor”: CD&R WW Advisor, LLC, Delaware limited liability company, and any successor in interest thereto.

1.2 Other Definitional and Interpretive Provisions.

(a) Unless otherwise specified therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any Notes, any other Loan Document or any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto.

(b) (a) As used herein and in any Notes and any other Loan Document, and any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, accounting terms relating to the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries not defined in Subsection 1.1 and accounting terms partly defined in Subsection 1.1, to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP.

(c) (b) The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section, Subsection, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns permitted hereunder. Any reference herein to the financial statements (or any component thereof) of the Parent Borrower shall be construed to include the financial statements (or the applicable component thereof) of the Parent Borrower or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Parent Borrower’s financial reporting obligations under Subsection 7.1. With respect to any Default or Event of Default, the words “exists,” “is continuing” or similar expressions with respect thereto shall mean that such Default or Event of Default has occurred and has not yet been cured or waived. If any Default or Event of Default has occurred hereunder (any such Default or Event of Default, an “Initial Default”) and is subsequently cured (a “Cured Default”), any other Default or, Event of Default thator failure of a condition precedent that resulted or may have resulted from (i) the making or deemed making of any representation or warranty by any Loan Party or (iithe taking of any actionact or omission by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party that was prohibited hereunder solely as a result of the continuation of such Cured Default (and

 

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was not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement), in each case which subsequent Default or, Event of Default or failure would not have arisen had the Cured Default not been continuing at the time of such representation, warranty or, action or omission, shall be deemed to automatically be cured or satisfied, as applicable, upon, and simultaneously with, the cure of the Cured Default, so long as at the time of such representation, warranty or, action or omission, no Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower had knowledge of any such Initial Default. To the extent not already so notified, the Parent Borrower will provide prompt written notice of any such automatic cure to the Administrative Agent after a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower knows of the occurrence of any such automatic cure. Any time period in this Agreement to cure any actual or alleged Default or Event of Default may be extended or stayed by a court of competent jurisdiction to the extent such actual or alleged Default or Event of Default is the subject of litigation.

(d) (c) Financial ratios and other financial calculations pursuant to this Agreement, including calculations pursuant to Subsection 8.1 shall, following any transaction described in the definition of “Pro Forma Basis,” be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis until the completion of four full Fiscal Quarters following such transaction (and shall also be subject to clause (de) below to the extent applicable).

(e) (d) For purposes of determining any financial ratio or making any financial calculation for any Fiscal Quarter (or portion thereof) ending prior to the Closing Date (other than the calculation of Consolidated Interest Expense, as and to the extent set forth in the definition thereof), the components of such financial ratio or financial calculation shall be determined on a pro forma basis to give effect to the Transactions as if they had occurred at the beginning of such four Fiscal Quarter period; and each Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower upon giving effect to the Transactions shall be deemed to be a Restricted Subsidiary for purposes of the components of such financial ratio or financial calculation as of the beginning of such four Fiscal Quarter period.

(f) (e) For purposes of this Agreement and any other Loan Document, for periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date, references to the consolidated financial statements of the Parent Borrower (or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle) shall be to the combined financial statements of the Waterworks Business, with pro forma effect being given to the Transactions (with Subsidiaries of the Waterworks Business that are Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower after giving effect to the Transactions being deemed Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower), as the context may require, provided that nothing in this clause (ef) shall require the delivery of combined or consolidated financial statements or other similar materials for or with respect to the Waterworks Business, except as otherwise specifically required by this Agreement.

(g) (f) Any financial ratios required to be maintained pursuant to this Agreement (or required to be satisfied in order for a specific action to be permitted under this Agreement) shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (rounding up if there is no nearest number).

 

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(h) (g) Any references in this Agreement to “cash and/or Cash Equivalents”, “cash, Cash Equivalents and/or Temporary Cash Investments” or any similar combination of the foregoing shall be construed as not double counting cash or any other applicable amount which would otherwise be duplicated therein.

(i) (h) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

(j) (i) The Borrowing Base shall be calculated without duplication, including without duplication of any reserves, items that are otherwise addressed or excluded through eligibility criteria or items that are factored into the calculation of collection rates or collection percentages.

(k) (j) In connection with any action being taken in connection with a Limited Condition Transaction, for purposes of determining compliance with any provision of this Agreement, including any provision which requires that no Default, Event of Default or, Specified Default or specified Default or Event of Default, as applicable, has occurred, is continuing or would result from any such action, as applicable, such condition shall, at the option of the Borrower Representative, be deemed satisfied, so long as no Default, Event of Default or Specified Default, as applicable, exists on the date (x) a definitive agreement for such Limited Condition Transaction is entered into, (y) in connection with an acquisition to which the United Kingdom City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (or any comparableequivalent thereof under the laws, rules or regulations in any other applicable jurisdiction) applies, the date on which a “Rule 2.7 announcement” of a firm intention to make an offer in respect of a target of a Limited Condition Transaction is made (or the equivalent notice under such comparableequivalent laws, rules or regulations in such other applicable jurisdiction) or (zirrevocable notice of redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Capital Stock or Preferred Stock is given. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Borrower Representative has exercised its option under the first sentence of this clause (jk), and any Default, Event of Default or, Specified Default or specified Default or Event of Default, as applicable, occurs following the date (x) a definitive agreement for the applicable Limited Condition Transaction was entered into, (y) in connection with an acquisition to which the United Kingdom City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (or any comparableequivalent thereof under the laws, rules or regulations in any other applicable jurisdiction) applies, the date on which a “Rule 2.7 announcement” of a firm intention to make an offer in respect of a target of a Limited Condition Transaction is made (or the equivalent notice under such comparableequivalent laws, rules or regulations in such other applicable jurisdiction) or (zirrevocable notice of redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Capital Stock or Preferred Stock is given, and prior to the consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, any such Default, Event of Default or, Specified Default, or specified Default or Event of Default as applicable, shall be deemed to not have occurred or be continuing for purposes of determining whether any action being taken in connection with such Limited Condition Transaction is permitted hereunder.

 

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(l) (k) In connection with any action being taken in connection with a Limited Condition Transaction, for purposes of:

(i) determining compliance with any provision of this Agreement which requires the calculation of the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or, the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) or the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, in determining compliance with the Payment Condition for any purpose hereunder) or any other financial measure;

(ii) testing baskets set forth in this Agreement (including baskets measured as a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets or Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA (as defined herein or in the Term Loan Credit Agreement)); or

(iii) any other determination as to whether any such Limited Condition Transaction and any related transactions (including any financing thereof) complies with the covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement;

in each case, at the option of the Borrower Representative (the Borrower Representative’s election to exercise such option in connection with any Limited Condition Transaction, an “LCT Election”), the date of determination of whether any such action is permitted hereunder, shall be deemed to be the date (x) a definitive agreement for such Limited Condition Transaction is entered into, (y) in connection with an acquisition to which the United Kingdom City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (or any comparableequivalent thereof under the laws, rules or regulations in any other applicable jurisdiction) applies, the date on which a “Rule 2.7 announcement” of a firm intention to make an offer in respect of a target of a Limited Condition Transaction is made (or the equivalent notice under such comparableequivalent laws, rules or regulations in such other applicable jurisdiction) or (zirrevocable notice of redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Capital Stock or Preferred Stock is given, as applicable (the “LCT Test Date”), and if, after giving pro forma effect to the Limited Condition Transaction and the other transactions to be entered into in connection therewith (including any incurrenceIncurrence or Discharge of Indebtedness and Liens and the use of proceeds thereof) as if they had occurred at the beginning of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quartersFiscal Quarters of the Parent Borrower ending prior to the LCT Test Date for which consolidated financial statements of the Parent Borrower (or, as applicable, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle) are available, the Parent Borrower could have taken such action on the relevant LCT Test Date in compliance with such ratio, basket or amount, such ratio, basket or amount shall be deemed to have been complied with; provided that (a) if financial statements for one or more subsequent Fiscal Quarters or Fiscal Years shall have been delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(a) or 7.1(b), the Parent Borrower may elect, in its sole discretion, to re-determine all such ratios, baskets or amounts on the basis of such financial statements, in which case, such date of redetermination shall

 

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thereafter be deemed to be the applicable LCT Test Date for purposes of such ratios, baskets or amounts and (b) except as contemplated in the foregoing clause (a), compliance with such ratios, baskets or amounts (and any related requirements and conditions) shall not be determined or tested at any time after the applicable LCT Test Date for such Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto (including any Incurrence or Discharge of Indebtedness and Liens and the use of proceeds thereof). For purposes of determining compliance with any ratio, basket or amount on the applicable LCT Test Date, Consolidated Interest Expense for purposes of the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated using an assumed interest rate based on the indicative interest margin contained in any financing commitment documentation with respect to such Indebtedness or, if no such indicative interest margin exists, as determined by the Parent Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Borrower Representative has made an LCT Election and any of the ratios, baskets or amounts for which compliance was determined or tested as of the LCT Test Date are exceeded as a result of fluctuations in any such ratio, basket or amount, including due to fluctuations in exchange rates or in Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Tangible Assets of the Parent Borrower or the Person subject to such Limited Condition Transaction or any applicable currency exchange rate, at or prior to the consummation of the relevant transaction or action, such ratios, baskets or amounts will not be deemed to have been exceeded as a result of such fluctuations. If the Borrower Representative has made an LCT Election for any Limited Condition Transaction, then in connection with any subsequent calculation of any ratio, basket or amount with respect to the incurrenceIncurrence or Discharge of Indebtedness or Liens, or the making of Restricted Payments, Asset Sales, mergers, the conveyance, lease or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Parent Borrower or the designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary on or following the relevant LCT Test Date and prior to the earlier of the date on which (1) such Limited Condition Transaction is consummated or, (2) the definitive agreement for, or firm offer in respect of, such Limited Condition Transaction (if an acquisition or investment) is terminated or expires without consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction or (3) such notice of redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Capital Stock or Preferred Stock is revoked or expires without consummation, any such ratio, basket or amount shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming such Limited Condition Transaction and other transactions in connection therewith (including any incurrenceIncurrence or Discharge of Indebtedness and Liens and the use of proceeds thereof) have been consummated.

(m) (l) Any reference herein or in any other Loan Document to (i) a transfer, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to a division of or by a limited liability company or a limited partnership, or an allocation of assets to a series of a limited liability company or a limited partnership (collectively, a “Division”), as if it were a transfer, assignment, sale or transfer, or similar term, as applicable, to a separate Person, and (ii) a merger, consolidation, amalgamation or consolidation, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to the division of or by a limited liability company or a limited partnership, or an allocation of assets to a series of a limited liability company or a limited partnership, or the unwinding of such a division or allocation, as if it were a merger, consolidation, amalgamation or consolidation or similar term, as applicable, with a separate Person, and such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Capital Stock at such time.

 

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1.3 Borrower Representative. Each Borrower hereby designates the Parent Borrower as its Borrower Representative. The Borrower Representative will be acting as agent on each Borrower’s behalf for the purposes of issuing notices of Borrowing and notices of conversion/continuation of any Loans pursuant to Section 2 and Section 4 or similar notices, giving instructions with respect to the disbursement of the proceeds of the Loans, selecting interest rate options, requesting Letters of Credit, giving and receiving all other notices and consents hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents and taking all other actions (including in respect of compliance with covenants) on behalf of any Borrower or the Borrowers under the Loan Documents. The Borrower Representative hereby accepts such appointment. Each Borrower agrees that each notice, election, representation and warranty, covenant, agreement and undertaking made on its behalf by the Borrower Representative shall be deemed for all purposes to have been made by such Borrower and shall be binding upon and enforceable against such Borrower to the same extent as if the same had been made directly by such Borrower

SECTION 2

Amount and Terms of Commitments

2.1 Commitments. (a) Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make, at any time and from time to time on or after the Closing Date and prior to the Termination Date, a Revolving Credit Loan or Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrowers (on a joint and several basis as between the Borrowers), which Revolving Credit Loans:

(i) shall be denominated in Dollars;

(ii) shall, at the option of the Borrowers, be incurred and maintained as, and/or converted into, ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans, provided that except as otherwise specifically provided in Subsections 4.9 and 4.10, all Revolving Credit Loans comprising the same Borrowing shall at all times be of the same Type;

(iii) may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof;

(iv) shall not be made (and shall not be required to be made) by any Lender to the extent the incurrence thereof (after giving effect to the use of the proceeds thereof on the date of the incurrence thereof to repay any amounts theretofore outstanding pursuant to this Agreement) would cause the Individual Lender Exposure of such Lender to exceed the amount of its Commitment at such time; and

 

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(v) shall not be made (and shall not be required to be made) by any Lender to the extent the incurrence thereof (after giving effect to the use of the proceeds thereof on the date of the incurrence thereof to repay any amounts theretofore outstanding pursuant to this Agreement) would cause the Aggregate Lender Exposure to exceed the lesser of (A) the aggregate Commitments as then in effect and (B) the Borrowing Base at such time (based on the Borrowing Base Certificate last delivered).

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Subsection 2.1(a) or elsewhere in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall have the right to establish Availability Reserves in such amounts, and with respect to such matters, as the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion shall deem necessary or appropriate, against the Borrowing Base including reserves with respect to (i) sums that the Borrowers are or will be required to pay (such as taxes (including payroll and sales taxes), assessments, insurance premiums, or, in the case of leased assets, rents or other amounts payable under such leases) and have not yet paid and (ii) amounts owing by the Borrowers or, without duplication, their respective Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person to the extent secured by a Lien on, or trust over, any of the ABL Priority Collateral, which Lien or trust, in the Permitted Discretion of the Administrative Agent is capable of ranking senior in priority to or pari passu with one or more of the Liens in the ABL Priority Collateral granted in the Security Documents (such as Liens or trusts in favor of landlords, warehousemen, carriers, mechanics, materialmen, laborers, or suppliers, or Liens or trusts for ad valorem, excise, sales, or other taxes where given priority under applicable law and Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Subsection 8.13(y)) in and to such item of the ABL Priority Collateral (including any such Liens in respect of Management Guarantees); provided that (x) with respect to any Availability Reserve (other than any Designated Hedging Reserves or Designated Cash Management Reserves), the Administrative Agent shall have provided the applicable Borrower reasonable advance notice of any such establishment and (y) with respect to any Designated Hedging Reserves or Designated Cash Management Reserves, (i) the Administrative Agent may establish such Designated Hedging Reserves or Designated Cash Management Reserves immediately upon receiving notice in writing from the Borrower Representative pursuant to Subsection 11.22 that a Designated Hedging Reserve or Designated Cash Management Reserve, as applicable, may be established and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall increase, reduce or eliminate the amount of any existing Designated Hedging Reserve or existing Designated Cash Management Reserve immediately upon receiving written notice of any adjustment to the amount of such existing Designated Hedging Reserve or existing Designated Cash Management Reserve from the Borrower Representative pursuant to the last sentence of Subsection 11.22 (provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to establish or increase any Designated Hedging Reserve or Designated Cash Management Reserve if at the time of, and after give effect to, such establishment or increase, Excess Availability would be less than zero); and provided, further, that the Administrative Agent may only establish an Availability Reserve after the Closing Date based on an event, condition or other circumstance arising after the Closing Date or based on facts not known to the Administrative Agent as of the Closing Date. The amount of any such Availability Reserve shall have a reasonable relationship to the event, condition or other matter that is the basis for the Availability Reserve. Upon

 

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delivery of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall be available to discuss any proposed Availability Reserve, and the Borrowers may take such action as may be required so that the event, condition or matter that is the basis for such Availability Reserve or increase no longer exists, in a manner and to the extent reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion. In no event shall such notice and opportunity limit the right of the Administrative Agent to establish such Availability Reserve, unless the Administrative Agent shall have determined in its Permitted Discretion that the event, condition or other matter that is the basis for such new Availability Reserve no longer exists or has otherwise been adequately addressed by the applicable Borrower. In the event that the event, condition or other matter giving rise to the establishment of any Availability Reserve shall cease to exist (unless there is a reasonable prospect that such event, condition or other matter will occur again within a reasonable period of time thereafter), the Availability Reserve established pursuant to such event, condition or other matter, shall be discontinued. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Availability Reserves shall not duplicate (i) eligibility criteria contained in the definition of “Eligible Accounts”, “Eligible Credit Card Receivables” or “Eligible Inventory” and vice versa, or (ii) reserves or criteria deducted in computing the value of Eligible Inventory (based on cost and quantity) and vice versa.

(c) In the event the Borrowers are unable to comply with (i) the borrowing baseBorrowing Base limitations set forth in Subsection 2.1(a) or (ii) the conditions precedent to the making of Revolving Credit Loans or the issuance of Letters of Credit set forth in Section 6, the Lenders authorize the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, to make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrowers, which may only be made as ABR Loans (each, an “Agent Advance”) for a period commencing on the date the Administrative Agent first receives a notice of Borrowing requesting an Agent Advance until the earliest of (i) the 30th Business Day after such date, (ii) the date the respective Borrowers or Borrower is again able to comply with the Borrowing Base limitations and the conditions precedent to the making of Revolving Credit Loans and issuance of Letters of Credit, or obtains an amendment or waiver with respect thereto and (iii) the date the Required Lenders instruct the Administrative Agent to cease making Agent Advances (in each case, the “Agent Advance Period”). The Administrative Agent shall not make any Agent Advance to the extent that at such time the amount of such Agent Advance (A) when added to the aggregate outstanding amount of all other Agent Advances made to the Borrowers at such time, would exceed 10.0% of the Borrowing Base at such time (based on the Borrowing Base Certificate last delivered) or (B) when added to the Aggregate Lender Exposure as then in effect (immediately prior to the incurrence of such Agent Advance), would exceed the aggregate Commitments at such time. It is understood and agreed that, subject to the requirements set forth above, Agent Advances may be made by the Administrative Agent in its discretion to the extent the Administrative Agent deems such Agent Advances necessary or desirable (x) to preserve and protect the applicable ABL Priority Collateral, or any portion thereof, (y) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Loans and other obligations of the Loan Parties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents or (z) to pay any other amount chargeable to or required to be paid by the Borrowers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including payments of reimbursable expenses and other sums payable under the Loan Documents, and that the Borrowers shall have no right to require that any Agent Advances be made.

 

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(d) Each Borrower agrees that, upon the request to the Administrative Agent by any Revolving Credit Lender made on or prior to the Closing Date or in connection with any assignment pursuant to Subsection 11.6(b), in order to evidence such Lender’s Revolving Credit Loans, such Borrower will execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto (each, as amended, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, a “Revolving Credit Note”), with appropriate insertions as to payee, date and principal amount, payable to such Lender and in a principal amount equal to the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made by such Revolving Credit Lender to such Borrower. Each Revolving Credit Note shall (i) be dated the Closing Date, (ii) be stated to mature on the Termination Date and (iii) provide for the payment of interest in accordance with Subsection 4.1.

2.2 Procedure for Revolving Credit Borrowing. Each of the Borrowers may borrow under the Commitments on the Closing Date and the Parent Borrower and any Subsidiary Borrower (or any of their permitted successors hereunder) may borrow under the Commitments hereunder on any Business Day after the Closing Date during the Commitment Period, provided that the Borrower Representative shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable (in the case of any notice except notice with respect to the initial Extension of Credit hereunder, which shall be irrevocable after the funding) notice in substantially the form of Exhibit J-1 hereto or in such other form as may be agreed between the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (each, a “Borrowing Request”) (which Borrowing Request must be received by the Administrative Agent prior to (1) in the case of either Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans to be borrowed on the Closing Date, 12:00 P.M., New York City time (or such later time as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), one Business Day prior to the Closing Date, and (2) in all other cases, (a) 2:00 P.M., New York City time, at least three Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) prior to the requested Borrowing Date, if all or any part of the requested Revolving Credit Loans are to be initially Eurodollar Loans or (b) 11:00 A.M., New York City time (or such later time as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), on the requested Borrowing Date, for ABR Loans) specifying (i) the identity of a Borrower, (ii) the amount to be borrowed, (iii) the requested Borrowing Date, (iv) whether the borrowing is to be of Eurodollar Loans, ABR Loans or a combination thereof and (v) if the borrowing is to be entirely or partly of Eurodollar Loans, the respective amounts of each such Type of Loan and the respective lengths of the initial Interest Periods therefor. Each borrowing shall be in an amount equal to (x) in the case of ABR Loans, except any ABR Loan to be used solely to pay a like amount of outstanding Reimbursement Obligations or Swingline Loans, in multiples of $500,000 (or, if the Commitments then available (as calculated in accordance with Subsection 2.1(a)) are less than $500,000, such lesser amount) or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof, and (y) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, $500,000, or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof. Upon receipt of any such notice from the Borrower Representative the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each applicable Revolving Credit Lender thereof. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent specified in Subsection 6.2 to the extent applicable (or in the case of the initial Extension of Credit on the Closing Date, Subsection 6.1),

 

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each applicable Revolving Credit Lender will make the amount of its pro rata share of each borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Borrower identified in such notice at the office of the Administrative Agent specified in Subsection 11.2 prior to 12:00 P.M. (or 9:00 A.M., in the case of the initial borrowing hereunder), New York City time, or at such other office of the Administrative Agent or at such other time as to which the Administrative Agent shall notify such BorrowerLender reasonably in advance of the Borrowing Date with respect thereto, on the Borrowing Date requested by such Borrower and in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent.

2.3 Termination or Reduction of Commitments. The Borrower Representative (on behalf of itself and each other applicable Borrower) shall have the right, upon not less than three Business Days’ (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) notice to the Administrative Agent (who will promptly notify the Lenders), to terminate the Commitments, or, from time to time, to reduce the amount of the Commitments; provided that no such termination or reduction shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of the Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans made on the effective date thereof, the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans then outstanding, when added to the sum of the then outstanding L/C Obligations, would exceed the Commitments then in effect and provided, further, that any such notice of termination delivered by the Borrower Representative may state that such notice is conditioned upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event specified therein (including the effectiveness of other credit facilities), in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower Representative (by written notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any such reduction shall be in an amount equal to $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and shall reduce permanently the applicable Commitments then in effect.

2.4 Swingline Commitments. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swingline Lender agrees to make swingline loans (individually, a “Swingline Loan”; collectively, the “Swingline Loans”) to any of the Borrowers from time to time during the Commitment Period in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $25,000,000; provided that at no time may the sum of the then outstanding Swingline Loans, Revolving Credit Loans and L/C Obligations exceed the lesser of (1) the Commitments then in effect and (2) the Borrowing Base then in effect (based on the Borrowing Base Certificate last delivered). Swingline Loans shall be made in minimum amounts of (x) at all times when a Dominion Event is not in existence, $100,000 and (y) at all other times, there will be no minimum amount. Amounts borrowed by any Borrower under this Subsection 2.4 may be repaid and, through but excluding the Termination Date, reborrowed. All Swingline Loans made to any Borrower shall be made in Dollars as ABR Loans, and shall not be entitled to be converted into Eurodollar Loans. The Borrower Representative (on behalf of itself or any other Borrower as the case may be), shall give the Swingline Lender irrevocable notice (which notice must be received by the Swingline Lender prior to 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the requested Borrowing Date) specifying (1) the identity of a Borrower, (2) the amount of the requested Swingline Loan and (3) that the Borrowing is to be of ABR Loans. The proceeds of the Swingline Loans will be made available by the Swingline Lender to the Borrower identified in such notice at an office of the Swingline Lender by crediting the account of such Borrower at such office with such proceeds in Dollars.

 

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(b) Each of the Borrowers agrees that, upon the request to the Administrative Agent by the Swingline Lender made on or prior to the Closing Date or in connection with any assignment pursuant to Subsection 11.6(b), in order to evidence the Swingline Loans such Borrower will execute and deliver to the Swingline Lender a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto, with appropriate insertions (as the same may be amended, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Swingline Note”), payable to the Swingline Lender and representing the obligation of such Borrower to pay the amount of the Swingline Commitment or, if less, the unpaid principal amount of the Swingline Loans made to such Borrower, with interest thereon as prescribed in Subsection 4.1. The Swingline Note shall (i) be dated the Closing Date, (ii) be stated to mature on the Termination Date and (iii) provide for the payment of interest in accordance with Subsection 4.1.

(c) The Swingline Lender, at any time in its sole and absolute discretion may, and, at any time as there shall be a Swingline Loan outstanding for more than five Business Days, the Swingline Lender shall, on behalf of the Borrower to which the Swingline Loan has been made (which hereby irrevocably directs and authorizes such Swingline Lender to act on its behalf), request (provided that such request shall be deemed to have been automatically made upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(f)) each Lender, including the Swingline Lender, to make a Revolving Credit Loan as an ABR Loan in an amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the principal amount of all Swingline Loans made in Dollars (each, a “Mandatory Revolving Credit Loan Borrowing”) in an amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the principal amount of all of the Swingline Loans (collectively, the “Refunded Swingline Loans”) outstanding on the date such notice is given; provided that the provisions of this Subsection 2.4 shall not affect the obligations of any Borrower to prepay Swingline Loans in accordance with the provisions of Subsection 4.4(c). Unless the Commitments shall have expired or terminated (in which event the procedures of clause (d) of this Subsection 2.4 shall apply), each Lender hereby agrees to make the proceeds of its Revolving Credit Loan (including any Eurodollar Loan) available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender at the office of the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 A.M., New York City time, in funds immediately available on the Business Day next succeeding the date such notice is given notwithstanding (i) that the amount of the Mandatory Revolving Credit Loan Borrowing may not comply with the minimum amount for Revolving Credit Loans otherwise required hereunder, (ii) whether any conditions specified in Section 6 are then satisfied, (iii) whether a Default or an Event of Default then exists, (iv) the date of such Mandatory Revolving Credit Loan Borrowing and (v) the amount of the Commitment of such, or any other, Lender at such time. The proceeds of such Revolving Credit Loans (including any Eurodollar Loan) shall be immediately applied to repay the Refunded Swingline Loans.

(d) If the Commitments shall expire or terminate at any time while Swingline Loans are outstanding, each Lender shall, at the option of the Swingline Lender, exercised reasonably, either (i) notwithstanding the expiration or termination of the Commitments, make a Loan as an ABR Loan (which Revolving Credit Loan shall be deemed a “Revolving Credit Loan” for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents) or (ii) purchase an undivided participating interest in such Swingline Loans,

 

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in either case in an amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment Percentage determined on the date of, and immediately prior to, expiration or termination of the Commitments of the aggregate principal amount of such Swingline Loans; provided that in the event that any Mandatory Revolving Credit Loan Borrowing cannot for any reason be made on the date otherwise required above (including as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under any domestic or foreign bankruptcy, reorganization, dissolution, insolvency, receivership, administration or liquidation or similar law with respect to any Borrower), then each Lender hereby agrees that it shall forthwith purchase (as of the date the Mandatory Revolving Credit Loan Borrowing would otherwise have occurred, but adjusted for any payments received from such Borrower on or after such date and prior to such purchase) from the Swingline Lender such participations in such outstanding Swingline Loans as shall be necessary to cause such Lenders to share in such Swingline Loans ratably based upon their respective Commitment Percentages, provided, further, that (x) all interest payable on the Swingline Loans shall be for the account of the Swingline Lender until the date as of which the respective participation is required to be purchased and, to the extent attributable to the purchased participation, shall be payable to the participant from and after such date and (y) at the time any purchase of participations pursuant to this sentence is actually made, the purchasing Lender shall be required to pay the Swingline Lender interest on the principal amount of the participation purchased for each day from and including the day upon which the Mandatory Revolving Credit Loan Borrowing would otherwise have occurred to but excluding the date of payment for such participation, at the rate otherwise applicable to Revolving Credit Loans made as ABR Loans. Each Lender will make the proceeds of any Revolving Credit Loan made pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender at the office of the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 A.M., New York City time, in Dollars in funds immediately available on the Business Day next succeeding the date on which the Commitments expire or terminate. The proceeds of such Revolving Credit Loans shall be immediately applied to repay the Swingline Loans outstanding on the date of termination or expiration of the Commitments. In the event that the Lenders purchase undivided participating interests pursuant to the first sentence of this clause (d), each Lender shall immediately transfer to the Swingline Lender, in Dollars in immediately available funds, the amount of its participation and upon receipt thereof the Swingline Lender will deliver to such Lender a Swingline Loan Participation Certificate dated the date of receipt of such funds and in such amount.

(e) Whenever, at any time after the Swingline Lender has received from any Lender such Lender’s participating interest in a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender receives any payment on account thereof (whether directly from a Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Collateral applied thereto by the Swingline Lender), or any payment of interest on account thereof, the Swingline Lender will, if such payment is received prior to 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on a Business Day, distribute to such Lender its pro rata share thereof prior to the end of such Business Day and otherwise, the Swingline Lender will distribute such payment on the next succeeding Business Day (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s participating interest was outstanding and funded); provided, however, that in the event that such payment received by the Swingline Lender is required to be returned, such Lender will return to the Swingline Lender any portion thereof previously distributed by the Swingline Lender to it.

 

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(f) Each Lender’s obligation to make the Revolving Credit Loans and to purchase participating interests with respect to Swingline Loans in accordance with Subsections 2.4(c) and 2.4(d) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (i) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender or any of the Borrowers may have against the Swingline Lender, any of the Borrowers or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (ii) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or an Event of Default; (iii) any adverse change in condition (financial or otherwise) of any of the Borrowers; (iv) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any of the Borrowers, any other Loan Party or any other Lender; (v) any inability of any of the Borrowers to satisfy the conditions precedent to borrowing set forth in this Agreement on the date upon which such Revolving Credit Loan is to be made or participating interest is to be purchased or (vi) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

2.5 Repayment of Loans. (a) Each Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent in Dollars for the account of: (i) each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Credit Loan of such Lender made to such Borrower, on the Termination Date (or such earlier date on which the Revolving Credit Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 9); and (ii) the Swingline Lender, the then unpaid principal amount of the Swingline Loans made to such Borrower, on the Termination Date (or such earlier date on which the Swingline Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 9). Each Borrower hereby further agrees to pay interest (which payments shall be in Dollars) on the unpaid principal amount of such Loans from time to time outstanding from the date hereofClosing Date until payment in full thereof at the rates per annum, and on the dates, set forth in Subsection 4.1.

(b) Each Lender (including the Swingline Lender) shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of each of the Borrowers to such Lender resulting from each Loan of such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register pursuant to Subsection 11.6(b), and a subaccount therein for each Lender, in which shall be recorded (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Type thereof, the Borrowers to which such Loan is made, each Interest Period, if any, applicable thereto and whether such Loans are Revolving Credit Loans or Swingline Loans, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from each of the Borrowers to each applicable Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from each of the Borrowers and each applicable Lender’s share thereof.

 

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(d) The entries made in the Register and the accounts of each Lender maintained pursuant to Subsection 2.5(c) shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of each of the Borrowers therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain the Register or any such account, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of any Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the Loans made to such Borrower by such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

2.6 Incremental Facility. (a) So long as no Specified Default exists or would arise therefrom, the Borrower Representative shall have the right, at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date (i) to increase the existingaggregate amount of the then outstanding Commitments by requesting new Commitments to be added to an Existingexisting Tranche of existing Commitments (the “Supplemental Commitments”), (ii) to request new Commitments under one or more new revolving facilities to be included in this Agreement (the “Incremental Revolving Commitments”) or (iiito request one or more term loans (the “Incremental ABL Term Loans” and together with the Supplemental Commitments and Incremental Revolving Commitments, collectively, the “Incremental Facilities” and each, an “Incremental Facility”). Notwithstanding anything to contrary herein, the principal amount of any Incremental Facility at the time such Incremental Facility becomes effective shall not exceed the Available Incremental Amount at such time. The Borrower Representative may seek to obtain Incremental Facilities from existing Lenders or other Persons, as applicable (each an “Incremental Facility Increase,” and each Person extending, or Lender extending, Incremental Facilities, an “Additional Lender”), provided, however, that (i) no Lender shall be obligated to provide an Incremental Facility Increase as a result of any such request by the Borrower Representative and (ii) any Additional Lender that is not an existing Lender shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and, in the case of any Incremental Revolving Commitments or Supplemental Commitments, the Swingline Lender and the Borrowers (each such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Each Incremental Facility Increase shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of at least $15,000,000 and in integral multiples of $5,000,000 in excess thereof (or, in each case, in such lower minimum amounts or multiples as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion). Any Incremental Facility Increase may be denominated in Dollars.

(b) (i) Any Incremental ABL Term Loans (A) may not be guaranteed by any Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower other than the Guarantors and shall rank pari passu (or, at the option of the Borrower Representative, junior) in right of (x) priority with respect to the Collateral and (y) payment with respect to the Obligations in respect of the Commitments and any existing Incremental ABL Term Loans, (B) shall be part of, and count against, the Borrowing Base, (C) shall not have a final maturity that is earlier than the Termination Date, (D) shall not amortize at a rate greater than 1.0% per annum, (E) for purposes of prepayments, shall be treated no more favorably than the Loans, (F) may not be secured by any Collateral or other assets of any Loan Party that do not also secure the Loans and (G) shall otherwise be on terms as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

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(ii) Any Supplemental Commitments (Ashallmay not be guaranteed by theany Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower other than the Subsidiary Borrowers or Subsidiary Guarantors and shall rank pari passu in right of (x) priority with respect to the Collateral and (y) payment with respect to the Obligations in respect of the Commitments in effect prior to the Incremental Commitment Effective Date and any existing Incremental ABL Term Loans and (B) shall be on terms and pursuant to the documentation applicable to the Tranche of the existing Commitments that they are increasing; provided that the Applicable Commitment Fee Rate and Applicable Margin relating to the Supplemental Commitments may exceed the Applicable Commitment Fee Rate and Applicable Margin relating to the Tranche of existing Commitments that they are increasing in effect prior to the Incremental Commitment Effective Date so long as the Applicable Commitment Fee Rate and Applicable Margins relating to all Revolving Credit Loans of such Tranche shall be adjusted to be equal to the Applicable Commitment Fee Rate and Applicable Margin payable to the Lenders providing such Supplemental Commitments.

(iii) Any Incremental Revolving Commitments (A) may not be guaranteed by any Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower other than the Guarantors and shall rank pari passu (or, at the option of the Borrower Representative, junior) in right of (x) priority with respect to the Collateral and (y) payment with respect to the Obligations in respect of the Commitments and any existing Incremental ABL Term Loans, (B) shall not have a final maturity that is earlier than the Termination Date, (C) for purposes of prepayments, shall be treated no more favorably than the Loans, (D) may not be secured by any Collateral or other assets of any Loan Party that do not also secure the Loans, (E) shall have interest rate margins and commitment fees determined by the Borrower Representative and the applicable Additional Lenders (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not require any adjustment to the Applicable Margin of other Loans pursuant to clause (ii) above) and (F) shall otherwise be on terms as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(iv) The Incremental Facilities may be in the form of a separate “first-in, last-out” tranche (theaFILO Tranche”) with a separate borrowing base against the ABL Priority Collateral and interest rate margins, in each case, to be agreed upon (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not require any adjustment to the Applicable Margin of other Loans pursuant to clause (ii) above) among the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders providing thea FILO Tranche so long as (1) any loans under thea FILO Tranche may not be guaranteed by any Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower other than the Guarantors and shall rank pari passu (or, at the option of the Borrower Representative, junior) in right of priority with respect to the Collateral; (2) if availability under thea FILO Tranche exceeds $0, any Extension of Credit under the Revolving Credit Facility thereafter requested shall be made under thea FILO Tranche until thesuch FILO Tranche availability no longer exceeds $0; (3) as between (x) the Revolving Credit Facility (other than thesuch FILO Tranche), the Incremental ABL Term Loans (unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent and any Additional ABL Agent) and the Designated Hedging Agreements and Designated Cash Management Agreements and (ythesuch FILO Tranche, all proceeds from the liquidation or other realization of the Collateral (including

 

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ABL Priority Collateral) shall be applied, first to obligations owing under, or with respect to, the Revolving Credit Facility (other than thesuch FILO Tranche), the Incremental ABL Term Loans (unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent and any Additional ABL Agent) and such Designated Hedging Agreements and Designated Cash Management Agreements and second to the applicable FILO Tranche; (4) no Borrower may prepay Revolving Credit Loans under theany FILO Tranche or terminate or reduce the commitments in respect thereof at any time that other Loans and/or Reimbursement Obligations (unless cash collateralized or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) or Incremental ABL Term Loans (unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent and any Additional ABL Agent) are outstanding; (5) the Required Lenders (calculated as including Lenders under the Incremental Facilities and theany FILO Tranche) shall, subject to the terms of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, control exercise of remedies in respect of the Collateral and (6) no changes affecting the priority status of the Revolving Credit Facility (other than thea FILO Tranche) or the Incremental ABL Term Loans (unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent and any Additional ABL Agent) vis-à-vis the FILO Tranche may be made without the consent of each affected Lender under the Revolving Credit Facility (including Lenders under the Incremental Facilities and the FILO tranche), other than such changes which affect only the FILO Tranche, or only the Incremental ABL Term Loans, as the case may be.

(c) No Incremental Facility Increase shall become effective unless and until each of the following conditions have been satisfied:

(i) The Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent, and any Additional Lender shall have executed and delivered a joinder to the Loan Documents (“Lender Joinder Agreement”) in substantially the form of Exhibit L hereto or in such other form as may be appropriate in the opinion of the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent;

(ii) The Borrowers shall have paid such fees and other compensation to the Additional Lenders as the Borrower Representative and such Additional Lenders shall agree;

(iii) The Borrower Representative shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders an opinion or opinions, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent from counsel to the Borrower Representative reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and dated such date;

(iv) A Revolving Credit Note (to the extent requested) will be issued at the applicable Borrowers’ expense, to each such Additional Lender, to be in conformity with requirements of Subsection 2.1(d) (with appropriate modification) to the extent necessary to reflect the new Commitment of each Additional Lender;

 

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(v) The Borrower Representative shall deliver a certificate certifying that (A) (x) in the case of a Limited Condition Transaction, the Specified Representations or (y) in all other cases, the representations and warranties made by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries contained herein and in the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the applicable Incremental Facility ClosingCommitment Effective Date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, and (B) no Specified Default has occurred and is continuing; and

(vi) The applicable Borrowers and Additional Lenders shall have delivered such other instruments, documents and agreements as the Administrative Agent may reasonably have requested in order to effectuate the documentation of the foregoing.

(d) (i) In the case of any Incremental Facility Increase constituting Supplemental Commitments or Incremental Revolving Commitments, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of such Incremental Facility Increase (with each date of such effectiveness being referred to herein as an “Incremental Commitment Effective Date”), and at such time (i) the Commitments under, and for all purposes of, this Agreement shall be increased by the aggregate amount of such Supplemental Commitments or Incremental Revolving Commitments, (iiSchedule A shall be deemed modified, without further action, to reflect the revised Commitments and Commitment Percentages of the Lenders and (iii) this Agreement shall be deemed amended, without further action, to the extent necessary to reflect any such Supplemental Commitments or Incremental Revolving Commitments.

(ii) In the case of any Incremental Facility Increase, the Administrative Agent, the Additional Lenders and the Borrowers agree to enter into any amendment required to incorporate the addition of the Incremental Facilities, the pricing of the Incremental Facilities, the maturity date of the Incremental Facilities and such other amendments as may be necessary or appropriate in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers in connection therewith. The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into such amendments.

(e) In connection with the Incremental Facility Increases constituting Supplemental Commitments, the Lenders and the Borrowers agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the applicable Borrowers shall, in coordination with the Administrative Agent, (x) repay applicable outstanding Revolving Credit Loans under the applicable Tranche of certain Lenders, and obtain applicable Revolving Credit Loans under the applicable Tranche from certain other Lenders (including the Additional Lenders), or (y) take such other actions as reasonably may be required by the Administrative Agent to the extent necessary so that the Lenders effectively participate in each of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans under the applicable Tranche, as applicable, pro rata on the basis of their Commitment Percentages (determined after giving effect to any increase in the Commitments pursuant to this

 

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Subsection 2.6), and (ii) the applicable Borrowers shall pay to the Lenders any costs of the type referred to in Subsection 4.12 in connection with any repayment and/or Revolving Credit Loans required pursuant to the preceding clause (i). Without limiting the obligations of the Borrowers provided for in this Subsection 2.6, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that they will use commercially reasonable efforts to attempt to minimize the costs of the type referred to in Subsection 4.12 which the Borrowers would otherwise incur in connection with the implementation of an increase in the Commitments.

2.7 Refinancing Amendments. (a) So long as no Specified Default exists or would arise therefrom, at any time after the Closing Date, the Borrowers may obtain, from any Lender, any Additional Lender or any other Person, Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the Facility (which for purposes of this clause (a) will be deemed to include any then outstanding (w) Other ABL Term Loans, (x) Incremental ABL Term Loans, (y) Other Revolving Credit Loans and (z) Loans provided against the Supplemental Commitments and Incremental Revolving Commitments, but will exclude the commitments in respect of the FILO Tranche unless (1) the Loans comprising the FILO Tranche are the only Loans outstanding and (2) the Commitments for the Revolving Credit Facility (excluding the FILO Tranche) have been terminated) in the form of (i) one or more Other ABL Term Loans or Other ABL Term Commitments, (ii) one or more Other Revolving Credit Loans or Other Revolving Credit Commitments, or (iii) in the case of the FILO Tranche, a new “first-in, last-out” tranche, as the case may be, in each case pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment; provided that any Person (other than an existing Lender or an Additional Lender) providing such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and, in the case of any Other Revolving Credit Loans or Other Revolving Credit Commitments, the Swingline Lender and the Borrowers (each such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Each Tranche of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred under this Subsection 2.7 shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is (x) not less than $10,000,000 in the case of Other ABL Term Loans or Other Revolving Credit Loans and (y) an integral multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof (or, in each case, in such lower minimum amounts or multiples as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion).

(b) The effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in SubsectionSubsections 6.2(a) and 6.2(b) and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, receipt by the Administrative Agent of legal opinions, board resolutions, officers’ certificates and/or reaffirmation agreements substantially consistent with those delivered on the Closing Date under Subsection 6.1 (other than changes to such legal opinions resulting from a change in law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion). Any Refinancing Amendment may provide for the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of any Borrower, or the provision to the Borrowers of Swingline Loans, pursuant to any Other Revolving Credit Commitments established thereby, in each case on terms substantially equivalent to the terms applicable to Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under the Commitments.

 

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(c) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Refinancing Amendment. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto (including any amendments necessary to treat the Loans and Commitments subject thereto as Other ABL Term Loans, Other Revolving Credit Loans, Other Revolving Credit Commitments and/or Other ABL Term Commitments). The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into any Refinancing Amendment to effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and such technical amendments as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative, to effect the provisions of this Subsection 2.7. In addition, if so provided in the relevant Refinancing Amendment and with the consent of each Issuing Lender, participations in Letters of Credit expiring on or after the Termination Date shall be partially or entirely reallocated from Lenders holding Commitments to Lenders holding extended revolving commitments in accordance with the terms of such Refinancing Amendment; provided, however, that such participation interests shall, upon receipt thereof by the relevant Lenders holding Commitments, be deemed to be participation interests in respect of such Commitments and the terms of such participation interests (including the commission applicable thereto) shall be adjusted accordingly.

2.8 Extension of Commitments. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, pursuant to one or more offers (each, an “Extension Offer”) made from time to time by the Borrower Representative to all Revolving Credit Lenders of Commitments with a like maturity date, or all lenders with ABL Term Loans with a like maturity date, in each case on a pro rata basis (based on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the applicable Commitments or ABL Term Loans, as applicable) and on the same terms to each such Lender, the Borrowers are hereby permitted to consummate from time to time transactions with individual Lenders that accept the terms contained in such Extension Offers to extend the maturity date of each such Lender’s Commitments or ABL Term Loans, as applicable, and otherwise modify the terms of such Commitments or ABL Term Loans pursuant to the terms of the relevant Extension Offer (including by increasing the interest rate or fees payable in respect of, or changing the amortization or prepayment provisions of, such Commitments (and related outstandings) or ABL Term Loans) (each, an “Extension”, and each group of Commitments or ABL Term Loans, as applicable, as so extended, as well as the original Commitments or ABL Term Loans (not so extended), as applicable, being a “tranche”; any Extended Revolving Commitments shall constitute a separate tranche of Commitments from the tranche of Commitments from which they were converted and any Extended ABL Term Loans shall constitute a separate tranche of ABL Term Loans from the tranche of ABL Term Loans from which they were converted), so long as the following terms are satisfied: (i) except as to interest rates, fees, final maturity, amortization and prepayment provisions (which shall be determined by the Borrower Representative and set forth in the relevant Extension Offer), (x) the Commitment of any Revolving Credit Lender that agrees to an extension with respect to such Commitment (an “Extending Revolving Credit Lender”) extended pursuant to an Extension (an “Extended Revolving Commitment”), and the related outstandings, shall be a Commitment (or related outstandings, as the case may be) with the same terms as the original CommitmentsCommitment (and related outstandings) so extended and (y) the ABL Term Loans of any Lender that agrees to an extension with respect to such ABL Term Loans (an “Extending ABL Term Lender” and

 

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together with any Extending Revolving Credit Lender, if any, collectively, “Extending Lenders”) pursuant to an Extension (“Extended ABL Term Loans”) shall have the same terms as the original ABL Term Loans so extended; provided that (x) subject to the provisions of Section 3 and Subsection 2.4 to the extent dealing with Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans which mature or expire after a maturity date when there exist Extended Revolving Commitments with a longer maturity date, all such Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans shall be participated in on a pro rata basis by all Lenders with Commitments in accordance with their Commitment Percentage of the Commitments and all borrowings under Commitments and repayments thereunder shall be made on a pro rata basis (except for (A) payments of interest and fees at different rates on Extended Revolving Commitments (and related outstandings) and (B) repayments required upon the maturity date of the non-extending Commitments) and (y) at no time shall there be Commitments hereunder (including Extended Revolving Commitments and any original Commitments) which have more than two different maturity dates, unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative (including agreements as to additional administrative fees to be paid by the Borrowers), and (ii) any applicable Minimum Extension Condition shall be satisfied unless waived by the Borrowers.

(b) With respect to all Extensions consummated by the Borrowers pursuant to this Subsection 2.8, (i) such Extensions shall not constitute optional or mandatory payments or prepayments for purposes of Subsection 4.4 and (ii) no Extension Offer is required to be in any minimum amount or any minimum increment, provided that the Borrower Representative may at its election specify as a condition (a “Minimum Extension Condition”) to consummating any such Extension that a minimum amount (to be determined and specified in the relevant Extension Offer in the Borrower Representative’s sole discretion and which may be waived by the Borrower Representative) of Commitments or ABL Term Loans, as applicable, of any or all applicable Tranches be extended. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby consent to the transactions contemplated by this Subsection 2.8 (including, for the avoidance of doubt, payment of any interest, fees or premium in respect of any Extended Revolving Commitments or Extended ABL Term Loans, as applicable, on such terms as may be set forth in the relevant Extension Offer) and hereby waive the requirements of any provision of this Agreement (including Subsections 4.4 and 4.8) or any other Loan Document that may otherwise prohibit any such Extension or any other transaction contemplated by this Subsection 2.8.

(c) No consent of any Lender or the Administrative Agent shall be required to effectuate any Extension, other than (A) the consent of each Lender agreeing to such Extension with respect to its Commitments or ABL Term Loans (or a portion thereof) and (B) with respect to any Extension of the Commitments, the consent of each Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. All Extended Revolving Commitments and Extended ABL Term Loans and all obligations in respect thereof shall be Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that are secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with all other applicable Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Borrowers as may be necessary in order to establish new tranches or sub-tranches in

 

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respect of Commitments or ABL Term Loans so extended, permit the repayment of non-extending Loans on the Termination Date and such technical amendments as may be necessary or appropriate in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative in connection therewith, in each case on terms consistent with this Subsection 2.8.

(d) In connection with any Extension, the Borrower Representative shall provide the Administrative Agent at least five Business Days’ (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) prior written notice thereof, and shall agree to such procedures (including regarding timing, rounding and other adjustments and to ensure reasonable administrative management of the credit facilities hereunder after such Extension), if any, as may be established by, or acceptable to, the Administrative Agent, in each case acting reasonably to accomplish the purposes of this Subsection 2.8.

(e) Following any Extension, with the consent of the Borrower Representative, any Non-Extending Lender may elect to have all or a portion of its existing Commitments or ABL Term Loans deemed to be an Extended Revolving Commitment or Extended ABL Term Loan, as applicable under the applicable extended tranche on any date (each such date, a “Designation Date”) prior to the maturity date or termination date, as applicable, of such extended tranche; provided that (i) such Lender shall have provided written notice to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent at least 10 Business Days prior to such Designation Date (or such shorter period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) and (ii) no more than three Designation Dates may occur in any one-year period without the written consent of the Administrative Agent. Following a Designation Date, the existing Commitments or ABL Term Loans, as applicable, held by such Lender so elected to be extended will be deemed to be an Extended Revolving Commitment or Extended ABL Term Loan, as applicable, and any existing Commitments or ABL Term Loans, as applicable, held by such Lender not elected to be extended, if any, shall continue to be existing Commitments or ABL Term Loans, as applicable.

2.9 Canadian Facility. Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth in Schedule 2.9 hereto, each Lender severally agrees, as part of and as a sub-facility under, its Commitment hereunder (but without increasing such Commitment), to make available hereunder (directly or through a lending affiliate of such Lender) to the Canadian Borrowers, at any time and from time to time on or after the Canadian Facility Effective Date and prior to the Termination Date, its pro rata share of the Canadian Facility. The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into an amendment to, or amend and restate, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to make such amendments as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative, to effect the provisions of this Subsection 2.9 and Schedule 2.9 hereto (such amendment or amendment and restatement, the “Canadian Facility Amendment”). The Canadian Facility shall be available to the Canadian Borrowers and shall be available to be drawn in Dollars or Canadian Dollars, with certain operational and administrative borrowing procedures as reasonably requested by the Canadian Agent, including, for the avoidance of doubt, at least three Business Days’ notice (or, if agreed to by all Lenders, such shorter notice) for any such borrowings in Canadian Dollars. Any extensions of credit under the Canadian Facility will reduce availability under the Facility on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

 

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SECTION 3

Letters of Credit

3.1 L/C Commitment. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Issuing Lender, in reliance on the agreements of the other Revolving Credit Lenders set forth in Subsection 3.4(a), agrees to issue letters of credit (the letters of credit issued on and after the Closing Date pursuant to this Section 3, collectively, the “Letters of Credit”) for the account of the applicable Borrower or (if required by the applicable Issuing Lender, so long as a Borrower is a co-applicant and jointly and severally liable thereunder) any Restricted Subsidiary on any Business Day during the Commitment Period but in no event later than the fifth day prior to the Termination Date in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Issuing Lender; provided that no Letter of Credit shall be issued if, after giving effect to such issuance, (i) the aggregate Extensions of Credit to the Borrowers would exceed the applicable limitations set forth in Subsection 2.1, (ii) the L/C Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit would exceed $200,000,000 or (iii) the Aggregate Outstanding Credit of all the Revolving Credit Lenders would exceed the Commitments of all the Revolving Credit Lenders then in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Issuing Lender shall be required to (but it may in its sole discretion) issue any Letter of Credit if the aggregate maximum amount of all Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender would exceed its L/C Commitment.

(b) Each Letter of Credit shall be denominated in Dollars and shall be either (i) a standby letter of credit issued to support obligations of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, contingent or otherwise, which finance or otherwise arise in connection with the working capital and business needs of the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, and for general corporate purposes, of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or (ii) a commercial letter of credit in respect of the purchase of goods or services by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and unless otherwise agreed by the applicable Issuing Lender and, in the case of clause (B) below, the Administrative Agent, expire no later than the earlier of (A) one year after its date of issuance and (B) the fifth Business Day prior to the Termination Date; provided that, notwithstanding any extension of the Termination Date pursuant to Subsection 2.8, unless otherwise agreed, no Issuing Lender shall be obligated to issue a Letter of Credit that expires beyond the non-extended Termination Date; provided further, that Barclays Bank PLC, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Royal Bank of Canada, Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Nomura Corporate Funding Americas, LLC, each in their capacity as Issuing Lender, shall not be obligated to issue commercial letters of credit, in each case unless separately agreed between such Issuing Lender (in its sole discretion) and the Borrower Representative.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Subsection 3.1(b), if the Borrower Representative so requests in any L/C Request, the applicable Issuing Lender may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “Auto-Extension L/C”); provided that any such Auto-Extension L/C must permit the applicable Issuing Lender to prevent any such extension at least once in each 12-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day in each such 12-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the applicable Issuing Lender, the applicable Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to such Issuing Lender for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension L/C has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the applicable Issuing Lender to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an extended expiry date not later than the earlier of (i) one year from the date of such extension and (ii) the fifth Business Day prior to the Termination Date; provided that such Issuing Lender shall have no obligation to permit any such extension if (x) such Issuing Lender has determined that it would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its extended form under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of Subsection 3.2(c) or otherwise), or (y) it has received notice on or before the day that is two Business Days before the date which has been agreed upon pursuant to the proviso of the first sentence of this clause (c), (1) from the Administrative Agent that any Lender directly affected thereby has elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 6 are not then satisfied, or that the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate this Subsection 3.1.

(d) Each Letter of Credit issued by an Issuing Lender shall be deemed to constitute a utilization of the Commitments, and shall be participated in (as more fully described in the following Subsection 3.4) by the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages. All Letters of Credit issued hereunder shall be issued for the account of the applicable Borrower or (if required by the applicable Issuing Lender, so long as a Borrower is a co-applicant and jointly and severally liable thereunder) any Subsidiary.

(e) Unless otherwise agreed by the applicable Issuing Lender and the Borrower Representative, each Letter of Credit shall be governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, and to the extent not prohibited by such laws, the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit and the Uniform Customs shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit. The ISP shall not in any event apply to this Agreement.

3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit. (a) The Borrower Representative may, from time to time during the Commitment Period but in no event later than the 30th day prior to the Termination Date, request that an Issuing Lender issue a Letter of Credit by delivering to such Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent at its address for notices specified herein, an L/C Request therefor in the form of Exhibit J-2 hereto (completed to the reasonable satisfaction of such Issuing Lender), and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as such Issuing Lender may reasonably request. Upon receipt of any L/C Request, such Issuing Lender will process such L/C Request and the certificates, documents and other papers and information delivered to it in connection therewith in accordance with its customary procedures and shall promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested thereby (but in no

 

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event shall an Issuing Lender be required, unless otherwise agreed to by such Issuing Lender, to issue any Letter of Credit earlier than five Business Days after its receipt of the L/C Request therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other papers and information relating thereto) by issuing the original of such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed by such Issuing Lender and the Borrower Representative. The applicable Issuing Lender shall furnish a copy of such Letter of Credit to the Borrower Representative promptly following the issuance thereof. Upon the issuance of any Letter of Credit or amendment, renewal, extension or modification to a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent, who shall promptly notify each Lender, thereof, which notice shall specify the amount of such Lender’s respective participation in such Letter of Credit pursuant to Subsection 3.4. If the applicable Issuing Lender is not the same person as the Administrative Agent, on the first Business Day of each calendar month, such Issuing Lender shall provide to the Administrative Agent a report listing all outstanding Letters of Credit and the amounts thereof and the Administrative Agent shall promptly provide such report to each Lender.

(b) The making of each request for a Letter of Credit by the Borrower Representative shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrower Representative that such Letter of Credit may be issued in accordance with, and will not violate the requirements of, Subsection 3.1. Unless the respective Issuing Lender has received notice from the Required Lenders before it issues a Letter of Credit that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 6 are not then satisfied, or that the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate Subsection 3.1, then such Issuing Lender may issue the requested Letter of Credit for the account of the applicable Borrower or Subsidiary in accordance with such Issuing Lender’s usual and customary practices.

(c) No Issuing Lender shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if

(i) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such Issuing Lender from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Requirement of Law applicable to such Issuing Lender or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any banking regulatory authority with jurisdiction over such Issuing Lender shall prohibit the issuance of letters of credit generally, or

(ii) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of such Issuing Lender consistently applied by such Issuing Lender to borrowers generally.

3.3 Fees, Commissions and Other Charges. (a) Each Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent a letter of credit commission with respect to each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender on its behalf, computed for the period from and including the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit through and including to the expiration date of such Letter of Credit, computed at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect for Eurodollar Loans that are Revolving Credit Loans calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed, of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of

 

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Credit, payable quarterly in arrears on each L/C Fee Payment Date with respect to such Letter of Credit and on the Termination Date or such earlier date as the Commitments shall terminate as provided herein. Such commission shall be payable to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Revolving Credit Lenders to be shared ratably among them in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages. Each Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the relevant Issuing Lender with respect to each Letter of Credit a fee equal to 0.125% per annum of the maximum amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit (or such other amounts as may be agreed by such Borrower and such Issuing Lender) calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed, payable quarterly in arrears on each L/C Fee Payment Date with respect to such Letter of Credit and on the Termination Date or such earlier date as the Commitments shall terminate as provided herein. Such commissions and fees shall be nonrefundable. Such fees and commissions shall be payable in Dollars.

(b) In addition to the foregoing commissions and fees, each Borrower agrees to pay directly to the applicable Issuing Lender amounts necessary to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender for such normal and customary costs and expenses as are incurred or charged by such Issuing Lender in issuing, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender within 10 days after demand therefor.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall, promptly following any receipt thereof, distribute to the applicable Lenders all commissions and fees received by the Administrative Agent for their respective accounts pursuant to this Subsection 3.3.

3.4 L/C Participations. (a) By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Lender or the Lenders, each Issuing Lender hereby irrevocably grants to each Lender, and each Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Lender, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, or expiration, termination or cash collateralization of any Letter of Credit and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. All calculations of the Lenders’ Commitment Percentages shall be made from time to time by the Administrative Agent, which calculations shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(b) If the Borrowers fail to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender on the due date as provided in Subsection 3.5, such Issuing Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the applicable L/C Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrowers in respect thereof and such Lender’s Commitment Percentage thereof. Each Lender shall pay by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 P.M., New York City time, on such date (or, if such Lender shall have received such notice later than 12:00 P.M., New York City time, on any day, not later than 11:00 A.M.,

 

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New York City time, on the next succeeding Business Day), the amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the unreimbursed L/C Disbursement in the same manner as provided in Subsection 2.2 with respect to Loans made by such Lender, and the Administrative Agent will promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Lender the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. The Administrative Agent will promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Lender any amounts received by it from the Borrowers pursuant to the above clause (a) prior to the time that any Lender makes any payment pursuant to the preceding sentence and any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrowers thereafter will be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Lender that shall have made such payments and to such Issuing Lender, as appropriate.

(c) If any Lender shall not have made its Commitment Percentage of such L/C Disbursement available to the Administrative Agent as provided above, each of such Lender and each Borrower severally agrees to pay interest on such amount, for each day from and including the date such amount is required to be paid in accordance with the foregoing to but excluding the date such amount is paid, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Issuing Lender at (i) in the case of Borrower, the rate per annum set forth in Subsection 3.5(b) and (ii) in the case of such Lender, at a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules or practices on interbank compensation.

3.5 Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrowers. (a) Each Issuing Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower Representative of any compliant presentation of documents under any Letter of Credit. Each Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse each Issuing Lender, upon receipt by the Borrower Representative of written notice from the applicable Issuing Lender of the date and the amount of a drawing presented under any Letter of Credit issued on its behalf and paid by such Issuing Lender (an “L/C Disbursement”), for the amount of such drawing so paid and any taxes, fees, charges or other costs or expenses reasonably incurred by such Issuing Lender in connection with such payment. Each such payment shall be made to the applicable Issuing Lender, at its address for notices specified herein, in Dollars in immediately available funds, no later than 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the date which is one Business Day (or, if the Facility is fully drawn on such date and the applicable Borrower does not have sufficient cash on hand to make such payment, two Business Days) after the date on which the Borrower Representative receives such notice, if received prior to 11:00 A.M., New York City Time, on a Business Day and otherwise, no later than 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the next succeeding Business Day; provided that the Borrowers may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Subsection 2.2 that such payment be financed with ABR Loans or Swingline Loans in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrowers’ obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Loans or Swingline Loans.

(b) Interest shall be payable on any and all amounts remaining unpaid by the Borrowers under this Subsection 3.5(b) from the date the drawing presented under the affected Letter of Credit is paid to the date on which the applicable Borrower is required to pay such amounts pursuant to clause (a) above at the rate which would then be payable on any outstanding ABR Loans that are Revolving Credit Loans and thereafter until payment in full at the rate which would be payable on any outstanding ABR Loans that are Revolving Credit Loans which were then overdue.

 

 

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3.6 Obligations Absolute. The Reimbursement Obligations of Borrowers as provided in Subsection 3.5 shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid and performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein; (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit being proved to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; (iii) payment by any Issuing Lender under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that fails to comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section 3, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the obligations of any Borrower hereunder; (v) the fact that a Default shall have occurred and be continuing; or (vi) any material adverse change in the business, property, results of operations, prospects or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries. None of the Agents, the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders or any of their affiliates shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Lenders; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse any Issuing Lender from liability to the Borrowers to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law) suffered by the Borrowers that are caused by such Issuing Lender’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the applicable Issuing Lender (as finally determined by ain a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Lender shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Lender may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

3.7 L/C Disbursements. The applicable Issuing Lender shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. Such Issuing Lender shall promptly give written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative of such demand for payment and if such Issuing Lender has made or will make an L/C Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve Borrower of its Reimbursement Obligation to such Issuing Lender and the Lenders with respect to any such L/C Disbursement (other than with respect to the timing of such Reimbursement Obligation set forth in Subsection 3.5).

 

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3.8 L/C Request. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any L/C Request or other application or agreement submitted by any Borrower or any Subsidiary, to, or entered into by any Borrower or any Subsidiary with, any Issuing Lender relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

3.9 Cash Collateralization. If the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, the Borrowers shall then deposit on terms and in accounts satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Collateral Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders, an amount in cash equal to the L/C Obligations as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon. Funds so deposited shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender for L/C Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be applied to satisfy other Obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement.

3.10 Additional Issuing Lenders. The Borrower Representative may, at any time and from time to time with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and such Lender, designate one or more additional Lenders to act as an issuing lender under the terms of this Agreement. Any Lender designated as an issuing lender pursuant to this Subsection 3.10 shall be deemed to be an “Issuing Lender” (in addition to being a Lender) in respect of Letters of Credit issued or to be issued by such Lender, and, with respect to such Letters of Credit, such term shall thereafter apply to the other Issuing Lender or Issuing Lenders and such Lender. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such additional Issuing Lender. If at any time there is more than one Issuing Lender hereunder, the Borrower Representative may, in its discretion, select which Issuing Lender is to issue any particular Letter of Credit.

3.11 Resignation or Removal of the Issuing Lender. Any Issuing Lender may resign as Issuing Lender hereunder at any time upon at least 30 days’ prior notice to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative. Any Issuing Lender may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower Representative, each Agent, the replaced Issuing Lender and the successor Issuing Lender. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such resignation or replacement of an Issuing Lender. At the time any such resignation of an Issuing Lender shall become effective, the Borrowers shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the retiring Issuing Lender pursuant to Subsection 3.3. From and after the effective date of any such resignation or replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Lender under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued by it thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Lender” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Lender, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Lenders, as the context requires. After the resignation or replacement of an Issuing Lender, the retiring or replaced Issuing Lender shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Lender under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such resignation or replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

 

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SECTION 4

General Provisions Applicable to Loans and Letters of Credit

4.1 Interest Rates and Payment Dates. (a) Each Eurodollar Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate determined for such day plus the Applicable Margin in effect for such day.

(b) Each ABR Loan shall bear interest for each day that it is outstanding at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate in effect for such day plus the Applicable Margin in effect for such day.

(c) If all or a portion of (i) the principal amount of any Loan, (ii) any interest payable thereon or (iii) any commitment fee, letter of credit commission, letter of credit fee or other amount payable hereunder shall not be paid when due (whether at the Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum which is (x) in the case of overdue principal, the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant to the relevant foregoing provisions of this Subsection 4.1 plus 2.00%, (y) in the case of overdue interest, the rate that would be otherwise be applicable to principal of the related Loan pursuant to the relevant foregoing provisions of this Subsection 4.1 (other than clause (x) above) plus 2.00% and (z) in the case of, fees, commissions or other amounts, the rate described in clause (b) of this Subsection 4.1 for ABR Loans that are Revolving Credit Loans accruing interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus 2.00%, in each case from the date of such nonpayment until such amount is paid in full (as well after as well as before any judgment relating thereto).); provided that (1) no amount shall be payable pursuant to this Subsection 4.1(c) to a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender and (2) no amounts shall accrue pursuant to this Subsection 4.1(c) on any overdue amount or other amount payable to a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender.

(d) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date, provided that interest accruing pursuant to clause (c) of this Subsection 4.1 shall be payable from time to time on demand exercised in accordance with Subsection 9.2.

(e) It is the intention of the parties hereto to comply strictly with applicable usury laws; accordingly, it is stipulated and agreed that the aggregate of all amounts which constitute interest under applicable usury laws, whether contracted for, charged, taken, reserved, or received, in connection with the indebtedness evidenced by this Agreement or any Notes, or any other document relating or referring hereto or thereto, now or hereafter existing, shall never exceed under any circumstance whatsoever the maximum amount of interest allowed by applicable usury laws.

 

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4.2 Conversion and Continuation Options. (a) Subject to its obligations pursuant to Subsection 4.12(c), the applicable Borrowers may elect from time to time to convert outstanding Revolving Credit Loans from Eurodollar Loans to ABR Loans by the Borrower Representative giving the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice of such election prior to 2:00 P.M., New York City time two Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) prior to such election. The Borrower Representative may elect from time to time to convert outstanding Revolving Credit Loans from ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans by the Borrower Representative giving the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice of such election prior to 2:00 P.M., New York City time at least three Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) prior to such election. Any such notice of conversion to Eurodollar Loans shall specify the length of the initial Interest Period or Interest Periods therefor. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender thereof. All or any part of outstanding Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans may be converted as provided herein, provided that (i) (unless the Required Lenders otherwise consent) no Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Loan when any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and, in the case of any Default (other than any Default under Subsection 9.1(f)), the Administrative Agent has given notice to the Borrower Representative that no such conversions may be made and (ii) no Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Loan after the date that is one month prior to the applicable Termination Date.

(b) Any Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such upon the expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the Borrower Representative giving three Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent of the length of the next Interest Period to be applicable to such Loan, determined in accordance with the applicable provisions of the term “Interest Period” set forth in Subsection 1.1, provided that no Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such (i) (unless the Required Lenders otherwise consent) when any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and, in the case of any Default (other than any Default under Subsection 9.1(f)), the Administrative Agent has given notice to the Borrower Representative that no such continuations may be made or (ii) after the date that is one month prior to the applicable Termination Date, and provided, further, that if the Borrower Representative shall fail to give any required notice as described above in this clause (b) or if such continuation is not permitted pursuant to the preceding proviso such Eurodollar Loans shall be automatically converted to ABR Loans on the last day of such then expiring Interest Period. Upon receipt of any such notice of continuation pursuant to this Subsection 4.2(b), the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender thereof.

4.3 Minimum Amounts; Maximum Sets. All borrowings, conversions and continuations of Loans hereunder and all selections of Interest Periods hereunder shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such elections so that, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount of the Eurodollar Loans comprising each Set shall be equal to $500,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof and so that there shall not be more than 10 Sets at any one time outstanding.

 

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4.4 Optional and Mandatory Prepayments. (a) Each of the Borrowers may at any time and from time to time prepay the Loans made to it and the Reimbursement Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit issued for its account, in whole or in part, subject to Subsection 4.12, without premium or penalty but including, for the avoidance of doubt, accrued interest, upon notice by the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent prior to 2:00 P.M., New York City time at least three Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) prior to the date of prepayment (in the case of Eurodollar Loans) or prior to 2:00 P.M., New York City time (or such later time as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) on the date of prepayment (in the case of (x) ABR Loans, (y) Swingline Loans and (z) Reimbursement Obligations outstanding in Dollars). Such notice shall be irrevocable except as provided in Subsection 4.4(g). Such notice shall specify, in the case of any prepayment of Loans, the identity of the prepaying Borrower, the date and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is (i) of Revolving Credit Loans or Swingline Loans, or a combination thereof, and (ii) of Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans, or a combination thereof, and, in each case if a combination thereof, the principal amount allocable to each and, in the case of any prepayment of Reimbursement Obligations, the date and amount of prepayment, the identity of the applicable Letter of Credit or Letters of Credit and the amount allocable to each of such Reimbursement Obligations. Upon the receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender thereof. If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall (subject to Subsection 4.4(g)) be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with (if a Eurodollar Loan is prepaid other than at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto) any amounts payable pursuant to Subsection 4.12, the Revolving Credit Loans and the Reimbursement Obligations pursuant to this SectionSubsection 4.4(a) and shall (unless the Borrower Representative otherwise directs) be applied, first, to payment of the Swingline Loans then outstanding, second, to payment of the Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding, third, to payment of any Reimbursement Obligations then outstanding, and last, to cash collateralize any outstanding L/C Obligation on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Partial prepayments pursuant to this Subsection 4.4(a) shall be in multiples of $250,000, as applicable; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any Loan may be prepaid in its entirety.

(b) On any day (other than during an Agent Advance Period) on which the Aggregate Lender Exposure or the unpaid balance of Extensions of Credit to, or for the account of, the Borrowers exceeds the Borrowing Base (based on the Borrowing Base Certificate last delivered) or the aggregate Commitments at such time, the Borrowers shall prepay on such day the principal of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans in an amount equal to such excess. If, after giving effect to the prepayment of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations exceeds the Borrowing Base at such time (based on the Borrowing Base Certificate last delivered), the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent on such day an amount of cash and/or Cash Equivalents equal to the amount of such excess (up to a maximum amount equal to such L/C Obligations at such time), such cash and/or Cash Equivalents to be held as security for all obligations of the Borrowers to the Issuing Lenders and the Revolving Credit Lenders hereunder in a cash collateral account to be established by, and under the sole dominion and control of, the Administrative Agent.

(c) The Borrowers shall prepay all Swingline Loans then outstanding simultaneously with each borrowing by them of Revolving Credit Loans.

(d) Prepayments pursuant to Subsection 4.4(b) shall be applied, first, to prepay Swingline Loans then outstanding, second, to prepay Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding, third, to pay any Reimbursement Obligations then outstanding, and last, to cash collateralize all L/C Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

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(e) For avoidance of doubt, the Commitments shall not be correspondingly reduced by the amount of any prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans, payments of Reimbursement Obligations and cash collateralizations of L/C Obligations, in each case, made under Subsection 4.4(b).

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Subsection 4.4, if at any time any prepayment of the Loans pursuant to Subsection 4.4(a) or 4.4(b) would result, after giving effect to the procedures set forth in this Agreement, in any Borrower incurring breakage costs under Subsection 4.12 as a result of Eurodollar Loans being prepaid other than on the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto, then, the relevant Borrower may, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in its sole discretion, initially (i) deposit a portion (up to 100.0%) of the amounts that otherwise would have been paid in respect of such Eurodollar Loans with the Administrative Agent (which deposit must be equal in amount to the amount of such Eurodollar Loans not immediately prepaid), to be held as security for the obligations of such Borrowers to make such prepayment pursuant to a cash collateral agreement to be entered into on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent with such cash collateral to be directly applied upon the first occurrence thereafter of the last day of an Interest Period with respect to such Eurodollar Loans (or such earlier date or dates as shall be requested by such Borrower) or (ii) make a prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans in accordance with Subsection 4.4(a) with an amount equal to a portion (up to 100.0%) of the amounts that otherwise would have been paid in respect of such Eurodollar Loans (which prepayment, together with any deposits pursuant to clause (i) above, must be equal in amount to the amount of such Eurodollar Loans not immediately prepaid); provided that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, none of the Borrowers may request any Extension of Credit under the Commitments that would reduce Excess Availability to an amount that is less than the amount of such prepayment until the related portion of such Eurodollar Loans have been prepaid upon the first occurrence thereafter of the last day of an Interest Period with respect to such Eurodollar Loans; provided further, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) above, such unpaid Eurodollar Loans shall continue to bear interest in accordance with Subsection 4.1 until such unpaid Eurodollar Loans or the related portion of such Eurodollar Loans, as the case may be, have or has been prepaid.

(g) If a notice of prepayment in connection with a repayment of all outstanding Loans is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of Commitments as contemplated by Subsection 2.3, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Subsection 2.3.

(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Subsection 4.4 may be amended (and the Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into any such amendments) to the extent necessary to reflect differing amounts payable, and priorities of payments, to Lenders participating in any new classes or tranches of Loans added pursuant to Subsections 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8, as applicable.

 

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4.5 Commitment Fees; Administrative Agent’s Fee; Other Fees . (a) Each Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender, a commitment fee for the period from and including the first day of the Commitment Period to the Termination Date, computed at the Applicable Commitment Fee Rate on the average daily amount of the Unutilized Commitment of such Revolving Credit Lender during the period for which payment is made, payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter and on the Termination Date or such earlier date as the Commitments shall terminate as provided herein, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereofClosing Date.

(b) Each Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the fees set forth in the last paragraph under the heading “ABL Facility Fees” of the Fee Letter on the payment dates set forth therein (without duplication of fees paid to the Term Loan Agent pursuant to such section of the Fee Letter).

4.6 Computation of Interest and Fees. (a) Interest (other than interest based on the Base Rate) shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed; and commitment fees and interest based on the Base Rate shall be calculated on the basis of a 365-day year (or 366-day year, as the case may be) for the actual days elapsed. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Borrower Representative and the affected Lenders of each determination of an Adjusted LIBO Rate. Any change in the interest rate on a Loan resulting from a change in the Alternate Base Rate or the Statutory Reserves shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such change becomes effective. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Borrower Representative and the affected Lenders of the effective date and the amount of each such change in interest rate.

(b) Each determination of an interest rate by the Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on each of the Borrowers and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error. The Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Borrower Representative or any Lender, deliver to the Borrower Representative or such Lender a statement showing in reasonable detail the calculations used by the Administrative Agent in determining any interest rate pursuant to Subsection 4.1, excluding any LIBO Rate which is based upon ICE LIBOR published by Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service page and any ABR Loan which is based upon the Alternate Base Rate.

4.7 Inability to Determine Interest Rate. If, prior to the first day of any Interest Period, the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon each of the Borrowers) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate with respect to any Eurodollar Loan for such Interest Period (the “Affected Eurodollar Rate”), the Administrative Agent shall give facsimile or telephonic notice thereof to the Borrower Representative and the Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such notice is given (a) any Eurodollar Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based on the Affected

 

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Eurodollar Rate requested to be made on the first day of such Interest Period shall be made as ABR Loans and (b) any Loans that were to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to or continued as Eurodollar Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the Affected Eurodollar Rate shall be converted to or continued as ABR Loans. Until such notice has been withdrawn by the Administrative Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the Affected Eurodollar Rate shall be made or continued as such, nor shall any of the Borrowers have the right to convert ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the Affected Eurodollar Rate.

4.8 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments. (a) Except as expressly otherwise provided herein, each borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans (other than Swingline Loans) by any of the applicable Borrowers from the Lenders hereunder shall be made, each payment by any of the Borrowers on account of any commitment fee in respect of the Commitments hereunder shall be allocated by the Administrative Agent and any reduction of the Commitments of the Lenders, as applicable, shall be allocated by the Administrative Agent in each case pro rata according to the Commitment Percentages of the Lenders. Except as expressly otherwise provided herein, each payment (including each prepayment (but excluding payments made pursuant to Subsection 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 4.5(b), 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13(d), 4.15(c) or 11.1(g))) by any of the applicable Borrowers on account of principal of and interest on any Revolving Credit Loans shall be allocated by the Administrative Agent pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of such Revolving Credit Loans then held by the relevant Revolving Credit Lenders, and each payment on account of principal of and interest on any loans made pursuant to any Tranche established after the date of this Agreement shall be allocated pro rata (or as may otherwise be provided for in the applicable amendment to this Agreement relating to such Tranche) among the Lenders with Incremental Revolving Commitments in respect thereof or with participations in such Tranche (in each case subject to any limitations on non-pro rata payments otherwise provided for in Subsection 2.6(b)(i)(E) or 2.6(b)(ii)). All payments (including prepayments) to be made by any of the Borrowers hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, fees, Reimbursement Obligations or otherwise, shall be made without set-off or counterclaim and shall be made on or prior to the time expressly required hereunder or under such other Loan Document for such payment (or, if no such time is expressly required, prior to 2:00 P.M., New York City time (or such later time as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion)) on the due date thereof to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders holding the relevant Loans, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, or the Other Representatives, as the case may be, at the Administrative Agent’s office specified in Subsection 11.2, in Dollars in immediately available funds. Payments received by the Administrative Agent after such time shall be deemed to have been received on the next Business Day. The Administrative Agent shall distribute such payments to such Lenders or Other Representatives, as the case may be, if any such payment is received prior to 2:00 P.M., New York City time, on a Business Day, in like funds as received prior to the end of such Business Day and otherwise the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to such Lenders or Other Representatives, as the case may be, on the next succeeding Business Day. If any payment hereunder (other than payments on the Eurodollar Loans) becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity of such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, with respect to payments of principal, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension. If any payment on a Eurodollar Loan

 

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becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity of such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day (and, with respect to payments of principal, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension) unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. This Subsection 4.8(a) may be amended in accordance with Subsection 11.1(d) to the extent necessary to reflect differing amounts payable, and priorities of payments, to Lenders participating in any new Tranches added pursuant to Subsections 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8, as applicable.

(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by any Lender prior to a borrowing that such Lender will not make the amount that would constitute its share of such borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender is making such amount available to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the applicable Borrowers in respect of such borrowing a corresponding amount. If such amount is not made available to the Administrative Agent by the required time on the Borrowing Date therefor, such Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent on demand, such amount with interest thereon at a rate equal to the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate for the period until such Lender makes such amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent. A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this Subsection 4.8(b) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. If such Lender’s share of such borrowing is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three Business Days of such Borrowing Date, (x) the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower Representative of the failure of such Lender to make such amount available to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to ABRsuch Loans hereunderpursuant to Subsection 4.1 on demand from such Borrower and (y) then such Borrower may, without waiving or limiting any rights or remedies it may have against such Lender hereunder or under applicable law or otherwise, borrow a like amount on an unsecured basis from any commercial bank for a period ending on the date upon which such Lender does in fact make such borrowing available; provided that at the time such borrowing is made and at all times while such amount is outstanding such Borrower would be permitted to borrow such amount pursuant to Subsection 2.1.

4.9 Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof in each case occurring after the Closing Date shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make or maintain any Eurodollar Loans as contemplated by this Agreement (“Affected Loans”), (a) such Lender shall promptly give written notice of such circumstances to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (which notice shall be withdrawn whenever such circumstances no longer exist), (b) the commitment of such Lender hereunder to make Affected Loans, continue Affected Loans as such and convert an ABR Loan to an Affected Loan shall forthwith be cancelled and, until such time as it shall no longer be unlawful for such Lender to make or maintain such Affected Loans, such Lender shall then have a commitment only to make an ABR Loan (or a Swingline Loan) when an Affected Loan is requested and (c) such Lender’s Loans then

 

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outstanding as Affected Loans, if any, shall be converted automatically to ABR Loans on the respective last days of the then current Interest Periods with respect to such Affected Loans or within such earlier period as required by law. If any such conversion or prepayment of an Affected Loan occurs on a day which is not the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, the applicable Borrower shall pay to such Lender such amounts, if any, as may be required pursuant to Subsection 4.12.

4.10 Requirements of Law. (a) If the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof applicable to any Lender or any Issuing Lender, or compliance by any Lender or any Issuing Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority, in each case made subsequent to the Closing Date (or, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender or such Issuing Lender becomes an Issuing Lender):

(i) shall subject such Lender or such Issuing Lender to any Tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to any Letter of Credit, any L/C Request or any Eurodollar Loans made or maintained by it or its obligation to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof, in each case, except for Non-Excluded Taxes, Taxes imposed by FATCA and Taxes measured by or imposed upon net income, or franchise Taxes, or Taxes measured by or imposed upon overall capital or net worth, or branch Taxes (in the case of such capital, net worth or branch Taxes, imposed in lieu of such net income Tax), of such Lender, such Issuing Lender or its applicable lending office, branch, or any affiliate thereof;

(ii) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances, loans or other extensions of credit by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender which is not otherwise included in the determination of the LIBO Rate hereunder; or

(iii) shall impose on such Lender or such Issuing Lender any other condition (excluding any Tax of any kind whatsoever);

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender or such Issuing Lender, by an amount which such Lender or such Issuing Lender deems to be material, of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Loans, or issuing or participating in Letters of Credit or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any such case, upon notice to the Borrower Representative from such Lender, through the Administrative Agent in accordance herewith, the applicable Borrower shall promptly pay such Lender or such Issuing Lender, upon its demand, any additional amounts necessary to compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduced amount receivable with respect to such Eurodollar Loans, or Letters of Credit, provided that, in any such case, such Borrower may elect to convert the Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender hereunder to ABR Loans by giving the Administrative Agent at least one Business Day’s (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) notice of such election, in which case such Borrower shall promptly pay to such Lender, upon demand, without duplication, amounts

 

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theretofore required to be paid to such Lender pursuant to this Subsection 4.10(a) and such amounts, if any, as may be required pursuant to Subsection 4.12. If any Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this Subsection 4.10(a), it shall provide prompt notice thereof to the Borrower Representative, through the Administrative Agent, certifying (x) that one of the events described in this clause (a) has occurred and describing in reasonable detail the nature of such event, (y) as to the increased cost or reduced amount resulting from such event and (z) as to the additional amount demanded by such Lender and a reasonably detailed explanation of the calculation thereof. Such a certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Subsection 4.10(a) submitted by such Lender, through the Administrative Agent, to the Borrower Representative shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Subsection 4.10(a), the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Subsection 4.10(a) (i) for any amounts incurred more than six months prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower Representative of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the change in law giving rise to such increased costs is retroactive, then the 180 day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof) or (ii) for any amounts, if such Lender is applying this provision to the Borrowers in a manner that is inconsistent with its application of “increased cost” or other similar provisions under other credit agreements to similarly situated borrowers. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

(b) If any Lender or any Issuing Lender shall have determined that the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or liquidity or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance by such Lender or such Issuing Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender or such Issuing Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy or liquidity (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority, in each case, made subsequent to the Closing Date, does or shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such corporation’s capital as a consequence of such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s obligations hereunder or under or in respect of any Letter of Credit to a level below that which such Lender or such corporation could have achieved but for such change or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s or such corporation’s policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender or such Issuing Lender to be material, then from time to time, within 10 Business Days after submission by such Lender to the Borrower Representative (through the Administrative Agent) of a written request therefor certifying (x) that one of the events described in this clause (b) has occurred and describing in reasonable detail the nature of such event, (y) as to the reduction of the rate of return on capital resulting from such event and (z) as to the additional amount or amounts demanded by such Lender or such Issuing Lender or corporation and a reasonably detailed explanation of the calculation thereof, the applicable Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or corporation for such reduction. Such a certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Subsection 4.10(b) submitted by such Lender, through the Administrative Agent, to the Borrower Representative shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Subsection 4.10(b), the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Subsection 4.10(b) (i) for any amounts incurred

 

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more than six months prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower Representative of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor or (ii) for any amounts, if such Lender is applying this provision to the Borrowers in a manner that is inconsistent with its application of “increased cost” or other similar provisions under other credit agreements to similarly situated borrowers. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines and directives promulgated thereunder or issued in connection therewith and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, in each case shall be deemed to have been enacted, adopted or issued, as applicable, subsequent to the Closing Date for all purposes herein.

4.11 Taxes. (a) Except as provided below in this Subsection 4.11 or as required by law (which, for purposes of this Subsection 4.11, shall include FATCA), all payments made by the Borrowers or the Agents under this Agreement and any Notes shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of any Taxes; provided that the Borrowers or the Agents may withhold from any payment made under this Agreement or any Notes to or for the benefit of any Person who is not a United States Person any U.S. federal withholding tax that would apply to such payment if all payments of interest (including original issue discount), fees and commissions under this Agreement and any Notes were treated as income from sources within the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes; provided further that if any Non-Excluded Taxes are required to be withheld from any amounts payable by such Borrower or the Administrative Agent to any Agent or any Lender hereunder or under any Notes, the amounts so payable by such Borrower shall be increased to the extent necessary to yield to such Agent or such Lender (after payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes) interest or any such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this Agreement; provided, however, that the Borrowers shall be entitled to deduct and withhold, and the Borrowers shall not be required to indemnify for, any Non-Excluded Taxes, and any such amounts payable by any Borrower to or for the account of any Agent or Lender shall not be increased (x) if such Agent or Lender fails to comply with the requirements of clause (b), (c), (d) or (e) of this Subsection 4.11 or with the requirements of Subsection 4.13, or (y) with respect to any Non-Excluded Taxes imposed in connection with the payment of any fees paid under this Agreement unless such Non-Excluded Taxes are imposed as a result of a Change in Law, or (z) with respect to any Non-Excluded Taxes imposed by the United States or any state or political subdivision thereof, unless such Non-Excluded Taxes are imposed as a result of a change in treaty, law or regulation that occurred after such Agent became an Agent hereunder or such Lender became a Lender hereunder (or, if such Agent or Lender is a non-U.S. intermediary or flow-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, after the relevant beneficiary or member of such Agent or Lender became such a beneficiary or member, if later) (any such change, at such time, a “Change in Law”). Whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes are payable by any Borrower, as promptly as possible thereafter the Borrower Representative shall send to the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account of the respective Lender or Agent,

 

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as the case may be, a certified copy of an original official receipt received by such Borrower showing payment thereof. If any Borrower fails to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes when due to the appropriate Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law or the Borrower Representative fails to remit to the Administrative Agent the required receipts or other required documentary evidence, such Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Agents for any incremental Taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable by the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of any such failure. The agreements in this Subsection 4.11 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

(b) Each Agent and each Lender that is not a United States Person shall:

(i) (1) on or before the date of any payment by any of the Borrowers under this Agreement or any Notes to, or for the account of, such Agent or Lender, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (A) two accurate and complete original signed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8BEN-E (certifying that it is a resident of the applicable country within the meaning of the income tax treaty between the United States and that country) or Forms W-8ECI, or successor applicable form, as the case may be, in each case certifying that it is entitled to receive all payments under this Agreement and any Notes without deduction or withholding of any U.S. federal income taxes, and (B) such other forms, documentation or certifications, as the case may be, certifying that it is entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding tax with respect to payments under this Agreement and any Notes;

(2) deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent two further accurate and complete original signed forms or certifications provided in Subsection 4.11(b)(i)(1) on or before the date that any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form or certificate previously delivered by it to the Borrower Representative;

(3) obtain such extensions of time for filing and completing such forms or certifications as may reasonably be requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent; and

(4) deliver, to the extent legally entitled to do so, upon reasonable request by the Borrower Representative, to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent such other forms as may be reasonably required in order to establish the legal entitlement of such Agent or such Lender to an exemption from, or reduction of, withholding with respect to payments under this Agreement and any Notes, provided that in determining the reasonableness of a request under this clause (4) such Lender shall be entitled to consider the cost (to the extent unreimbursed by any Loan Party) which would be imposed on such Lender of complying with such request; or

 

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(ii) in the case of any such Lender that is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code and is claiming the so-called “portfolio interest exemption”,

(1) represent to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent that it is not (A) a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code;

(2) on or before the date of any payment by any of the Borrowers under this Agreement or any Notes to, or for the account of, such Lender, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent, (A) two certificates substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto (any such certificate a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (B) two accurate and complete original signed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8BEN-E, or successor applicable form, certifying to such Lender’s legal entitlement at the date of such form to an exemption from U.S. withholding tax under the provisions of Section 871(h) or Section 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments to be made under this Agreement and any Notes and (C) such other forms, documentation or certifications, as the case may be certifying that it is entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding tax with respect to payments under this Agreement and any Notes (and shall also deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent two further accurate and complete original signed forms or certificates on or before the date it expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recently provided form or certificate and, if necessary, obtain any extensions of time reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent for filing and completing such forms or certificates); and

(3) deliver, to the extent legally entitled to do so, upon reasonable request by the Borrower Representative, to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent such other forms as may be reasonably required in order to establish the legal entitlement of such Lender to an exemption from, or reduction of, withholding with respect to payments under this Agreement and any Notes, provided that in determining the reasonableness of a request under this clause (3) such Lender shall be entitled to consider the cost (to the extent unreimbursed by the Borrower Representative) which would be imposed on such Lender of complying with such request; or

 

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(iii) in the case of any such Agent or Lender that is a non-U.S. intermediary or flow-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes,

(1) on or before the date of any payment by any of the Borrowers under this Agreement or any Notes to, or for the account of, such Agent or Lender, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent two accurate and complete original signed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8IMY, or successor applicable form, and, if any beneficiary or member of such agent or such Lender is claiming the so-called “portfolio interest exemption”, (I) represent to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent that such agent or such Lender is not (A) a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (II) also deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent two U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates certifying to such Agent’s or such Lender’s legal entitlement at the date of such certificate to an exemption from U.S. withholding tax under the provisions of Section 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments to be made under this Agreement and any Notes; and

(A) with respect to each beneficiary or member of such Agent or Lender that is not claiming the so-called “portfolio interest exemption”, also deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (I) two accurate and complete original signed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8BEN-E (certifying that such beneficiary or member is a resident of the applicable country within the meaning of the income tax treaty between the United States and that country), Forms W-8ECI or Forms W-9, or successor applicable form, as the case may be, in each case so that each such beneficiary or member is entitled to receive all payments under this Agreement and any Notes without deduction or withholding of any U.S. federal income taxes and (II) such other forms, documentation or certifications, as the case may be, certifying that each such beneficiary or member is entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding tax with respect to all payments under this Agreement and any Notes; and

(B) with respect to each beneficiary or member of such Lender that is claiming the so-called “portfolio interest exemption”, (I) represent to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent that such beneficiary or member is not (1) a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) a “10 percent shareholder” of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (3) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (II) also deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent two

 

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U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates from each beneficiary or member and two accurate and complete original signed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8BEN-E, or successor applicable form, certifying to such beneficiary’s or member’s legal entitlement at the date of such certificate to an exemption from U.S. withholding tax under the provisions of Section 871(h) or Section 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments to be made under this Agreement and any Notes, and (III) also deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent such other forms, documentation or certifications, as the case may be, certifying that it is entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding tax with respect to payments under this Agreement and any Notes;

(2) deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent two further accurate and complete original signed forms, certificates or certifications referred to above on or before the date any such form, certificate or certification expires or becomes obsolete, or any beneficiary or member changes, and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recently provided form, certificate or certification and obtain such extensions of time reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent for filing and completing such forms, certificates or certifications; and

(3) deliver, to the extent legally entitled to do so, upon reasonable request by the Borrower Representative, to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent such other forms as may be reasonably required in order to establish the legal entitlement of such Agent or Lender (or beneficiary or member) to an exemption from, or reduction of, withholding with respect to payments under this Agreement and any Notes, provided that in determining the reasonableness of a request under this clause (3) such Agent or Lender shall be entitled to consider the cost (to the extent unreimbursed by any of the Borrowers) which would be imposed on such Agent or Lender (or beneficiary or member) of complying with such request;

unless in any such case (other than with respect to United States backup withholding tax) there has been a Change in Law which renders all such forms inapplicable or which would prevent such Agent or such Lender (or such beneficiary or member) from duly completing and delivering any such form with respect to it and such Agent or such Lender so advises the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent.

(c) Each Lender and each Agent, in each case that is a United States Person, shall on or before the date of any payment by any Borrower under this Agreement or any Notes to such Lender or Agent, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent two accurate and complete original signed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-9, or successor applicable form, certifying that such Lender or Agent is a United States Person and that such Lender or Agent is entitled to complete exemption from United States backup withholding tax.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent is not a United States Person, on or before the date of any payment by any of the Borrowers under this Agreement or any Notes to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall:

(i) deliver to the Borrower Representative (A) two accurate and complete original signed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8ECI, or successor applicable form, with respect to any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent for its own account, (B) two accurate and complete original signed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8IMY, or successor applicable form, with respect to any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent for the account of others, certifying that it is a “U.S. branch” and that the payments it receives for the account of others are not effectively connected with the conduct of its trade or business in the United States and that it is using such form as evidence of its agreement with the Borrowers to be treated as a U.S. person with respect to such payments (and the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent agree to so treat the Administrative Agent as a U.S. person with respect to such payments as contemplated by U.S. Treasury Regulation § 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv)) and (C) such other forms or certifications as may be sufficient under applicable law to establish that the Administrative Agent is entitled to receive any payment by any of the Borrowers under this Agreement or any Notes (whether for its own account or for the account of others) without deduction or withholding of any U.S. federal income taxes;

(ii) deliver to the Borrower Representative two further accurate and complete original signed forms or certifications provided in Subsection 4.11(d)(i) on or before the date that any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form or certificate previously delivered by it to the Borrower Representative; and

(iii) obtain such extensions of time for filing and completing such forms or certifications as may reasonably be requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent;

unless in any such case (other than with respect to United States backup withholding tax) there has been a Change in Law which renders all such forms inapplicable or which would prevent the Administrative Agent from duly completing and delivering any such form with respect to it and the Administrative Agent so advises the Borrower Representative.

(e) If a payment made to an Agent or a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Agent or such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA, such Agent or such Lender shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative, at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower Representative, such

 

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documentation prescribed by applicable law and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower Representative as may be necessary for the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers to comply with their respective obligations (including any applicable reporting requirements) under FATCA, to determine whether such Agent or such Lender has complied with such Agent’s or such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. For the avoidance of doubt, the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent shall be permitted to withhold any Taxes imposed by FATCA.

(f) For purposes of this SectionSubsection 4.11 and for purposes of SectionSubsection 4.13, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Lender.

4.12 Indemnity. The Borrowers agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify each Lender in respect of Extensions of Credit made, or requested to be made, to the Borrowers and to hold each such Lender harmless from any loss or expense which such Lender may sustain or incur (other than through such Lender’s bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and nonappealable decision) as a consequence of (a) default by such Borrower in making a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans, after the Borrower Representative has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (b) default by such Borrower in making any prepayment or conversion of Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower Representative has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or (c) the making of a payment or prepayment of Eurodollar Loans or the conversion of Eurodollar Loans on a day which is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. Such indemnification may include an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or converted, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from the date of such prepayment or conversion or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of the applicable Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Eurodollar Loans provided for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin included therein, if any) over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) which would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank eurodollar market. If any Lender becomes entitled to claim any amounts under the indemnity contained in this Subsection 4.12, it shall provide prompt notice thereof to the Borrower Representative, through the Administrative Agent, certifying (x) that one of the events described in clause (a), (b) or (c) has occurred and describing in reasonable detail the nature of such event, (y) as to the loss or expense sustained or incurred by such Lender as a consequence thereof and (z) as to the amount for which such Lender seeks indemnification hereunder and a reasonably detailed explanation of the calculation thereof. Such a certificate as to any indemnification pursuant to this Subsection 4.12 submitted by such Lender, through the Administrative Agent, to the Borrower Representative shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. The Borrower Representative shall pay (or cause the relevant Borrower to pay) such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within five Business Days after receipt thereof. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

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4.13 Certain Rules Relating to the Payment of Additional Amounts . (a) Upon the request, and at the expense of the Borrower Representative, each Lender and Agent to which any Borrower is required to pay any additional amount pursuant to Subsection 4.10 or 4.11, and any Participant in respect of whose participation such payment is required, shall reasonably afford the Borrower Representative the opportunity to contest, and reasonably cooperate with the Borrower Representative in contesting, the imposition of any Non-Excluded Tax giving rise to such payment; provided that (i) such Lender or Agent shall not be required to afford the Borrower Representative the opportunity to so contest unless the Borrower Representative shall have confirmed in writing to such Lender or Agent such Borrower’s obligation to pay such amounts pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) the Borrowers shall reimburse such Lender or Agent for its reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees and disbursements incurred in so cooperating with the Borrower Representative in contesting the imposition of such Non-Excluded Tax; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing no Lender or Agent shall be required to afford the Borrower Representative the opportunity to contest, or cooperate with the Borrower Representative in contesting, the imposition of any Non-Excluded Taxes, if such Lender or Agent in its sole discretion in good faith determines that to do so would have an adverse effect on it.

(b) If a Lender changes its applicable lending office (other than (i) pursuant to clause (c) below or (ii) after an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or 9.1(f) has occurred and is continuing) and the effect of such change, as of the date of such change, would be to cause any of the Borrowers to become obligated to pay any additional amount under Subsection 4.10 or 4.11, such Borrower shall not be obligated to pay such additional amount.

(c) If a condition or an event occurs which would, or would upon the passage of time or giving of notice, result in the payment of any additional amount to any Lender or Agent by any of the Borrowers pursuant to Subsection 4.10 or 4.11 or result in Affected Loans or commitments to make Affected Loans being automatically converted to ABR Loans or commitments to make ABR Loans, as the case may be, pursuant to Subsection 4.9, such Lender or Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent and shall take such steps as may reasonably be available to it to mitigate the effects of such condition or event (which shall include efforts to rebook the Loans held by such Lender at another lending office, or through another branch or an affiliate, of such Lender); provided that such Lender or Agent shall not be required to take any step that, in its reasonable judgment, would be materially disadvantageous to its business or operations or would require it to incur additional costs (unless the Borrowers agree to reimburse such Lender or Agent for the reasonable incremental out-of-pocket costs thereof).

(d) If any of the Borrowers shall become obligated to pay additional amounts pursuant to Subsection 4.10 or 4.11 and any affected Lender shall not have promptly taken steps necessary to avoid the need for payments under Subsection 4.10 or 4.11 or if Affected Loans or commitments to make Affected Loans are automatically converted to ABR Loans or commitments to make ABR Loans, as the case may be, under Subsection 4.9 and any affected Lender shall not have promptly taken steps necessary to avoid the need for such conversion under Subsection 4.9, the Borrower Representative

 

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shall have the right, for so long as such obligation remains, (i) with the assistance of the Administrative Agent to seek one or more substitute Lenders reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative to purchase the affected Loan, in whole or in part, at an aggregate price no less than such Loan’s principal amount plus accrued interest, and assume the affected obligations under this Agreement, or (ii) so long as no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or 9.1(f) then exists or will exist immediately after giving effect to the respective prepayment, upon notice to the Administrative Agent to prepay the affected Loan, in whole or in part, subject to Subsection 4.12, without premium or penalty and terminate the Commitments in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility of such Lender. In the case of the substitution of a Lender, then, the Borrower Representative, any other applicable Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the affected Lender, and any substitute Lender shall execute and deliver an appropriately completed Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to Subsection 11.6(b) to effect the assignment of rights to, and the assumption of obligations by, the substitute Lender; provided that any fees required to be paid by Subsection 11.6(b) in connection with such assignment shall be paid by the Borrower Representative or the substitute Lender. In the case of a prepayment of an affected Loan, the amount specified in the notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with any accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid. In the case of each of the substitution of a Lender and of the prepayment of an affected Loan, the applicable Borrower shall first pay the affected Lender any additional amounts owing under Subsections 4.10 and 4.11 (as well as any commitment fees and other amounts then due and owing to such Lender, including any amounts under this Subsection 4.13) prior to such substitution or prepayment. In the case of the substitution of a Lender pursuant to this Subsection 4.13(d) or Subsection 4.15(c)(i), if the Lender being replaced does not execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance and/or any other documentation necessary to reflect such replacement by the later of (a) the date on which the assignee Lender executes and delivers such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation and (b) the date as of which all obligations of the Borrowers owing to such replaced Lender relating to the Loans and participations so assigned shall be paid in full by the assignee Lender and/or the Borrower Representative to such Lender being replaced, then the Lender being replaced shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation as of such date and the applicable Borrower shall be entitled (but not obligated) to execute and deliver such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation on behalf of such Lender.

(e) If any Agent or any Lender receives a refund directly attributable to Taxes for which any of the Borrowers has made additional payments pursuant to Subsection 4.10(a) or 4.11(a), such Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, shall promptly pay such refund (together with any interest with respect thereto received from the relevant taxing authority, but net of any reasonable cost incurred in connection therewith) to such Borrower; provided, however, that such Borrower agrees promptly to return such refund (together with any interest with respect thereto due to the relevant taxing authority) (free of all Non-Excluded Taxes) to such Agent or the applicable Lender, as the case may be, upon receipt of a notice that such refund is required to be repaid to the relevant taxing authority.

 

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(f) The obligations of any Agent, Lender or Participant under this Subsection 4.13 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all amounts payable hereunder.

4.14 Controls on Prepayment if Aggregate Outstanding Credit Exceeds Aggregate Revolving Credit Loan Commitments . (a) In addition to the provisions set forth in Subsection 4.4(b), the Borrower Representative will implement and maintain internal controls to monitor the borrowings and repayments of Loans by the Borrowers and the issuance of and drawings under Letters of Credit, with the objective of preventing any request for an Extension of Credit that would result in (i) the Aggregate Outstanding Credit with respect to all of the Revolving Credit Lenders (including the Swingline Lender) being in excess of the aggregate Commitments then in effect or (ii) any other circumstance under which an Extension of Credit would not be permitted pursuant to Subsection 2.1(a).

(b) The Administrative Agent will calculate the Aggregate Outstanding Credit with respect to all of (A) the Revolving Credit Lenders and (B) the Lenders (in each case, including the Swingline Lender) from time to time, and in any event not less frequently than once during each calendar week. In making such calculations, the Administrative Agent will rely on the information most recently received by it from the Swingline Lender in respect of outstanding Swingline Loans and from the Issuing Lenders in respect of outstanding L/C Obligations.

4.15 Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, if any Revolving Credit Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Revolving Credit Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(a) no commitment fee shall accrue for the account of a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender (except to the extent it is payable to the Issuing Lender pursuant to clause (d)(v) below);

(b) in determining the Required Lenders, Required Majority in Interest Lenders or Supermajority Lenders, any Lender that at the time is a Defaulting Lender (and the Revolving Credit Loans and/or Commitment of such Defaulting Lender) shall be excluded and disregarded;

(c) the Borrower Representative shall have the right, at its sole expense and effort (i) to seek one or more Persons reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative to each become a substitute Revolving Credit Lender and assume all or part of the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender and the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent and any such substitute Revolving Credit Lender shall execute and deliver, and such Defaulting Lender shall thereupon be deemed to have executed and delivered, an appropriately completed Assignment and Acceptance to effect such substitution or (ii) so long as no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or 9.1(f) then exists or will exist immediately after giving effect to the respective prepayment, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, to prepay the Loans and, at the Borrower Representative’s option, terminate the Commitments of such Defaulting Lender, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty;

 

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(d) if any Swingline Exposure exists or any L/C Obligations exist at the time a Revolving Credit Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

(i) all or any part of such Swingline Exposure and L/C Obligations shall be re-allocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages but only to the extent the sum of all Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Exposures plus such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure and L/C Obligations does not exceed the total of all Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Commitments;

(ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrowers shall within one Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure and (y) second, cash collateralize such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Obligations (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent for so long as such L/C Obligations are outstanding;

(iii) if any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Obligations is cash collateralized pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Borrowers shall not be required to pay the L/C Fee for participation with respect to such portion of such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Exposure so long as it is cash collateralized;

(iv) if any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Obligations is reallocated to the Non-Defaulting Lenders pursuant to clause (i) above, then the letter of credit commission with respect to such portion shall be allocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their Commitment Percentages; or

(v) if any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Obligations is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to this Subsection 4.15(d), then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Lender or any Revolving Credit Lender hereunder, the commitment fee that otherwise would have been payable to such Defaulting Lender (with respect to the portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment that was utilized by such L/C Obligations) and the letter of credit commission payable with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Obligations shall be payable to the Issuing Lender until such L/C Obligations are cash collateralized and/or reallocated;

(e) so long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and the Issuing Lender shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless they are respectively satisfied that the related exposure will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the Non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateralized on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and participations in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit or newly made Swingline Loan shall be allocated among Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages (and Defaulting Lenders shall not participate therein);

 

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(f) any amount payable to such Defaulting Lender hereunder (whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise and including any amount that would otherwise be payable to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Subsection 11.7) may, in lieu of being distributed to such Defaulting Lender, be retained by the Administrative Agent in a segregated non-interest bearing account and, subject to any applicable Requirements of Law, be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent (ifirst, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder, (iisecond, pro rata, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender hereunder, (iiithird, to the funding of any Loan or the funding or cash collateralization of any participation in any Swingline Loan or Letter of Credit in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent, (ivfourth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative, held in such account as cash collateral for future funding obligations of such Defaulting Lender under this Agreement, (vfifth, pro rata, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrowers or the Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by a Borrower or any Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement and (visixth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if such payment is (x) a prepayment of the principal amount of any Loans or Reimbursement Obligations in respect of L/C Disbursements in respect of which a Defaulting Lender has funded its participation obligations and (y) made at a time when the conditions set forth in Subsection 6.2 are satisfied, such payment shall be applied solely to prepay the Loans of, and Reimbursement Obligations owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders pro rata prior to being applied to the prepayment of any Loans, or Reimbursement Obligations owed to, any Defaulting Lender; and

(g) In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative, each applicable Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Swingline Exposure and L/C Obligations of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par (together with any break funding incurred by the Lenders as a result of such purchase) such of the Loans of the other Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Commitment Percentage. The rights and remedies against a Defaulting Lender under this Subsection 4.15 are in addition to other rights and remedies that the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the Non-Defaulting Lenders may have against such Defaulting Lender. The arrangements permitted or required by this Subsection 4.15 shall be permitted under this Agreement, notwithstanding any limitation on Liens or the pro rata sharing provisions or otherwise.

 

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4.16 Cash Management. (a) Annexed hereto as Schedule 4.16, as the same may be modified from time to time by notice to the Administrative Agent, is a schedule of all DDAs and Concentration Accounts that are maintained by the Qualified Loan Parties, which schedule includes, with respect to each depository (i) the name and address of such depository; (ii) the account number(s) (and account name(s) of such bank account(s)) maintained with such depository; and (iii) a contact person at such depository.

(b) Except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, each Qualified Loan Party shall (i) deliver to the Administrative Agent (A) notifications executed on behalf of each such Qualified Loan Party to each depository institution with which any DDA (other than Excluded Accounts) is maintained, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent of the Administrative Agent’s interest in such DDA and (B) Credit Card Notifications executed on behalf of each such Qualified Loan Party and delivered to each Credit Card Issuer and Credit Card Processor, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (ii) instruct each depository institution for a DDA (other than Excluded Accounts, and subject to Subsection 4.16(g)) that the amount in excess of the Target Amount and available at the close of each Business Day in such DDA should be swept to one of the Qualified Loan Parties’ Concentration Accounts no less frequently than on a daily basis, such instructions to be irrevocable unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent, (iii) enter into a blocked account agreement (each, a “Blocked Account Agreement”), in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, with the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent and any bank with which such Qualified Loan Party maintains a Concentration Account into which the DDAs (other than Excluded Accounts) are swept (each such account, a “Blocked Account” and collectively, the “Blocked Accounts”), covering each such Concentration Account maintained with such bank and (iv) (A) instruct all Account Debtors of such Qualified Loan Party that remit payments of Accounts of such Account Debtor regularly by check pursuant to arrangements with such Qualified Loan Party to remit all such payments to the applicable “P.O. Boxes” or “Lockbox Addresses” with respect to the applicable DDA or Concentration Account, which remittances shall be collected by the applicable bank and deposited in the applicable DDA or Concentration Account or (B) cause the checks of any such Account Debtors to be deposited in the applicable DDA or Concentration Account within two Business Days after such check is received by such Qualified Loan Party. All amounts received by the Parent Borrower or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party in respect of any Account, in addition to all other cash received from any other source, shall upon receipt of such amount or cash (other than (i) any such amount to be deposited in Excluded Accounts or (ii) cash excluded from the Collateral pursuant to any Security Document) be deposited into a DDA (other than an Excluded Account) or Concentration Account. Each Qualified Loan Party agrees that it will not cause proceeds of such DDAs (other than Excluded Accounts) to be otherwise redirected.

 

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(c) Each Blocked Account Agreement shall require, after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Dominion Event, the ACH or wire transfer no less frequently than once per Business Day (unless the Commitments have been terminated and the monetary obligations then due and owing hereunder and under the other Loan Documents have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have either been terminated or expired (unless cash collateralized or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent)), of all available cash balances and cash receipts, including the then contents or then entire available ledger balance of each Blocked Account net of such minimum balance (not to exceed $1,000,0002,000,000 per account or $3,000,0005,000,000 in the aggregate), if any, required by the bank at which such Blocked Account is maintained to an account maintained by the Administrative Agent at Citibank, N.A. (or another bank of recognized standing reasonably selected by the Administrative Agent with the reasonable consent of the Borrower Representative) (the “Core Concentration Account”). Each Qualified Loan Party agrees that it will not cause proceeds of any Blocked Account to be otherwise redirected.

(d) All collected amounts received in the Core Concentration Account shall be distributed and applied on a daily basis in the following order (in each case, to the extent the Administrative Agent has actual knowledge of the amounts owing or outstanding as described below and after giving effect to the application of any such amounts constituting proceeds from any Collateral otherwise required to be applied pursuant to the terms of the respective Security Document, the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable): (1first, to the payment (on a ratable basis) of any outstanding expenses actually due and payable to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under any of the Loan Documents and to repay or prepay outstanding Revolving Credit Loans advanced by the Administrative Agent; (2second, to pay (on a ratable basis) all outstanding expenses actually due and payable to each Issuing Lender under any of the Loan Documents and to repay all outstanding Unpaid Drawings and all interest thereon; (3third, to pay (on a ratable basis) all accrued and unpaid interest actually due and payable on the Revolving Credit Loans and all accrued and unpaid fees actually due and payable to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents; (4fourth, to repay (on a ratable basis) the outstanding principal of Revolving Credit Loans (whether or not then due and payable); (5fifth, to pay (on a ratable basis) all outstanding obligations of the Borrowers then due and payable to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, and the Lenders under this Agreement; and (6sixth, to pay (on a ratable basis) all other outstanding obligations of the Borrowers then due and payable to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, and the Lenders under any of the other Loan Documents. This Subsection 4.16(d) may be amended (and the Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into such amendments) to the extent necessary to reflect differing amounts payable, and priorities of payments, to Lenders participating in any new classes or tranches of loans added pursuant to Subsections 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8, as applicable, in accordance with Subsection 11.1(d).

(e) If, at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Dominion Event as to which the Administrative Agent has notified the Borrower Representative, any cash, Cash Equivalents or Temporary Cash Investments owned by any Qualified Loan Party (other than (i) de minimis cash, Cash Equivalents and/or

 

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Temporary Cash Investments from time to time inadvertently misapplied by any Qualified Loan Party, (ii) cash, Cash Equivalents or Temporary Cash Investments deposited or to be deposited in an Excluded Account in accordance with this Subsection 4.16, (iii) cash, Cash Equivalents or Temporary Cash Investments that are (or are in any bank account that is) excluded from the Collateral pursuant to any Security Document, including Excluded Assets and (iv) cash, Cash Equivalents or Temporary Cash Investments in the Asset Sales Proceeds Account (as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, if any) are deposited to any bank account, or held or invested in any manner, otherwise than in a Blocked Account subject to a Blocked Account Agreement (or a DDA which is swept daily to such Blocked Account), the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to require the applicable Qualified Loan Party to close such bank account and have all funds therein transferred to a Blocked Account, and to cause all future deposits that were previously made or required to be made to such bank account to be made to a Blocked Account.

(f) The Qualified Loan Parties respectively may close DDAs or Concentration Accounts and/or open new DDAs or new Concentration Accounts, subject to, in the case of any new Concentration Account, (i) the contemporaneous execution and delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Blocked Account Agreement consistent with the provisions of this Subsection 4.16 with respect to each such new Concentration Account or (ii) other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided that as part of the Compliance Certificate to be delivered concurrently with the delivery of financial statements and reports referred to in Subsections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b) the Borrower Representative will provide a list to the Administrative Agent of any newly opened or acquired DDAs or Concentration Accounts during the preceding Fiscal Quarter.

(g) In the event that a Qualified Loan Party acquires new demand deposit accounts or new concentration accounts in connection with an acquisition, the Borrower Representative will procure that such Qualified Loan Party shall within 90120 days of the date of such acquisition (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent) cause such new demand deposit accounts or new concentration accounts so acquired to comply with the applicable requirements of Subsection 4.16(b) (including, with respect to any new Concentration Account, by entering into a Blocked Account Agreement) or shall enter into other arrangements consistent with the provisions of this Subsection 4.16 and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent with respect to any new Concentration Account or DDA that, in either case, is to become a Blocked Account.

(h) The Core Concentration Account shall at all times be under the sole dominion and control of the Administrative Agent. The Borrower Representative, on behalf of each Qualified Loan Party, hereby acknowledges and agrees that, except to the extent otherwise provided in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, (x) such Qualified Loan Party has no right of withdrawal from the Core Concentration Account, (y) the funds on deposit in the Core Concentration Account shall at all times continue to be collateral security for all of the

 

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Obligations of the Qualified Loan Parties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and (z) the funds on deposit in the Core Concentration Account shall be applied as provided in this Agreement and the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement (and any other applicable intercreditor agreement). In the event that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Subsection 4.16, any Qualified Loan Party receives or otherwise has dominion and control of any proceeds or collections required to be transferred to the Core Concentration Account pursuant to Subsection 4.16(c), such proceeds and collections shall be held in trust by such Qualified Loan Party for the Administrative Agent, shall not be commingled with any of such Qualified Loan Party’s other funds or deposited in any bank account of such Qualified Loan Party (other than any bank account by which such Qualified Loan Party received or acquired dominion or control over such proceeds and collections or with any funds in such bank account) and shall promptly be deposited into the Core Concentration Account or dealt with in such other fashion as such Qualified Loan Party may be instructed by the Administrative Agent.

(i) So long as no Dominion Event has occurred and is continuing, the Qualified Loan Parties may direct, and shall have sole control over, the manner of disposition of funds in the Blocked Accounts.

(j) Any amounts held or received in the Core Concentration Account (including all interest and other earnings with respect hereto, if any) at any time (x) when all of the monetary obligations due and owing hereunder and under the other Loan Documents have been satisfied or (y) all Dominion Events have been cured or waived, shall (subject in the case of clause (x) to the provisions of the applicable intercreditor agreement), be remitted to the operating bank account of the applicable Qualified Loan Party.

(k) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Loan Parties shall be deemed to be in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Subsection 4.16 during the initial 90 day period commencing on the Closing Date to the extent that the arrangements described above are established and effective not later than the date that is 90 days following the Closing Date or such later date as the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, may agree.

SECTION 5

Representations and Warranties

To induce the Administrative Agent and each Lender to make the Extensions of Credit requested to be made by it on the Closing Date and on each other date thereafter on which an Extension of Credit is made, the Parent Borrower with respect to itself and its Restricted Subsidiaries, hereby represents and warrants, on the Closing Date, in each case after giving effect to the Transactions (solely to the extent required to be true and correct for such Extension of Credit pursuant to Subsection 6.1), and on every other date thereafter on which an Extension of Credit is made (solely to the extent required to be true and correct for such Extension of Credit pursuant to Subsection 6.2), to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:

 

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5.1 Financial Condition. (a) (i) The audited combined balance sheets of the Waterworks Business as of January 29, 2017 and January 31, 2016 and related statements of operations and cash flows of the Waterworks Business for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2017, January 31, 2016 and February 1, 2015 reported on by and accompanied by unqualified reports from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and (ii) unaudited combined balance sheets and related statements of operations and cash flows of the Waterworks Business for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2017, presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition as at such dates, and the statements of operations and cash flows of the Waterworks Business for the periods then ended, of the Waterworks Business. All such financial statements, including the related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby (except as approved by a Responsible Officer, and disclosed in any such schedules and notes).

(b) As of the Closing Date, except as set forth in the financial statements referred to in Subsection 5.1(a), there are no liabilities of any Loan Party of any kind, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet and related unaudited pro forma statement of operations of the Waterworks Business and its Subsidiaries as of and for the 12-month period ending April 30, 2017, adjusted to give effect (as if such events had occurred on such date for purposes of the balance sheet and at the beginning of such period, for purposes of the statement of operations), to the consummation of the Transactions, and the Extensions of Credit hereunder on the Closing Date.

(d) The Projections have been prepared by management of the Parent Borrower in good faith based upon assumptions believed by management to be reasonable at the time of preparation thereof (it being understood that such Projections, and the assumptions on which they were based, may or may not prove to be correct).

5.2 No Change; Solvent. Since the Closing DateMay 2, 2021, there has been no development or event relating to or affecting any Loan Party which has had or would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (after giving effect to (i) the consummation of the Transactions and the Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions, (ii) the making of the Extensions of Credit to be made on the Closing Date and the Third Amendment Effective Date and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated hereby, and (iii) the payment of actual or estimated fees, expenses, financing costs and tax payments related to the Transactions and the Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions contemplated hereby). As of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions to be consummated on the Closing Date, the Parent Borrower, together with its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, is Solvent.

5.3 Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law. Each of the Loan Parties (a) is duly organized, validly existing and (to the extent applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, except (other than with respect to the Borrowers), to the extent that the failure to be organized, existing and (to

 

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the extent applicable) in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) has the legal right to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged, except to the extent that the failure to have such legal right would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation or limited liability company and (to the extent applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified and (to the extent applicable) in good standing would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law, except to the extent that the failure to comply therewith would not, in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.4 Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations. Each Loan Party has the corporate or other organizational power and authority, and the legal right, to make, deliver and perform the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of each Borrower, to obtain Extensions of Credit hereunder, and each such Loan Party has taken all necessary corporate or other organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of each Borrower, to authorize the Extensions of Credit to it, if any, on the terms and conditions of this Agreement, any Notes and the L/C Requests. No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other similar act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required to be obtained or made by or on behalf of any Loan Party in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents to which it is a party or, in the case of each Borrower, with the Extensions of Credit to it, if any, hereunder, except for (a) consents, authorizations, notices and filings described in Schedule 5.4, all of which have been obtained or made prior to the Closing Date, (b) filings to perfect the Liens created by the Security Documents, and (c) consents, authorizations, notices and filings which the failure to obtain or make would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Borrower, and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is a party will be duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Loan Party. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Borrower and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is a party when executed and delivered will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, in each case except as enforceability may be limited by applicable domestic or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).

5.5 No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents by any of the Loan Parties, the Extensions of Credit hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof (a) will not violate any Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation of such Loan Party in any respect that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) will not result in, or require the creation or imposition of any Lien (other than Liens securing the Obligations or otherwise permitted hereby) on any of its properties or revenues pursuant to any such Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation and (c) will not violate any provision of the Organizational Documents of such Loan Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, except (other than with respect to the Borrowers) as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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5.6 No Material Litigation. No litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrowers, threatened by or against the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or against any of their respective properties or revenues, (a) except as described on Schedule 5.6, which is so pending or threatened at any time on or prior to the Closing Date and relates to any of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or (b) which would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.7 No Default. Neither the Parent Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any of its Contractual Obligations in any respect which would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Since the Closing Date, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

5.8 Ownership of Property; Liens. Each of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries has good title in fee simple to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its material real property located in the United States of America, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other material property located in the United States of America, except those for which the failure to have such good title or such leasehold interest would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and none of such real or other property is subject to any Lien, except for Liens permitted hereby (including Permitted Liens).

5.9 Intellectual Property. The Parent Borrower and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries owns beneficially, or has the legal right to use, all United States and foreign patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, design registrations and applications, trade names, copyrights, and rights in know-how and trade secrets necessary for each of them to conduct its business as currently conducted (the “Intellectual Property”) except for those for which the failure to own or have such legal right to use would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as provided on Schedule 5.9, to the knowledge of the Borrower Representative, (1) no claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person against the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries challenging or questioning the use of any such Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any such Intellectual Property, nor does the Borrower Representative know of any such claim, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower Representative, and (2) the use of such Intellectual Property by the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries does not infringe on the rights of any Person, except (in each case under the preceding clauses (1) and (2)) for such claims and infringements which in the aggregate, would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.10 Taxes. To the knowledge of the Borrower Representative, (1) the Parent Borrower and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all material tax returns which are required to be filed by it and has paid (a) all Taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns and (b) all Taxes shown to be due and payable on any assessments of which it has received notice made against it or any of its property and all other Taxes imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority; and (2) no Tax Liens have been filed (except for Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable), and no claim is being asserted in writing,

 

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with respect to any such Taxes (in each case under the preceding clauses (1) and (2) other than in respect of any such (i) Taxes with respect to which the failure to pay, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) Taxes the amount or validity of which are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be).

5.11 Federal Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Extensions of Credit will be used for any purpose which violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board. If requested by any Lender or the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form G-3 or FR Form U-1, referred to in said Regulation U.

5.12 ERISA. (a) During the five year period prior to each date as of which this representation is made, or deemed made, with respect to any Plan, none of the following events or conditions, either individually or in the aggregate, has resulted or is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect: (i) a Reportable Event; (ii) a failure to satisfy the minimum funding standard (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA); (iii) any material noncompliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA or the Code; (iv) a termination of a Single Employer Plan (other than a standard termination pursuant to Section 4041(b) of ERISA); (v) a Lien on the property of the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in favor of the PBGC or a Plan; (vi) a complete or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan by the Parent Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity; (vii) the Insolvency of any Multiemployer Plan or (viii) any transactions that resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in any liability to the Parent Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity under Section 4069 of ERISA or Section 4212(c) of ERISA.

(b) With respect to any Foreign Plan, none of the following events or conditions exists and is continuing that, either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) substantial non-compliance with its terms andor with the requirements of any and all applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations and orders; (ii) failure to be maintained, where required, in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities; (iii) any obligation of the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with the termination or partial termination of, or withdrawal from, any Foreign Plan; (iv) any Lien on the property of the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in favor of a Governmental Authority as a result of any action or inaction regarding a Foreign Plan; (v) for each Foreign Plan which is a funded or insured plan, failure to be funded or insured on an ongoing basis to the extent required by applicable non-U.S. law (using actuarial methods and assumptions which are consistent with the valuations last filed with the applicable Governmental Authorities, if applicable); (vi) any facts that, to the best knowledge of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, exist that would reasonably be expected to give rise to a dispute and any pending or threatened disputes that, to the best knowledge of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries concerning the assets of any Foreign Plan (other than individual claims for the payment of benefits); and (vii) failure to make all contributions in a timely manner to the extent required by applicable non-U.S. law.

 

 

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5.13 Collateral. Upon execution and delivery thereof by the parties thereto, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement will be effective to create (to the extent described therein) in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a valid and enforceable security interest in or liens on the Collateral described therein, except as to enforcement, as may be limited by applicable domestic or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. When (a) all Filings (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) have been completed, (b) all applicable Instruments, Chattel Paper and Documents (each as described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) constituting Collateral a security interest in which is perfected by possession have been delivered to, and/or are in the continued possession of, the Collateral Agent, the applicable Collateral Representative or any Additional Agent, as applicable (or their respective agents appointed for purposes of perfection), in accordance with the applicable ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Other Intercreditor Agreement and (c) all Deposit Accounts and Pledged Stock (each as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) a security interest in which is required by the Security Documents to be perfected by “control” (as described in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in each applicable jurisdiction (in the case of Deposit Accounts) and the State of New York (in the case of Pledged Stock) from time to time) are under the “control” of the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent, the applicable Collateral Representative or any Additional Agent, as applicable (or their respective agents appointed for purposes of perfection), in accordance with the applicable ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Other Intercreditor Agreement, the security interests and liens granted pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall constitute (to the extent described therein) a perfected security interest in (to the extent intended to be created thereby and required to be perfected under the Loan Documents), all right, title and interest of each pledgor party thereto in the Collateral described therein (excluding Commercial Tort Claims, as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, other than such Commercial Tort Claims set forth on Schedule 6 thereto (if any)) with respect to such pledgor. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, capitalized terms that are used in this Subsection 5.13 and not defined in this Agreement are so used as defined in the applicable Security Document.

5.14 Investment Company Act; Other Regulations. None of the Borrowers is required to be registered as an “investment company”, or a company “controlled” by an entity required to be registered as an “investment company”, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act. None of the Borrowers is subject to regulation under any federal or state statute or regulation (other than Regulation X of the Board) which limits its ability to incur Indebtedness as contemplated hereby.

5.15 Subsidiaries. Schedule 5.15 sets forth all the Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower at the Closing Date (after giving effect to the Transactions), the jurisdiction of their organization and the direct or indirect ownership interest of the Parent Borrower therein.

 

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5.16 Purpose of Loans. The proceeds of Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans shall be used by the Borrowers (i) to effect, in part, the Waterworks Acquisition and the other Transactions, and to pay certain fees, premiums and expenses relating thereto and, (ii) to effect, in part, the Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions, and to pay certain fees, premiums and expenses relating thereto and (iii) to finance the working capital, capital expenditures, business requirements of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries and for other purposes not prohibited by this Agreement.

5.17 Environmental Matters. Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.17 or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

(a) The Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries: (i) are, and within the period of all applicable statutes of limitation have been, in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) hold all Environmental Permits (each of which is in full force and effect) required for any of their current operations or for any property owned, leased, or otherwise operated by any of them; and reasonably expect to timely obtain without material expense all such Environmental Permits required for planned operations; (iii) are, and within the period of all applicable statutes of limitation have been, in compliance with all of their Environmental Permits; and (iv) believe they will be able to maintain compliance with Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits, including any reasonably foreseeable future requirements thereof.

(b) Materials of Environmental Concern have not been transported, disposed of, emitted, discharged, or otherwise released or threatened to be released, to, at or from any real property presently or, to the knowledge of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, formerly owned, leased or operated by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or at any other location, which would reasonably be expected to (i) give rise to liability or other Environmental Costs of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under any applicable Environmental Law, or (ii) interfere with the planned or continued operations of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, or (iii) impair the fair saleable value of any real property owned by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is part of the Collateral.

(c) There is no judicial, administrative, or arbitral proceeding (including any notice of violation or alleged violation) under any Environmental Law to which the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is, or to the knowledge of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is reasonably likely to be, named as a party that is pending or, to the knowledge of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, threatened.

(d) Neither the Parent Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has received any written request for information, or been notified that it is a potentially responsible party, under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act or any similar Environmental Law, or received any other written request for information from any Governmental Authority with respect to any Materials of Environmental Concern.

 

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(e) Neither the Parent Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has entered into or agreed to any consent decree, order, or settlement or other agreement, nor is subject to any judgment, decree, or order or other agreement, in any judicial, administrative, arbitral, or other forum, relating to compliance with or liability under any Environmental Law.

5.18 No Material Misstatements. The written information (including the Confidential Information Memorandum), reports, financial statements, exhibits and schedules furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower Representative to the Administrative Agent, the Other Representatives and the Lenders on or prior to the Closing Date in connection with the negotiation of any Loan Document or included therein or delivered pursuant thereto, taken as a whole, did not contain as of the Closing Date any material misstatement of fact and did not omit to state as of the Closing Date any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading in their presentation of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole. It is understood that (a) no representation or warranty is made concerning the forecasts, estimates, pro forma information, projections and statements as to anticipated future performance or conditions, and the assumptions on which they were based or concerning any information of a general economic nature or general information about the Parent Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ industry, contained in any such information, reports, financial statements, exhibits or schedules, except that, in the case of such forecasts, estimates, pro forma information, projections and statements, as of the date such forecasts, estimates, pro forma information, projections and statements were generated, (i) such forecasts, estimates, pro forma information, projections and statements were based on the good faith assumptions of the management of the Borrower Representative and (ii) such assumptions were believed by such management to be reasonable and (b) such forecasts, estimates, pro forma information and statements, and the assumptions on which they were based, may or may not prove to be correct.

5.19 Labor Matters. There are no strikes pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower Representative, reasonably expected to be commenced against the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The hours worked and payments made to employees of the Parent Borrower and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries have not been in violation of any applicable laws, rules or regulations, except where such violations would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.20 Insurance. Schedule 5.20 sets forth a complete and correct listing as of the date that is two Business Days prior to the Closing Date of all insurance that is (a) maintained by the Loan Parties (other than any Holding Company) and (b) material to the business and operations of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, with the amounts insured (and any deductibles) set forth therein.

5.21 Eligible Accounts. As of the date of any Borrowing Base Certificate, the Accounts included in the calculation of Eligible Accounts and Eligible Credit Card Receivables on such Borrowing Base Certificate satisfy in all material respects the requirements of an “Eligible Account” or “Eligible Credit Card Receivable”, as applicable, hereunder.

 

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5.22 Eligible Inventory. As of the date of any Borrowing Base Certificate, the Inventory included in the calculation of Eligible Inventory on such Borrowing Base Certificate satisfy in all material respects the requirements of an “Eligible Inventory” hereunder.

5.23 Anti-Terrorism. To the extent applicable, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Holding Company, the Parent Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary is in compliance with (a) the PATRIOT Act, (b) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended and (c) any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”), U.S. Department of State, United Nations Security Council, European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury (collectively, “Sanctions”) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto. Neither any Loan Party nor, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party or (ii) to the knowledge of the Parent Borrower, any director, officer or employee of any Holding Company, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, is the target of any Sanctions. None of the Holding Companies, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary will knowingly use the proceeds of the Loans for the purpose of funding or financing any activities or business of or with any Person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of such funding or financing is restricted under Sanctions.

SECTION 6

Conditions Precedent

6.1 Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit. This Agreement, including the agreement of each Lender to make the initial Extension of Credit requested to be made by it, shall become effective on the date on which the following conditions precedent shall have been satisfied or waived:

(a) Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received (or, in the case of Loan Parties other than the Parent Borrower, shall receive substantially concurrently with the satisfaction of the other conditions precedent set forth in this Subsection 6.1) the following Loan Documents, executed and delivered as required below:

(i) this Agreement, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Parent Borrower;

(ii) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of each Loan Party required to be a signatory thereto; and

(iii) the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, acknowledged by a duly authorized officer of each Loan Party;

provided that, clause (ii) above notwithstanding, but without limiting the requirements set forth in Subsections 6.1(h) and 6.1(i), to the extent that a valid security interest in the Collateral covered by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (to the extent and with priority contemplated thereby) is not provided on the Closing Date and to the extent

 

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Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries have used commercially reasonable efforts to provide such Collateral, the provisions of clause (ii) above shall be deemed to have been satisfied and the Loan Parties shall be required to provide such Collateral in accordance with the provisions set forth in Subsection 7.12, if, and only if, each Loan Party shall have executed and delivered the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall have a perfected security interest in all Collateral of the type for which perfection may be accomplished by filing a UCC financing statement and shall have possession of all certificated Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower and of its Domestic Subsidiaries (to the extent constituting Collateral), together with undated stock powers executed in blank (provided that certificated Capital Stock of the Waterworks Business and its Subsidiaries will only be required to be delivered on the Closing Date to the extent received from the Sellers, so long as the Borrower Representative has used reasonable best efforts to obtain them on the Closing Date).

(b) Plumb Acquisition Agreement. The Waterworks Acquisition shall have been or, substantially concurrently with the initial funding pursuant to the Debt Financing, shall be, consummated in all material respects in accordance with the terms of the Plumb Acquisition Agreement, without giving effect to any modifications, amendments, express waivers or express consents thereunder by the Parent Borrower that are materially adverse to the Lenders without the consent of the Lead Arrangers (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) (it being understood and agreed that (A) any change in the purchase price shall not be deemed to be materially adverse to the Lenders but (x) any resulting reduction in cash uses shall be allocated (I) first, to a reduction in the Equity Contribution to 25% of the pro forma capitalization of the Parent Borrower after giving effect to the Transactions, (II) second, (1) 75% to a reduction of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes, which reduction in the Senior Notes shall not result in an aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes of less than $250,000,000 (followed by a reduction of the Term Loan Facility) and (2) 25% to a reduction in the Equity Contribution and (y) any increase in purchase price (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any purchase price adjustments in accordance with the terms of the Plumb Acquisition Agreement) shall be funded (at the Parent Borrower’s option) with the proceeds of an equity contribution (which shall be on terms consistent with the requirements for the Equity Contribution set forth in Subsection 6.1(c)) and/or Loans and (B) any modification, amendment, express consent or express waiver to the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” in the Plumb Acquisition Agreement shall be deemed to be materially adverse to the Lenders.

(c) Equity Contribution. The Equity Contribution shall have been, or substantially concurrently with the initial funding pursuant to the Debt Financing shall be, consummated, which to the extent including equity interests of any Holding Company or the Parent Borrower shall be common equity interests thereof.

(d) Financial Information. The Committed Lenders shall have received (I) (i) audited combined balance sheets of the Waterworks Business as of January 29, 2017 and January 31, 2016 and related statements of operations and cash flows of the Waterworks Business for the fiscal years ended January 29, 2017, January 31, 2016 and

 

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February 1, 2015, and (ii) unaudited combined balance sheets and related statements of operations and cash flows of the Waterworks Business for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2017 and (II) an unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet and a related unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations of the Waterworks Business as of and for the 12-month period ending on April 30, 2017 adjusted to give effect (as if such events had occurred on such date for purposes of the balance sheet and at the beginning of such period, for purposes of the statement of operations) to the consummation of the Transactions, and the Extensions of Credit hereunder on the Closing Date.

(e) Legal Opinions. The Administrative Agent shall have received the following executed legal opinions, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

(i) executed legal opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, counsel to the Parent Borrower and the other Loan Parties;

(ii) executed legal opinions of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., special Delaware counsel to certain of the Loan Parties; and

(iii) executed legal opinion of Holland & Knight LLP, special Florida counsel to certain of the Loan Parties.

(f) Officer’s Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from the Borrower Representative, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto.

(g) Perfected Liens. The Collateral Agent shall have obtained a valid security interest in the Collateral covered by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (to the extent and with the priority contemplated therein and in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement); and all documents, instruments, filings and recordations reasonably necessary in connection with the perfection and, in the case of the filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, protection of such security interests shall have been executed and delivered or made, or shall be delivered or made substantially concurrently with the initial funding pursuant to the Debt Financing under the Loan Documents pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or, in the case of filings under the Uniform Commercial Code of each applicable jurisdiction, written authorization to make such filings shall have been delivered to the Collateral Agent, and none of such Collateral shall be subject to any other pledges or security interests except for Permitted Liens or pledges or security interests to be released on the Closing Date; provided that with respect to any such Collateral the security interest in which may not be perfected by filing of a UCC financing statement or by possession of certificated Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower or its Domestic Subsidiaries (to the extent constituting Collateral) (provided that certificated Capital Stock of the Waterworks Business and its Subsidiaries will only be required to be delivered on the Closing Date to the extent received from the Sellers, so long as the Borrower Representative has used commercially reasonable efforts to obtain them on the Closing Date), if perfection of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in such

 

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Collateral may not be accomplished on or before the Closing Date after the applicable Loan Party’s commercially reasonable efforts to do so, then delivery of documents and instruments for perfection of such security interest shall not constitute a condition precedent to the initial borrowings hereunder if the applicable Loan Party agrees to deliver or cause to be delivered such documents and instruments, and take or cause to be taken such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to perfect such security interests in accordance with Subsection 7.12 and otherwise pursuant to arrangements to be mutually agreed by the applicable Loan Party and the Administrative Agent acting reasonably, but in no event later than the 91st day after the Closing Date (unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion).

(h) [Reserved].

(i) Lien Searches. The Collateral Agent shall have received customary lien searches requested by it at least 30 calendar days prior to the Closing Date.

(j) Fees. The Committed Lenders, the Lead Arrangers, the Agents and the Lenders, respectively, shall have received all fees related to the Transactions payable to them to the extent due (which may be offset against the proceeds of the Facilities).

(k) Secretary’s Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from the Parent Borrower and, substantially concurrently with the satisfaction of the other conditions precedent set forth in this Subsection 6.1, each other Loan Party, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto, with appropriate insertions and attachments of resolutions or other actions, evidence of incumbency and the signature of authorized signatories and Organizational Documents, executed by a Responsible Officer and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary or other authorized representative of such Loan Party.

(l) No Closing Date Material Adverse Effect. Since June 4, 2017 there has not been any Closing Date Material Adverse Effect.

(m) Solvency. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the chief financial officer or treasurer (or other comparable officer) of the Waterworks Business certifying the Solvency, after giving effect to the Transactions, of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in substantially the form of Exhibit I hereto.

(n) Excess Availability. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Base Certificate in the form contemplated by Subsection 7.2(f), or such other form as may be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, prepared as of the last day of the last fiscal month ended at least 20 Business Days prior to the Closing Date, setting forth, after giving effect to the Borrowings hereunder on the Closing Date, Excess Availability.

(o) Patriot Act. The Administrative Agent and the Committed Lenders shall have received at least three Business Days prior to the Closing Date all documentation and other information about the Loan Parties mutually agreed to be required by U.S.

 

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regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act that has been reasonably requested in writing at least twelve Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

(p) Plumb Acquisition Agreement Conditions; Specified Representations. (i) The condition in Section 7.3(a) of the Plumb Acquisition Agreement (but only with respect to the representations that are material to the interests of the Lenders, and only to the extent that the Parent Borrower (or any of its Affiliates party to the Plumb Acquisition Agreement) has the right to terminate its obligations under the Plumb Acquisition Agreement (or otherwise decline to consummate the Waterworks Acquisition) without liability to any of them as a result of a breach of such representations in the Plumb Acquisition Agreement) shall have been satisfied and (ii) the Specified Representations shall, except to the extent they relate to a particular date, be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date.

(q) Borrowing Notice or L/C Request. With respect to the initial Extensions of Credit, the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice of such Borrowing as required by Subsection 2.2 or 2.4, as applicable (or such notice shall have been deemed given in accordance with Subsection 2.2 or 2.4, as applicable). With respect to the issuance of any Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Lender shall have received a L/C Request, completed to its satisfaction, and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as such Issuing Lender may reasonably request.

The making of the initial Extensions of Credit by the Lenders hereunder shall conclusively be deemed to constitute an acknowledgement by the Administrative Agent and each Lender that each of the conditions precedent set forth in this Subsection 6.1 shall have been satisfied in accordance with its respective terms or shall have been irrevocably waived by such Person.

6.2 Conditions to Each Extension of Credit After the Closing Date . The agreement of each Lender to make any Extension of Credit requested to be made by it on any date after the Closing Date (including each Swingline Loan made after the Closing Date) is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions precedent:

(a) Representations and Warranties. Each(i) In the case of any Extension of Credit other than an Extension of Credit made in connection with a Limited Condition Transaction, each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document (or in any amendment, modification or supplement hereto or thereto) to which it is a party, and each of the representations and warranties contained in any certificate furnished at any time by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall, except to the extent that they relate to a particular date, be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date. and (ii) in the case of any Extension of Credit made in connection with a Limited Condition Transaction, the Specified Representations shall, except to the extent they relate to a particular date, be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date.

 

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(b) No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving effect to the Extensions of Credit requested to be made on such date.

(c) Borrowing Notice or L/C Request. With respect to any Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice of such Borrowing as required by Subsection 2.2 or 2.4, as applicable (or such notice shall have been deemed given in accordance with Subsection 2.2 or 2.4, as applicable). With respect to the issuance of any Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Lender shall have received a L/C Request, completed to its satisfaction, and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as such Issuing Lender may reasonably request.

Each request for an Extension of Credit by or on behalf of any Borrower hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Parent Borrower as of the date of such request of borrowing or such issuance that the conditions contained in this Subsection 6.2 have been satisfied (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, in the case of the initial Extensions of Credit hereunder).

SECTION 7

Affirmative Covenants

The Parent Borrower hereby agrees that, from and after the Closing Date and so long as the Commitments remain in effect, and thereafter until payment in full of the Loans, all Reimbursement Obligations and all other Obligations then due and owing to any Lender or any Agent hereunder and termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit (unless cash collateralized or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), the Parent Borrower shall and shall (except in the case of delivery of financial information, reports and notices, in which case it shall or shall cause the Borrower Representative, if it is not then the Borrower Representative, to) cause each of its respective Restricted Subsidiaries to:

7.1 Financial Statements. Furnish to the Administrative Agent for delivery to each Lender (and the Administrative Agent agrees to make and so deliver such copies):

(a) as soon as available, but in any event not later than the fifth Business Day after (i) the 135th day following the end of the Fiscal Year of the Parent Borrower ending January 28, 2018 and (ii) the 120th day following the end of each Fiscal Year of the Parent Borrower (or, in each case, such longer period as would be permitted by the SEC if the Borrower (or, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligationobligations under this Subsection 7.1(a)) were then subject to SEC reporting requirements as a non-accelerated filer) ending thereafter, a copy of the consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower as at the end of such year and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity and cash flows for such year, setting forth, commencing with the financial statements for the fiscal year ending February 3, 2019, in each case, in comparative form, the figures for and as of the end of the previous year, reported on without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit (provided

 

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that such report may contain a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, if such qualification or exception is related solely toarises solely with respect to, results from or arises on account of (i) an upcoming maturity or termination date hereunder or an upcoming “maturity date” under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, Senior Notes or any other Indebtedness Incurred in compliance with this Agreement, (ii) any potential or actual inability to satisfy any financial maintenance covenant included in anythis Agreement or any other Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or its Subsidiaries on a future date in a future period or (iii) the activities, operations, financial results, assets or liabilities of any Unrestricted Subsidiary), by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing (it being agreed that the furnishing of (x) the Parent Borrower’s or any Parent Entity’s or IPO Vehicle’s annual report on Form 10-K for such year, as filed with the SEC, or (y) the financial statements of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, will, in each case, satisfy the Parent Borrower’s obligation under this Subsection 7.1(a) with respect to such year, including with respect to the requirement that such financial statements be reported on without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, so long as the report included in such Form 10-K or accompanying such financial statements, as applicable, does not contain any “going concern” or like qualification or exception (other than a “going concern” or like qualification or exception with respect to, resulting from or arising on account of (i) an upcoming maturity or termination date hereunder or an upcoming “maturity date” under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, Senior Notes or any other Indebtedness Incurred in compliance with this Agreement, (ii) any potential or actual inability to satisfy any financial maintenance covenant included in anythis Agreement or any other Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or its Subsidiaries on a future date or in a future period or (iii) the activities, operations, financial results, assets or liabilities of any Unrestricted Subsidiary)), together with a management’s discussion and analysis of financial information (which need not be prepared in accordance with Item 303 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, and which may be in a form substantially similar to the management’s discussion and analysis of financial information included in the offering memorandum for the Senior Notes);

(b) as soon as available, but in any event not later than the fifth Business Day following (I) the 90th day following the end of the quarterly period ending July 30, 2017, the unaudited combined balance sheets and related statements of operations and cash flows of the Waterworks Business for such quarterly period and (II) (i) the 90th day following the end of the quarterly period ending October 29, 2017 and (ii) the 60th day following the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each Fiscal Year of the Parent Borrower (or such longer period as would be permitted by the SEC if the Borrower (or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle whose financial statements satisfy the Borrower’s reporting obligationobligations under this Subsection 7.1(b)) were then subject to SEC reporting requirements as a non-accelerated filer) commencing, in the case of clause (ii), with the fiscal quarter ending April 29, 2018, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower as at the end of such quarter and the related unaudited consolidated statements of operations and changes in cash flows of the Parent Borrower for such quarter and the portion of the Fiscal Year through the end of such quarter, setting forth commencing with the financial statements for the fiscal quarter

 

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ending October 28, 2018 in comparative form the figures for and as of the corresponding periods of the previous year, in each case certified by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower as being fairly stated in all material respects (subject to normal year-end audit and other adjustments) (it being agreed that the furnishing of (x) the Parent Borrower’s or any Parent Entity’s or IPO Vehicle’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for such quarter, as filed with the SEC, or (y) the financial statements of any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, will in each case, satisfy the Parent Borrower’s obligations under this Subsection 7.1(b) with respect to such quarter), together with a management’s discussion and analysis of financial information (which need not be prepared in accordance with Item 303 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, and which may be in a form substantially consistent with the management’s discussion and analysis of financial information with respect to the financial statements included in the offering memorandum for the Senior Notes);

(c) to the extent applicable, concurrently with any delivery of consolidated financial statements referred to in Subsections 7.1(a) and (b) above, related unaudited condensed consolidating financial statements and appropriate reconciliations reflecting the material adjustments necessary (as determined by the Borrower Representative in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements; and

(d) all such financial statements delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(a) or (b) to (and, in the case of any financial statements delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(b), shall be certified by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower to) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Parent Borrower and, if applicable the applicable Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle and, its Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP and to be (and, in the case of any financial statements delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(b) shall be certified by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower, to the knowledge of such Responsible Officer, as being) in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior periods that began on or after the Closing Date (except as disclosed therein, and except, in the case of any financial statements delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1(b), for the absence of certain notes).

Notwithstanding anything in clausesclause (a) or (b) of this Subsection 7.1 to the contrary, except as expressly required with respect to Unrestricted Subsidiaries in clause (c) above, in no event shall any annual or quarterly financial statements delivered pursuant to clausesclause (a) or (b) of this Subsection 7.1 be required to (x) include any segment reporting, reporting with respect to non-consolidated subsidiaries, separate consolidating financial information with respect to the Parent Borrower, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Affiliate of the Parent Borrower, or any segment reporting, reporting with respect to non-consolidated subsidiaries, separate financial statements or information for the Parent Borrower, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Affiliate of the Parent Borrower, (y) comply with Section 302, Section 404 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, or related items 307, 308 and 308T of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act andor (z) comply with Rule 3-03(e), Rule 3-05, Rule 3-09, Rule 3-10 and Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

 

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7.2 Certificates; Other Information. Furnish to the Administrative Agent for delivery to each Lender (and the Administrative Agent agrees to make and so deliver such copies):

(a) [reserved];

(b) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements and reports referred to in Subsections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b), a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative in substantially the form of Exhibit Q or such other form as may be agreed between the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (a “Compliance Certificate”) (i) stating that, to the best of such Responsible Officer’s knowledge, each of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period has observed or performed all of its covenants and other agreements, and satisfied every condition, contained in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to which it is a party to be observed, performed or satisfied by it, and that such Responsible Officer has obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default, except, in each case, as specified in such certificate, and (ii) commencing with the delivery of the Compliance Certificate for the Fiscal Quarter ended October 29, 2017, setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation of the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Most Recent Four Quarter Period (whether or not a Compliance Period is in effect) and, if applicable, demonstrating compliance with Subsection 8.1 (in the case of a certificate furnished with the financial statements referred to in Subsections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b));

(c) [reserved];

(d) within five Business Days after the same are filed, copies of all financial statements and periodic reports which the Parent Borrower may file with the SEC or any successor or analogous Governmental Authority;

(e) within five Business Days after the same are filed, copies of all registration statements and any amendments and exhibits thereto, which the Parent Borrower may file with the SEC or any successor or analogous Governmental Authority; and

(f) not later than 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on or before the 20th Business Day of each Fiscal Period of the Parent Borrower (or (i) more frequently as the Borrower Representative may elect, so long as the same frequency of delivery is maintained by the Borrower Representative for the immediately following 90 day period or (ii) not later than the third Business Day of each week during any period (a) commencing on the date on which either (x) a Specified Default has occurred and has been continuing or (y) the Specified Availability has been less than 10.0% of Availability at such time, in the case of each of (x) and (y) above for a period of five consecutive Business Days; provided that the Administrative Agent has notified the Borrower Representative thereof and (b) ending on the first date thereafter on which both (x) no Specified Default has existed or been continuing at any time and (y) the Specified Availability shall have been not less than 10.0% of Availability at any time, in each case for 20 consecutive calendar days), a borrowing base certificate setting forth the

 

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Borrowing Base (with supporting calculations) substantially in the form of Exhibit K hereto (each, a “Borrowing Base Certificate”), which shall also include a calculation of Specified Unrestricted Cash, and which shall be prepared as of the last Business Day of the preceding Fiscal Period of the Parent Borrower (or (x) such other applicable date to be agreed by the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent in the case of clause (i) above or (y) the previous Friday in the case of clause (ii) above); provided that a revised Borrowing Base Certificate based on the Borrowing Base Certificate last delivered shall be delivered within five Business Days after (1) the consummation of a sale of ABL Priority Collateral not in the ordinary course of business with an aggregate fair market value (as determined by the Borrower Representative in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) in excess of $25,000,000 or (2) any merger, consolidation, amalgamation or disposition pursuant to clause (3) or (4) of the last proviso of each of Subsection 8.2(a)(y) or 8.2(b), as applicable, giving pro forma effect to such sale or such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or disposition, unless, in the case of clauses (1) and (2) the pro forma effect of such event was already reflected on such Borrowing Base Certificate last delivered. Each such Borrowing Base Certificate shall include such supporting information as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the Administrative Agent;

(g) subject to the last sentence of Subsection 7.6(a), promptly, such additional financial and other information regarding the Loan Parties as any Agent or the Required Lenders through the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request;

(h) promptly upon reasonable request from the Administrative Agent calculations of Consolidated EBITDA and other Fixed GAAP Terms as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent promptly following receipt of a written notice from the Borrower Representative electing to change the Fixed GAAP Date, which calculations shall show the calculations of the respective Fixed GAAP Terms both before and after giving effect to the change in the Fixed GAAP Date and identify the material change(s) in GAAP giving rise to the change in such calculations; and

(i) such information regarding aging of Accounts of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.1 or this Subsection 7.2 may at the Borrower Representative’s option be delivered electronically and, if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (A) in the case of any such documents other than documents required to be delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.2(f) (i) on which the Parent Borrower or the Borrower Representative posts such documents, or provides a link thereto, on the Parent Borrower’s or the Borrower Representative’s (or any Parent Entity’s or IPO Vehicle’s) website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 7.2 (or such other website address as the Parent Borrower or the Borrower Representative may specify by written notice to the Administrative Agent from time to time), or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Parent Borrower’s or the Borrower Representative’s (or any Parent Entity’s or IPO Vehicle’s) behalf on an Internet or intranet website to which each Lender and the Administrative

 

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Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website (including any website maintained by the SEC) or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent) and (B) in the case of any such documents required to be delivered pursuant to Subsection 7.2(f), on which the Parent Borrower or the Borrower Representative provides a link thereto on the Parent Borrower’s or the Borrower Representative’s (or any Parent Entity’s or IPO Vehicle’s) website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 7.2 (or such other website address as the Parent Borrower or the Borrower Representative may specify by written notice to the Administrative Agent from time to time). Following the electronic delivery of any such documents by posting such documents to a website in accordance with the preceding sentence (other than the posting by the Parent Borrower or the Borrower Representative of any such documents on any website maintained for or sponsored by the Administrative Agent), the Parent Borrower or the Borrower Representative shall promptly provide the Administrative Agent notice of such delivery (which notice may be by facsimile or electronic mail) and the electronic location at which such documents may be accessed; provided that, in the absence of bad faith, the failure to provide such prompt notice shall not constitute a Default hereunder.

7.3 Payment of Taxes. Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all taxes except where the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and reserves in conformity in all material respects with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on the books of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, or except to the extent that failure to do so, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

7.4 Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence; Compliance with Contractual Obligations and Requirements of Law. Preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its existence and take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of the business of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except as otherwise permitted pursuant to Subsection 8.2 or 8.5; provided that the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be required to maintain any such rights, privileges or franchises and the Parent Borrower’sBorrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be required to maintain such existence, if the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and comply with all Contractual Obligations and Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to comply therewith, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

7.5 Maintenance of Property; Insurance. (a) (i) Keep all property necessary in the business of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in good working order and condition, except where failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies (or any CaptiveInsurance Subsidiary) insurance on, or self-insure, all property material to the business of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public liability and business interruption) as are consistent with the past practice of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries or usually insured against in the same general area by companies engaged in the same or a similar business; (iii) furnish to the Administrative Agent, upon written request, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance

 

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carried; (iv) use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain property and liability policies that provide that in the event of any cancellation thereof during the term of the policy, either by the insured or by the insurance company, the insurance company shall provide to the secured party at least 30 days prior written notice thereof, or in the case of cancellation for non-payment of premium, 10 days prior written notice thereof; (v) in the event of any material change in any of the property or liability policies referenced in the preceding clause (iv), use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Administrative Agent with at least 30 days prior written notice thereof; and (vi) use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that, subject to the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement, at all times, the Collateral Agent, the applicable Collateral Representative or any Additional Agent, in accordance with the applicable ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Other Intercreditor Agreement, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall be named as an additional insured with respect to liability policies maintained by each Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor and the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall be named as loss payee with respect to the property insurance maintained by each Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that, unless an Event of Default or a Dominion Event shall have occurred and be continuing, (A) the Collateral Agent shall turn over to the Borrower Representative any amounts received by it as an additional insured or loss payee under any property insurance maintained by the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (B) the Collateral Agent agrees that the applicable Borrower and/or the applicable Subsidiary shall have the sole right to adjust or settle any claims under such insurance and (C) all proceeds from a Recovery Event shall be paid to the Borrower Representative.

7.6 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions. (a) (i) In the case of the Parent Borrower, keep proper books and records in a manner to allow financial statements to be prepared in conformity with GAAP consistently applied in respect of all material financial transactions and matters involving the material assets and business of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and (ii) permit representatives of the Administrative Agent to visit and inspect any of its properties and examine and, to the extent reasonable, make abstracts from any of its books and records and to discuss the business, operations, properties and financial and other condition of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries with officers of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and with its independent certified public accountants, in each case at any reasonable time, upon reasonable notice; provided that (a) except during the continuation of an Event of Default, only one such visit per year shall be at the Parent Borrower’s expense, and (b) during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent or its representatives may do any of the foregoing at the Parent Borrower’s expense; and provided, further, that representatives of the Borrower Representative may be present during any such visits, discussions and inspections. Each Borrower shall keep records of its Inventory in a manner to allow the Borrowing Base Certificate to be prepared in accordance with this Agreement. Upon the Administrative Agent’s reasonable request, the Parent Borrower will provide a summary inventory report (based on its customary methodology and, in form and substance, as prepared for its internal purposes) no more than once per year and at a time prepared by the Parent Borrower for its internal purposes in its ordinary course of business. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Subsection 7.2(g) or in this Subsection 7.6 or in any other provision of any Loan Document, none of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary will be required to disclose, or permit the inspection or discussion of, any document, information or other matter (i) that constitutes non-financial trade

 

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secrets or non-financial proprietary information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders (or their respective representatives) is prohibited by any Requirement of Law or any binding agreement or (iii) that is subject to attorney client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product.

(b) At reasonable times during normal business hours and upon reasonable prior notice that the Administrative Agent requests, independently of or in connection with the visits and inspections provided for in clause (a) above, the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries will grant access to the Administrative Agent (including employees of the Administrative Agent or any consultants, accountants, lawyers and appraisers retained by the Administrative Agent) to such Person’s premises, books, records, accounts and Inventory so that (i) the Administrative Agent or an appraiser retained by the Administrative Agent may conduct an Inventory appraisal and (ii) the Administrative Agent may conduct (or engage third parties to conduct) such field examinations, verifications and evaluations (including environmental assessments) as the Administrative Agent may deem reasonably necessary or appropriate, including evaluation of the Parent Borrower’s practices in the computation of the Borrowing Base. Unless an Event of Default exists, or if previously approved by the Borrower Representative, no environmental assessment by the Administrative Agent may include any sampling or testing of the soil, surface water or groundwater. The Administrative Agent may conduct one field examination and one Inventory appraisal in any calendar year that Excess Availability has not been less than 12.5% of Availability for a period of 10 consecutive Business Days during such calendar year, and the Administrative Agent may conduct in any calendar year, at the Loan Parties’ expense, up to two field examinations and two Inventory appraisals if Excess Availability falls below 12.5% of Availability for 10 consecutive Business Days at any time in such calendar year. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default the Administrative Agent may cause such additional field examinations and Inventory appraisals to be taken for each of the Loan Parties as the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion determines are necessary or appropriate (each, at the expense of the Loan Parties). All amounts chargeable to the applicable Borrowers under this Subsection 7.6(b) shall constitute obligations that are secured by all of the applicable Collateral and shall be payable to the Agents hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower Representative may at any time, in its sole discretion, instruct the Administrative Agent in writing to suspend the inclusion of any Eligible Inventory in the Borrowing Base and from and after any such suspension the Administrative Agent may not conduct any Inventory appraisals. Following any such suspension, at any time the Borrower Representative may instruct the Administrative Agent in writing to terminate such suspension period and include Eligible Inventory in the Borrowing Base on the conditions and terms set forth herein, provided that the Administrative Agent has the right to conduct an Inventory appraisal prior to including any Eligible Inventory in the Borrowing Base.

7.7 Notices. Promptly give notice to the Administrative Agent and each Lender of:

 

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(a) as soon as possible after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative knows thereof, the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

(b) as soon as possible after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative knows thereof, any default or event of default under any Contractual Obligation of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than as previously disclosed in writing to the Lenders, which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) as soon as possible after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative knows thereof, the occurrence of (i) any default or event of default under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, (iiany default or event of default under the Senior Notes Indenture[reserved] or (iii) any payment default under any Additional Obligations Documents or under any agreement or document governing other Indebtedness, in each case under this clause (c) relating to Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than $50,000,000the greater of $100,000,000 and 6.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(d) as soon as possible after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative knows thereof, any litigation, investigation or proceeding affecting the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(e) the following events, as soon as possible and in any event within 30 days after a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower knows thereof: (i) the occurrence or expected occurrence of any Reportable Event (or similar event) with respect to any Single Employer Plan (or Foreign Plan), a failure to make any required contribution to a Single Employer Plan, Multiemployer Plan or Foreign Plan, the creation of any Lien on the property of the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in favor of the PBGC, a Plan or a Foreign Plan or any withdrawal from, or the full or partial termination or Insolvency of, any Multiemployer Plan or Foreign Plan; or (ii) the institution of proceedings or the taking of any other formal action by the PBGC or the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Commonly Controlled Entity or any Multiemployer Plan which would reasonably be expected to result in the withdrawal from, or the termination or Insolvency of, any Single Employer Plan, Multiemployer Plan or Foreign Plan; provided, however, that no such notice will be required under clause (i) or (ii) above unless the event giving rise to such notice, when aggregated with all other such events under clause (i) or (ii) above, would be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(f) as soon as possible after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative knows thereof, (i) any release or discharge by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any Materials of Environmental Concern required to be reported under applicable Environmental Laws to any Governmental Authority, unless the Borrower Representative reasonably determines that the total Environmental Costs arising out of such release or discharge would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) any condition, circumstance, occurrence or event not

 

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previously disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent that would reasonably be expected to result in liability or expense under applicable Environmental Laws, unless the Borrower Representative reasonably determines that the total Environmental Costs arising out of such condition, circumstance, occurrence or event would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or would not reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of any lien or other material restriction on the title, ownership or transferability of any facilities and properties owned, leased or operated by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) any proposed action to be taken by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to subject the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any material additional or different requirements or liabilities under Environmental Laws, unless the Borrower Representative reasonably determines that the total Environmental Costs arising out of such proposed action would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(g) as soon as possible after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower knows thereof, any loss, damage, or destruction to a significant portion of the ABL Priority Collateral, whether or not covered by insurance; and

(h) promptly after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative knows thereof, any default, event of default or termination under any material warehouse or Store lease of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than as previously disclosed in writing to the Lenders, which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice pursuant to this Subsection 7.7 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative (and, if applicable, the relevant Restricted Subsidiary) setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower Representative (or, if applicable, the relevant Restricted Subsidiary) proposes to take with respect thereto.

7.8 Environmental Laws. (a) (i) Comply substantially with, and require substantial compliance by all tenants, subtenants, contractors, and invitees with, all applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) obtain, comply substantially with and maintain any and all Environmental Permits necessary for its operations as conducted and as planned; and (iii) require that all tenants, subtenants, contractors, and invitees obtain, comply substantially with and maintain any and all Environmental Permits necessary for their operations as conducted and as planned, with respect to any property leased or subleased from, or operated by the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Subsection 7.8(a), noncompliance shall not constitute a breach of this covenant, provided that, upon learning of any actual or suspected noncompliance, the Parent Borrower and any such affected Restricted Subsidiary shall promptly undertake and diligently pursue reasonable efforts, if any, to achieve compliance, and provided, further, that in any case such noncompliance would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b) Promptly comply, in all material respects, with all orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental Laws, other than such orders or directives (i) as to which the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) as to which: (x) appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP; (y) an appeal or other appropriate contest is or has been timely and properly taken and is being diligently pursued in good faith; and (z) if the effectiveness of such order or directive has not been stayed, the failure to comply with such order or directive during the pendency of such appeal or contest would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

7.9 After-Acquired Subsidiaries. (a) [Reserved].

(b) With respect to any Domestic Subsidiary that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) (i) created or acquired subsequent to the Closing Date by the Parent Borrower or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries that are Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (other than an Excluded Subsidiary), (ii) being designated as a Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) ceasing to be an Immaterial Subsidiary or other Excluded Subsidiary as provided in the applicable definition thereof after the expiry of any applicable period referred to in such definition or (iv) that becomes a Domestic Subsidiary as a result of a Permitted Investment or a transaction pursuant to, and permitted by, Subsection 8.2 or 8.4 (other than an Excluded Subsidiary), promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and, if the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders so request, promptly (i) cause the Loan Party that is required to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a perfected second priority(in accordance with the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable) security interest (as and to the extent provided in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) in the Capital Stock of such new Domestic Subsidiary owned directly by the Parent Borrower or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries that are Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) to execute and deliver a Supplemental Agreement (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) pursuant to SectionSubsection 9.15 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, (ii) deliver to the Collateral Agent, the applicable Collateral Representative or any Additional Agent, in accordance with the applicable ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Other Intercreditor Agreement, the certificates (if any) representing such Capital Stock, together with undated stock powers, executed and delivered in blank by a duly authorized officer of the parent of such new Domestic Subsidiary, and (iii) cause such new Domestic Subsidiary (A) to become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and (B) to take all actions reasonably deemed by the Collateral Agent to be necessary or advisable to cause the Lien created by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement in such new Domestic Subsidiary’s Collateral to be duly perfected in accordance with all applicable Requirements of Law (as and to the extent provided in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), including the filing of financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent. In addition, the Parent Borrower may cause any Subsidiary that is not required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor to become a Subsidiary Guarantor by executing and delivering a Subsidiary Guaranty (or with respect to Foreign Subsidiaries, as otherwise agreed to with the Administrative Agent).which

 

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Subsidiary Guaranty shall be accompanied by all documentation and other information about such Subsidiary as shall be mutually agreed to be required by applicable regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and the CDD Rule); provided that in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, such Foreign Subsidiary shall guarantee the Borrower Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) and grant a perfected lien with the priority contemplated herein on substantially all of its assets pursuant to arrangements (including security documents governed by foreign law) reasonably agreed between the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower (which arrangements (w) shall be subject to customary limitations in such jurisdiction as may be reasonably agreed between the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, (x) shall only operate to create guarantees or security rather than to impose new commercial obligations or restrictions, and accordingly shall not operate to prevent any transaction otherwise permitted under this Agreement or the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, require additional consents or authorizations, or contain any additional representations or undertakings, in each case unless the same are required for the creation of the guarantee or the creation or perfection of the security (as and to the extent that such creation or perfection is required pursuant to the terms this Agreement or the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, as applicable) and are no more onerous than any equivalent representation or undertaking in this Agreement or the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, (y) shall not permit the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent to enforce any such arrangements or exercise any power of attorney granted thereunder unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (z) to the extent possible under the laws governing such arrangements, shall contain a release clause automatically releasing, reassigning and cancelling the guarantee or security constituted thereby, and shall otherwise require the Collateral Agent to release such security in accordance with Subsection 9.16 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), and nothing in the definition of “Excluded Assets” or other limitation in this Agreement shall in any way limit or restrict the pledge of assets and property by any such Foreign Subsidiary that is a Guarantor or the pledge of the Capital Stock of such Foreign Subsidiary by any other Loan Party that holds such Capital Stock; provided, further, that if the Parent Borrower elects to cause any Subsidiary to become a Guarantor pursuant to this Subsection 7.9(b), in addition to, and without limiting the applicability to such Guarantor of other Guarantor release provisions set forth in the Loan Documents, the Parent Borrower may, in its sole discretion, elect to release such Guarantor from its Obligations so long as (1) immediately after such release, no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or 9.1(f) shall have occurred and be continuing and (2) such release, which shall constitute an Investment by the Parent Borrower in such Guarantor at the date of such release in an amount equal to the book value of the Parent’ Borrower’s Investment therein, complies with the limitations on Investments under Subsection 8.12. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and other than in connection with any Canadian Facility incorporated in accordance with Subsection 2.9, in no event shall any Foreign Subsidiary have assets included in the Borrowing Base.

(c) With respect to any Foreign Subsidiary created or acquired subsequent to the Closing Date by the Parent Borrower, or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries that are Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (in each case, other than any Excluded

 

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Subsidiary) or any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Borrower or a Guarantor, the Capital Stock of which is owned directly by the Parent Borrower or, a Domestic Subsidiary that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) or any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Borrower or a Guarantor, promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and if the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders so request, promptly (i) cause the Loan Party that is required to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a perfected second priority security interest (as and to the extent provided in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or any other applicable Security Document) in the Capital Stock of such new Subsidiary that is directly owned by the Parent Borrower or, any Domestic Subsidiary that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) or any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Guarantor to execute and deliver a Supplemental Agreement (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) pursuant to Section 9.15 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or, with respect to Capital Stock of a Foreign Subsidiary that is owned directly by any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Guarantor, such supplemental agreement(s) as may be required pursuant to any applicable Security Document, and (ii) to the extent reasonably deemed advisable by the Collateral Agent, the applicable Collateral Representative or any Additional Agent, in accordance with the applicable ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or Other Intercreditor Agreement, deliver to the applicable agent the certificates, if any, representing such Capital Stock, together with undated stock powers, executed and delivered in blank by a duly authorized officer of the relevant parent of such new Subsidiary and take such other action as may be reasonably deemed by the Collateral Agent to be necessary or desirable to perfect the Collateral Agent’s security interest therein (in each case as and to the extent required by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement); provided that in either case in no event shall more than 65.0% of each series of Capital Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary be required to be so pledged.

(d) At its own expense, execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause the execution, acknowledgement and delivery of, and thereafter register, file or record in an appropriate governmental office, any document or instrument reasonably deemed by the Collateral Agent to be necessary or desirable for the creation, perfection and priority and the continuation of the validity, perfection and priority of the foregoing Liens or any other Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents (to the extent the Collateral Agent determines, in its reasonable discretion, that such action is required to ensure the perfection or the enforceability as against third parties of its security interest in such Collateral) in each case in accordance with, and to the extent required by, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (A) the foregoing requirements shall be subject to the terms of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement and, in the event of any conflict with such terms, the terms of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, shall control, (B) no security interest or lien is or will be granted pursuant to any Loan Document or otherwise in any right, title or interest of any of the Holding CompanyCompanies, the Parent Borrower or any of its

 

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Subsidiaries in, and “Collateral” shall not include, any Excluded Asset, (Cexcept in the case of any assets of, or Capital Stock in, any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Guarantor, no Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof (other than any Foreign Subsidiary pursuant to the last sentence of Subsection 7.9(b)) shall be required to take any action in any non-U.S. jurisdiction or required by the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction in order to create any security interests in assets located or titled outside of the U.S. or to perfect any security interests (it being understood that there shall be no security agreements or pledge agreements governed under the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction (other than in the event any Foreign Subsidiary becomes a Loan Party pursuant to the last sentence of Subsection 7.9(b))), (D) to the extent not automatically perfected by filings under the Uniform Commercial Code of each applicable jurisdiction, no Loan Party shall be required to take any actions in order to perfect any security interests granted with respect to any assets specifically requiring perfection through control (including cash, cash equivalents, deposit accounts, securities accounts, but excluding Capital Stock required to be delivered pursuant to Subsections 7.9(b) and (c) above), except to the extent any such action is required pursuant to Subsection 4.16, and (E) nothing in this Subsection 7.9 shall require that any Holding Company, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary grant a Lien with respect to any property or assets in which such SubsidiaryPerson acquires ownership rights to the extent that the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent reasonably determine in writingthat the costs or other consequences to any Holding CompanyManagement Holdings, Waterworks Holdings LP, Waterworks Holdings LLC, Pubco, New Blocker, Topco or one of its Subsidiaries (or, at the election of the Parent Borrower in connection with an initial public offering or other restructuring of the Parent Borrower, any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) of the granting of such a Lien is excessive in view of the benefits that would be obtained by the Secured Parties.

(f) Notwithstanding any provision of this Subsection 7.9 or Subsection 7.12 to the contrary, prior to the Discharge of Term Loan Obligations (as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement or the equivalent term in any Other Intercreditor Agreement), (i) the requirements of this Subsection 7.9 and of Subsection 7.12 to deliver any Term Loan Priority Collateral to the Agent shall be deemed satisfied by the delivery of such Term Loan Priority Collateral to the Term Loan Agent or the Term Loan Collateral Representative (as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement or the equivalent term in any Other Intercreditor Agreement), (ii) the Parent Borrower shall, and shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, comply with the requirements of this Subsection 7.9 and Subsection 7.12 with respect to the Obligations hereunder as they relate to any Term Loan Priority Collateral only to the same extent that the Parent Borrower and such Restricted Subsidiaries are required to comply with provisions analogous to this Subsection 7.9 or Subsection 7.12 under the Term Loan Credit Agreement or the documentation governing any other Term Loan Priority Obligation and (iii) the Term Loan Agent or the Term Loan Collateral Representative (as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement or the equivalent term in any Other Intercreditor Agreement) shall have sole discretion (in consultation with the Parent Borrower, if applicable) with respect to any determination concerning Term Loan Priority Collateral as to which the Agent would have authority to exercise under this Subsection 7.9 or Subsection 7.12.

 

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7.10 Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of the Loans only for the purposes set forth in Subsection 5.16 and request the issuance of Letters of Credit only for the purposes set forth in Subsection 3.1(b).

7.11 Accounting Changes. The Parent Borrower will, for financial reporting purposes, cause the Parent Borrower’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ Fiscal Years to end on the Sunday closest to January 31st of each calendar year; provided that the Borrower Representative may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, change the financial reporting convention specified above to (i) a calendar year-end convention or (ii) any other financial reporting convention reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in which case the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that are necessary in order to reflect such change in financial reporting.

7.12 Post-Closing Security Perfection. The Borrower Representative agrees to deliver or cause to be delivered such documents and instruments, and take or cause to be taken such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to provide the perfected security interests described in the provisos to Subsections 6.1(a) and 6.1(g) that are not so provided on the Closing Date, and in any event to provide such perfected security interests and to satisfy such other conditions within the applicable time periods set forth on Schedule 7.12, as such time periods may be extended by the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Subsection 7.12, Subsection 7.9, of Schedule 7.12 or of any Security Document, the Parent Borrower shall not be obligated to take, or cause to be taken, any action that is dependent on an action that the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, has failed to take, for so long as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent has failed to take such action.

SECTION 8

Negative Covenants

The Parent Borrower hereby agrees that, from and after the Closing Date and so long as the Commitments remain in effect, and thereafter until payment in full of the Loans, all Reimbursement Obligations and all other Obligations then due and owing to any Lender or any Agent and termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit (unless cash collateralized or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), the Parent Borrower shall not and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to directly or indirectly:

8.1 Financial Condition. During each Compliance Period, permit, for the Most Recent Four Quarter Period, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the last day of such Most Recent Four Quarter Period, to be less than 1.00 to 1.00.

8.2 Limitation on Fundamental Changes. Enter into any merger, consolidation or amalgamation or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of, all or substantially all of its property, business or assets, except:

 

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(a) (x) (1) any Borrower may be merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into another Person if a Borrower is the surviving Person or (2) the Person (the “Successor Borrower”) formed by or surviving such merger, consolidation or amalgamation (i) is organized or existing under the laws of the United States, or any state, district or territory thereof and (ii) expressly assumes all obligations of such Borrower under the Loan Documents pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided that, in the case of clause (x)(2) above, (i) except with respect to any transaction in which an Escrow Subsidiary merges, consolidates or amalgamates with and into a Borrower, immediately after giving effect to the transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an Obligation of the Successor Borrower as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Successor Borrower at the time of such transaction), no Default willEvent of Default under Subsection 9.1(a), (c)(iii), (e), (f), (h), (i), (j) or (k) or other Event of Default known to the Parent Borrower shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) each Subsidiary Guarantor (other than (I) any Subsidiary Guarantor that will be released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guaranty in connection with such transaction and (II) any party to any such merger, consolidation or mergeramalgamation ) shall have delivered a joinder or other document or instrument in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, confirming its Subsidiary Guaranty (other than any Subsidiary Guaranty that will be discharged or terminated in connection with such transaction) and (iii) each Subsidiary Guarantor (other than (I) any Subsidiary that will be released from its grant or pledge of Collateral under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement in connection with such transaction and (II) any party to any such merger, consolidation or mergeramalgamation ) shall have by a supplement to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or another document or instrument affirmed that its obligations thereunder shall apply to its Guarantee as reaffirmed pursuant to clause (ii) above; and (y) any Restricted Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower other than any Borrower may be merged or, consolidated or amalgamated with or into the Parent Borrower (provided that the Parent Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving entity) or with or into any one or more Restricted Subsidiaries that are Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower (provided that the Wholly Owned Subsidiary or Restricted Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving entity); provided that (x) in any case where the Subsidiary that is the non-surviving entity is a Loan Party and such Subsidiary’s assets include real property owned by such Loan Party or Voting Stock of any other Loan Party, or (y) if such merger, consolidation or amalgamation constitutes (alone or together with any related merger, consolidation or amalgamation by any Loan Party) a transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Domestic Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties, then in the case of either clause (x) or (y), (1) the continuing or surviving entity shall be a Loan Party, or (2) such merger, consolidation or amalgamation shall be in the ordinary course of business, or (3) if the continuing or surviving entity is not a Loan Party, the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower Representative, which determination shall be conclusive) of all such assets transferred by a Loan Party pursuant to this clause (3) does not exceed $12,500,000the greater of (x) $20,000,000 and (y) 1.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets in any Fiscal Year or (4) at the time of such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, (A) the Payment Condition in respect of merger, consolidation or

 

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amalgamation is satisfied and (B) no Specified Default or other Event of Default known to the Borrower Representative has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;

(b) any Restricted Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower may sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower (and, in the case of a non-WhollyNon-Wholly Owned Subsidiary, may be liquidated to the extent the Parent Borrower or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary which is a direct parent of such non-WhollyNon-Wholly Owned Subsidiary receives a pro rata distribution of the assets thereof); provided that if the Subsidiary that disposes of any or all of its assets is a Loan Party and such disposition includes real property owned by such Loan Party or Voting Stock of any other Loan Party, or constitutes (alone or together with any related disposition of assets by any Loan Party) all or substantially all of the assets of the Domestic Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties, (1) the transferee of such assets shall be a Loan Party, or (2) such disposition shall be in the ordinary course of business, or (3) if the transferee of such assets is not a Loan Party, the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower Representative, which determination shall be conclusive) of all such assets transferred by a Loan Party pursuant to this clause (3) does not exceed $12,500,000the greater of (x) $20,000,000 and (y) 1.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets in any Fiscal Year or (4) at the time of such sale, lease, transfer or other disposition, (A) the Payment Condition in respect of asset sales is satisfied and (B) no Specified Default or other Event of Default known to the BorrowersBorrower Representative has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;

(c) to the extent such sale, lease, transfer or other disposition or transaction is expressly excluded from the definition of “Asset Sale” or, if such sale, lease transfer or other disposition or transaction constitutes an “Asset Sale,” such Asset Sale is made in compliance with Subsection 8.5;

(d) the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may be merged or, consolidated or amalgamated with or into any other Person in order to effect any acquisition permitted pursuant to Subsection 8.4 or any Investment permitted pursuant to Subsection 8.12; or

(e) the Waterworks Acquisition and the other Transactions shall be permitted.

8.3 Limitation on Restricted Payments. Declare or pay any Restricted Payment, except that:

(a) the Parent Borrower may pay cash dividends, payments and distributions in an amount sufficient to allow any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to pay legal, accounting and other maintenance and operational expenses (other than taxes) incurred in the ordinary course of business, provided that, if any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle shall own any material assets other than the Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower or another Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or other assets, relating to the ownership interest of such Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in another Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, as applicable, the

 

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Parent Borrower or its Subsidiaries, such cash dividends with respect to such Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, as applicable, shall be limited to the reasonable and proportional share, as determined by the Parent Borrower in its reasonable discretion, of such expenses incurred by such Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, as applicable, relating or allocable to its ownership interest in the Parent Borrower or another Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, as applicable, and such other related assets;

(b) the Parent Borrower may pay cash dividends, payments and distributions in an amount sufficient to cover reasonable and necessary expenses (including professional fees and expenses) (other than taxes) incurred by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in connection with (i) registration, public offerings and exchange listing of equity or debt securities and maintenance of the same, (ii) reporting obligations under, or in connection with compliance with, applicable laws or applicable rules of any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory body or stock exchange, this Agreement, the Term Loan Documents, the Senior Notes Documents or any other agreement or instrument relating to Indebtedness of any Loan Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries and (iii) indemnification and reimbursement of directors, officers and employees in respect of liabilities relating to their serving in any such capacity (including under the CD&R Indemnification Agreement), or obligations in respect of director and officer insurance (including premiums therefor), provided that, in the case of subclause (i) above, if any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle shall own any material assets other than the Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower or another Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, as applicable, or other assets relating to the ownership interest of such Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in another Parent Entity, or IPO Vehicle, the Parent Borrower or its Subsidiaries, with respect to such Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, as applicable, such cash dividends shall be limited to the reasonable and proportional share, as determined by the Borrower Representative in its reasonable discretion, of such expenses incurred by such Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, as applicable, relating or allocable to its ownership interest in another Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, as applicable, the Parent Borrower and such other assets;

(c) the Parent Borrower may pay, without duplication, cash dividends, payments and distributions (A) pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement or a similar agreement withto pay or permit any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to pay (but without duplication) any amount pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreements (excluding any accelerated lump sum amount payable upon an early termination of a tax receivables agreement entered into in connection with an initial public offeringTax Receivables Agreement to the extent such amount exceeds the amount that would have been payable under such tax receivables agreement in the absence of such acceleration); and (B) to pay or permit any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to pay any Related Taxes;

(d) the Parent Borrower may pay cash dividends, payments and distributions in an amount sufficient to allow any Parent Entity to perform its obligations under the Plumb Acquisition Agreement and to pay all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions, the Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions and the other transactions expressly contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,

 

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and to allow any Holding Company to perform its obligations under or in connection with the Loan Documents to which it is a party;

(e) the Parent Borrower may make or pay loans, advances, dividends or distributions by the Borrower to any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (whether made directly or indirectly and with “Parent Entity” including, for this purpose, “back to back” transactions involving (x) Management Holdings or (y) any other “management feeder” employed by a Parent Entity for compensatory and/or tax purposes) to permit any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to repurchase or otherwise acquire its Capital Stock or other debt or equity securities (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof), or payments by the Parent Borrower or its Subsidiaries may make payments to repurchase or otherwise acquire Capital Stock or other debt or equity securities of any Parent Entity, or IPO Vehicle or the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary (including any options, warrants or other rights in respect thereof), in each case from current or former Management Investors (including any repurchase or acquisition by reason of the Parent Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle retaining any Capital Stock or other debt or equity securities, option, warrant or other right in respect of tax withholding obligations, and any related payment in respect of any such obligation), such payments, loans, advances, dividends or distributions not to exceed an amount (net of repayments of any such loans or advances) in any calendar year equal to $30,000,000the greater of (x) $60,000,000 and (y) 4.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets; provided that such amount shall be increased by (A) an amount equal to $30,000,000the greater of (x) $60,000,000 and (y) 4.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets multiplied by the number of calendar years that have commenced since the Closing Date;, (B) an amount equal to the proceeds to the Parent Borrower (whether received by it directly or from a Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or applied to pay Parent Entity Expenses other than in the form of Disqualified Capital Stock) or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle of any resales or new issuances of shares and options to any Management Investors, at any time after the initial issuances to any Management Investors, together with the aggregate amount of deferred compensation owed by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to any Management Investor that shall thereafter have been cancelled, waived or exchanged at any time after the initial issuances to any thereof in connection with the grant to such Management Investor of the right to receive or acquire shares of the Parent Borrower’s or any Parent Entity’s or IPO Vehicle’s Capital Stock; provided, however, that, if applicable, any amount actually received by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in accordance with this clause (B) shall have been further contributed to the Parent Borrower or applied to pay (ito pay expenses, taxes or other amounts (in respect of which the Parent Borrower is permitted to make dividends, payments or distributions pursuant to this Subsection 8.3) or (iiin payment of Parent Entity Expenses;, and (C) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle and contributed to the Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) of the Parent Borrower);

(f) the Parent Borrower may pay dividends, payments and distributions to the extent of Net Proceeds from any Excluded Contribution to the extent such dividend, payment or distribution is made (regardless of whether any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) within 180 days of the date when such Excluded

 

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Contribution was received by the Parent Borrower; provided that any payment pursuant to this Subsection 8.3(f) shall be deemed to be a usage of the Available Excluded Contribution Amount Basket;

(g) the Parent Borrower may pay dividends, payments and distributions in an amount not to exceed the Available Excluded Contribution Amount Basket, (i) for purposes permitted under Subsection 8.3(e) if at the time such dividend, payment or distribution is made no Specified Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom or (ii) for any other purposes if at the time such dividend, payment or distribution is made no Specified Default or Event of Default known to the Borrower Representative shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom;

(h) the Parent Borrower may pay cash dividends, payments and distributions, (i) (x) for purposes permitted under Subsection 8.3(e) if at the time such dividend, payment or distribution is declared no Specified Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would if paid on the date of such declaration result therefrom or (y) for any other purposes, if at the time such dividend, payment or distribution is declared no Specified Default or Event of Default known to the Borrower Representative shall have occurred and be continuing or would if paid on the date of such declaration result therefrom (provided in each case that such dividend, payment or distribution is paid within 30 days of such declaration) and (ii) the aggregate amount of such dividends, payments and distributions pursuant to this clause (h), when aggregated with all optional prepayments made pursuant to Subsection 8.6(e)(i), do not exceed, in the aggregate, the greater of $65,000,000140,500,000 and 8.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(i) the Parent Borrower may make dividends or other distributions of, or Investments paid for or made with, Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other securities of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(j) the Parent Borrower may make Restricted Payments in cash to pay or permit any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to pay any amounts payable in respect of guarantees, indemnities, obligations in respect of earn-outs or other purchase price adjustments, or similar obligations, incurred in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Person, as long as such business, assets or Person have been acquired by or disposed of by the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, or such business, assets or Person (or in the case of a disposition, the net cash proceeds thereof) have been contributed to the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(k) in addition to the foregoing dividends, the Parent Borrower may pay additional dividends, payments and distributions, (x) for purposes permitted under Subsection 8.3(e) if at the time such dividend, payment or distribution is declared no Specified Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would if paid on the date of such declaration result therefrom or (y) for any other purposes, if at the time such dividend, payment or distribution is declared no Specified Default or Event of Default known to the Borrower Representative shall have occurred and be continuing or would if paid on the date of such declaration result therefrom, provided that in each case the

 

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Payment Condition shall be satisfied and provided further, that in each case such dividend, payment or distribution is paid within 60 days of such declaration; and

(l) the Parent Borrower may make Restricted Payments following a Qualified IPO (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Pubco IPO) in an amount not to exceed in any Fiscal Year of the Parent Borrower the greatersum of (x6.07.0 % of the aggregate gross proceeds received by the Parent Borrower (whether directly, or indirectly through a contribution to common equity capital) in or from such Qualified IPO andplus (y6.07.0 % of Market Capitalization.;

(m) the Parent Borrower may make payments or distributions to satisfy dissenters’ or appraisal rights and the settlement of any claims or actions (whether actual, contingent or potential) with respect thereto, pursuant to or in connection with any acquisition of assets (including Capital Stock), business or Person, or any merger or consolidation of any Person with or into any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any other Investment; and

(n) the Parent Borrower may make Restricted Payments to any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle the proceeds of which are applied by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in connection with any acquisition of assets (including Capital Stock), business or Person, or any merger or consolidation of any Person with or into such Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or any Subsidiary thereof, or any other Investment; provided that (A) such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such acquisition, merger or consolidation or other Investment and (B) any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle shall, substantially concurrently with the closing thereof, cause (1) such business, assets or Person acquired and any liabilities assumed to be contributed to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary or (2) the merger into the Parent Borrower or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party in accordance with Subsection 8.2.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Subsection 8.3, in the event that any Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Restricted Payments described in one or more of the clauses of this Subsection 8.3, the Borrower Representative, in its sole discretion, shall classify such item of Restricted Payment and may include the amount and type of such Restricted Payment in one or more of such clauses (including in part under one such clause and in part under another such clause).

8.4 Limitations on Certain Acquisitions. Acquire by purchase or otherwise all the business or assets of, or stock or other evidences of beneficial ownership of, any Person, except that the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be allowed to make any such acquisitions so long as:

(a) such acquisition is expressly permitted by Subsection 8.2 (other than clause (d)); or

(b) such acquisition is a Permitted Acquisition;

 

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provided that in the case of each such acquisition pursuant to clause (a) or (b) after giving effect thereto, no Specified Default or other Event of Default known to the Borrower Representative shall occur as a result of such acquisition; and provided, further, that with respect to any acquisition that is consummated in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, all or any of which might constitute an Investment but not the acquisition of all of the business or assets of, or stock or other evidences of beneficial ownership of, any Person, the Borrower Representative at its option may classify such transactions in whole or in part as an acquisition subject to this Subsection 8.4 (and for the avoidance of doubt not as an Investment subject to Subsection 8.12).

8.5 Limitation on Dispositions of Collateral. Unless the Payment Condition shall have been satisfied, engage in any Asset Sale with respect to any of the ABL Priority Collateral, except that the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be allowed to engage in any Asset Sale, so long as the consideration received (including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise) in connection with such Asset Sale is for fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower Representative, which determination shall be conclusive, as of the date a legally binding commitment for such Asset Sale was entered into), and if the consideration received is greater than $25,000,000the greater of (x) $100,000,000 and (y) 6.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, at least 75.0% of such consideration received (excluding, in the case of an Asset Sale (or series of related Asset Sales), any consideration by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise, that are not Indebtedness) for such Asset Sale, together with all other Asset Sales since the Closing Date (on a cumulative basis) received by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, is in the form of cash. For the purposes of the foregoing, the following are deemed to be cash: (1) Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments, (2) the assumption of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower (other than Disqualified Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower) or any Restricted Subsidiary and the release of the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on payment of the principal amount of such Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Sale, (3) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Sale, to the extent that the Parent Borrower and each other Restricted Subsidiary are released from any Guarantee Obligation of payment of the principal amount of such Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Sale, (4) securities received by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from the transferee that are converted by the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days, (5) consideration consisting of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (6) Additional Assets and (7) any Designated Noncash Consideration received by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in an Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower Representative, which determination shall be conclusive), taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause, not to exceed an aggregate amount at any time outstanding equal to the greater of $87,500,000190,000,000 and 11.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets at the time of designation (with the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower Representative, which determination shall be conclusive) of each item of Designated Noncash Consideration being measured on the date a legally binding commitment for such Asset Sale (or, if later, for the payment of such item) was entered into and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value).

 

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In connection with any Asset Sale permitted under this Subsection 8.5 or a Disposition that is excluded from the definition of “Asset Sale”, the Administrative Agent shall, and the Lenders hereby authorize the AdministrativeCollateral Agent to, execute such releases of Liens and take such other actions as the Borrower Representative may reasonably request in connection with the foregoing.

8.6 Limitation on Optional Payments and Modifications of Restricted Indebtedness and Other Documents. (a) Make any optional payment or optional prepayment on or optional repurchase or optional redemption of (i) the Senior Notes or (ii) any Indebtedness that, in each case refinances, refunds, replaces, renews, repays, restructures or extends the Indebtedness set forth in preceding clause (i) or any refinancing thereof (in each case whether incurred under Subsection 8.13(i)(ii) or with the proceeds of any Indebtedness incurred under any other provision of Subsection 8.13) or any Indebtedness that is by its terms subordinated to the payment in cash of the Obligations (collectively or individually, “Restricted Indebtedness”), including any payments on account of clauses (i) and (ii), or for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition thereof (it being understood that (x) payments of regularly scheduled interest and (y) any payment by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary made as a mandatory principal redemption or other payment in respect of any Restricted Indebtedness pursuant to an “AHYDO saver” provision of any agreement or instrument in respect of Restricted Indebtedness (including the Borrower Representative’s determination in good faith (which determination shall be conclusive) of the amount of any such “AHYDO saver” mandatory principal redemption or other payment) shall be in each case permitted), unless (i) the Payment Condition shall have been satisfied or such payment or prepayment on or optional repurchase or redemption of Restricted Indebtedness is financed with an amount not exceeding the Available Excluded Contribution Amount Basket and (ii) no Specified Default or other Event of Default known to the Borrowers has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom; provided that the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may consummate any redemption of Restricted Indebtedness within 60 days after the date of giving an irrevocable notice of redemption if at such date of giving of such notice, such redemption would have complied with this Subsection 8.6(a).

(b) [Reserved].

(c) Amend, supplement, waive or otherwise modify any of the provisions of any Restricted Indebtedness (excluding for this purpose any Restricted Indebtedness the proceeds of which were used to refinance, refund, replace, renew, repay, restructure or extend the Senior Notes or any refinancing thereof, that was incurred under any provision of Subsection 8.13 other than Subsection 8.13(i)(ii)) in a manner that (A) shortens the maturity date of the Indebtedness incurred thereunder to a date prior to the date that is 91 days after the Termination Date or (B) provides for a shorter weighted average life to maturity, at the time of issuance or incurrence, than the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Indebtedness that is refinanced, refunded, replaced, renewed, repaid, restructured or extended (provided that compliance with this restriction shall be determined ignoring the effect of any payment of customary upfront fees or any permanent prepayment of such Indebtedness, in each case based on market conditions at the time of the applicable amendment, supplement, waiver or other modification). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Subsection 8.6(c) shall not restrict or prohibit any refinancing of Indebtedness (in whole or in part) with the proceeds of any Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to Subsection 8.13.

 

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(d) [Reserved].

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing the Parent Borrower shall be permitted to make the following optional payments, repurchases and redemptions (“Optional Payments”) in respect of Restricted Indebtedness:

(i) Optional Payments pursuant to this clause (e)(i) in an aggregate amount that, when aggregated with all cash dividends paid pursuant to Subsection 8.3(h), does not exceed the greater of (x) $50,000,000140,500,000 and 7.00(y) 8.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(ii) Optional Payments by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the issuance, sale or other incurrence of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted under Subsection 8.13;

(iii) Optional Payments by conversion or exchange of Restricted Indebtedness to Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) or Indebtedness of any Parent Entity; and

(iv) Optional Payments in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of making such Optional Payment.

8.7 [Reserved].

8.8 Limitation on Negative Pledge Clauses. Enter into with any Person any agreement which prohibits or limits the ability of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien in favor of the Lenders in respect of obligations and liabilities under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents upon any of the ABL Priority Collateral, other than:

(a) pursuant to any agreement or instrument in effect at or entered into on the Closing Date, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any related documents, the Term Loan Documents, the Senior Notes Documents, the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement and, on and after the execution and delivery thereof, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, any Other Intercreditor Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement Supplement, any Permitted Debt Exchange Notes (and any related documents) and any Additional Obligations Documents;

(b) pursuant to any agreement governing or relating to Indebtedness and/or other obligations and liabilities, in each case secured by a Lien permitted by Subsection 8.14 (in which case any restriction shall only be effective against the assets subject to such Lien, except as may otherwise be permitted under this Subsection 8.8);

 

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(c) pursuant to any agreement or instrument of a Person, or relating to Indebtedness (including any Guarantee Obligation in respect thereto) or Capital Stock of a Person, which Person is acquired by or merged or consolidated or amalgamated with or into the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or which agreement or instrument is assumed by the Parent Borrower, or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an acquisition from such Person or any other transaction entered into in connection with any such acquisition, merger, consolidation or amalgamation, as in effect at the time of such acquisition, merger, consolidation, amalgamation or transaction (except to the extent that such Indebtedness was incurredIncurred to finance, or otherwise Incurred in connection with, such acquisition, merger, consolidation, amalgamation or transaction), provided that for purposes of this Subsection 8.8(c), if a Person other than a Borrower is the Successor Borrower with respect thereto, any Subsidiary thereof or agreement or instrument of such Person or any such Subsidiary shall be deemed acquired or assumed, as the case may be, by the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, when such Person becomes such Successor Borrower;

(d) pursuant to any agreement or instrument (a “Refinancing Agreement”) effecting a refinancing of Indebtedness incurredIncurred or outstanding pursuant or relating to, or that otherwise extends, renews, refunds, refinances or replaces, any agreement or instrument referred to in Subsection 8.8(a) or 8.8(c) or this Subsection 8.8(d) (an “Initial Agreement”) or that is, or is contained in, any amendment, supplement or other modification to an Initial Agreement or Refinancing Agreement (an “Amendment”); provided, however, that the encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such Refinancing Agreement or Amendment taken as a whole are not materially less favorable to the Lenders than encumbrances and restrictions contained in the Initial Agreement or Initial Agreements to which such Refinancing Agreement or Amendment relates (as determined in good faith by the Borrower Representative, which determination shall be conclusive);

(e) (i) pursuant to any agreement or instrument that restricts in a customary manner (as determined by the Parent Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) the assignment or transfer thereof, or the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset subject thereto, (ii) by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer, option or right with respect to, or Lien on, any property or assets of a Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement, (iii) pursuant to mortgages, pledges or other security agreements securing Indebtedness or other obligations of the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent restricting the transfer of the property or assets subject thereto, (iv) pursuant to customary provisions (as determined by the Parent Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) restricting dispositions of real property interests set forth in any reciprocal easement agreements of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (v) pursuant to Purchase Money Obligations that impose encumbrances or restrictions on the property or assets so acquired, (vi) pursuant to any agreement with customers or suppliers entered into in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions with respect to cash or other deposits or net worth or inventory, (vii) pursuant to customary provisions (as determined by the Parent Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) contained in agreements and instruments entered into

 

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in the ordinary course of business (including but not limited to leases and licenses) or in joint venture and other similar agreements, or in shareholder, partnership, limited liability company and other similar agreements in respect of non-Wholly Ownednon-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiaries, (viii) restrictions that arise or are agreed to in the ordinary course of business and do not detract from the value of property or assets of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner material to the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, or (ix) pursuant to Interest Rate Agreements, Hedging Agreements or other Permitted Hedging Arrangements or under Bank Products Agreements; or (x) that arises under the terms of documentation governing any factoring agreement or any similar arrangements that in the good faith determination of the Parent Borrower, which determination shall be conclusive, are necessary or appropriate to effect such factoring agreement or similar arrangements;

(f) pursuant to any agreement or instrument (i) relating to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurredIncurred subsequent to the Closing Date pursuant to Subsection 8.13, (x) if the encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such agreement or instrument taken as a whole are not materially less favorable to the Lenders than the encumbrances and restrictions contained in the Initial Agreements (as determined in good faith by the Borrower Representative, which determination shall be conclusive), or (y) if such encumbrance or restriction is not materially more disadvantageous to the Lenders than is customary in comparable financings (as determined in good faith by the Borrower Representative, which determination shall be conclusive) and either (1) the Borrower Representative determines in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive, that such encumbrance or restriction will not materially affect the Parent Borrower’s ability to create and maintain the Liens on the ABL Priority Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents and make principal or interest payments on the Term Loans or (2) such encumbrance or restriction applies only if a default occurs under a circumstance described in Subsection 9.1(f) or in respect of a payment or financial covenant relating to such Indebtedness, or (ii) relating to any sale of receivables by or Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary;

(g) pursuant to any agreement relating to intercreditor arrangements and related rights and obligations, to or by which the Lenders and/or the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other agent, trustee or representative on their behalf may be party or bound at any time or from time to time, and any agreement providing that in the event that a Lien is granted for the benefit of the Lenders another Person shall also receive a Lien, which Lien is permitted by Subsection 8.14;

(h) pursuant to any agreement for the direct or indirect disposition of Capital Stock of any Person, property or assets, imposing restrictions with respect to such Person, Capital Stock, property or assets pending the closing of such disposition; and

(i) by reason of any applicable law, rule, regulation or order, or required by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or any of their businesses, including any such law, rule, regulation, order or requirement applicable in connection with such Restricted Subsidiary’s status (or the status of any Subsidiary of such Restricted Subsidiary) as a Captive Insurance Subsidiary.

 

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8.9 Limitation on Lines of Business. Enter into any business, either directly or through any Restricted Subsidiary, except for those businesses substantially similar to, or ancillary, complementary or related to, the line of business of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Closing Date.

8.10 [Reserved].

8.11 Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates. Except as otherwise expressly permitted in this Agreement, enter into any transaction, including any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of property or the rendering of any service, with any Affiliate which involves aggregate consideration in excess of $25,000,000the greater of (x) $50,000,000 and (y) 3.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, unless such transaction is (A) not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement, and (B) upon terms not materially less favorable to the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that could be obtained at the time in a transaction with a Person which is not an Affiliate and (C) if such Affiliate Transaction involves aggregate consideration in excess of the greater of $100,000,000 and 6.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, the terms of such Affiliate Transaction have been approved by a majority of the Board of Directors; provided that nothing contained in this Subsection 8.11 shall be deemed to prohibit:

(a) (1) the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from entering into, modifying, maintaining or performing any consulting, management, compensation, collective bargaining, benefits or employment agreements, related trust agreement or other compensation arrangements with a current or former management member, director, officer, employee or consultant of or to the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in the ordinary course of business, including vacation, health, insurance, deferred compensation, severance, retirement, savings, or other similar plans, programs or arrangements, (2) payments, compensation, performance of indemnification or contribution obligations, the making or cancellation of loans in the ordinary course of business to any such management members, employees, officers, directors or consultants, (3) any issuance, grant or award of stock, options, other equity related interests or other equity securities, to any such management members, employees, officers, directors or consultants, (4) the payment of reasonable fees to directors of the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (as (i) approved by the Board of Directors of thedetermined in good faith by the Parent Borrower Representative or any, such Subsidiary or such Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (including the compensation committee thereof), (ii) in an amount not in excess of $2,000,000 for such director, or (iii) in the ordinary course of business, which determination shall be conclusive), or (5) Management Advances and payments in respect thereof (or in reimbursement of any expenses referred to in the definition of such term);

(b) the payment of all amounts in connection with this Agreement or any of the Transactions and the Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions;

 

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(c) the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from entering into, making payments pursuant to and otherwise performing (i) the obligations under the Plumb Acquisition Agreement and (ii) an indemnification and contribution agreement in favor of any Permitted Holder and each person who is or becomes a director, officer, agent, consultant or employee of the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, in respect of liabilities (A) arising under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any other applicable securities laws or otherwise, in connection with any offering of securities by any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle (provided that, if such Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle shall own any material assets other than (x) the Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower or another Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, or (y) other assets relating to the ownership interest by such Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in the Parent Borrower or another Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, such liabilities shall be limited to the reasonable and proportional share, as determined by the Borrower Representative in its reasonable discretion based on the benefit therefrom to the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, of such liabilities relating or allocable to the ownership interest of such Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle in the Parent Borrower or another Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle and such other related assets) or the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (B) incurred to third parties for any action or failure to act of the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or any of their predecessors or successors, (C) arising out of the performance by any Affiliate of the CD&R Investors of management, consulting or financial advisory services provided to the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, (D) arising out of the fact that any indemnitee was or is a director, officer, agent, consultant or employee of the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, or is or was serving at the request of any such Person as a director, officer, agent, consultant or employee of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or other Person or (E) to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware or other applicable state law, arising out of any breach or alleged breach by such indemnitee of his or her fiduciary duty as a director or officer of the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle;

(d) any issuance or sale of Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or capital contribution to the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(e) (1) the execution, delivery and performance of any obligations under any Tax Sharing Agreement or payments by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to pay or permit any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle to pay any amount pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreements (excluding the payment of any accelerated lump sum amount payable upon an early termination of a tax receivables agreement entered into in connection with an initial public offeringTax Receivables Agreement to the extent such amount exceeds the amount that would have been payable under such tax receivables agreement in the absence of such acceleration) and any Transaction Agreement, and (2) payments to CD&R or any of its respective Affiliates (x) for any management, consulting, financial or advisory services, pursuant to the CD&R Consulting Agreement or as may be approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors, (y) in connection with any acquisition, disposition, merger, recapitalization or

 

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similar transactions, which payments are made pursuant to the Transaction Agreements or are approved by a majority of the Board of Directors in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive, and (z) of all out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with such services or activities;

(f) the execution, delivery and performance of agreements or instruments (i) under which the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries do not make payments or provide consideration in excess of $5,000,000the greater of (x) $7,500,000 and (y) 0.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets per Fiscal Year or (ii) set forth on Schedule 8.11;

(g) (i) any transaction between or among any of the Parent Borrower and one or more Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) any transaction permitted by clause (c), (d), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (l), (m) or (n)(ii) of the definition of “Permitted Investments” (provided that any transaction pursuant to clause (l) or (m) shall be limited to guarantees of loans and advances by third parties), (iii) any transaction permitted by Subsection 8.2 or 8.3 or specifically excluded from the definition of Restricted Payment and (iv) any transaction permitted by Subsection 8.13(f)(i), 8.13(f)(ii), 8.13(f)(iii), 8.13(f)(vii), 8.13(f)(viii), or 8.13(j);

(h) the Transactions and the Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions, all transactions in connection therewith (including but not limited to the financing thereof), and all fees and expenses paid or payable in connection with the Transactions and the Third Amendment Effective Date Transactions, including the fees and out-of-pocket expenses of CD&R andor any of its Affiliates;

(i) any transaction in the ordinary course of business, or approved by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Parent Borrower, between the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Affiliate of the Parent Borrower controlled by the Parent Borrower that is a joint venture or similar entity;

(j) (i) any investment by any CD&R Investor in securities or loans of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and payment of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any CD&R Investor in connection therewith) so long as such investments are being offered by the Parent Borrower or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary generally to investors (other than CD&R Investors) on the same or more favorable terms and (ii) payments to any CD&R Investor in respect of securities or loans of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries contemplated in the foregoing subclause (i) or that were acquired from Persons other than the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, in accordance with the terms of such securities or loans; and

(k) the pledge of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other securities of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture to lenders to support the Indebtedness or other obligations of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture, respectively, owed to such lenders.

 

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For purposes of this Subsection 8.11, (i) any transaction with any Affiliate shall be deemed to have satisfied the standard set forth in clause (B) of the first sentence hereof if (x) such transaction is approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors of the Board of Directors of the Borrower Representative, or (y) in the event that at the time of any such transaction, there are no Disinterested Directors serving on the Board of Directors of the Borrower Representative, a fairness opinion is provided by a nationally recognized appraisal or investment banking firm with respect to such transaction and (ii) “Disinterested Director” shall mean, with respect to any Person and transaction, a member of the Board of Directors of such Person who does not have any material direct or indirect financial interest in or with respect to such transaction; it being understood that a member of any such Board of Directors shall not be deemed to have such a financial interest by reason of such member holding Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle or any options, warrants or other rights in respect of such Capital Stock or by reason of such member receiving any compensation from the Parent Borrower or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle, as applicable, on whose Board of Directors such member serves in respect of such member’s role as director.

8.12 Limitations on Investments. Make or maintain, directly or indirectly, any Investment except for Permitted Investments.

8.13 Limitations on Indebtedness. Directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness except for the following (collectively, “Permitted Indebtedness”):

(a) Indebtedness (i) incurred by any Loan Party or Escrow Subsidiary pursuant to the Term Loan Facility and Indebtedness incurred by any Loan Party or Escrow Subsidiary otherwise than pursuant to the Term Loan Facility (including pursuant to any Additional Obligations Documents, any Permitted Debt Exchange or any Rollover Indebtedness but not pursuant to the Loan Documents) in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed (A) $1,075,000,0001,500,000,000 plus (B) the Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount and (ii) incurred pursuant to the Senior Notes Documents in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $500,000,000.;

(b) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including any Incremental Facility, Extension or any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness);

(c) Unsecured Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(d) Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness permitted by clauses (a) through (c) above) existing on the Closing Date, and disclosed on Schedule 8.13(d), together with any renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding pursuant to clause (i) below;

(e) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries secured pursuant to Subsection 8.14(p);

 

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(f) Guarantee Obligations incurred by:

(i) the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness of a Loan Party that is permitted hereunder; provided that Guarantee Obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to clauses (a), (c) and (m) shall be permitted only to the extent that such Guarantee Obligations are incurred by Guarantors (other than, in the case of clause (m), Guarantee Obligations incurred by any Foreign Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor);

(ii) the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of lease obligations of Non-Loan Parties (to the extent such lease obligations constitute Indebtedness);

(iii) a Non-Loan Party in respect of Indebtedness of another Non-Loan Party that is permitted hereunder;

(iv) the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness of any Person; provided that the aggregate amount at any time outstanding of such Guarantee Obligations incurred pursuant to this clause (iv), when aggregated with the amount of all other Guarantee Obligations incurred and outstanding pursuant to this clause (iv) and all Indebtedness incurred and outstanding pursuant to clause (w) of this Subsection 8.13, shall not exceed the greater of (x)  $190,000,000412,500,000 and (y) the amount equal to 25.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets at the time of such Guarantee Obligations being incurred;

(v) the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with sales or other dispositions permitted under Subsection 8.5, including indemnification obligations with respect to leases, and guarantees of collectability in respect of accounts receivable or notes receivable for up to face value;

(vi) the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of accommodation guarantees for the benefit of trade creditors of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(vii) the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Investments expressly permitted pursuant to clause (c), (j), (l), (m) or (v) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”;

(viii) the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of (x) Management Guarantees and (y) third-party loans and advances to officers or employees of any Parent Entity, IPO Vehicle or the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted pursuant to clause (l) or (m) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”;

 

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(ix) the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Reimbursement Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit or with respect to reimbursement obligations in respect of any other letters or credit permitted under this Agreement;

(x) the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of performance, bid, appeal, surety, judgment, replevin and similar bonds, other suretyship arrangements, other similar obligations and letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar instruments or obligations, all in, or relating to liabilities or obligations incurred in, the ordinary course of business; and

(xi) the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness or other obligations of a Person in connection with a joint venture or similar arrangement in respect of which the aggregate outstanding amount of all such Indebtedness, together with the aggregate outstanding amount of Investments permitted pursuant to clause (q) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”, does not exceed $30,000,000the greater of (x) $50,000,000 and (y) 3.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

provided, however, that if any Indebtedness referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations or is secured by Liens that are senior or subordinate to any Liens securing the Collateral, then any corresponding Guarantee Obligations shall be subordinated and the Liens securing the corresponding Guarantee Obligations shall be senior or subordinate to substantially the same extent;

(g) Purchase Money Obligations, Financing Lease Obligations and other Indebtedness incurred by the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower to finance the acquisition, leasing, construction or improvement of fixed assets; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of any such Purchase Money Obligations incurred to finance the acquisition of Capital Stock of any Person at any time outstanding pursuant to this clause (g) shall not exceed an amount equal to the greater of $75,000,000 and 10.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(h) Indebtedness of any Foreign Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not exceeding an amount equal to the sum of (x) the greater of $125,000,000272,500,000 and 16.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets and (y) an amount equal to (A) the Foreign Borrowing Base plus (B) in the event of any refinancing of any Indebtedness incurred under this clause (y), the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing;

(i) renewals, extensions, refinancings and refundings of Indebtedness (in whole or in part) permitted by:

 

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(i) clause (d) or (g) above or this clause (i)(i) provided, however, that (A) any such renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding is in an aggregate principal amount not greater than the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Indebtedness so renewed, extended, refinanced or refunded (plus accrued interest, any premium and reasonable commission, fees, underwriting discounts and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with such refinanced Indebtedness) and (B) such Indebtedness has a weighted average life to maturity no shorter than the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Indebtedness so renewed, extended, refinanced or refunded; and

(ii) clause (a) or (m) hereof or this clause (i)(ii); provided, however, that (A) any such renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding is in an aggregate principal amount (or, if issued with original issue discount, the accreted value) not greater than the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Indebtedness so renewed, extended, refinanced or refunded (plus accrued interest, any premium and reasonable commission, fees, underwriting discounts and other costs and expenses, incurred in connection with such refinanced Indebtedness), (B) with respect to Indebtedness originally incurred under clause (a) or (m), such Indebtedness has (x) a Stated Maturity date that is (i) at least 91 days after the Termination Date or (ii) in respect of Indebtedness with a Stated Maturity earlier than 91 days after the Termination Date, not earlier than the Stated Maturity date of the Indebtedness that is renewed, extended, refinanced or refunded and (y) only with respect to Restricted Indebtedness (excluding for this purpose any Restricted Indebtedness the proceeds of which were used to refinance, refund, replace, renew, repay, restructure or extend the Senior Notes or any refinancing thereof, that was incurred under any provision of this Subsection 8.13 other than this Subsection 8.13(i)(ii)), a, a weighted average life to maturity, at the time of issuance or incurrence, of not less than the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Indebtedness that is renewed, extended, refinanced or refunded (provided that compliance with this restriction shall be determined ignoring the effect of any payment of customary upfront fees or any permanent prepayment of such Indebtedness being refinanced, in each case based on market conditions at the time of any such refinancing), (C) if secured by any Collateral, such Indebtedness shall be subject to the terms of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, or any Other Intercreditor Agreement, (D) to the extent that the Indebtedness to be renewed, extended, refinanced or refunded is unsecured and, at the time of such renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding, such Indebtedness could not be incurred under Subsection 8.13(a)(i)(B) by meeting the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement), then such renewed, extended, refinanced or refunded Indebtedness may not be secured by any Collateral and (E) such renewed, extended, refinanced or refunded Indebtedness shall not include Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party that refinances Indebtedness of a Loan Party that could not have been initially incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to this Subsection 8.13;

(j) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Holding Company or the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent the Investment in such Indebtedness is not restricted by Subsection 8.12;

 

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(k) Indebtedness incurred under any agreement pursuant to which a Person provides cash management services or similar financial accommodations to the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including any Cash Management Arrangements);

(l) Indebtedness constituting indemnities and adjustments (including pension plan adjustments and contingent payments adjustments) under the Plumb Acquisition Agreement;

(m) Indebtedness incurred or assumed in connection with, or as a result of, a Permitted Acquisition so long as: (i) the Parent Borrower would be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the consummation of such acquisition and the incurrence or assumption of such Indebtedness, with Subsection 8.1 recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter of the Parent Borrower for which financial statements are available, whether or not compliance with Subsection 8.1 is otherwise required at such time (it being understood that, as a condition precedent to the effectiveness of any such incurrence or assumption, the Borrower Representative shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations demonstrating such compliance), (ii) before and after giving effect thereto, no Specified Default or Event of Default known to the Borrower Representative has occurred and is continuing, and (iii) with respect to any newly incurred Indebtedness, such Indebtedness does not have any maturity or amortization rate greater than 1.0% per annum prior to the date that is 91 days after the Termination Date (other than (x) mandatory prepayments with proceeds of and exchanges for refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof permitted hereunder or (y) an earlier maturity date and/or higher amortization rate for customary bridge financings, which, subject to customary conditions, would either be automatically converted into or required to be exchanged for permanent financing which does not provide for an earlier maturity date or an amortization rate greater than 1.0% per annum prior to the date that is 91 days after the Termination Date and other mandatory prepayments with proceeds of and exchanges for refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof permitted hereunder) and does not provide for redemption or repayment requirements from asset sales, casualty or condemnation events or excess cash flow on terms more favorable than those under the Term Loan Credit Agreement (other than, in the case of any customary bridge financing, prepayments of such bridge financing from the issuance of equity or other indebtedness permitted hereunder which meets the requirements of this Subsection 8.13(m)); it being understood that, in the event that any such Indebtedness incurred under this Subsection 8.13(m) is incurred in good faith to finance the purchase price of any such acquisition in advance of the closing of such acquisition, and such closing shall thereafter not occur and such Indebtedness (or an equal principal amount of other Indebtedness) is redeemed, repaid or otherwise retired promptly after the Borrower Representative determines that such transaction has been abandoned, such Indebtedness shall be deemed to comply with this Subsection 8.13(m);

(n) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred to finance insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(o) Indebtedness (A) arising from the honoring of a check, draft or similar instrument against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business or (B) consisting of guarantees, indemnities, obligations in respect of earn-outs or other purchase price adjustments, or similar obligations, incurred in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Person;

(p) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Financing Leases which have been funded solely by Investments of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted under clause (r) of the definition of “Permitted Investments”;

(q) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries arising in connection with industrial development or revenue bonds or similar obligations secured by property or assets leased to and operated by the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary that were issued in connection with the financing or refinancing of such property or assets, provided, that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness outstanding at any time shall not exceed $25,000,000the greater of (x) $35,000,000 and (y) 2.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(r) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments issued as payment-in-kind interest payments in respect of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder;

(s) accretion of the principal amount of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries otherwise permitted hereunder issued at any original issue discount;

(t) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries under Interest Rate Agreements, Hedging Agreements and other Permitted Hedging Arrangements;

(u) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Sale and Leaseback Transaction;

(v) Indebtedness in respect of any letters of credit issued in favor of any Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender to support any Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans as provided for in Subsection 3.4, in each case to the extent not exceeding the maximum amount of such participations;

(w) other Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the aggregate amount outstanding at any time of such Indebtedness incurred or assumed pursuant to this clause (w), when aggregated with all other Indebtedness incurred or assumed and outstanding pursuant to this clause (w) and all Guarantee Obligations incurred and outstanding pursuant to Subsection 8.13(f)(iv), shall not exceed the greater of (i) $190,000,000412,500,000 and (ii) the amount equal to 25.00% of the Consolidated Tangible Assets at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness; and

 

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(x) Indebtedness in respect of performance, bid, appeal, surety, judgment, replevin and similar bonds, other suretyship arrangements, other similar obligations, letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar instruments or obligations, and take-or-pay obligations under supply arrangements, all provided in, or relating to liabilities or obligations incurred in, the ordinary course of business, including those issued to government entities in connection with self-insurance under applicable workers’ compensation statutes.; and

(y) Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time that is secured by a Lien on ABL Priority Collateral ranking pari passu with the Liens securing the Obligations (or any refinancing indebtedness in respect thereof permitted by the terms of this Agreement); provided, that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness outstanding at any time shall not exceed $15,000,000 at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness; provided, further, that such Indebtedness shall be subject to the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement or an Other Intercreditor Agreement.

For purposes of determining compliance with and the outstanding principal amount of any particular Indebtedness (including Guarantee Obligations) incurred pursuant to an in compliance with, this Subsection 8.13, (i) in the event that any Indebtedness (including Guarantee Obligations) meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness (including Guarantee Obligations) described in one or more clauses of this Subsection 8.13, the Borrower Representative, in its sole discretion, shall classify such item of Indebtedness and may include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one or more of the clauses of this Subsection 8.13 (including in part under one such clause and in part under another such clause); provided that (if the Parent Borrower shall so determine) any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Cash Capped Incremental Facility shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of such definition but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of the Ratio Incremental Facility from and after the first date on which the Parent Borrower could have incurred such Indebtedness under the Ratio Incremental Facility without reliance on the Cash Capped Incremental Facility; (ii) if any commitments in respect of revolving or deferred draw Indebtedness are established in reliance on any provision of this Subsection 8.13 measured by reference to Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) or a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets (or a percentage thereof), as applicable, at the Parent Borrower’s option in the case of a Limited Condition Transaction, on the date of the initial borrowing of such Indebtedness or entry into the definitive agreement providing for the commitment to fund such Indebtedness, after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of the entire committed amount of such Indebtedness, such amount may thereafter be borrowed and reborrowed, in whole or in part, from time to time, irrespective of whether or not such incurrence would cause such Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets (or percentage thereof) to be exceeded, (iii) if any Indebtedness is incurred to refinance Indebtedness (or unutilized commitments in respect of Indebtedness) initially incurred (or established) (or, to refinance Indebtedness incurred (or commitments established)) to refinance Indebtedness initially incurred (or commitments initially established) in reliance on any provision of this Subsection 8.13 measured by reference to Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets (or a percentage thereof) at the time of incurrence (or establishment), as applicable, and such refinancing would cause

 

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such Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets (or percentage thereof) to be exceeded if calculated based on the Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Tangible Assets on the date of such refinancing, such Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets (or percentage thereof), as applicable, shall not be deemed to be exceeded so long as the outstanding or committed principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the outstanding or committed principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced, plus the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing, (iv) if any Indebtedness is incurred to refinance Indebtedness (or unutilized commitments in respect of Indebtedness) initially incurred (or, established) (or, to refinance Indebtedness incurred (or commitments established) to refinance Indebtedness initially incurred (or commitments initially established)) in reliance on any provision of this Subsection 8.13 above measured by a dollar amount, such dollar amount shall not be deemed to be exceeded (and such refinancing Indebtedness shall be deemed permitted) to the extent the outstanding or committed principal amount of such newly incurredrefinancing Indebtedness does not exceed an amount equal to the outstanding or committed principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced, plus the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Indebtedness incurred by the Parent Borrower on the Closing Date under the Senior Notes or the Term Loan Facility shall be classified as incurred under Subsection 8.13(a) and may not later be reclassified, (v) the amount of Indebtedness issued at a price that is less than the principal amount thereof shall be equal to the amount of the liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with GAAP, (vi) the principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under any subclause of Subsection 8.13, including for purposes of any determination of the “Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount”, shall be determined after giving effect to the application of proceeds of any such Indebtedness to refinance any such other Indebtedness, (vii) in the event that the Borrower Representative shall classify Indebtedness incurred on the date of determination as incurred in part pursuant to Subsection 8.13(a)(B) and clause (ii) of the definition of Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount and in part pursuant to one or more other clauses of Subsection 8.13, as provided in clause (i) of this paragraph, any calculation of the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement), including in the definition of “Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount”, shall not include any such Indebtedness (and shall not give effect to any discharge of Indebtedness from the proceeds thereof) to the extent incurred pursuant to any such other clause of this Subsection 8.13 and (viii) any other obligation of the obligor on such Indebtedness (or of any other Person who could have incurred such Indebtedness under this covenant) arising under any Guarantee, Lien or letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or other similar instrument or obligation supporting such Indebtedness shall be disregarded to the extent that such Guarantee, Lien or letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or other similar instrument or obligation secures the principal amount of such Indebtedness.

For purposes of determining compliance with any provision of this Subsection 8.13 (or any category of Permitted Liens described in the definition thereof) measured by a dollar amount or by reference to Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) or a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets, (or a percentage thereof), in each case, for the incurrence of Indebtedness or Liens securing Indebtedness denominated in a

 

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foreign currency, the dollar equivalent principal amount of such Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date that such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term Indebtedness, or first committed, in the case of revolving or deferred draw Indebtedness; provided that (x) the dollar equivalent principal amount of any such Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the Closing Date, (y) if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency (or in a different currency from such Indebtedness so being incurred), and such refinancing would cause the applicable provision of this Subsection 8.13 (or category of Permitted Liens) measured by a dollar amount or by reference to Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets (or a percentage thereof), as applicable, to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such provision of this Subsection 8.13 (or category of Permitted Liens) measured by a dollar amount or by reference to Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or a percentage of Consolidated Tangible Assets (or a percentage thereof), as applicable, shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed (i) the outstanding or committed principal amount (whichever is higher) of such Indebtedness being refinanced plus (ii) the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing and (z) the dollar equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency and incurred pursuant to this Agreement or any Term Loan Facility shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on, at the Parent Borrower’s option, (A) the Closing Date, (B) any date on which any of the respective commitments under this Agreement or the applicable Term Loan Facility shall be reallocated between or among facilities or subfacilities hereunder or thereunder, or on which such rate is otherwise calculated for any purpose thereunder or, (C) the date of such incurrence or (D) the date on which such Indebtedness is allocated or priced, as applicable. The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

8.14 Limitations on Liens. Create or suffer to exist, any Lien upon or with respect to any of their respective properties or assetsABL Priority Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or assign, or permit any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries to assign, any right to receive income, except for the following (collectively, “Permitted Liens”):

(a) Liens (i) created pursuant to the Loan Documents or otherwise securing, directly or indirectly, the Obligations or other Indebtedness permitted by Subsection 8.13(b), as well as any obligations under Designated Cash Management Agreements and Designated Hedging Agreements, (ii) created pursuant to the Term Loan Documents, or (iii) created pursuant to any Additional Obligations Documents or any documents entered into in connection with any Permitted Debt Exchange or Rollover Indebtedness or otherwise securing, directly or indirectly, Additional Obligations, Permitted Debt Exchange Notes, Rollover Indebtedness or other Indebtedness permitted by Subsection 8.13(a)(i), provided that, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, (x) in respect of any such Indebtedness permitted to be secured, including, in the case of

 

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Indebtedness incurred under Subsection 8.13(a)(i)(B), to the extent such Indebtedness is permitted to be secured pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount and (y) provided that any such Indebtedness shall be secured on a junior basis with this Facility with respect to ABL Priority Collateral and on a senior, pari passu or junior basis with the Term Loanthis Facility (or any refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof permitted by the terms of this Agreement) with respect to Term Loan Priority Collateral and shall be subject to the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement and/or Junior Lien, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and/or an Other Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable;

(b) Liens existing on the Closing Date and disclosed on Schedule 8.14(b);

(c) Customary Permitted Liens;

(d) Liens (including Liens granted to secure any Purchase Money Obligation Liens) granted by the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including the interest of a lessor under a Financing Lease and Liens to which any property is subject at the time, on or after the Closing Date, of the Parent Borrower’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s acquisition thereof) securing Indebtedness permitted under Subsection 8.13(g) and limited in each case to the property purchased with the proceeds of such Indebtedness or subject to such Lien or Financing Lease;

(e) any Lien securing the renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by clause (a), (b) or (d) above, clause (l) or (q) below, or this clause (e); provided that (i) (A) in the case of any renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding of Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by clauses (a)(ii) and (a)(iii) above any such Indebtedness shall be secured on a junior basis with this Facility with respect to ABL Priority Collateral and on a senior, pari passu or junior basis with the Term Loan Facility (or any refinancing indebtedness in respect thereof permitted by the terms of this Agreement) with respect to Term Loan Priority Collateral, (B) in the case of any renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding of Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by clause (b) or (d) above (or successive renewals, extensions, refinancings or refundings thereof) such renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding is made without any change in the class or category of assets or property subject to such Lien and no such Lien is extended to cover any additional class or category of assets or property, (C) in the case of any renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding of Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by clause (l) below (or successive renewals, extensions, refinancings or refundings thereof), such Lien does not extend to cover any other assets or property (other than the proceeds or products thereof and after-acquired property subjected to a Lien pursuant to terms existing at the time of such acquisition, it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition), (D) in the case of any renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding of Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by clause (q) below (or successive renewals, extensions, refinancings or refundings thereof), such Liens do not encumber any assets or property other than Collateral (with the priority of such Liens in the ABL Priority Collateral and Term Loan

 

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Priority Collateral or equivalent thereof being no less favorable to the Lenders than the priority set forth in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement); and (E) in the case of any renewal, extension, refinancing or refunding of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted by Subsection 8.13(i) (or successive renewals, extensions, refinancings or refundings thereof), that the principal amount of such Indebtedness is not increased except as permitted by Subsection 8.13(i);

(f) Liens on assets of any Foreign Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower securing Indebtedness of such Foreign Subsidiary permitted under Subsection 8.13(h);

(g) Liens in favor of lessors securing operating leases permitted hereunder;

(h) statutory or common law Liens or rights of setoff of depository banks or securities intermediaries with respect to deposit accounts, securities accounts or other funds of the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary maintained at such banks or intermediaries, including to secure fees and charges in connection with returned items or the standard fees and charges of such banks or intermediaries in connection with the deposit accounts, securities accounts or other funds maintained by the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary at such banks or intermediaries (excluding any Indebtedness for borrowed money owing by the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary to such banks or intermediaries);

(i) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by the Parent Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(j) Liens on the property or assets described in Subsection 8.13(p) in respect of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted by Subsection 8.13(p);

(k) (i) Liens on the property or assets described in Subsection 8.13(q) in respect of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries permitted by Subsection 8.13(q) or (ii) Liens on cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments in respect of obligations described in Subsection 8.13(x) (whether or not such obligations constitute Indebtedness);

(l) Liens securing Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted by Subsection 8.13(m) incurred or assumed in connection with any Permitted Acquisition (other than Liens on the Capital Stock of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary); provided that (i) such Lien was not created in contemplation of such acquisition or such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) such Lien does not extend to cover any other assets or property (other than the proceeds or products thereof and after-acquired property subjected to a Lien pursuant to terms existing at the time of such acquisition, it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (iii) such Lien shall be created no later than the later of the date of such acquisition or the date of the assumption of such Indebtedness (other than as permitted by clause (ii) above);

 

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(m) any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call agreements) with respect to the Capital Stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to the joint venture or similar agreement with respect to such joint venture or similar arrangement;

(n) leases, subleases, licenses or, sublicenses or occupancy agreements to or from third parties;

(o) Liens in respect of Guarantee Obligations permitted under Subsection 8.13(f) relating to Indebtedness otherwise permitted under Subsection 8.13, to the extent Liens in respect of such Indebtedness are permitted under this Subsection 8.14;

(p) Liens on assets of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries not otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses of this Subsection 8.14 securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Subsection 8.13(e); provided that any Lien securing Indebtedness created pursuant to this clause (p) on ABL Priority Collateral shall be junior to the Lien on ABL Priority Collateral securing the Obligations under this Facility and subject to the terms of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or an Other Intercreditor Agreement or otherwise be on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(q) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Subsections 8.13(f)(viii)(x), 8.13(k) and 8.13(t), provided that (A) to the extent that the Borrower Representative determines to secure such Indebtedness permitted by Subsection 8.13(f)(viii)(x) with a Lien on any ABL Priority Collateral, the other party thereto, or an agent, trustee or other representative therefor, shall enter into a joinder to the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or an Other Intercreditor Agreement and (B) to the extent that the Borrower Representative determines to secure such Indebtedness permitted by Subsection 8.13(k) or 8.13(t) with a Lien on any ABL Priority Collateral on a basis pari passu in priority with the Liens securing the amounts due under the Facility and with a higher payment priority pursuant to Subsection 10.15 than clause “sixth” (Interest Rate Agreements, Hedging Agreements, other Permitted Hedging Arrangements or Cash Management Arrangements otherwise secured under the Security Documents), (x) only in respect of (i) any Bank Products Agreements constituting such Indebtedness permitted by Subsection 8.13(k) that are designated as Designated Cash Management Agreements and (ii) any Interest Rate Agreements, Hedging Agreements or other Permitted Hedging Arrangements constituting such Indebtedness permitted by Subsection 8.13(t) that are designated as Designated Hedging Agreements, in each case in accordance with the terms of Subsection 11.22, and (y) only to the extent that the other party to such Bank Products Agreement, Interest Rate Agreement, Hedging Agreement or other Permitted Hedging Arrangement, as the case may be, is a Bank Products Affiliate or a Hedging Affiliate for the purposes of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement;

(r) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Subsection 8.13(u) or (v);

 

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(s) Liens on Margin Stock, if and to the extent the value of all Margin Stock of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries exceeds 25.0% of the value of the total assets subject to this Subsection 8.14;

(t) Liens on any amounts (including the proceeds of the applicable Indebtedness and any cash, Cash Equivalents and Temporary Cash Investments deposited to cover interest and premium in respect of such Indebtedness) held by a trustee or escrow agent under any indenture or other debt agreement governing Indebtedness issued in escrow pursuant to customary escrow arrangements (as determined by the Parent Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive) pending the release thereof, or on the proceeds deposited to discharge, redeem or defease Indebtedness under any indenture or other debt agreement pursuant to customary discharge, redemption or defeasance provisions (as determined by the Parent Borrower in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), pending such discharge, redemption ofor defeasance and after irrevocable notice thereof has been delivered to the applicable trustee or agent;

(u) Liens on Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other securities of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any joint venture that secure Indebtedness or other obligations of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture, respectively; and

(v) any other Lien on property or assets of Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than ABL Priority Collateral) permitted under the Term Loan Facility or any Additional Term Credit Facility.;

(w) Liens on (x) accounts receivable or notes receivable (including any ancillary rights pertaining thereto) purported to be sold in connection with any factoring agreement or similar arrangements to secure obligations owed under such factoring agreement or similar arrangements and (y) any bank accounts used by the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with any factoring agreement or any similar arrangements; and

(x) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Subsection 8.13(y).

For purposes of determining compliance with this Subsection 8.14, (i) a Lien need not be incurred solely by reference to one category of Permitted Liens described in this Subsection 8.14 but may be incurred under any combination of such categories (including in part under one such category and in part under any other such category), (ii) in the event that a Lien (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of such categories of Permitted Liens, the Borrower Representative shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify such Lien (or any portion thereof) and may include the amount and type of such Lien in one or more of the clauses of this Subsection 8.14, (iii) if any Liens securing Indebtedness are incurred to refinance Liens securing Indebtedness initially incurred in reliance on a basket measured by reference to a percentage of Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Tangible Assets (or a percentage thereof) at the time of incurrence, and such refinancing would cause the percentage ofFour Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Tangible Assets (or percentage thereof) restriction to be exceeded if calculated based on the Four Quarter Consolidated EBITDA or the Consolidated Tangible Assets on the date of such refinancing, such percentage ofFour Quarter

 

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Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Tangible Assets (or percentage thereof) restriction shall not be deemed to be exceeded so long as the principal amount of such Indebtedness secured by such Liens does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness secured by such Liens being refinanced, plus the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses (including accrued and unpaid interest) incurred or payable in connection with such refinancing, (iv) it is understood that a Lien securing Indebtedness that is permitted by the foregoing provisions of this Subsection 8.14 may secure Debt Obligations with respect to such Indebtedness, and (v) in the event that the Borrower Representative shall classify Indebtedness incurred on the date of determination as secured in part pursuant to Subsection 8.14(a) in respect of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Subsection 8.13(a)(B) and clause (ii) of the definition of Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount and in part pursuant to one or more other clauses of Subsection 8.14, as provided in clause (ii) of this paragraph, any calculation of the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement), including in the definition of “Maximum Incremental Facilities Amount”, shall not include any such Indebtedness (and shall not give effect to any dischargeDischarge of Indebtedness from the proceeds thereof) to the extent secured pursuant to any such other clause of this Subsection 8.14.

SECTION 9

Events of Default

9.1 Events of Default. Any of the following from and after the Closing Date shall constitute an event of default:

(a) Any of the Borrowers shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any Reimbursement Obligation when due in accordance with the terms hereof (whether at Stated Maturity, by mandatory prepayment or otherwise); or any of the Borrowers shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan, or any other amount payable hereunder, within five Business Days after any such interest or other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof; orprovided that any non-payment of principal, interest or other amounts resulting from a Borrower’s good faith payment of an invoice received from the Administrative Agent shall not constitute an Event of Default; or

(b) Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document (or in any amendment, modification or supplement hereto or thereto) or which is contained in any certificate furnished at any time by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement or any such other Loan Document shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made, and for the failure of any representation or warranty that is capable of being cured (as determined in good faith by the Borrower Representative, which determination shall be conclusive), such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (A) the date on which a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative becomes aware of such failure and (B) the date on which written notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; provided that the failure of any representation or warranty (other than the representations and warranties referenced in Subsection 6.1(p)(ii) and the representation contained in the Officer’s Certificateofficer’s certificate delivered pursuant

 

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to Subsection 6.1(f) with respect to the satisfaction of the condition set forth in Subsection 6.1(p)(i)) to be true and correct on the Closing Date will not constitute an Event of Default hereunder or under any other Loan Document, including for the purposes of exercising any remedy under Subsection 9.2 of this Agreement or for the purpose of determining any right to exercise enforcement rights under any Loan Document; or

(c) Any Loan Party shall default in the payment, observance or performance of any term, covenant or agreement contained in (iSubsection 4.16 (provided that, if any such failure with respect to Subsection 4.16 is (x) of a type that can be cured within five Business Days and (y) such Default could not materially adversely impact the Lenders’ Liens on the Collateral, such failure shall not constitute an Event of Default for five Business Days after the occurrence thereof so long as the Loan Parties are diligently pursuing the cure of such failure), (iiSubsection 7.2(f) (after a grace period of five Business Days or, if during the continuance of a Dominion Event, a grace period of one Business Day) or (iiiSection 8; or

(d) Any Loan Party shall default in the observance or performance of any other agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than as provided in clauses (a) through (c) or clause (k) of this Subsection 9.1), and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days , in the case of a default with respect to failure to deliver financial statements under Subsection 7.1 or related certificates under Subsection 7.2, 90 days, and in the case of any other default, 30 days, in each case after the earlier of (A) the date on which a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative becomes aware of such failure and (B) the date on which written notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower Representative by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; or

(e) Any Loan Party or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall (i) default in (x) any payment of principal of or interest on any Indebtedness (excluding the Loans and the Reimbursement Obligations and any Indebtedness owed to the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party) in excess of $50,000,000the greater of (x) $100,000,000 and (y) 6.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets or (y) in the payment of any Guarantee Obligation in respect of Indebtedness in excess of $50,000,000the greater of (x) $100,000,000 and (y) 6.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness or Guarantee Obligation was created; (ii) default in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any Indebtedness (excluding the Loans and the Reimbursement Obligations and any Indebtedness owed to the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party) or Guarantee Obligation referred to in clause (i) above or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto (other than a default in the observance of anyor compliance with any financial maintenance covenant or any representation or warranty related to such financial maintenance covenant, or a failure to provide notice of a default or an event of default under such instrument or agreement), or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Guarantee Obligation (or a trustee or agent on behalf

 

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of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice or lapse of time if required, such Indebtedness to become due prior to its Stated Maturity or such Guarantee Obligation to become payable (an “Acceleration”; and the term “Accelerated” shall have a correlative meaning), and such time shall have lapsed and, if any notice (a “Default Notice”) shall be required to commence a grace period or declare the occurrence of an event of default before notice of Acceleration may be delivered, such Default Notice shall have been given and (in the case of the preceding clause (i) or (ii)) such default, event or condition shall not have been remedied or waived by or on behalf of the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or Guarantee Obligation (provided that the preceding clause (ii) shall not apply to (x) secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder or (y) any termination event or similar event pursuant to the terms of any Hedging Agreement); or (iii) in the case of any Indebtedness or Guarantee Obligations referred to in clause (i) above containing or otherwise requiring observance or compliance with any financial maintenance covenant, default in the observance of or compliance with such financial maintenance covenant or any representation or warranty related to such financial maintenance covenant such that such Indebtedness or Guarantee Obligation shall have been Accelerated and such Acceleration shall not have been rescinded; or

(f) If (ianythe Parent Borrower or any Material Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower shall commence any case, proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts (excluding, in each case, the solvent liquidation or reorganization of any Foreign Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that is not a Loan Party), or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, receivers, receiver and manager, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or anythe Parent Borrower or any Material Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or (ii) there shall be commenced against anythe Parent Borrower or any Material Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause (i) above which (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed, undischarged, unstayed or unbonded for a period of 6090 days; or (iii) there shall be commenced against anythe Parent Borrower or any Material Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower any case, proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of its assets which results in the entry of an order for any such relief which shall not have been vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal within 6090  days from the entry thereof; or (ivanythe Parent Borrower or any Material Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower shall take any corporate or other similar organizational action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) above; or (vanythe Parent Borrower or any Material Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower shall be generally unable to, or shall admit in writing its general inability to, pay its debts as they become due; or

 

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(g) (i) Any Person shall engage in any “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) involving any Plan, (ii) any failure to satisfy the minimum funding standard (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived, shall exist with respect to any Plan or any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan shall arise on the assets of either of the Parent Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity, (iii) a Reportable Event shall occur with respect to, or proceedings shall commence to have a trustee appointed, or a trustee shall be appointed, to administer or to terminate, any Single Employer Plan, which Reportable Event or commencement of proceedings or appointment of a trustee is in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent likely to result in the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (iv) any Single Employer Plan shall terminate for purposes of Title IV of ERISA other than a standard termination pursuant to Section 4041(b) of ERISA, (v) either of the Parent Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity shall, or in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent is reasonably likely to, incur any liability in connection with a withdrawal from, or the Insolvency of, a Multiemployer Plan, or (vi) any other event or condition shall occur or exist with respect to a Plan; and in each case in clauses (i) through (vi) above, such event or condition, together with all other such events or conditions, if any, would be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

(h) One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries involving in the aggregate at any time a liability (net of any insurance or indemnity payments actually received in respect thereof prior to or within 90 days from the entry thereof, or to be received in respect thereof in the event of any appeal thereof shall be unsuccessful) of $50,000,000, or that the Parent Borrower has determined there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will be reimbursed by the insurer or the indemnifying party and such amount is not denied by the applicable insurer or indemnifying party in writing within 180 days and is reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence) of the greater of (x) $100,000,000 and (y) 6.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets or more, and all such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged, satisfied, stayed or bonded pending appeal within 90 days from the entry thereof; or

(i) (i) The Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall, or any other Security Document covering a significant portion of the ABL Priority Collateral shall (at any time after its execution, delivery and effectiveness), cease for any reason to be in full force and effect (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof), or any Loan Party which is a party to any such Security Document shall so assert in writing, or (ii) the Lien created by any of the Security Documents shall cease to be perfected and enforceable in accordance with its terms or of the same effect as to perfection and priority purported to be created thereby with respect to any significant portion of the ABL Priority Collateral (other than in connection with any termination of such Lien in respect of any Collateral as permitted hereby or by any Security Document), and such failure of such Lien to be perfected and enforceable with such priority shall have continued unremedied for a period of 20 days; after the earlier of (A) the date on which a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower becomes aware of such failure and (B) the date on which written notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower Representative by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; or

 

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(j) Any Loan Party shall assert in writing that any of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement (after execution and delivery thereof) or any Other Intercreditor Agreement (after execution and delivery thereof) shall have ceased for any reason to be in full force and effect (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof) or shall knowingly contest, or knowingly support any other Person in any action that seeks to contest, the validity or effectiveness of any such intercreditor agreement (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof); or

(k) A Change of Control shall have occurred.

9.2 Remedies Upon an Event of Default. (a) If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, then, and in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified in clause (i) or (ii) of Subsection 9.1(f) with respect to any Borrower, automatically the Commitments, if any, shall immediately terminate and the Loans hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement (including all amounts of L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder (unless cash collateralized or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Lender) shall immediately become due and payable, and (B) if such event is any other Event of Default, either or both of the following actions may be taken: (i) with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower Representative, declare the Commitments to be terminated forthwith, whereupon the Commitments, if any, shall immediately terminate; and (ii) with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower Representative, declare the Loans hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement (including all amounts of L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder (unless cash collateralized or otherwise provided for in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Lender)) to be due and payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable.

(b) Except as expressly provided above in this Section 9, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender may deliver notice of, or otherwise consent, take action or direct or require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any action in respect of, any Default or Event of Default with respect to any action taken, and reported publicly or otherwise reported to Lenders, more than two years prior to such notice of, consent, action or direction or requirement to undertake action in respect of, Default or Event of Default, and such notice, consent, action or direction or requirement to undertake action shall be invalid and have no effect.

 

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9.3 Borrower’sBorrowers’ Right to Cure . (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary otherwise contained in this Section 9, in the event of any Event of Default under the covenant set forth in Subsection 8.1 and upon the receipt of a Specified Equity Contribution within the time period specified, and subject to the satisfaction of the other conditions with respect to Specified Equity Contribution set forth in the definition thereof, Consolidated EBITDA shall be increased with respect to such applicable Fiscal Quarter and any four Fiscal Quarter period that contains such Fiscal Quarter by the amount of such Specified Equity Contribution (the “Cure Amount”), solely for the purpose of measuring compliance with Subsection 8.1. If, after giving effect to the foregoing pro forma adjustment (without giving effect to any repayment of any Indebtedness with any portion of the Cure Amount or any portion of the Cure Amount on the balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, with respect to such Fiscal Quarter only), the Parent Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall then be in compliance with the requirements of Subsection 8.1, they shall be deemed to have been in compliance therewith as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable breach or default hereunder that had occurred shall be deemed cured for the purposes of this Agreement.

(b) The parties hereby acknowledge that notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) the Cure Amount received pursuant to the occurrence of any Specified Equity Contribution shall be disregarded for purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA in any determination of any financial ratio-based conditions (other than as applicable to Subsection 8.1), pricing or basket under Section 8 and (ii) no Lender or Issuing Lender shall be required to make any Extension of Credit hereunder, if an Event of Default under the covenant set forth in Subsection 8.1 has occurred and is continuing, (x) during the 1021 Business Day period during which a Specified Equity Contribution may be made, or (y) on the date on which a Borrowing Base Certificate is delivered and on which a Specified Equity Contribution may be made (in each case as provided in the definition of Specified Equity Contribution), unless and until the Cure Amount is actually received.

SECTION 10

The Agents and the Other Representatives

10.1 Appointment. (a) Each Lender and each Issuing Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Agents as the agents of such Lender or Issuing Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each such Lender or Issuing Lender irrevocably authorizes each Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to or required of such Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Agents and the Other Representatives shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except, in the case of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Issuing Lender, those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against any Agent or the Other Representatives.

 

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(b) Each of the Agents may perform any of their respective duties under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any other instruments and agreements referred to herein or therein by or through its respective officers, directors, agents, employees or affiliates, or delegate any and all such rights and powers to, any one or more sub-agents appointed by such Agent (it being understood and agreed, for avoidance of doubt and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, that the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may perform any of their respective duties under the Security Documents by or through one or more of their respective affiliates). Each Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Section 10 shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of each Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Agent.

(c) Except for Subsections 10.5, 10.8(a), 10.8(b), 10.8(c), 10.8(e), 10.13 and 10.8(g) and (to the extent of the Borrowers’ rights thereunder and the conditions included therein) 10.9, the provisions of this Section 10 are solely for the benefit of the Agents, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders, and no Borrower or any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third-party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

10.2 The Administrative Agent and Affiliates. Each person serving as an Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include each person serving as an Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such person and its affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with any Holding Company, the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such person were not an Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

10.3 Action by an Agent. In performing its functions and duties under this Agreement, each Agent shall act solely as an agent for the Lenders and, as applicable, the other Secured Parties, and no Agent assumes any (and shall not be deemed to have assumed any) relationship of agency or trust with or for the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. Each Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact (including the Collateral Agent in the case of the Administrative Agent), and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact or counsel selected by it with reasonable care.

 

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10.4 Exculpatory Provisions. (a) No Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Agent:

(i) shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

(ii) shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that such Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents); provided that such Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its judgment or the judgment of its counsel, may expose such Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Requirement of Law; and

(iii) shall, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrowers or any of their Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the person serving as such Agent or any of its affiliates in any capacity.

(b) No Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (x) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as such Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Subsection 9.2 or 11.1, as applicable) or (y) in the absence of its own bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct. No Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to such Agent by a Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Lender.

(c) No Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report, statement, agreement or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Security Documents or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 6 or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to such Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of the term “agent” in this Agreement with reference to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead, such term as used merely as a matter of market custom and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

 

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(d) Each party to this Agreement acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent may use an outside service provider for the tracking of all UCC financing statements required to be filed pursuant to the Loan Documents and notification to the Administrative Agent, of, among other things, the upcoming lapse or expiration thereof, and that any such service provider will be deemed to be acting at the request and on behalf of the Borrowers and the other Loan Parties. No Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by any such service provider.

10.5 Acknowledgement and Representations by Lenders . (a) Each Lender and each Issuing Lender expressly acknowledges that none of the Agents or the Other Representatives nor any of their officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent or any Other Representative hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by such Agent or such Other Representative to any Lender. Each Lender further represents and warrants to the Agents, the Other Representatives and each of the Loan Parties that it has had the opportunity to review each document made available to it on the Platform in connection with this Agreement and has acknowledged and accepted the terms and conditions applicable to the recipients thereof. Each Lender and each Issuing Lender represents to the Agents, the Other Representatives and each of the Loan Parties that, independently and without reliance upon any Agent, the Other Representatives or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, it has made and will make, its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of any Holding Company and the Parent Borrower and the other Loan Parties, it has made its own decision to make its Loans or issue Letters of Credit hereunder and enter into this Agreement and it will make its own decisions in taking or not taking any action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, neither the Agents nor any Other Representative shall have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender or the holder of any Note with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before the making of the Loans or at any time or times thereafter. Each Lender (other than, in the case of clause (i), an Affiliated Lender, any Parent Entity (other than any Holding Company) or any Unrestricted Subsidiary) and each Issuing Lender represents to each other party hereto (i) that it is a bank, savings and loan association or other similar savings institution, insurance company, investment fund or company or other financial institution which makes or acquires commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business, that it is participating hereunder as a Lender or Issuing Lender, as applicable, for such commercial purposes, and (ii) that it has the knowledge and experience to be and is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of being a Lender hereunder. Each Lender and each Issuing Lender acknowledges and agrees to comply with the provisions of Subsection 11.6 applicable to the Lenders and Issuing Lenders hereunder.

(b)

 

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(i) If the Administrative Agent notifies a Lender, Issuing Lender or Secured Party, or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, Issuing Lender or Secured Party such Lender or Issuing Lender (any such Lender, Issuing Lender, Secured Party or other recipient, a “Payment Recipient”) that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion (whether or not after receipt of any notice under immediately succeeding clause (b)(ii)) that any funds received by such Payment Recipient from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates were erroneously transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or not known to such Lender, Issuing Lender, Secured Party or other Payment Recipient on its behalf) (any such funds, whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise, individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”) and demands the return of such Erroneous Payment (or a portion thereof), such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain the property of the Administrative Agent and shall be segregated by the Payment Recipient and held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, and such Lender, Issuing Lender or Secured Party shall (or, with respect to any Payment Recipient who received such funds on its behalf, shall cause such Payment Recipient to) promptly, but in no event later than two Business Days thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made, in same day funds (in the currency so received), together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in same day funds at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Payment Recipient under this clause (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(ii) Without limiting immediately preceding clause (b)(i), each Lender, Issuing Lender or Secured Party, or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, Issuing Lender or Secured Party, hereby further agrees that if it receives a payment, prepayment or repayment (whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise) from the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates), or (z) that such Lender, Issuing Lender or Secured Party, or other such recipient, otherwise becomes aware was transmitted, or received, in error or by mistake (in whole or in part) in each case:

(A) (I) in the case of immediately preceding clauses (x) or (y), an error shall be presumed to have been made (absent written confirmation from the Administrative Agent to the contrary) or (II) an error has been made (in the case of immediately preceding clause (z)), in each case, with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment; and

 

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(B) such Lender, Issuing Lender or Secured Party shall (and shall cause any other recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf to) promptly (and, in all events, within one Business Day of its knowledge of such error) notify the Administrative Agent of its receipt of such payment, prepayment or repayment, the details thereof (in reasonable detail) and that it is so notifying the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Subsection 10.5(b).

(iii) Each Lender, Issuing Lender or Secured Party hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender, Issuing Lender or Secured Party under any Loan Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender, Issuing Lender or Secured Party from any source, against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under immediately preceding clause (b)(i) or under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement.

(iv) In the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered by the Administrative Agent for any reason, after demand therefor by the Administrative Agent in accordance with immediately preceding clause (a), from any Lender or Issuing Lender that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) (and/or from any Payment Recipient who received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) on its respective behalf) (such unrecovered amount, an “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency”), upon the Administrative Agent’s notice to such Lender or Issuing Lender at any time, (A) such Lender or Issuing Lender shall be deemed to have assigned its Loans (but not its Commitments) in an amount equal to the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may specify) (such assignment of the Loans (but not Commitments), the “Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment”) at par plus any accrued and unpaid interest (with the assignment fee to be waived by the Administrative Agent in such instance), and is hereby (together with the Parent Borrower) deemed to execute and deliver an Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and such Lender or Issuing Lender shall deliver any Notes evidencing such Loans to the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent, (B) the Administrative Agent as the assignee Lender shall be deemed to acquire the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, (C) upon such deemed acquisition, the Administrative Agent as the assignee Lender shall become a Lender or Issuing Lender, as applicable, hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and the assigning Lender or assigning Issuing Lender shall cease to be a Lender or Issuing Lender, as applicable, hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, its obligations under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement and its applicable Commitments which shall survive as to such assigning Lender or assigning Issuing Lender and (D) the Administrative Agent may reflect in the Register its ownership interest in the Loans subject to the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment. The Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, sell any Loans acquired pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and upon receipt of the proceeds of such sale, the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency owing by the applicable Lender or

 

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Issuing Lender shall be reduced by the net proceeds of the sale of such Loan (or portion thereof), and the Administrative Agent shall retain all other rights, remedies and claims against such Lender or Issuing Lender (and/or against any recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf). For the avoidance of doubt, no Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment will reduce the Commitments of any Lender or Issuing Lender and such Commitments shall remain available in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. In addition, each party hereto agrees that, except to the extent that the Administrative Agent has sold a Loan (or portion thereof) acquired pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent may be equitably subrogated, the Administrative Agent shall be contractually subrogated to all the rights and interests of the applicable Lender, Issuing Lender or Secured Party under the Loan Documents with respect to each Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (the “Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights”).

(v) The parties hereto agree that an Erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by any Borrower or any other Loan Party, except, in each case, to the extent such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from any Borrower or any other Loan Party for the purpose of making such Erroneous Payment.

(vi) To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Payment Recipient shall assert any right or claim to an Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives, and is deemed to waive, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payment received, including without limitation waiver of any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine.

(vii) Each party’s obligations, agreements and waivers under this Subsection 10.5(b) shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender or Issuing Lender, the termination of the Commitments and/or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document.

10.6 Indemnity; Reimbursement by Lenders. (a) To the extent that the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under Subsection 11.5 to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the Collateral Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the Issuing Lenders, the Swingline Lender or any Other Representative or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay ratably according to their respective Commitment Percentages in effect on the date on which the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought under this Subsection 10.6 (or, if the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought after the date upon which the Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with their Commitment Percentages, immediately prior to such date) such unpaid amount (such indemnity shall be effective whether or not the related losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses are incurred or asserted by any party hereto or any third party); provided that (i) the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage,

 

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liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the Collateral Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Lenders in their capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the Collateral Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the Swingline Lender or Issuing Lenders in connection with such capacity and (ii) such indemnity for the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Lenders shall not include losses incurred by the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Lenders due to one or more Lenders defaulting in their obligations to purchase participations of Swingline Exposure under Subsections 2.4(c) and 2.4(d) or L/C Obligations under Subsection 3.4 (it being understood that this proviso shall not affect the Swingline Lender’s or any Issuing Lender’s rights against any Defaulting Lender). The obligations of the Lenders under this Subsection 10.6 are subject to the provisions of Subsection 4.8.

(b) Any Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action hereunder and under any other Loan Document (except actions expressly required to be taken by it hereunder or under the Loan Documents) unless it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders pro rata against any and all liability, cost and expense that it may incur by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.

(c) All amounts due under this Subsection 10.6 shall be payable not later than three Business Days after demand therefor. The agreements in this Subsection 10.6 shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

10.7 Right to Request and Act on Instructions. (a) Each Agent may at any time request instructions from the Lenders with respect to any actions or approvals which by the terms of this Agreement or of any of the Loan Documents an Agent is permitted or desires to take or to grant, and if such instructions are promptly requested, the requesting Agent shall be absolutely entitled as between itself and the Lenders to refrain from taking any action or to withhold any approval and shall not be under any liability whatsoever to any Lender for refraining from any action or withholding any approval under any of the Loan Documents until it shall have received such instructions from the Required Lenders or all or such other portion of the Lenders as shall be prescribed by this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against any Agent as a result of an Agent acting or refraining from acting under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in accordance with the instructions of the Required Lenders (or all or such other portion of the Lenders as shall be prescribed by this Agreement) and, notwithstanding the instructions of the Required Lenders (or such other applicable portion of the Lenders), an Agent shall have no obligation to any Lender to take any action if it believes, in good faith, that such action would violate applicable law or exposes an Agent to any liability for which it has not received satisfactory indemnification in accordance with the provisions of Subsection 10.6.

(b) Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper person. Each Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the

 

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proper person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or such Issuing Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or such Issuing Lender prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrowers), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall be entitled to rely upon the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with such advice.

10.8 Collateral Matters. (a) Each Lender authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to enter into (x) the Security Documents, the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any Other Intercreditor Agreement for the benefit of the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, (y) any amendments, amendments and restatements, restatements or waivers of or supplements to or other modifications to the Security Documents, the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any Other Intercreditor Agreement or other intercreditor agreements in connection with the incurrence by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof of Additional Indebtedness (each an “Intercreditor Agreement Supplement”) to permit such Additional Indebtedness to be secured by a valid, perfected lien (with such priority as may be designated by the Parent Borrower or relevant Subsidiary, to the extent such priority is permitted by the Loan Documents) and (z) any amendments provided for under Subsections 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8, respectively. Each Lender hereby agrees, and each holder of any Note or participant in Letters of Credit by the acceptance thereof will be deemed to agree, that, except as otherwise set forth herein, any action taken by the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or the Required Lenders in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Security Documents, the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, any Other Intercreditor Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement Supplement, or any agreement required in connection with an Incremental Facility pursuant to Subsection 2.6, any agreement required in connection with a Refinancing Amendment pursuant to Subsection 2.7 and any agreement required in connection with an Extension Offer pursuant to Subsection 2.8, and the exercise by the Agents or the Required Lenders of the powers set forth herein or therein, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be authorized and binding upon all of the Lenders. Each Lender appoints and authorizes the Collateral Agent to act as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (and, in its capacity as Collateral Agent, to hold the benefit of any security interest created by the Security Documents and/or any asset and proceeds of any asset paid to, held by or received or recovered by it under or in connection with the Loan Documents on trust for itself and the other Lenders according to its and their respective interests and upon the terms and conditions set out in the relevant Loan Documents). The Collateral Agent is hereby authorized on behalf of all of the Lenders, without the necessity of any notice to or further consent from any Lender, from time to time, to take any action with respect to any applicable Collateral or Security Documents which may be necessary to perfect and maintain perfected the security interest in and liens upon the Collateral granted pursuant to the Security Documents. Each Lender agrees that it will not have any right individually to enforce or seek to enforce any Security Document or to realize upon any

 

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Collateral for the Loans unless instructed to do so by the Collateral Agent, it being understood and agreed that such rights and remedies may be exercised only by the Collateral Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Lender expressly and irrevocably waives any right to take or institute any actions or proceedings, judicial or otherwise, for any right or remedy or assert any other cause of action against any Loan Party (including the exercise of any right of set-off, rights on account of any banker’s lien or similar claim or other rights of self-help), or institute any actions or proceedings or any other cause of action, or otherwise commence any remedial procedures, in each case in its capacity as a Lender, against any Holding Company, the Parent Borrower and/or any of their respective Subsidiaries or any Parent Entity or IPO Vehicle with respect to any Collateral or any other property of any such Person, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders (which shall not be withheld in contravention of this Section 10); provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, this provision may be enforced against any Lender by the Required Lenders, the Agents or the Borrowers (or any of their Affiliates) and each Lender and the Agents expressly acknowledge that this provision shall be available as a defense of the Borrowers (or any of their Affiliates) in any action, proceeding, cause of action or remedial procedure. The Collateral Agent may grant extensions of time for the creation and perfection of security interests in or the obtaining of title insurance, legal opinions or other deliverables with respect to particular assets or the provision of any guarantee by any Subsidiary (including extensions beyond the Closing Date or in connection with assets acquired, or Subsidiaries formed or acquired, after the Closing Date) where it determines that such action cannot be accomplished without undue effort or expense by the time or times at which it would otherwise be required to be accomplished by this Agreement or the Security Documents.

(b) The Lenders hereby authorize each Agent, in each case at its option and in its discretion, (A) to release any Lien granted to or held by such Agent upon any Collateral (i) upon termination of the Commitments, payment and satisfaction of all of the Obligations under the Loan Documents at any time arising under or in respect of this Agreement or the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby that are then due and unpaid and termination (or cash collateralization on terms acceptable to the Issuing Lender) of all Letters of Credit, (ii) constituting property being sold or otherwise disposed of (to Persons other than a Loan PartyBorrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor) upon the sale or other disposition thereof, (iii) owned by any Subsidiary Guarantor whichthat is or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary, is released from its Obligations pursuant to Subsection 7.9(b) or ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower, or constituting Capital Stock or other equity interests of an Excluded Subsidiary (other than Capital Stock of a Foreign Subsidiary or a Subsidiary described in clause (d) of the definition of “Excluded Subsidiary” if and to the extent it is required to be pledged as Collateral pursuant to any applicable Security Document), (iv) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders (or such greater amount, to the extent required by Subsection 11.1), (v) constituting Term Loan Priority Collateral upon the “Discharge of Term Loan Collateral Obligations” (as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement) or (vi) as otherwise may be expressly provided in the relevant Security Documents, (B) at the written request of the Borrower Representative to subordinate any Lien (or to confirm the absence of any Lien) on any Excluded Assets or any other property granted to or held by such Agent, as the case may be under any Loan Document, to the holder of any Permitted Lien on such property that

 

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is permitted by Subsection 8.14(other than Permitted Liens securing the Obligations under the Loan Documents or that are required by the express terms of this Agreement to be pari passu with or junior to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations under this Agreement pursuant to the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or an Other Intercreditor Agreement), (C) to release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its Obligations under any Loan Documents to which it is a party if such Person ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower, is released from its Obligations pursuant to Subsection 7.9(b) or is or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary and (D) to release any Lien granted to or held by such Agent upon any Term Loan Priority Collateral to the extent required pursuant to the terms of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement. Upon request by any Agent, at any time, the Required Lenders or all or such other portion of the Lenders as shall be prescribed by this Agreement will confirm in writing any Agent’s authority to release particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Subsection 10.8.

(c) The Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, in each case at its option and in its discretion, to enter into any amendment, amendment and restatement, restatement, waiver, supplement or modification, and to make or consent to any filings or to take any other actions, in each case as contemplated by Subsection 11.17. Upon request by any Agent, at any time, the Required Lenders or all or such other portion of the Lenders as shall be prescribed by this Agreement will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s and the Collateral Agent’s authority under this Subsection 10.8(c).

(d) No Agent shall have any obligation whatsoever to the Lenders to assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by any Holding Company, the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or is cared for, protected or insured or that the Liens granted to any Agent herein or pursuant hereto have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, or to exercise or to continue exercising at all or in any manner or under any duty of care, disclosure or fidelity any of the rights, authorities and powers granted or available to the Agents in this Subsection 10.8 or in any of the Security Documents, it being understood and agreed by the Lenders that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission or event related thereto, each Agent may act in any manner it may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion, given such Agent’s own interest in the Collateral as a Lender and that no Agent shall have any duty or liability whatsoever to the Lenders, except for its bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(e) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, any Security Document may be amended (or amended and restated), restated, waived, supplemented or modified as contemplated by and in accordance with either Subsection 11.1 or 11.17, as applicable, with the written consent of the Agent party thereto and the Loan PartyParties party thereto.

(f) The Collateral Agent may, and hereby does, appoint the Administrative Agent as its agent for the purposes of holding any Collateral and/or perfecting the Collateral Agent’s security interest therein and for the purpose of taking such other action with respect to the collateral as such Agents may from time to time agree.

 

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(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Lender expressly and irrevocably agrees that it will not hinder, or direct the Agents to take any action that will hinder, the automatic release of any security interest, Lien or Guarantee provided for by this Subsection 10.8 to the extent the Borrower Representative determines in good faith that the applicable transaction is permitted under this Agreement (including, without limitation, in connection with any disposition to Persons other than a Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor permitted under this Agreement), including, without limitation, any refusal to release security interests, Liens or Guarantees, return possessory collateral, execute and/or file release documentation or take any other reasonably requested actions to document or effectuate the release of such security interests, Liens or Guarantees, in each case, at the Borrowers’ sole cost and expense, and each Lender expressly and irrevocably agrees that the Agents shall be authorized to, and shall, take any necessary action to release any such security interest, Lien or Guarantee to the extent authorized to do so by this Subsection 10.8 without any obligation or requirement to notify or obtain consent from any Lender unless required by Subsection 11.1(a)(iii) (and the Agents shall not condition any such actions on providing notice to, or obtaining consent from, the Lenders unless required by Subsection 11.1(a)(iii)).

10.9 Successor Agent. Subject to the appointment of a successor as set forth herein, (i) the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may be removed by the Borrower Representative or the Required Lenders if the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, or a controlling affiliate of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent is a Defaulting Lender and (ii) the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may resign as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, respectively, in each case upon 10 days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Borrower Representative, as applicable. If the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent shall be removed by the Borrower Representative or the Required Lenders pursuant to clause (i) above or if the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders, which such successor agent shall be subject to approval by the Borrower Representative; provided that such approval by the Borrower Representative in connection with the appointment of any successor Administrative Agent shall only be required so long as no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or 9.1(f) has occurred and is continuing; provided, further, that the Borrower Representative shall not unreasonably withhold its approval of any successor Administrative Agent if such successor is a commercial bank with a consolidated combined capital and surplus of at least $5,000,000,000an Approved Commercial Bank. Upon the successful appointment of a successor agent, such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, and the term “Administrative Agent” or “Collateral Agent”, as applicable, shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans or issuers of Letters of Credit. After any retiring Agent’s resignation or removal as Agent, the provisions of this Section 10 (including this Subsection 10.9) shall inure to its benefit

 

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as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. After the resignation or removal of any Administrative Agent pursuant to the preceding provisions of this Subsection 10.9, such resigning or removed Administrative Agent (x) shall not be required to act as Issuing Lender for any Letters of Credit to be issued after the date of such resignation or removal (and all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the resigning Issuing Lender shall be paid in full upon its resignation or removal) and (y) shall not be required to act as Swingline Lender with respect to Swingline Loans to be made after the date of such resignation or removal (and all outstanding Swingline Loans of such resigning or removed Administrative Agent shall be required to be repaid in full upon its resignation or removal), although the resigning or removed Administrative Agent shall retain all rights hereunder as Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender with respect to all Letters of Credit issued by it, and all Swingline Loans made by it, prior to the effectiveness of its resignation or removal as Administrative Agent hereunder. The fees payable by the Borrower Representative to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower Representative and such successor.

10.10 Swingline Lender. The provisions of this Section 10 shall apply to the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such to the same extent that such provisions apply to the Administrative Agent.

10.11 Withholding Tax. To the extent required by any applicable law, each Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax, and in no event shall such Agent be required to be responsible for or pay any additional amount with respect to any such withholding. If the Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Authority asserts a claim that any Agent did not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender because the appropriate form was not delivered or was not properly executed or because such Lender failed to notify such Agent of a change in circumstances which rendered the exemption from or reduction of withholding tax ineffective or for any other reason, without limiting the provisions of Subsection 4.11(a) or 4.12, such Lender shall indemnify such Agent fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by such Agent as tax or otherwise, including any penalties or interest and together with any expenses incurred and shall make payable in respect thereof within 30 days after demand therefor. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due the Administrative Agent under this Subsection 10.11. The agreements in this Subsection 10.11 shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations. For purposes of this Subsection 10.11, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Lender.

10.12 Other Representatives. None of the entities identified as joint bookrunners and joint lead arrangers pursuant to the definition of Other Representative contained herein, shall have any duties or responsibilities hereunder or under any other Loan Document in its capacity as such. Without limiting the foregoing, no Other Representative shall have nor be deemed to have a fiduciary relationship with any Lender. At any time that any Lender serving as an Other Representative shall have transferred to any other Person (other than any of its affiliates) all of its interests in the Loans and in the Commitments, such Lender shall be deemed to have concurrently resigned as such Other Representative.

 

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10.13 Appointment of Borrower Representatives. Each Borrower hereby designates the Parent Borrower as its Borrower Representative. The Borrower Representative will be acting as agent on each Borrower’s behalf for the purposes of issuing notices of Borrowing and notices of conversion/continuation of any Loans pursuant to Section 2 and Section 4 or similar notices, giving instructions with respect to the disbursement of the proceeds of the Loans, selecting interest rate options, requesting Letters of Credit, giving and receiving all other notices and consents hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents and taking all other actions (including in respect of compliance with covenants) on behalf of any Borrower or the Borrowers under the Loan Documents. The Borrower Representative hereby accepts such appointment. Each Borrower agrees that each notice, election, representation and warranty, covenant, agreement and undertaking made on its behalf by the Borrower Representative shall be deemed for all purposes to have been made by such Borrower and shall be binding upon and enforceable against such Borrower to the same extent as if the same had been made directly by such Borrower.

10.13 [Reserved].

10.14 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any Bankruptcy Proceeding or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrowers) is hereby authorized by the Lenders, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Subsections 4.5 and 11.5) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Subsections 4.5 and 11.5.

 

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10.15 Application of Proceeds. The Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent agree, as among such parties, as follows: subject to the terms of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all amounts collected or received by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Lender on account of amounts then due and outstanding under any of the Loan Documents (the “Collection Amounts”) shall, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, be applied as follows: first, to pay interest on and then principal of Agent Advances then outstanding, second, to pay interest on and then principal of Swingline Loans then outstanding, third, to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees to the extent provided herein) due and owing hereunder of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent in connection with enforcing the rights of the Agents, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders under the Loan Documents (including all expenses of sale or other realization of or in respect of the Collateral and any sums advanced to the Collateral Agent or to preserve its security interest in the Collateral), fourth, to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees to the extent provided herein) due and owing hereunder of each of the Lenders and each of the Issuing Lenders in connection with enforcing such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s rights under the Loan Documents, fifth, to pay (on a ratable basis) (A) interest on and then principal of Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding and any Reimbursement Obligations then outstanding, and to cash collateralize any outstanding L/C Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (B) any outstanding obligations payable under (i) Designated Cash Management Agreements, up to the amount of Designated Cash Management Reserves then in effect with respect thereto and (ii) Designated Hedging Agreements up to the amount of Designated Hedging Reserves then in effect with respect thereto, sixth, to pay obligations under Cash Management Arrangements with any Cash Management Party (other than pursuant to any Designated Cash Management Agreements, but including any amounts not paid pursuant to clause “fifth”(B)(i) above), Permitted Hedging Arrangements (other than pursuant to any Designated Hedging Agreements, but including any amounts not paid pursuant to clause “fifth”(B)(ii) above) and Management Guarantees entered into with any Management Credit Provider (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) permitted hereunder and secured by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, and seventh, to pay the surplus, if any, to whomever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus. To the extent that any amounts available for distribution pursuant to clause “fifth” above are attributable to the issued but undrawn amount of outstanding Letters of Credit which are then not yet required to be reimbursed hereunder, such amounts shall be held by the Collateral Agent in a cash collateral account and applied (x) first, to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender from time to time for any drawings under such Letters of Credit and (y) then, following the expiration of all Letters of Credit, to all other obligations of the types described in such clause “fifth”. To the extent any amounts available for distribution pursuant to clause “fifth” are insufficient to pay all obligations described therein in full, such moneys shall be allocated pro rata among the Lenders and Issuing Lenders based on their respective Commitment Percentages. This Subsection 10.15 may be amended (and the Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into any such amendment) to the extent necessary to reflect differing amounts payable, and priorities of payments, to Lenders participating in any new classes or tranches of loans added pursuant to Subsections 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8, as applicable.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, Excluded Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) with respect to any Guarantor shall not be paid with amounts received from such Guarantor or its assets and such Excluded Obligations shall be disregarded in any application of Collection Amounts pursuant to the preceding paragraph.

10.16 Certain ERISA Matters. (a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of any Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments or this Agreement;

(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement;

(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement; or

(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

 

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(b) In addition, unless either (1) subclause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with subclause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of any Borrower or any other Loan Party, that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).

SECTION 11

Miscellaneous

11.1 Amendments and Waivers. (a) Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof, may be amended, supplemented, modified or waived except in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection 11.1. The Required Lenders may, or, with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, (x) enter into with the respective Loan Parties hereto or thereto, as the case may be, written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the other Loan Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or to the other Loan Documents or changing, in any manner the rights or obligations of the Lenders or the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder or (y) waive at any Loan Party’s request, on such terms and conditions as the Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided, however, that amendments, supplements, modifications or waivers pursuant to Subsections 11.1(d) and 11.1(f) may be effected without the consent of the Required Lenders to the extent provided therein; provided, further, that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall:

(i) (A) reduce or forgive the amount or extend the scheduled date of maturity of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation or of any scheduled installment thereof (including extending the Termination Date), (B) reduce the stated rate of any interest, commission or fee payable hereunder (other than as a result of any waiver of the applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates), (C) increase the amount or extend the expiration date of any Lender’s Commitment or extend the scheduled date of any payment thereof (other than with respect to any Commitment increase that such Lender has agreed to provide as a Lender or Additional Lender pursuant to Subsection 2.6 or, Subsection 2.7 or Subsection 2.8) or (D) change the currency in which any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation is payable, in each case without the consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (it being understood that amendments or supplements to, or waivers or modifications of, any conditions precedent, representations, warranties, covenants, Defaults or Events of Default or of a

 

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mandatory repayment or mandatory reduction in the aggregate Commitments of all Lenders shall not constitute an increase of the Commitment of, or an extension of the scheduled date of maturity, any scheduled installment, or the scheduled date of payment of the Loans of, any Lender, and that an increase in the available portion of any Commitment of any Lender shall not constitute an increase in the Commitment of such Lender);

(ii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Subsection 11.1(a) or reduce the percentage specified in the definition of “Required Lenders,” “Required Majority in Interest Lenders” or “Supermajority Lenders,” or consent to the assignment or transfer by the Parent Borrower of any of their respectiveits rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (other than pursuant to Subsection 8.2 or 11.6(a)), in each case without the written consent of all the Lenders;

(iii) release Guarantors accounting for all or substantially all of the value of the Guarantee of the Obligations pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, or, in the aggregate (in a single transaction or a series of related transactions), all or substantially all of the ABL Priority Collateral without the consent of all of the Lenders, except as expressly permitted hereby or by any Security Document (as such documents are in effect on the date hereofClosing Date or, if later, the date of execution and delivery thereof in accordance with the terms hereof);

(iv) require any Lender to make Loans having an Interest Period of longer than six months or shorter than one month without the consent of such Lender;

(v) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 10 without the written consent of the then Agents;

(vi) amend, modify or waive any provision of SubsectionsSubsection 10.1(a), 10.5 or 10.12 without the written consent of any Other Representative directly and adversely affected thereby;

(vii) amend, modify or waive any provision of the Swingline Note (if any) or Subsection 2.4 without the written consent of the Swingline Lender and each other Lender, if any, which holds, or is required to purchase, a participation in any Swingline Loan pursuant to Subsection 2.4(d);

(viii) amend, modify or waive the provisions of any Letter of Credit or any L/C Obligation without the written consent of the Issuing Lender with respect thereto and each directly and adversely affected Lender;

(ix) increase the advance rates set forth in the definition of “Borrowing Base”, or make any change to the definitions of “Borrowing Base” (by adding additional categories or components thereof), “Eligible Accounts”, “Eligible Credit Card Receivables” or “Eligible Inventory” that would have the effect of

 

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increasing the amount of the Borrowing Base without the consent of the Supermajority Lenders; provided that the Administrative Agent may increase or decrease the amount of, or otherwise modify or eliminate, any Availability Reserves that it implements in its Permitted Discretion in accordance with Subsection 2.1(b) or otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and in any such case, such change will not be deemed to require any Supermajority Lender or other Lender consent; or

(x) amend, modify or waive the order of application of payments set forth in the penultimate sentence of Subsection 4.4(a), or Subsection 4.4(d), or Subsection 4.8(a), 4.16(d), 10.15 or 11.7 hereof or clause (c) or (d) of Section 4.1 of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, in each case without the consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;

provided, further, that notwithstanding and in addition to the foregoing, and in addition to Liens on the Collateral that the Collateral Agent is authorized to release pursuant to Subsection 10.8(b), the Collateral Agent may, in its discretion, release the Lien on Collateral valued in the aggregate not in excess of $7,500,000the greater of (x) $15,000,000 and (y) 1.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets in any Fiscal Year without the consent of any Lender.

(b) Any waiver and any amendment, supplement or modification pursuant to this Subsection 11.1 shall apply to each of the Lenders and shall be binding upon the Loan Parties, the Lenders, the Agents and all future holders of the Loans. In the case of any waiver, each of the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Agents shall be restored to their former position and rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default, or impair any right consequent thereon.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, (x) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, supplement, modification, waiver or consent hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents, except to the extent the consent of such Lender would be required under clause (i) in the further proviso to the second sentence of Subsection 11.1(a) and (y) no Disqualified Party shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, supplement, modification, waiver or consent hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified (i) to cure any ambiguity, mistake, omission, defect or inconsistency, with the consent of the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent, (ii) in accordance with Subsection 2.6, to incorporate the terms of any Incremental Facility with the written consent of the Borrower Representative and the Lenders providing such Incremental Facility, (iii) by a Refinancing Amendment in accordance with Subsection 2.7, with the written consent of the Borrower Representative and the Lenders providing such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (iv) in accordance with Subsection

 

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2.8, to effectuate an Extension with the written consent of the Borrower Representative and the Extending Lenders, (v) pursuant to the Canadian Facility Amendment in accordance with Subsection 2.9, to incorporate the terms of the Canadian Facility with the written consent of the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent, (vi) in accordance with Subsection 7.11, to change the financial reporting convention and, (vii) to waive, amend or modify this Agreement or any other Loan Document in a manner that by its terms affects the rights or duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document of Lenders holding Loans or Commitments of a particular Tranche (but not the Lenders holding Loans or Commitments of any other Tranche), by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the applicable Borrower(s) and theBorrower Representative and the Required Majority in Interest Lenders or the requisite percentage in interest of the Lenders with respect to such Tranche that would be required to consent thereto under this Subsection 11.1 if such Lenders were the only Lenders hereunder at the time, (viii) to implement any changes contemplated by the definition of “LIBO Rate” in Subsection 1.1 hereof with the consent of the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent and (ix) to waive, amend or modify any Lender Joinder Agreement or the terms of any Incremental Facility with the written consent of the Borrower Representative and the Lenders party thereto, unless as so amended or modified such Lender Joinder Agreement or Incremental Facility, as applicable, would not be permitted under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including Subsection 4.4, 4.8, 4.16 or 10.15, may be amended, supplemented, modified or waived as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence to provide for non-pro rata borrowings and payments of any amounts hereunder as between any tranche hereunder (including any tranche of Extended ABL Term Loans, Extended Revolving Commitments or Incremental Revolving Commitments and any other tranche created pursuant to Subsection 2.6, 2.7 or 2.8), or to provide for the inclusion, as appropriate, of the Lenders of any tranche of Extended ABL Term Loans, Extended Revolving Commitments or Incremental Revolving Commitments or of any other tranche created pursuant to Subsection 2.6, 2.7 or 2.8 in any required vote or action of the Required Lenders, the Required Majority in Interest Lenders, the Supermajority Lenders or the Lenders of each Tranche hereunder. The Administrative Agent hereby agrees (if requested by the Borrower Representative) to execute any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver referred to in this clause (d) or an acknowledgement thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the L/C Commitment of any Issuing Lender listed on Schedule 1.1(j) hereto may be modified with the consent of the Borrower Representative, such Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent (and without the consent of any Lender).

(e) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be amended (or deemed amended) or amended and restated with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers (x) to add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the existing Facilities and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof, (y) to include, as appropriate, the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any required vote or action of the Required Lenders or of the Lenders of each Facility hereunder and (z) to provide class protection for any additional credit facilities.

 

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(f) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, any Security Document may be amended (or amended and restated), restated, waived, supplemented or modified as contemplated by Subsection 11.17 with the written consent of the Agent party thereto and the Loan Party party thereto.

(g) If, in connection with any proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination of or to any of the provisions of this Agreement and/or any other Loan Document as contemplated by Subsection 11.1(a), the consent of the Supermajority Lenders, each Lender or each affected Lender, as applicable, is required and either (x) the consent of the Required Lenders or the Required Majority in Interest Lenders, as applicable, at such time is obtained butor (y) the consent of the Required Lenders or the Required Majority in Interest Lenders, as applicable, at such time is not obtained, but, in each case under clause (x) or (y) the consent of one or more of such other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained (each such other Lender, a “Non-Consenting Lender”) then the Borrower Representative may, on notice to, in the case of clause (x), the Administrative Agent and theany relevant Non-Consenting Lender or, in the case of clause (y), the Administrative Agent and every Non-Consenting Lender, (A) replace such Non-Consenting Lender by causing such Lender to (and such Lender shall be obligated to) assign pursuant to Subsection 11.6 (with the assignment fee and any other costs and expenses to be paid by the Borrower Representative in such instance) all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more assignees; provided that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to the Borrower Representative to find a replacement Lender; provided, further, that the applicable assignee shall have agreed to the applicable change, waiver, discharge or termination of this Agreement and/or the other Loan Documents; and provided, further, that all obligations of the Borrowers owing to the Non-Consenting Lender relating to the Loans and participations so assigned shall be paid in full by the assignee Lender (or, at the Borrower Representative’s option, by a Borrower) to such Non-Consenting Lender concurrently with such Assignment and Acceptance or (B) so long as no Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or 9.1(f) then exists or will exist immediately after giving effect to the respective prepayment, prepay the Loans and, at the Borrower Representative’s option, terminate the Commitments of such Non-Consenting Lender, in whole or in part, subject to Subsection 4.12, without premium or penalty. In connection with any such replacement under this Subsection 11.1(g), if the Non-Consenting Lender does not execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance and/or any other documentation necessary to reflect such replacement by the later of (a) the date on which the replacement Lender executes and delivers such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation and (b) the date as of which all obligations of the Borrowers owing to the Non-Consenting Lender relating to the Loans and participations so assigned shall be paid in full by the assignee Lender to such Non-Consenting Lender, then such Non-Consenting Lender shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation as of such date and the applicable Borrower shall be entitled (but not obligated) to execute and deliver such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation on behalf of such Non-Consenting Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall record such assignment in the Register.

 

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(h) Upon the execution by the Parent Borrower and delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Borrower Termination with respect to any Subsidiary Borrower, such Subsidiary Borrower shall cease to be a Borrower; provided that the Borrower Termination shall not be effective (other than to terminate its right to borrow additional Revolving Credit Loans under this Agreement) unless (x) another Borrower shall remain liable for the principal of and interest on any Loan to such Subsidiary Borrower and (y) unless such Borrower is an Excluded Subsidiary at such time, it shall upon such Borrower Termination become a Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. In the event that a Subsidiary Borrower shall cease to be a Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower, the Parent Borrower shall promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Subsidiary Borrower Termination terminating its status as a Borrower, subject to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence.

11.2 Notices. (a) All notices, requests, and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including facsimile or electronic mail), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered by hand, or three days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of facsimile notice or electronic mail, when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day) or, in the case of delivery by a nationally recognized overnight courier, when received, addressed as follows in the case of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, and as set forth in Schedule A in the case of the other parties hereto, or to such other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto and any future holders of the Loans:

 

The Parent Borrower (including in its capacity as Borrower Representative):   

HD Supply Waterworks, Ltd.

Core & Main LP

1830 Craig Park Court

St. Louis, MO 63146

Attention: Mark R. Witkowski and Jessica L. Killion

Facsimile: (XXX) XXX-XXXX

Telephone: (XXX) XXX-XXXX

Email: X

            X

 

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With copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:   

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Scott B. Selinger

Facsimile: (212) 909-68367465

Telephone: (212) 909-6000

Email: sbselinger@debevoise.com

The Administrative Agent/the Collateral Agent:   

Citibank, N.A.

388 Greenwich Street, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10013

Attention: X

Telephone: (XXX) XXX-XXXX

Email: X

With copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:   

Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP

80 Pine Street

New York, New York 10005

Attention: Jennifer Ezring

Facsimile: (212) 378-2415

Telephone: (212) 701-3822

Email: jezring@cahill.com

  

Attention: Joshua Zelig Lisa Collier

Facsimile: (212) 378-2626

Telephone: (212) 701-33093044

Email: jzeliglcollier@cahill.com

provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Administrative Agent or the Lenders pursuant to Subsection 3.2, 4.2, 4.4 or 4.8 shall not be effective until received.

(b) Without in any way limiting the obligation of any Loan Party and its Subsidiaries to confirm in writing any telephonic notice permitted to be given hereunder, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender (in the case of a Borrowing of Swingline Loans) or any Issuing Lender (in the case of the issuance of a Letter of Credit), as the case may be, may prior to receipt of written confirmation act without liability upon the basis of such telephonic notice, believed by the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or such Issuing Lender in good faith to be from a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party.

(c) Loan Documents may be transmitted and/or signed by facsimile or other electronic means (i.e., a “pdf” or, “tiff” or DocuSign). The effectiveness of any such documents and signatures shall, subject to applicable law, have the same force and effect as manually signed originals and shall be binding on each Loan Party, each Agent and each Lender. The Administrative Agent may also require that any such documents and signatures be confirmed by a manually signed original thereof; provided that the failure to request or deliver the same shall not limit the effectiveness of any facsimile or other electronic document or signature.

 

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(d) Notices and other communications to the Lenders and any Issuing Lender hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including electronic mail and Internet or intranet websites). Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes (with the Borrower Representative’s consent), (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed to have been duly made or given when delivered, provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been delivered at the opening of business on the next Business Day, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the posting thereof.

(e) THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” NEITHER THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT NOR ANY OF ITS RELATED PARTIES WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF MATERIALS AND/OR INFORMATION PROVIDED BY OR ON BEHALF OF ANY BORROWER HEREUNDER (THE “BORROWER MATERIALS”) OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM.

(f) Each Lender may change its address, email, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent.

(g) All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

11.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of any Agent, any Lender or any Loan Party, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

11.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder and in the other Loan Documents (or in any amendment, modification or supplement hereto or thereto) and in any certificate delivered pursuant hereto or such other Loan Documents shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans hereunder.

 

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11.5 Payment of Expenses and Taxes. The Borrowers agree, jointly and severally, agree (a) to pay or reimburse the Agents and the Other Representatives for (1) all their reasonable and, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with (i) the syndication of the Facilities and the development, preparation, execution and delivery of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, (ii) the consummation and administration of the transactions (including the syndication of the Initial Revolving Commitments) contemplated hereby and thereby and (iii) efforts to monitor the Loans and verify, protect, evaluate, assess, appraise, collect, sell, liquidate or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, and (2) the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLPone firm of counsel, solely in its capacity as counsel to the Agents and Other RepresentativesAdministrative Agent, and such other special or local counsel (limited to one firm of counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction), consultants, advisors, appraisers and auditors whose retention (other than during the continuance of an Event of Default) is approved by the Borrower Representative, (b) to pay or reimburse each Lender and Issuing Lender, each Lead Arranger and the Agents for all their reasonable and, documented and invoiced out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement of any rights under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, including the fees and disbursements of counsel to the Agents (limited to one firm of counsel for the Agents and, if necessary one firm of local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction, in each case for the Agents), (c) to pay, indemnify, or reimburse each Lender and Issuing Lender, each Lead Arranger and the Agents for, and hold each Lender, each Lead Arranger and the Agents harmless from, any and all recording and filing fees and any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, any stamp, documentary, excise and other similar taxes, if any, which may be payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or consummation or administration of any of the transactions contemplated by, or any amendment, supplement or modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, and (d) to pay, indemnify or reimburse each Lender and Issuing Lender, each Lead Arranger, each Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Issuing Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each, an “Indemnitee”) for, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from and against, any and all other liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (in the case of fees and disbursements of counsel, limited to one firm of counsel for all Indemnitees and, if necessary, one firm of local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction, in each case for all Indemnitees (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest where the Indemnitee affected by such conflict informs the Borrower Representative of such conflict and thereafter, after receipt of the Borrower Representative’s consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), retains its own counsel, of another firm of counsel for such affected Indemniteegroup of Indemnitees)) arising out of or relating to any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, brought by a third party or by the Borrowers or any other Loan Party and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, with respect to (i) the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement, the other

 

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Loan Documents and any such other documents, including any of the foregoing relating to the use of proceeds of the Loans or Letters of Credit (including any refusal by an Issuing Lender to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit) or (ii) the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any Environmental Law applicable to the operations of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of the property of the Parent Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (all the foregoing in this clause (d), collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”); provided that the Borrowers shall not have any obligation hereunder to any Lead Arranger, any Other Representative, any Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), any Issuing Lender or any Lender (or any Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons) with respect to Indemnified Liabilities arising from or in connection with (i) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of any such Lead Arranger, Other Representative, Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), Issuing Lender or Lender (or any Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons), as the case may be, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision, (ii) a material breach of the Loan Documents by any such Lead Arranger, Other Representative, Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), Issuing Lender or Lender (or any Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons), as the case may be, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision, or (iii) claims against such Indemnitee or any Related Party brought by any other Indemnitee that do not involvearise from an act or omission by the Parent Borrower or any of its Affiliates (other than claims against any Lead Arranger or Agent in its capacity as such) or (iv) any agreement governing any settlement of claims that is effected without the Borrower Representative’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld). None of the Borrowers nor any Indemnitee shall be liable for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages hereunder; provided that nothing contained in this sentence shall limit the Borrowers’ indemnity or reimbursement obligations under this Subsection 11.5 to the extent such indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages are included in any third-party claim in connection with which such Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder. All amounts due under this Subsection 11.5 shall be payable not later than 30 days after written demand therefor. Statements reflecting amounts payable by the Loan Parties pursuant to this Subsection 11.5 shall be submitted to the address of the Borrower Representative set forth in Subsection 11.2, or to such other Person or address as may be hereafter designated by the Borrower Representative in a notice to the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided in Subsections 11.5(b) and 11.5(c) above, no Borrower shall have any obligation under this Subsection 11.5 to any Indemnitee with respect to any tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, fee, deduction or withholding imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority. The agreements in this Subsection 11.5 shall survive repayment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

11.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any affiliate of the applicable Issuing Lender that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) other than in accordance with Subsection 8.2, none of the Loan Parties may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by any Loan Party without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with Subsection 4.13(d), Subsection 4.15(c), Subsection 11.1(g) and this Subsection 11.6.

 

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(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in Subsection 11.6(b)(ii) below, any Lender other than a Conduit Lender may, in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with applicable law, assign (other than to a Disqualified Lender, to any natural person or, subject, in the case of ABL Term Loans only, to Subsection 11.6(h)(i)(3) below, to any Holding Company, the Parent Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries) (unless the Borrower Representative and, if applicable, the Sponsor, shall have otherwise expressly consented in writing to such assignment) to one or more assignees (each, an “Assignee”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including its Commitments and/or Loans, pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance) with the prior written consent of:

(A) the Borrower Representative (in the case of a commercial bank with a consolidated combined capital and surplus of at least $5.0 billionan Approved Commercial Bank, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld); provided that no consent of the Borrower Representative shall be required for (x) an assignment if an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or 9.1(f) with respect to the Parent Borrower has occurred and is continuing, to any other Person; and or (y) an assignment from Citibank, N.A. to Citicorp North America, Inc.;

(B) the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender (in the case of a commercial bank with a consolidated combined capital and surplus of at least $5,000,000,000an Approved Commercial Bank, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).; and

(C) the Sponsor (so long as (1) the CD&R Investors, (2) CD&R and (3) any investment fund or vehicle managed, sponsored or advised by CD&R) or any Affiliate thereof, and any Affiliate of or successor to any such investment fund or vehicle collectively have beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of more than 50.0% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Parent Borrower, determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if a “trade date” is specified in the Assignment and Acceptance, as of the trade date) (it being understood that the Sponsor shall be an express third-party beneficiary of the provisions in this Subsection 11.6(b)(i)(C)); provided that (I) in the case of an assignment of Commitments to an Approved Commercial Bank, such consent is not to be unreasonably withheld, (II) no consent of the Sponsor shall be required if (x) an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or 9.1(f) with respect to the Parent Borrower has occurred and is

 

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continuing or (y) the assignment is from Citibank, N.A. to Citicorp North America Inc. and (III) each consent of the Sponsor pursuant to this clause (C) shall constitute an acknowledgment that the beneficial ownership requirements for such consent set forth in this clause (C) above are satisfied.

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitments or Loans under any Facility, the amount of the Commitments or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 or an integral multiple thereof or unless the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that (1) no such consent of the Borrower Representative shall be required if an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or 9.1(f) with respect to the Parent Borrower has occurred and is continuing and (2) such amounts shall be aggregated in respect of each Lender and its Affiliates, if any;

(B) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (unless waived by the Administrative Agent in any given case); provided that for concurrent assignments to two or more Lenders or Affiliates of a Lender, such assignment fee shall only be required to be paid once in respect of and at the time of such assignments;

(C) the Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an administrative questionnaire; and

(D) any assignment of Commitments, Loans or ABL Term Loans to an Affiliated Lender shall also be subject to the requirements of Subsections 11.6(h) and (i).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Lender shall be permitted to make assignments under this Agreement to any Disqualified Lender, except to the extent the Borrower Representative hasand, if applicable, the Sponsor have consented to such assignment in writing and any such assignment and Disqualified Lender shall be subject to the provisions of Subsection 11.6(j), except to the extent the Borrower Representative hasand, if applicable, the Sponsor have otherwise expressly consented in writing.

 

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(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to clause (b)(iv) below, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of (and bound by any related obligations under) Subsections 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15 and 11.5, and bound by its continuing obligations under Subsection 11.16). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with Subsection 4.13(d), Subsection 4.15(c), Subsection 11.1(g) and this Subsection 11.6 shall, to the extent it would comply with Subsection 11.6(c), be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with clause (c) of this Subsection 11.6 (and any attempted assignment, transfer or participation which does not comply with this Subsection 11.6 shall be null and void).

(iv) The Borrowers hereby collectively designate the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent agrees, to serve as the Borrowers’ agent, solely for purposes of this Subsection 11.6, to maintain at one of its offices in New York, New York a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and interest and principal amounts of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers, the Issuing Lender and, solely with respect to entries applicable to such Lender, any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. In no event shall the Administrative Agent be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any prospective assignee is a Disqualified Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Administrative Agent be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any Lender is an Affiliated Lender nor shall the Administrative Agent be obligated to monitor the aggregate amount of ABL Term Loans or Incremental ABL Term Loans held by Affiliated Lenders. Upon request by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) promptly (and in any case, not less than five Business Days (or such shorter period as agreed to by the Administrative Agent) prior to

 

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the proposed effective date of any amendment, consent or waiver pursuant to Subsection 11.1) provide to the Administrative Agent, a list of, to the Borrower Representative’s knowledge, all Affiliated Lenders holding ABL Term Loans or Incremental ABL Term Loans at the time of such notice and (ii) not less than five Business Days (or such shorter period as agreed to by the Administrative Agent) prior to the proposed effective date of any amendment, consent or waiver pursuant to Subsection 11.1, provide to the Administrative Agent, a list of, to the Borrower Representative’s knowledge, all Affiliated Debt Funds holding ABL Term Loans or Incremental ABL Term Loans at the time of such notice.

(v) Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting for itself and, solely for this purpose, as an agent of the Borrowers, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans, Commitments or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary (x) to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations or (y) for any Borrower to enforce its rights hereunder. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and a Lender shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.

(vi) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender (unless such assignment is being made in accordance with Subsection 4.13(d), Subsection 4.15(c), or Subsection 11.1(g), Subsection 11.6(f) or Subsection 11.6(j)(iv), in which case the effectiveness of such Assignment and Acceptance shall not require execution by the assigning Lender) and an Assignee, the Assignee’s completed administrative questionnaire (unless the Assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in this Subsection 11.6(b) and any written consent to such assignment required by this Subsection 11.6(b), the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Acceptance, record the information contained therein in the Register and give prompt notice of such assignment and recordation to the Borrower Representative. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this clause (vi).

(vii) On or prior to the effective date of any assignment pursuant to this Subsection 11.6(b), the assigning Lender shall surrender to the Administrative Agent any outstanding Notes held by it evidencing Loans or Commitments, as applicable, which are being assigned. Any Notes surrendered by the assigning Lender shall be returned by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower Representative marked “cancelled”.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Subsection 11.6(b) or any other provision of this Agreement, if the Borrower Representative shall have consented thereto in writing in its sole discretion, the Administrative Agent shall have the right, but not the obligation, to effectuate assignments of Loans and Commitments via an electronic settlement system acceptable to Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative as designated in writing from time to time to the Lenders by Administrative Agent (the “Settlement Service”). At any time when the Administrative Agent elects, in its sole discretion, to implement such Settlement Service, each such assignment shall be effected by the assigning Lender and proposed Assignee pursuant to the procedures then in effect under the Settlement Service, which procedures shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Borrower Representative and shall be consistent with the other provisions of this Subsection 11.6(b). Each assigning Lender and proposed Assignee shall comply with the requirements of the Settlement Service in connection with effecting any assignment of Loans and Commitments pursuant to the Settlement Service. Assignments and assumptions of the Loans and Commitments shall be effected by the provisions otherwise set forth herein until the Administrative Agent notifies the Lenders of the Settlement Service as set forth herein. The Borrower Representative may withdraw its consent to the use of the Settlement Service at any time upon notice to the Administrative Agent, and thereafter assignments and assumptions of the Loans and Commitments shall be effected by the provisions otherwise set forth herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that the Administrative Agent shall have the right, but not the obligation, to effectuate assignments of Loans and Commitments via the ClearPar electronic settlement system pursuant to procedures consistent with this Subsection 11.6(b), including execution and delivery of the Assignment and Acceptance (it being understood that such execution and delivery may be by way of electronic signature) by the parties to the assignment.

Furthermore, no Assignee, which as of the date of any assignment to it pursuant to this Subsection 11.6(b) would be entitled to receive any greater payment under Subsection 4.10, 4.11, 4.12 or 11.5 than the assigning Lender would have been entitled to receive as of such date under such Subsections with respect to the rights assigned, shall, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, be entitled to receive such greater payments unless the assignment was made after an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) or 9.1(f) has occurred and is continuing or the Borrower Representative has expressly consented in writing to waive the benefit of this provision at the time of such assignment.

(c) (i) Any Lender other than a Conduit Lender may, in the ordinary course of its business and in accordance with applicable law, without the consent of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, sell participations (other than to any Disqualified Lender, or a natural person or the Parent Borrower or any of the Parent Borrower’s Affiliates or its Subsidiaries (other than Permitted Affiliated Assignees)) to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (C) such

 

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Lender shall remain the holder of any such Loan for all purposes under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (D) the Borrowers, the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, (Eprior to selling any participation, such Lender shall have provided the Borrower Representative and the Sponsor (so long as (1) the CD&R Investors, (2) CD&R and (3) any investment fund or vehicle managed, sponsored or advised by CD&R, or any Affiliate thereof, and any Affiliate of or successor to any such investment fund or vehicle collectively have beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of more than 50.0% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Parent Borrower, determined as of the date of the sale of such participation) (it being understood that the Sponsor shall be an express third-party beneficiary of the provisions in this Subsection 11.6(c)(i)(E)) with not less than five Business Days’ advance notice of such sale, (F) from time to time upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative, each Lender shall provide the Borrower Representative a list of all outstanding participations that such Lender has sold and (G) in the case of any participation to a Permitted Affiliated Assignee, such participation shall be governed by the provisions of Subsection 11.6(h) (other than subclauses (i) and (iii) thereof) to the same extent as if each reference therein to an assignment of a Loan were to a participation of a Loan and the references to Affiliated Lender were to such Permitted Affiliated Assignee in its capacity as a participant, and (F) the applicable Lender shall have provided the Parent Borrower with not less than five Business Days’ advance notice of such participation. Any agreement pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver that (1) requires the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby pursuant to clause (i) or (iii) of the second proviso to the second sentence of Subsection 11.1(a) and (2) directly affects such Participant. Subject to Subsection 11.6(c)(ii), each Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of (and shall have the related obligations under) Subsections 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15 and 11.5 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Subsection 11.6(b). To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Subsection 11.7(b) as though it were a Lender, provided that such Participant shall be subject to Subsection 11.7(a) as though it were a Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Lender shall be permitted to sell or maintain a participation under this Agreement to or with any Disqualified Lender and any participation to a Person that is or at any time becomes a Disqualified Lender shall be null and void, except to the extent the Borrower Representative and, if applicable, the Sponsor has expressly consented to such participation in writing; provided that if any such participation by a Lender is subject to a sub-participation by such Disqualified Lender to a Person that is not a Disqualified Lender or natural person, and such sub-participation if made as a participation directly by such Lender would comply with Subsection 11.6, such sub-participant shall have the right to assume all of the rights and obligations of such Disqualified Lender under such participation and thereby become a Participant hereunder in substitution for such

 

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Disqualified Lender (it being understood that such sub-participant shall, prior to the effectiveness of such assumption, provide to such Lender that sold or maintained such participation all documentation and information as is reasonably required by such Lender pursuant to “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations and execute and deliver an appropriate assumption agreement to effect such substitution on terms and conditions mutually agreed between such sub-participant and such Lender, and such Disqualified Lender shall thereupon be deemed to have executed and delivered such assumption agreement). Any such participation and Disqualified Lender not permitted prior to the foregoing sentence shall be subject to the provisions of Subsection 11.6(j), except to the extent the Borrower Representative hasand, if applicable, the Sponsor have otherwise expressly consented in writing. Any attempted participation which does not comply with Subsection 11.6 shall be null and void.

(ii) No Loan Party shall be obligated to make any greater payment under Subsection 4.10, 4.11, 4.12 or 11.5 than it would have been obligated to make in the absence of any participation, unless the sale of such participation is made with the prior written consent of the Borrower Representative and the Borrower Representative expressly waives the benefit of this provision at the time of such participation. Any Participant that is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof shall not be entitled to the benefits of Subsection 4.11 unless such Participant complies with Subsection 4.11(b) and provides the forms and certificates referenced therein to the Lender that granted such participation.

(d) Any Lender, without the consent of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or central bank of a member state of the European Union, and this Subsection 11.6 shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute (by foreclosure or otherwise) any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(e) No assignment or participation made or purported to be made to any Assignee or Participant shall be effective without the prior written consent of the Borrower Representative if it would require any Borrower to make any filing with any Governmental Authority or qualify any Loan or Note under the laws of any jurisdiction, and the Borrower Representative shall be entitled to request and receive such information and assurances as it may reasonably request from any Lender or any Assignee or Participant to determine whether any such filing or qualification is required or whether any assignment or participation is otherwise in accordance with applicable law.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Conduit Lender may assign any or all of the Loans it may have funded hereunder to its designating Lender without the consent of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent and without regard to the limitations set forth in Subsection 11.6(b). Each Borrower, each Lender and

 

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the Administrative Agent hereby confirms that it will not institute against a Conduit Lender or join any other Person in instituting against a Conduit Lender any domestic or foreign bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding under any state, federal or provincial bankruptcy or similar law, for one year and one day after the payment in full of the latest maturing commercial paper note issued by such Conduit Lender; provided, however, that each Lender designating any Conduit Lender hereby agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless each other party hereto for any loss, cost, damage or expense arising out of its inability to institute such a proceeding against such Conduit Lender during such period of forbearance. Each such indemnifying Lender shall pay in full any claim received from each such Borrower pursuant to this Subsection 11.6(f) within 30 Business Days of receipt of a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower Representative specifying in reasonable detail the cause and amount of the loss, cost, damage or expense in respect of which the claim is being asserted, which certificate shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Without limiting the indemnification obligations of any indemnifying Lender pursuant to this Subsection 11.6(f), in the event that the indemnifying Lender fails timely to compensate each such Borrower for such claim, any Loans held by the relevant Conduit Lender shall, if requested by the Borrower Representative, be assigned promptly to the Lender that administers the Conduit Lender and the designation of such Conduit Lender shall be void.

(g) If the Borrower Representative wishes to replace the Loans or Commitments under any Facility with ones having different terms, it shall have the option, with the consent of the Administrative Agent and subject to at least three Business Days’ (or such shorter period as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) advance notice to the Lenders under such Facility, instead of prepaying the Loans or reducing or terminating the Commitments to be replaced, to (i) require the Lenders under such Facility to assign such Loans or Commitments to the Administrative Agent or its designees and (ii) amend the terms thereof in accordance with Subsection 11.1. Pursuant to any such assignment, (x) all Loans to be replaced shall be purchased at par (allocated among the Lenders under such Facility in the same manner as would be required if such Loans were being optionally prepaid), accompanied by payment of any accrued interest and fees thereon and any amounts owing pursuant to Subsection 4.12 and (y) all Commitments to be replaced shall be allocated among the Lenders under such Facility in the same manner as would be required if such Commitments were being optionally reduced or terminated by the Borrowers, accompanied by payment of any accrued fees thereon and any amounts owing pursuant to Subsection 4.12. By receiving such purchase price (including accrued interest, fees and indemnity payments), the Lenders under such Facility shall automatically be deemed to have assigned the Loans or Commitments under such Facility pursuant to the terms of the form of the Assignment and Acceptance, the Administrative Agent shall record such assignment in the Register and accordingly no other action by such Lenders shall be required in connection therewith. The provisions of this clause (g) are intended to facilitate the maintenance of the perfection and priority of existing security interests in the Collateral during any such replacement.

 

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(h) (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, with respect to any assignment to or by an Affiliated Lender that is not an Affiliated Debt Fund:

(1) such Affiliated Lender and such other Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an assignment agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit R hereto (an “Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption”) and the Administrative Agent shall record such assignment in the Register;

(2) at the time of such assignment after giving effect to such assignment, (x) the aggregate principal amount of all ABL Term Loans held (or participated in) by Affiliated Lenders that are not Affiliated Debt Funds shall not exceed 15.0% of the aggregate principal amount of all ABL Term Loans outstanding under this agreementAgreement and (y) the aggregate amount of all Commitments (and if all such Commitments have been terminated, the aggregate principal amount of all Loans and all L/C Obligations outstanding pursuant to such Commitments) held by Affiliated Lenders that are not Affiliated Debt Funds shall not exceed 15.0% of the aggregate amount of all Commitments (and if all such Commitments have been terminated, the aggregate principal amount of all Loans and all L/C Obligations outstanding pursuant to such Commitments) (such applicable threshold in clause (x) or (y), the “Affiliated Lender Cap”) outstanding under this Agreement; provided that to the extent any assignment to an Affiliated Lender would result in the aggregate amount of all Commitments (and if all such Commitments have been terminated, the aggregate principal amount of all Loans and all L/C Obligations outstanding pursuant to such Commitments) or ABL Term Loans, as applicable, held by Affiliated Lenders exceeding the Affiliated Lender Cap, the assignment of such excess amount will be void ab initio;

(3) any such ABL Term Loans acquired by (x) any Holding Company, the Parent Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary shall be retired or cancelled promptly upon the acquisition thereof and (y) an Affiliated Lender may, with the consent of the Borrower Representative, be contributed to the Parent Borrower, whether through a Parent Entity or otherwise, and exchanged for debt or equity securities of the Parent Borrower or such Parent Entity that are otherwise permitted to be issued at such time pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, so long as any ABL Term Loans so acquired by the Parent Borrower shall be retired and cancelled promptly upon the acquisition thereof;

(4) [reserved]; and

 

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(5) each Lender making such assignment to, or taking such assignment from, such Affiliated Lender acknowledges and agrees that in connection with such assignment, (1) such Affiliated Lender and/or its Affiliates then may have, and later may come into possession of information regarding the ABL Term Loans, Loans, Commitments or the Loan Parties hereunder that is not known to such Lender and that may be material to a decision by such Lender to enter into such assignment (“Excluded Information”), (2) such Lender has independently and, without reliance on the Affiliated Lender, any Holding Company, the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their respective Affiliates, has made its own analysis and determination to enter into such assignment notwithstanding such Lender’s lack of knowledge of the Excluded Information and (3) none of the Affiliated Lender, any Holding Company, the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent, the other Lenders or any of their respective Affiliates shall have any liability to such Lender, and such Lender hereby waives and releases, to the extent permitted by law, any claims such Lender may have against the Affiliated Lender, any Holding Company, the Parent Borrower or its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent, the other Lenders and their respective Affiliates, under applicable laws or otherwise, with respect to the nondisclosure of the Excluded Information. Each Lender entering into such an assignment further acknowledges that the Excluded Information may not be available to the Administrative Agent or the other Lenders.

Each Affiliated Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent promptly (and in any event within 10 Business Days) if it acquires any Person who is also a Lender, and each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent promptly (and in any event within 10 Business Days) if it becomes an Affiliated Lender.

(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Affiliated Lender that is not an Affiliated Debt Fund shall have any right to (A) attend (including by telephone) any meeting or discussions (or portion thereof) among the Administrative Agent or any Lender to which representatives of the Loan Parties are not invited, (B) receive any information or material prepared by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any communication by or among the Administrative Agent and/or one or more Lenders, except to the extent such information or materials have been made available to the Borrower Representative or its representatives or (C) receive advice of counsel to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other Lender or challenge their attorney client privilege.

(iv) Notwithstanding anything in Subsection 11.1 or the definitiondefinitions of “Required Lenders” and “Required Majority in Interest Lenders” to the contrary, for purposes of determining whether the Required Lenders, the Required Majority in Interest Lenders, all affected Lenders or all Lenders have (A) consented (or not consented) to any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, (B) otherwise acted on any matter related to any Loan Document, or (C) directed or required the Administrative Agent or any Lender to

 

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undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, an Affiliated Lender that is not an Affiliated Debt Fund shall be deemed to have voted its interest as a Lender without discretion in the same proportion as the allocation of voting with respect to such matter by Lenders who are not such Affiliated Lenders; provided that, (I) to the extent Lenders are being compensated by the Borrowers for consenting to an amendment, modification, waiver or any other action, each Affiliated Lender who has been deemed to have voted its ABL Term Loans, Loans and/or Commitments in accordance with this Subsection 11.6(h)(iii) shall be entitled to be compensated on the same basis as each consenting Lender as if it had voted all of its ABL Term Loans, Loans and/or Commitments in favor of the applicable amendment, modification, waiver or other action); (II) no amendment, supplement, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any Loan Document shall deprive such Affiliated Lender of its ratable share of any payments of Loans of any class or ABL Term Loans or in respect of Commitments to which such Affiliated Lender is entitled under the Loan Documents without such Affiliated Lender providing its consent; and (III) that such Affiliated Lender shall have the right to approve any amendment, modification, waiver or consent that (x) disproportionately and adversely affects such Affiliated Lender in its capacity as a Lender or affects such Affiliated Lender differently in its capacity as a Lender than other Lenders or (y) is of the type described in Subsections 11.1(a)(i) through (x) (other than subclauses (v) and (vi)); and in furtherance of the foregoing, (x) the Affiliated Lender agrees to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent any instrument reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to evidence the voting of its interest as a Lender in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection 11.6(h)(iii); provided that if the Affiliated Lender fails to promptly execute such instrument such failure shall in no way prejudice any of the Administrative Agent’s rights under this Subsection 11.6(h)(iii) and (y) the Administrative Agent is hereby appointed (such appointment being coupled with an interest) by such Affiliated Lender as such Affiliated Lender’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Affiliated Lender and in the name of such Affiliated Lender, from time to time in the Administrative Agent’s discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument that the Administrative Agent may deem reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this Subsection 11.6(h)(iii).

(v) Each Affiliated Lender that is not an Affiliated Debt Fund, solely in its capacity as a Lender, hereby agrees, and each Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption agreement shall provide a confirmation that, if any of any Holding Company, the BorrowersParent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall be subject to any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency or liquidation proceeding (each, a “Bankruptcy Proceeding”), (i) such Affiliated Lender shall not take any step or action in such Bankruptcy Proceeding to object to, impede, or delay the exercise of any right or the taking of any action by the Administrative Agent (or the taking of any action by a third party that is supported by the Administrative Agent) in relation to such Affiliated Lender’s claim with respect to its ABL Term Loans, Loans and/or Commitments (“Claim”) (including objecting to any debtor in possession financing, use of cash collateral,

 

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grant of adequate protection, sale or disposition, compromise, or plan of reorganization) so long as such Affiliated Lender in its capacity as a Lender is treated in connection with such exercise or action on the same or better terms as the other Lenders and (ii) with respect to any matter requiring the vote of Lenders during the pendency of a Bankruptcy Proceeding (including voting on any plan of reorganization), the ABL Term Loans, Loans and/or Commitments held by such Affiliated Lender (and any Claim with respect thereto) shall be deemed to be voted in accordance with Subsection 11.6(h)(iii) above, so long as such AffiliateAffiliated Lender in its capacity as a Lender is treated in connection with the exercise of such right or taking of such action on the same or better terms as the other Lenders. For the avoidance of doubt, the Lenders and each Affiliated Lender that is not an Affiliated Debt Fund agree and acknowledge that the provisions set forth in this Subsection 11.6(h)(iv) and the related provisions set forth in each Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption constitute a “subordination agreement” as such term is contemplated by, and utilized in, Section 510(a) of the United States Bankruptcy Code, and, as such, it is their intention that this Subsection 11.6(h)(iv) would be enforceable for all purposes in any case where any Holding Company, the Parent Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has filed for protection under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors applicable to anysuch Holding Company, the Parent Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable. Each Affiliated Lender that is not an Affiliated Debt Fund hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent (such appointment being coupled with an interest) as such Affiliated Lender’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Affiliated Lender and in the name of such Affiliated Lender (solely in respect of Loans, Commitments, ABL Term Loans and participations therein and not in respect of any other claim or status such Affiliated Lender may otherwise have), from time to time in the Administrative Agent’s discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument that the Administrative Agent may deem reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this Subsection 11.6(h)(iv).

(vi) Each Lender making an assignment to, or taking an assignment from, an Affiliated Lender acknowledges and agrees that in connection with such assignment, (1) such Affiliated Lender then may have, and later may come into possession of Excluded Information, (2) such Lender has independently and, without reliance on the Affiliated Lender, any Holding Company, the Parent Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent or any of their respective Affiliates, has made its own analysis and determination to enter into such assignment notwithstanding such Lender’s lack of knowledge of the Excluded Information and (3) none of the Parent EntityHolding Companies, the Parent Borrower, its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent, or any of their respective Affiliates shall have any liability to such Lender, and such Lender hereby waives and releases, to the extent permitted by law, any claims such Lender may have against the Parent EntityHolding Companies, the Parent Borrower, its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent, and their respective Affiliates, under applicable laws or otherwise, with respect to the nondisclosure of the Excluded Information. Each Lender entering into such an assignment further acknowledges that the Excluded Information may not be available to the Administrative Agent or the other Lenders.

 

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(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Subsection 11.1 or the definitiondefinitions of “Required Lenders” and “Required Majority in Interest Lenders” (x) with respect to any assignment or participation to or by an Affiliated Debt Fund, such assignment or participation shall be made pursuant to an open market or other privately negotiated purchase and (y) for purposes of determining whether the Required Lenders or Required Majority in Interest Lenders have (i) consented (or not consented) to any amendment, supplement, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any of the terms of any Loan Document or any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, (ii) otherwise acted on any matter related to any Loan Document, or (iii) directed or required the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, all ABL Term Loans, Loans and/or Commitments held by Affiliated Debt Funds may not account for more than 50.049.9% of the ABL Term Loans, Loans and/or Commitments of consenting Lenders included in determining whether the Required Lenders or Required Majority in Interest Lenders have consented to any action pursuant to Subsection 11.1.

(j) (i) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, if any Lender or Participant at any time is or becomes a Disqualified Lender, then for so long as such Lender or Participant shall be a Disqualified Lender, the provisions of this Subsection 11.6(j) shall apply with respect to such Disqualified Lender unless the Borrower Representative and, if applicable, the Sponsor, shall have otherwise expressly consented in writing in its sole discretion (and regardless of whether the Borrower Representative shall have consented to any assignment or participation to such Lender or Participant).

(i) Any Disqualified Lender shall be bound by the provisions of, but shall not have any rights or remedies or be a beneficiary (whether as a Lender, a Participant or otherwise) under or with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Without limiting the foregoing, a Disqualified Lender (1) shall not be entitled to and shall have no right to receive any payment in respect of principal (other than with respect to payments of principal on the Maturity Date for the applicable Tranche), interest, fees, costs, expenses or any other amount under or in respect of any Loan Document, including but not limited to pursuant to Subsection 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 4.4, 4.5(b), 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13(d), 8.6(b), 11.1(g) or 11.6 of this Agreement, Subsection 9.4 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or any similar provision of any other Loan Document, and (2) shall be deemed not to be (w) a Secured Party (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or any other applicable Security Document) under or in respect of any Loan Document, (x) a Term Loan Secured Party (as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement) under or in respect of the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, (y) an Original Senior Lien Creditor (as defined in any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement) under or in respect of such Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or (z) the analogous party under or in respect of any

 

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Other Intercreditor Agreement. No fees or interest shall accrue for the account of a Disqualified Lender (except solely for interest payable to a permitted assignee thereof following an assignment to such assignee (1) pursuant to and as expressly provided in Subsection 11.6(b) and (2) pursuant to and as expressly provided in Subsection 11.6(j)(iv) below).

(ii) No Disqualified Lender shall have any right to approve, disapprove or consent to any amendment, supplement, waiver or modification of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any term hereof or thereof. In determining whether the requisite Lender or Lenders have consented to any such amendment, supplement, waiver or modification, and in determining the Required Lenders or Required Majority in Interest Lenders for any purpose under or in respect of any Loan Document, any Lender that is a Disqualified Lender (and the Loans and/or Commitments of such Disqualified Lender) shall be excluded and disregarded. Each such amendment, supplement, waiver or modification shall be binding and effective as to each Disqualified Lender.

(iii) The Borrower Representative shall have the right (A) at the sole expense of any Lender that is a Disqualified Lender and/or the Person that assigned its Commitments and/or Loans to such Disqualified Lender, to seek to replace or terminate such Disqualified Lender as a Lender by causing such Lender to (and such Lender shall be obligated to) assign any or all of its Commitments and/or Loans and its rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more assignees (which may, at the Borrower Representative’s sole option, be or include any Parent Entity, the Borrower Representative or any Subsidiary); provided that (1) the Administrative Agent shall not have any obligation to the Borrower Representative to find such a replacement Lender, (2) the Borrower Representative shall not have any obligation to such Disqualified Lender or any other Person to find such a replacement Lender or accept or consent to any such assignment to itself or any other Person and (3) the assignee (or, at its option, the Borrower Representative) shall pay to such Disqualified Lender concurrently with such assignment an amount (which payment shall be deemed payment in full) equal to the lesser of (x) the face principal amount of the Loans so assigned, (y) the amount that such Disqualified Lender paid to acquire such Commitments and/or Loans, and (z) the most recently available quoted price for such Commitments and/or Loans (as determined by the Borrower Representative in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive, the “Trading Price”), in each case without interest thereon (it being understood that if the effective date of such assignment is not an Interest Payment Date, such assignee shall be entitled to receive on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date interest on the principal amount of the Loans so assigned that has accrued and is unpaid from the Interest Payment Date last preceding such effective date (except as may be otherwise agreed between such assignee and the Borrower Representative)), or (B) to prepay any Loans held by such Disqualified Lender, in whole or in part, by paying an amount (which payment shall be deemed payment in full) equal to the lesser of (x) the face principal amount of the Loans so prepaid, (y) the amount that such Disqualified Lender paid to acquire such Loans, and (z) the Trading Price for such

 

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Loans (in each case without interest thereon), and if applicable, terminate the Commitments of such Disqualified Lender, in whole or in part (provided that, in the case of any Disqualified Lender pursuant to clause (iii)(c) of the definition thereof, each Participant that has a participation in the Commitments and/or Loans of such Disqualified Lender shall be provided a bona fide and reasonable opportunity to be assigned the Commitments and/or Loans in accordance with clause (A) above in an aggregate amount equal to no less than the aggregate principal amount of such participation). In connection with any such replacement, (1) if the Disqualified Lender does not execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance and/or any other documentation necessary or appropriate (in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent or the Borrower Representative, which determination shall be conclusive) to reflect such replacement by the later of (a) the date on which the replacement Lender executes and delivers such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation and (b) the date as of which the Disqualified Lender shall be paid by the assignee Lender (or, at its option, the Borrower Representative) the amount required pursuant to this Subsection 11.6(j)(iv)(B), then such Disqualified Lender shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation as of such date and the Borrower Representative shall be entitled (but not obligated) to execute and deliver such Assignment and Acceptance and/or such other documentation on behalf of such Disqualified Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall record such assignment in the Register, (2) each Lender (whether or not then a party hereto) agrees to disclose to the Borrower Representative the amount that the applicable Disqualified Lender paid to acquire Commitments and/or Loans from such Lender and (3) each Lender that is a Disqualified Lender agrees to disclose to the Borrower Representative the amount it paid to acquire the Commitments and/or Loans held by it.

(iv) No Disqualified Lender (whether as a Lender, a Participant or otherwise) shall have any right to (A) receive any information or material made available to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (B) have access to any Internet or intranet website to which any of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party or other website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative or otherwise), (C) attend (including by telephone) or otherwise participate in any meeting or discussions (or portions thereof) among or with any of the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent and/or one or more Lenders, (D) receive any information or material prepared by the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent and/or one or more Lenders or (E) receive advice of counsel to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other Lender or challenge their attorney client privilege. Any Disqualified Lender shall not solicit or seek to obtain any such information or material. If at any time any Disqualified Lender receives or possesses any such information or material, such Disqualified Lender shall (1) notify the Borrower Representative as soon as possible that such information or material has become known to it or came into its possession, (2) immediately return to the Borrower Representative or, at the

 

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option of the Borrower Representative, destroy (and confirm to the Borrower Representative such destruction) such information or material, together with any notes, analyses, compilations, forecasts, studies or other documents related thereto which it or its advisors prepared and (3) keep such information or material confidential and shall not utilize such information or material for any purpose. Each Lender (whether or not then a party hereto) agrees to notify the Borrower Representative as soon as possible if it becomes aware that (x) it made an assignment to or has a participation with a Disqualified Lender or (y) any such Disqualified Lender has received any such information of materials.

(v) The rights and remedies of the Borrower Representative provided herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights and remedies provided to the Borrower Representative at law or in equity, and the Borrower Representative and the Borrowers shall be entitled to pursue any remedy available to it against any Lender that has (or has purported to have) made an assignment or sold or maintained a participation to or with a Disqualified Lender or against any Disqualified Lender. In no event shall the Administrative Agent be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any prospective assignee pursuant to Subsection 11.6(b) is a Disqualified Lender or have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans by the Lenders or disclosure of confidential information by the Lenders, in each case, to any Disqualified Lender; provided that, unless the Borrower Representative hasand, if applicable, the Sponsor, have knowingly consented in writing to an assignment to an applicable Disqualified Lender, this sentence shall not relieve the Administrative Agent of any liability arising from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision).

(vi) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Assignment and Acceptance or any other document, the provisions of this Subsection 11.6(j) shall apply and survive with respect to each Lender, Participant and Disqualified Lender notwithstanding that any such Person may have ceased to be a Lender or Participant (or any purported participation to any such Disqualified Lender shall be void) hereunder or this Agreement may have been terminated.

11.7 Adjustments; Set-off; Calculations; Computations. (a) If any Lender (a “Benefited Lender”) shall at any time receive any payment of all or part of its Revolving Credit Loans or the Reimbursement Obligations owing to it, or interest thereon, or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature referred to in Subsection 9.1(f), or otherwise (except pursuant to Subsection 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 4.4, 4.5(b), 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13(d), 8.6(b), 11.1(g) or 11.6)), in a greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral received by any other Lender, if any, in respect of such other Lender’s Revolving Credit Loans or the Reimbursement Obligations, as the case may be, owing to it, or interest thereon, such Benefited Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders an interest (by participation, assignment or otherwise) in such portion of each such other Lender’s Revolving Credit Loans or the Reimbursement Obligations, as the case may

 

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be, owing to it, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, or the proceeds thereof, as shall be necessary to cause such Benefited Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral or proceeds ratably with each of the Lenders; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefited Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

(b) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to the Borrower Representative, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower Representative to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Subsection 9.1(a) to set-off and appropriate and apply against any amount then due and payable under Subsection 9.1(a) by such Borrower any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender or any branch or agency thereof to or for the credit or the account of such Borrower. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.

11.8 Judgment. (a) If, for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against any Loan Party in any court in any jurisdiction, it becomes necessary to convert into any other currency (such other currency being hereinafter in this Subsection 11.8 referred to as the “Judgment Currency”) an amount due under any Loan Document in any currency (the “Obligation Currency”) other than the Judgment Currency, the conversion shall be made at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Business Day immediately preceding the date of actual payment of the amount due, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of any other jurisdiction that will give effect to such conversion being made on such date, or the date on which the judgment is given, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of any other jurisdiction (the applicable date as of which such conversion is made pursuant to this Subsection 11.8 being hereinafter in this Subsection 11.8 referred to as the “Judgment Conversion Date”).

(b) If, in the case of any proceeding in the court of any jurisdiction referred to in Subsection 11.8(a), there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Judgment Conversion Date and the date of actual receipt for value of the amount due, the applicable Loan Party shall pay such additional amount (if any, but in any event not a lesser amount) as may be necessary to ensure that the amount actually received in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of the Obligation Currency which could have been purchased with the amount of the Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial order at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Judgment Conversion Date. Any amount due from any Loan Party under this Subsection 11.8(b) shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other amounts due under or in respect of any of the Loan Documents.

 

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(c) The term “rate of exchange” in this Subsection 11.8 means the rate of exchange at which the Administrative Agent, on the relevant date at or about 12:00 noon (New York City time), would be prepared to sell, in accordance with its normal course foreign currency exchange practices, the Obligation Currency against the Judgment Currency.

11.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement in any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile and other electronic transmission), and all of such counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all the parties shall be delivered to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent.

11.10 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

11.11 Integration. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the entire agreement of each of the Loan Parties party hereto, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any of the Loan Parties party hereto, the Administrative Agent or any Lender relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.

11.12 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY NOTES AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ITS PRINCIPLES OR RULES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT SUCH PRINCIPLES OR RULES ARE NOT MANDATORILY APPLICABLE BY STATUTE AND WOULD REQUIRE OR PERMIT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

11.13 Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York for the County of New York (the “New York Supreme Court”), and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Federal District Court,” and together with the New York Supreme Court, the “New York Courts”) and appellate courts from either of them; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or operate to preclude (i) any Agent from bringing suit or taking other legal action in any other jurisdiction to realize on the Collateral or any other security for the Obligations (in which case any party shall be entitled to assert any claim or defense, including any claim or defense that this

 

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Subsection 11.13 would otherwise require to be asserted in a legal action or proceeding in a New York Court), or to enforce a judgment or other court order in favor of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, (ii) any party from bringing any legal action or proceeding in any jurisdiction for the recognition and enforcement of any judgment, (iii) if all such New York Courts decline jurisdiction over any Person, or decline (or in the case of the Federal District Court, lack) jurisdiction over any subject matter of such action or proceeding, a legal action or proceeding may be brought with respect thereto in another court having jurisdiction and (iv) in the event a legal action or proceeding is brought against any party hereto or involving any of its assets or property in another court (without any collusive assistance by such party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates), such party from asserting a claim or defense (including any claim or defense that this Subsection 11.13(a) would otherwise require to be asserted in a legal proceeding in a New York Court) in any such action or proceeding.;

(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient forum and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to the applicable Borrower, the applicable Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, at the address specified in Subsection 11.2 or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent, any such Lender and any such Borrower shall have been notified pursuant thereto;

(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or (subject to clause (a) above) shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and

(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Subsection 11.13 any consequential or punitive damages.

11.14 Acknowledgements. Each Borrower hereby acknowledges that:

(a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

(b) neither any Agent nor any Other Representative or Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to any Borrower arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between the Administrative Agent and Lenders, on the one hand, and the Borrowers, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of creditor and debtor; and

(c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby among the Lenders or among any of the Borrowers and the Lenders.

 

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11.15 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE BORROWERS, THE AGENTS AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY NOTES OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

11.16 Confidentiality. (a) Each Agent, each Other Representative and each Lender agrees to keep confidential any information (a) provided to it by or on behalf of any Holding Company or any of the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries pursuant to or in connection with the Loan Documents or (b) obtained by such Lender based on a review of the books and records of any Holding Company or any of the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries; provided that nothing herein shall prevent any Lender from disclosing any such information (i) to any Agent, any Other Representative or any other Lender, (ii) to any Transferee, or prospective Transferee or any creditor or any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to any Borrower and its obligations which agrees to comply with the provisions of this Subsection 11.16 pursuant to a written instrument (or electronically recorded agreement from any Person listed above in this clause (ii), in respect to any electronic information (whether posted or otherwise distributed on any Platform)) for the benefit of the Borrowers (it being understood that each relevant Lender shall be solely responsible for obtaining such instrument (or such electronically recorded agreement)), (iii) to its Affiliates and the employees, officers, partners, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors of it and its Affiliates; provided that such Lender shall inform each such Person of the agreement under this Subsection 11.16 and take reasonable actions to cause compliance by any such Person referred to in this clause (iii) with this agreement (including, where appropriate, to cause any such Person to acknowledge its agreement to be bound by the agreement under this Subsection 11.16), (iv) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such Lender or its affiliates or to the extent required in response to any order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as shall otherwise be required pursuant to any Requirement of Law; provided that, other than with respect to any disclosure to any bank regulatory authority, such Lender shall, unless prohibited by any Requirement of Law, notify the Borrower Representative of any disclosure pursuant to this clause (iv) as far in advance as is reasonably practicable under such circumstances, (v) which has been publicly disclosed other than in breach of this Agreement, (vi) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder, under any Loan Document or under any Interest Rate Agreement, (vii) in connection with periodic regulatory examinations and reviews conducted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such Lender or its affiliates (to the extent applicable), (viii) in connection with any litigation to which such Lender (or, with respect to any Interest Rate Agreement, any Affiliate of any Lender party thereto) may be a party subject to the proviso in clause (iv) above, and (ix) if, prior to such information having been so provided or obtained, such information was already in an Agent’s or a Lender’s possession on a non-confidential basis without a duty of confidentiality to anythe Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries being violated. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any Assignment and Acceptance, the provisions of this Subsection 11.16 shall survive with respect to each Agent and Lender until the second anniversary of such Agent or Lender ceasing to be an Agent or a Lender, respectively; provided that in no case shall any Agent or Lender cease to be obligated pursuant to this Subsection 11.16 prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date. In

 

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addition, the Administrative Agent may provide information regarding the Facilities to service providers providing administrative and ministerial services solely in connection with the syndication and administration of the Facilities on a confidential basis; provided that, except with respect to information which has been publicly disclosed other than in breach of this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall inform each such Person of the agreement under this Subsection 11.16 and take reasonable actions to cause compliance by any such Person with this agreement (including, where appropriate, to cause any such Person to acknowledge its agreement to be bound by the agreement under this Subsection 11.16).

(b) Each Lender acknowledges that any such information referred to in Subsection 11.16(a), and any information (including requests for waivers and amendments) furnished by the BorrowersParent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the Administrative Agent pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, may include material non-public information concerning the BorrowersParent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the other Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates or their respective securities. Each Lender represents and confirms that such Lender has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information; that such Lender will handle such material non-public information in accordance with those procedures and applicable law, including United States federal and state securities laws; and that such Lender has identified to the Administrative Agent a credit contact who may receive information that may contain material non-public information in accordance with its compliance procedures and applicable law.

11.17 Incremental Indebtedness; Additional Indebtedness. In connection with the incurrence by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof of any Incremental Indebtedness or Additional Indebtedness, each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent agrees to execute and deliver the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any Other Intercreditor Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement Supplement and amendments, amendments and restatements, restatements or waivers of or supplements to or other modifications to, any Security Document, and to make or consent to any filings or take any other actions in connection therewith, as may be reasonably deemed by the Borrower Representative to be necessary or reasonably desirable for any Lien on the assets of any Loan Party permitted to secure such Incremental Facility or Additional Indebtedness to become a valid, perfected lien (with such priority as may be designated by the relevant Loan Party or Subsidiary, to the extent such priority is permitted by the Loan Documents) pursuant to the Security Document being so amended, amended and restated, restated, waived, supplemented or otherwise modified or otherwise.

11.18 USA PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”), it is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the Patriot Act and the CDD Rule, and the Borrowers agrees to provide such information from time to time to any Lender.

 

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11.19 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature” and words of like import in any Assignment and Acceptance or Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption or in any amendment or other modification hereof (including waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

11.20 Reinstatement. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition or other proceeding be filed by or against any Loan Party for liquidation or reorganization, should any Loan Party become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of any creditor or creditors or should an interim receiver, receiver, receiver and manager or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of any Loan Party’s assets, and shall continue to be effective or to be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrowers under the Loan Documents, or any part thereof, is, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee of the obligations, whether as a fraudulent preference, reviewable transaction or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment, or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the obligations of the Borrowers hereunder shall be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

11.21 Joint and Several Liability; Postponement of Subrogation. (a) The obligations of the Borrowers hereunder and under the other Loan Documents to which each Borrower is a party shall be joint and several and, as such, each Borrower shall be liable for all of such obligations of the other Borrowers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which each Borrower is a partyor otherwise in respect of the Obligations. To the fullest extent permitted by law the liability of each Borrower for the obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and all other Obligations of the other applicable Borrowers with whom it has joint and several liability shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, without regard to (i) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any of the obligations hereunder or thereunder or any other collateral security therefor or guarantee or right of offset with respect thereto at any time or from time to time held by any applicable Secured Party, (ii) any defense, set-off or counterclaim (other than a defense of payment or performance hereunder; provided that no Borrower hereby waives any suit for breach of a contractual provision of any of the Loan Documents) which may at any time be available to or be asserted by such other applicable Borrower or any other Person against any Secured Party or (iii) any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or knowledge of such other applicable Borrower or such Borrower) which constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of such other applicable Borrower for the obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or of such Borrower under this Subsection 11.21, in bankruptcy or in any other instance.

 

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(b) Each Borrower agrees that it will not exercise any rights which it may acquire by way of rights of subrogation under this Agreement, by any payments made hereunder or otherwise, until the prior payment in full in cash of all of the obligations hereunder and under any other Loan Document, the termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit and the permanent termination of all Commitments. Any amount paid to any Borrower on account of any such subrogation rights prior to the payment in full in cash of all of the obligations hereunder and under any other Loan Document and all other Obligations, the termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit and the permanent termination of all Commitments shall be held in trust for the benefit of the applicable Secured Parties and shall immediately be paid to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the applicable Secured Parties and credited and applied against the obligations of the applicable Borrowers, whether matured or unmatured, in such order as the Administrative Agent shall elect. In furtherance of the foregoing, for so long as any obligations of the Borrowers hereunder, any Letters of Credit or any Commitments remain outstanding, each Borrower shall refrain from taking any action or commencing any proceeding against any other Borrower (or any of its successors or assigns, whether in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding or otherwise) to recover any amounts in respect of payments made in respect of the obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document of such other Borrower to any Secured Party.

11.22 Designated Cash Management Agreements and Designated Hedging Agreements. The Borrower Representative may from time to time elect by notice in writing to the Administrative Agent (with a copy to the Cash Management Party or Hedging Party, as applicable, party to the Cash Management Arrangement, Interest Rate Agreement, Hedging Agreement or other Permitted Hedging Arrangement, as applicable, to which the notice relates) that (x)(i) a Cash Management Arrangement with any Cash Management Party is to be a “Designated Cash Management Agreement” having monetary obligations that are subject to the waterfall provisions set forth in Subsection 10.15 and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall establish a Designated Cash Management Reserve with respect to any such Designated Cash Management Agreement in an amount (which amount shall be specified in such notice) equal to the anticipated monetary obligations of the Loan Parties under such Designated Cash Management Agreement owing to any Cash Management Party, so long as, immediately after giving effect thereto, Excess Availability would be not less than zero, or (y)(i) an Interest Rate Agreement, Hedging Agreement or other Permitted Hedging Arrangement with any Hedging Party is to be a “Designated Hedging Agreement” having monetary obligations that are subject to the waterfall provisions set forth in Subsection 10.15 and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall establish a Designated Hedging Reserve with respect to any such Designated Hedging Agreement in an amount (which amount shall be specified in such notice) equal to the anticipated monetary obligations of the Loan Parties under such Designated Hedging Agreement owing to any Hedging Party, so long as, immediately after giving effect thereto, Excess Availability would be not less than zero, provided that (i) no Designated Cash Management Agreement or Designated Hedging Agreement can be secured at the same time on a first lien basis by the Term Loan Priority Collateral (and any request under this Subsection 11.22 will be deemed to be a representation by the Borrower Representative to such effect), and (ii) no monetary obligations under any Designated Cash Management Agreement or Designated Hedging Agreement shall receive any benefit of the designation under this Subsection 11.22 after the Discharge of ABL Obligations (as defined in the ABL/Term Loan Intercreditor Agreement) ,

 

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provided, further, that no Cash Management Arrangement shall be designated as a “Designated Cash Management Agreement” and no Interest Rate Agreement, Hedging Agreement or other Permitted Hedging Arrangement shall be designated as a “Designated Hedging Agreement” if, at the time of such designation, the establishment of a Designated Cash Management Reserve or Designated Hedging Reserve in connection with such Designated Cash Management Agreement or Designated Hedging Agreement, as applicable, would result in Excess Availability being less than zero. The Borrower Representative may from time to time instruct the Administrative Agent to (i) reduce or eliminate the amount of any Designated Cash Management Reserve or Designated Hedging Reserve by delivering to the Administrative Agent (with a copy to the Cash Management Party or Hedging Party, as applicable, party to the Designated Cash Management Agreement or Designated Hedging Agreement to which the Designated Cash Management Reserve or Designated Hedging Reserve relates) a notice of such reduction or elimination or (ii) increase the amount of any Designated Cash Management Reserve or Designated Hedging Reserve by notice in writing to the Administrative Agent (with a copy to the Cash Management Party or Hedging Party, as applicable, party to the Designated Cash Management Agreement or Designated Hedging Agreement to which the Designated Cash Management Reserve or Designated Hedging Reserve relates) so long as in the case of this clause (ii), immediately after giving effect to such increase, Excess Availability would be not less than zero.

11.23 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEAAffected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, each party heretothe Parent Borrower, each Lender and the Administrative Agent (each, an “Acknowledging Party”) acknowledges that any liability of any party heretoLender that is an EEAAffected Financial Institution arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured and solely relates to the Loans and not to any other Person, including any other party hereto or any other Loan Document (and not to any other obligations), to such Acknowledging Party (all such liabilities, other than any Excluded Liability, the “Covered Liabilities”), may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers to any Covered Liability arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document which may be payable to it by any Lender party hereto that is an EEAAffected Financial Institution; and

(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such Covered Liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such Covered Liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such Covered Liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEAAffected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such Covered Liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

 

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(iii) the variation of the terms of such Covered Liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing contained in this Subsection 11.23 shall modify or otherwise alter the rights or obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document of any Person party hereto (other than an Acknowledging Party to the extent set forth in this Subsection 11.21) or with respect to any liability that is not a Covered Liability.

11.24 Recognition of U.S. Special Resolution Regime11.24 Recognition of U.S. Special Resolution Regime. AUTONF D3_TC. In the event that any Lender that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Lender of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event that any Lender that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Lender becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Lender are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

11.25 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for any Permitted Hedging Arrangements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support”, and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and

 

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remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

(a) As used in this Section 11.25, the following term has the following meaning:

QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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

 

CD&R WATERWORKS MERGER SUB, LLC
By:    
         Name:
  Title:

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE WATERWORKS ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT]


AGENT AND LENDERS:
CITIBANK, N.A.,
  as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO THE WATERWORKS ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT]


[____________________],
  as Lender
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

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ANNEX III to AMENDMENT NO. 3

Exhibit N-2

 

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EXHIBIT N-2

to

ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT

FORM OF BORROWER TERMINATION

CITIBANK, N.A.

388 Greenwich Street, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10013

Attention: Christopher Marino

Email: X

[Date]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned, CORE & MAIN LP (the “Parent Borrower”), refers to the Credit Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2017 (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Parent Borrower, the Subsidiary Borrowers (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto and CITIBANK, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders, as collateral agent for the Secured Parties, as swingline lender and as an issuing lender. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this certificate shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

The Parent Borrower hereby (i) certifies that the conditions set forth in Subsection 11.1(h) of the Credit Agreement to effect the termination contemplated hereunder have been, or substantially concurrently herewith will be, satisfied and (ii) accordingly, terminates the status of [            ] (the “Terminated Borrower”) as a Subsidiary Borrower under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

The Parent Borrower further agrees that, any time and from time to time upon the written request of the Administrative Agent, it will execute and deliver such further documents and do such further acts and things as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Subsection 11.1(h) of the Credit Agreement in order to effect the purposes of this Borrower Termination.

This Borrower Termination may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Borrower Termination on any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile or other electronic transmission), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. The words “execution”, “signed”, “signature” and words of like import used herein shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. This Borrower Termination shall become effective as to the Terminated Borrower when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of this Borrower Termination that, when taken together, bear the signatures of the Terminated Borrower and the Parent Borrower.


EXHIBIT N-2

to

ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT

Page 2

 

THIS BORROWER TERMINATION AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ITS PRINCIPLES OR RULES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT SUCH PRINCIPLES OR RULES ARE NOT MANDATORILY APPLICABLE BY STATUTE AND WOULD REQUIRE OR PERMIT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.


EXHIBIT N-2

to

ABL CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Very truly yours,
CORE & MAIN LP
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
[TERMINATED BORROWER]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

Acknowledged by:
CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
By:    
  Name:
  Title: